Book suggestions for a 17 year old reluctant reader

[wizzbitt]

Hello all, I was wondering if you could help. I have been tutoring a 17 year old girl for the last few years. Over that time I have gotten to know her and her family well. Her 18th birthday is coming up and I want to get her a book but she’s not a fan of reading 🤦‍♀️ so I am after your help to help with books for the reluctant reader. All I can add is that she loves horses, skateboarding, fashion, baking, has ASC and ADHD (not sure if that might help 🤷‍♀️). I would say her reading age is around 15 years. I have considered graphic novels but she’s never really spoken about them.
Anyway if anyone can send some suggestions my way then I’d be really grateful.
Thanks ☺️

My daughter is 15 and recommends Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo, Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. Or even The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.

They are all dystopian fantasy series - not sure if that's what you're looking for.

My daughter gets a lot of book recommendations via tiktok, by the way.

This is useful. Thanks.

How about a non-fiction book she can dip into.Maybe one with maps,colourful illustrations and snippets of information.I can’t think of a title off hand but I’m sure a good bookseller could recommend something

Actually just realised you said it would be for her 18th birthday in which case I highly recommend Dr Seuss “ oh the places you’ll go” with perhaps a beautiful notebook / diary to go with it

Jilly Cooper 'Polo'

The Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

I've got an 18 year old reluctant reader. I don't buy him books unless he asks for them
There's no point. He doesn't read them.

Since Christmas 2021 he's read the first 3 Series of Unfortunate Events books. That's all.

Black Beauty

Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.

Would she want a book? It doesn't seem the most considered present.
If you really feel it's appropriate perhaps as a PP suggests one she can dip into rather than 'a proper read'... or one with really short chapters . There's lots of epistolary books aimed at teens.
I think I'd be inclined to get a nice recipe book

I would buy something else. Reluctant readers - particularly late teens, just won't read. It's not a question of finding something she'll like - she just won't bother. If you don't like reading, then you aren't suddenly going to be thrilled with a book for your 18th.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm actually inclined to choose something else now. PP have made good points regarding how it's unlikely she'll start reading if she's always been reluctant. I did actually offer to take her to a bookshop to look at books but she did a lengthy eye roll and it made me laugh. I wouldn't have gone book shopping with my teacher at 17 either! 😂
I do like the idea of non fiction books or a recipe book - something that she's more likely to use than something gathering dust in her room.
It's always good to get other perspectives. Appreciate all your comments ☺️

I love this book!

What about a book of short stories? I find Neil Gaiman's short story collections fantastic - 'Fragile Things' and 'Smoke and Mirrors' are particularly good.

Subscription to a horse magazine?

I'd go for something different as PP said, you know she's a reluctant reader so "here have something I know you don't like to do" isn't a great present!

Just get her something else. Why get her a present you know she won’t want?

Get “Rafferty Lincoln Loves…” and a personalised ribbon charm bookmark from Lisa Angel with her initials eg “AB 18th”

dick Francis’ -yes the crime novels- are easy fun reads set in the racing world, you could ask mumsnet which is the most horsey up front to maybe grab her attention? But not for her 18th- it’s not kind to get someone a birthday present, especially a milestone one, designed to improve them.

she may just not have been exposed to graphic novels- there are a lot out there!

What about one of the Nosh recipe books such as the one for students. I often give that as a present with a chopping board and knife or baking tin and scoop measures.

They say non-fiction is good for a reluctant reader. There are quite a few memoirs and similar written by female aspies. Claire (?) Sainsbury wrote one of the earlier ones and there have been a spate recently. Might help her sense of self,too.

If she loves horses (so did I), then what about the Marguerite Henry books?
Stormy, Bright Angel, etc.

They may seem like easy reads but perhaps that's what she needs to be tempted. They capture places and eras while being charming. There is Black Beauty as well (it was not written only for children).

For graphic novels: Calvin & Hobbes anthologies. Our whole family loves them.