Husbands never read a book

I am a reader, mine is a watcher.
Books don't do it for him for 2 reasons. 1-he is undiagnosed dislexic very obviously, 2-it doesn't make a movie in his head.
Some people don't get the same pleasure from books as others even if they don't have reading issues. If my brain didn't make visual stories in my head I also wouldn't enjoy it.
Mine finds nice series, downloads it and watches it by the pool.
Usually people who do not read at all don't because it simply doesn't do it for them.

If he wants to try get him 1 book to try. There is no need for "pile".

The secret diary of Adrian mole age 13 3/4#...
Men are from mars,women have no rights dictate how you lounge as long as ure not annoying

I used to work as a Teacher-librarian and have dual qualifications (not in the UK). I always found that quite often it was a case of finding just the 'right' book that would catch a child's interest, and if you were lucky, it could turn them into keen readers. Obviously this wouldn't always work and some children just weren't interested in reading, no matter how much encouragement they received at home or school. But that's just life, I suppose. My idea of hell would be to attend a cricket match, tennis tournament, or, really, any sporting event.

My DH has never read a book in all the years I have known him, he says he reads enough for work! He cannot understand my obsession with books and my idea of heaven being curled up with a good book. I cannot understand his obsession with gaming - we are all different!

And?

You appear to think that reading is superior to swimming, but that's your view, not his.

It really isn't that mind-blowing. I enjoy reading, but I get that it isn't everyone's priority. And I don't usually read much on holiday - why would I spend my precious holiday time doing something that I can do at home?

Maybe he listesn to podcasts, or music?
Maybe he doesn't sit around and instead swims in the pool?
Maybe he's someone who prefers to be walking around exploring, and checking out local culture?

Why do you want to buy a non-reader a pile of books?

Would you buy a non-cyclist a load of bikes? Someone who doesn't enjoy watching films a load of cinema tickets?

This is about what you want, and you forcing your ideas on to him.

Or the first book of Game of Thrones?

maybe not a pile- my db has the fabbest collection of books at home that we gifted him for years before realising he doesn’t actually read books! I’d say Lee Child is usually a good bet, or an old John Grisham or Patricia Cornwall.

Keep to short books, OP. And not a big pile. Maybe 3 short books total. You want him to succeed. I Am Legend is great and short

John Wyndham’s The Midwich Cuckoos ( can watch tv series after reading if hasn’t already) or Day of the Triffids or Trouble with Lichen or the Chrysalids or Chocky all by the same author. My favourite sci-fi ever - very believable Earthbound and not hard going like say the Dune books which I also enjoy but undoubtedly hard going in parts.

Mind-blown at people who haven’t read for decades!

What would he do by the pool if he wasn’t reading? Just lie there, thinking? Or not thinking?!

Anyway, maybe a Rebus novel or two? I’d imagine something plot driven without anything tricksy going on with form or language might be best.

https://www.waterstones.com/author/ben-macintyre/132884 what about this?

The ghost stories book is Winter Spirit, i think.

My first thought too!

If he isn't interested why should he? Why try to make him? Some people just have other interests. My Dad never read books. He did read the newspaper but dropped that for 24 hours news. He was passionately interested in engineering and computers.

But one thing he might skim read was the biography of someone who really interested him.

Great. I think autobiographys are good for the non reader. It instantly brings a connection and more likely to retain the interest

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, he also wrote the Martian. Both great sci-fi and funny too.

3 Body Problem is a fascinating book but I really wouldn't recommend it to a non-reader.

Ender's Game is a short and super readable sci-fi classic. Even if you've seen the film and therefore had the twist spoiled, the book is much better and still worth reading.

My husband is also not a reader, but loves sci-fi. His gateway books have mostly been John Wyndham (Kraken Wakes, Day of the Triffids) and Harry Harrison's stainless steel rat. I agree with the previous poster who suggested golden age sci-fi stories are very accesible for men.

I think you just need to accept that some people don't read for pleasure. My ex didn't read a book or even a newspaper the whole time we were together. I found it bizarre but it's just how they were so I gave up trying to change them.

I would try him on Slough House by.Mick Herron, the slow horses books or the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. Both are great fun

As a non reader a pile of books would mean I didn’t really get a present from my partner.

If he WANTS to read a book while away buy him one but as pp said audible and podcasts may serve him better.

If he likes sci fi he might like the Red Dwarf book which I believe is read by Chris Barrie on Audible.