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Original poster

Recommendations for non-reading DH

37 replies

Parliamo · 10/05/2014 14:00

I suspect DH has never read a book in his life, other than a couple of sportsman biographies. But now he reads with our children and he recognises how important reading is, he mentioned today he wanted to try a novel. He is a slow reader (when concentrating on reading he will move his lips) and easily frustrated if he is not good at something. My preferences are more intellectual/ literary fiction whereas he would rather crime/ adventure (my least favourite) I don't want to suggest something that will put him off...

So any suggestions for easy reading that will ease him in gently to the wonderful world of fiction? Fwiw, I've always been surprised he's not more into fiction, he's very sociable, and has a superb memory for stories and anecdotes, if that connection makes any sense!

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EduardoBarcelona · 13/05/2014 05:36

Agree with the dog. Or just let him be a non reader?

notadoctor · 13/05/2014 03:12

The Sisters Brothers

countingto10 · 11/05/2014 21:04

Second "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" (think it was originally written for teenagers) - my DH never reads but actually managed to read and very much enjoy this book.

CitronVert · 11/05/2014 15:51

What about Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? Nice and easy to read but some tricky/thought provoking concepts that make you feel all clever!

thegambler · 11/05/2014 15:47

Checkpointcharlie, The Humans ? Is that the Matt Haig one that was on offer for world book day ? Can I have one eh! eh! Can I can I eh! Please! ?

I could only get hold of the boy with the top knot (that doesn't read too well does it ?)

highlandcoo · 11/05/2014 12:49

Iain Banks is great but I would most definitely start with The Wasp Factory - short and gripping and quite dark. The others are excellent, involving novels but fairly long.

CheckpointCharlie · 11/05/2014 12:27

Brill Parliamo! Shall I send you one and see if you can work it out.

ShanghaiDiva · 11/05/2014 09:26

Also think YA fiction might be a good place to start:
The Fear - Charlie Higson
Maze Runner - James Dashner
Hunger Games
Knife of never letting go - Ness
Slated - Teri Terry
things my girlfriend and i have argued about by mil Millington is also very funny and an easy read

Original poster
Parliamo · 11/05/2014 09:10

Thanks all, I have a starting point.

Charlie when I get round to working out how to do messages I will take you up on the offer! I love the idea of swapping books. Maybe I'll find something on my shelves you might like...

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CheckpointCharlie · 10/05/2014 19:09

mrs would you like a copy of The Humans for your DH too? I have about ten left.

MrsDavidBowie · 10/05/2014 18:48

Dh is the same. Don't think he reads a book a year.
Peter James is a good thriller writer.
And Touching the void went down well here too!

DoctorTwo · 10/05/2014 18:44

The new one from John Connolly, The Wolf In Winter. It's gripping and the second half really rattles along.

LineRunner · 10/05/2014 18:01

Harlan Coben's books about Myron and Win are brilliant. Crime thrillers, easy to read, witty and very enjoyable. Set in the US.

SilverViking · 10/05/2014 17:56

Alan Bateman, ray reading crime triller, and very funny!

CoteDAzur · 10/05/2014 17:30

Jack Reacher books - Great page turners with short sentences and 200-world vocabulary.

Watchmen - Graphic novel. It's very good.

CheckpointCharlie · 10/05/2014 17:14

I have a Touching the Void I can post you! And I have another hilarious book called The Humans. I am a book giver and your DH is my prime target!

Pm me your address and I'll chuck them both in the post!

DaffodilsandTruffles · 10/05/2014 17:13

What about some Christopher Brookmyer? My DH (a confirmed non-fiction man) picked my copy of ' All Fun and Games' on holiday once and was hooked. They are crime based, quite violent but very, very funny. The plots are brilliant and keep you guessing right to the end.

FriedSprout · 10/05/2014 17:10

How about going a little retro? Am thinking perhaps Dick Francis, Alistair Maclean or even Jeffrey Archer! fast moving, exciting stories.

Failing that you can't beat a Terry Pratchett for humour, Bernard Corwall if he likes a little history.

bigbadbarry · 10/05/2014 17:05

Hunger games or Jack Reacher - I've known JR (and Harr potter actually) start a few adults onto novels.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/05/2014 16:57

Terry Pratchett, DH not a huge reader but loves these, Jack Reader books,

evertonmint · 10/05/2014 16:55

Oh yes, The Hunger Games is great. Easy to read but some big ideas to think about.

Patilla · 10/05/2014 16:29

How about the hunger games trilogy? Incredibly easy to read and Not obviously a teenage read. Very gripping too. Started reading it at first feed of night and kept on reading to and thru next feed when DD was a newborn. Not my widest move but nice to lose yourself once in a while in a book.

Original poster
Parliamo · 10/05/2014 16:26

Yes, stonemouth! I have read all three but with several years between so similarities didn't matter so much.

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thegambler · 10/05/2014 16:22

Stonemouth ?

I found Stonemouth, Garbadale and The Crow Road very similar but not in a bad way. Whit maybe aswell.

Original poster
Parliamo · 10/05/2014 15:58

Ooo I loved the carbadale Ian banks, and maybe Stonehaven might appeal. There's a bit of a crime/ mystery slant to that if memory serves.

Thanks, lots to make a reading list from. I'm just scared of choising the first one, if it's not right and gives up again, it will be ages till he tries again!

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