Book recommendations to reignite lapsed reader

[soupsong]

I used to read loads but literally cannot focus on any book for longer than 20 minutes. Trust me I've tried. I do listen to audio books but it's not the same.

I blame a traumatic few years, including divorce, moving home and constant anxiety. My mind wanders and I lose interest.

I desperately want to start reading again and would welcome thoughts on books that are an easy read but will keep me gripped.
Hoping once I get a couple under my belt the spark will reignite.

What sort of books did you used to enjoy reading?

I'd maybe recommend The List of Suspicious Things for you if you're coming out of a tough time. It's very life affirming and an easy read.

Reread an old favourite. That will often help you get back into the swing of it because it's easier than picking up something new.

Or look at new books from an old favourite author.

Banning yourself from other activities can help too so that reading replaces that. And 20 minutes is also a respectable length of reading session, even if you used to read for longer.

I must admit the dreaded phone is a terrible distraction. I do need to be more disciplined in using it - am sure it's one of the reasons my attention span is so short. My anxiety has been so high over the last few years it's always my go to distraction.

It's a good idea trying to re read an old favourite. I will look at what I've got.

I enjoy historical fiction (think CJ Samson, Hilary Mantel), family sagas - easy, non-taxing plots, although maybe a good twist!

Am embarrassed to admit I have an English degree and so should have a catalogue of highbrow reads on the go but I've just totally lost my reading mojo

I've just started Just One Damned Thing After Another, which is fun historical-ish fiction. Easy to read.

I read a lot on my phone, using the Kindle app. That started because I had a baby and needed to be able to read one handed, but it's continued because I find it easier to swap from other apps.

I've never got to grips with a kindle type device for reading. Are they easier to read than books?

Don't feel you have to read highbrow just because you can. It can be hard for people who have studied books, I think, to get a proper hold on to reading for pleasure again.
I use BorrowBox on my phone. It's a library app- you just join a library, input your name and password into the app and you can borrow loads of books for free. I read this way in tandem with real books, but find that reading on my phone is a good way of distracting me from spending loads of time on social media.

I've had the same issue for a few years, even books I am enjoying it suddenly seemed to not be able to go any further with...really weird but yes I think trauma has played a huge part. My advice is to start with audio books (I never thought I'd like them, like I don't like the idea of a kindle) as once you get one with a good narrator you can walk for hours just engrossed. I enjoyed Prima Facie (trigger warning for rape) and Richard Osmon for light hearted up to date books like Thursday Murder Club. What kind of genre do you think you can handle? I'm a true crime type and enjoy pathology so some of my recommendations can be a bit dark!

For easy to read, historical fiction - I've been enjoying books by Stacey Halls.

I also found that fantasy books helped me to reignite my reading bug, so Rachel Gillig (One Dark Window), Stephanie Garber (Caraval), Naomi Novik, Sarah J Maas.

If you'd rather have a book in the hand (or one by the bed) short stories could be a good way to get back into the physical habit? I enjoyed Dahl's adult books (Kiss Kiss etc) and short stories collections. I've got the Woman Hour short stories book from the 90s in the car so that I can use any time waiting to read rather than scroll (that's the idea at least!). You can get a few 2nd hand on Amazon to try out and have around in areas you might like a "good sit" 😉

When I lost my reading mojo, I reread a book from my teenage years (in this case, it was a Lois Duncan book) - an easy '90s YA book to ease me back in again and I really enjoyed the nostalgia!

As for recommendations, I recently loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Lessons in Chemistry, Daisy Darker, the Seven Sisters series, Clan of the Cave Bear, and Pillars of the Earth (and the rest of the series).

Easier in that they are lighter to carry around, can hold hundreds of books at once (handy if you change your mind about what you are reading!) and sync with the app on your phone in case you ever forget to take the kindle - you don't lose your place! Plus I always look for the 99p kindle book deals and take out a KIndle Unlimited sub whenever it's free or cheap!

Thank you.

I do listen to audio books but can only do so whilst undertaking another activity eg dog walking, driving etc. it's odd but seems to be the way my brain is wired these days - programmed to do several things at once. I really don't like I seem unable to focus on one activity.

I like the same sort of books and really liked Cecily and The King's Mother which are fictionalised accounts of Cecily Neville's life before/after the coronation of Edward VI.

The Making of a Marchioness is my ultimate comfort/get back on track read, alongside The Pursuit of Love and its sequels.

For newer reads, Janice Hallett's stuff is pretty good if you don't mind disliking pretty much every character in an enjoyable story! And I really liked Big Little Lies (Liane Moriarty) and How To Kill Your Family (Bella Mackie) - both enjoyable and pretty well-written but undemanding at the same time.

The Great Circle is my absolute favourite from the last five years. I just slipped into that world and keep coming back to it.

This really chimed with me. I've had to get really strict with myself and create the right "conditions" for reading even turning my phone actually off rather than just putting it to one side so it's an extra step to have to go through to consciously look at it.

It almost starts as a chore - I am going to force myself to read for half an hour - but it really works and in no time I'm reaching for the book rather than the phone. I find actually starting a book the hardest, once I'm into it it's much easier.

I think the key thing is to put your mobile out of reach. I often read in the bath because of the lack of devices too. You could also turn your phone completely off. I'm an English academic and have the same problem when I'm writing, I get horribly distracted by my mobile, so have to put it elsewhere.

Philippa Gregory is light and entertaining historic fiction if you previously read Wolf Hall, then you will have an idea of the Tudor timeline.

I would also recommend The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, which has elements of both historical and detective fiction. If you like her detective, you can then read her other books.

I put some light reading music on Spotify through my phone and then place it out of reach.

I started leaving my phone upstairs for a few on a Sunday to break the screen habit. It was much easier to concentrate without knowing I could doomscroll or check messages.

I think Sovereign is my favourite of the C J Sansom books. That would be my recommendation of a re-read to get you started again.

So pleased other people get where I'm coming from!

It's true that starting a book is the hardest bit, probably why I need to kick off with an easy/gripping read.

I also realise I need to be stricter with my phone and create the right conditions for my brain to refocus.

The game changer for me with my kindle was getting a cover for it that allows me to hold it like a book. It immediately felt more natural to read from it, if you see what I mean.

I find YA books were what got me back into reading as they usually don't require too much thought, so I can read while distractions are going on around me. The chapters are often shorter too has natural breaks quite often.

I read alot on my kindle as its easy to stick in my bag, no faffing for a bookmark and I can read in all light conditions! I do still read actual books too as some books on kindle are v expensive and I quite enjoy a charity shop purchase!

I sometimes read manga or graphic novels when my brain is too preoccupied as I can see what's going on so less to focus on.

I didnt read much for about 7 years and have now in the last 6 months read over 60 books. I read on my bus journey to and from work and in the evenings instead of sitting on my phone or watching reruns of TV shows I've seen before!

YA books?

YA is young adult.

https://www.sararosett.com/high-society-lady-detective-mystery-series/murderatarchlymanor/

I got back into reading with these that someone recommended to me. Light detective fiction. Plot lines are a bit thin but they are fun. And the don't require much thought.