Need ideas for what to read

[Lucyslateagain]

I haven't read a book for pleasure since I read the folk of the farway tree as a child ..I have absolutely no idea what I like ..
Sometimes on social media mini stories pop up ,like I was reading one about a nurse who got locked out by her dad and she slept in her car in the snow ,and one where the DH and mil were planning to take the pregnant mums baby talking in their language,not knowing she understood it ...but you never get the ending..
I guess it held my interest enough to read the page .
I have ADHD ,so i lose interest very quickly
Going on a long train journey,so it's good time to start a book ,and not buy the usual trashy magazines I get ..,..but don't really enjoy
So .,.if you are reading a book ,or have read a book that you absolutely loved ,can you recommend it and let me know a bit about it ,but no spoilers please

What's it about ,can you tell me a bit with out any spoilers pls

I suppose it’s a Tragedy crossed with a darkly comedic novel mixed with some heart warming stories. It starts with a ludicrous attempt at a crime and then the robber disappears into thin air.

I loved it.

I second the List of Suspicious Things - for such a terribly dark subject it was really enjoyable.

I'm currently working my way through (Gavin & Stacey) Ruth Jones ' books: Us Three, Love Untold, Never Greener and By Your Side. She writes characters and situations you feel you could know. Some heavy subjects but with a light hearted touch.

I read children’s books often. Enid Blyton especially. When I’m struggling with something I find lots of comfort in them.. particularly St Clares or the Naughtiest Girl.

The protagonist in The List of Suspicious Things is inspired by Enid Blyton's Famous Five. It made me nostalgic for the seventies/early eighties. I remember packing up a survival pack and disappearing for a day to roam our local park with an equally wayward friend. It got me into so much trouble. 😏

Two books have arrived
But I've not made a start
Have you all always been avid readers ,is it something you either are or aren't ,or do you have to persevere..or is it like marmite,and I'm trying to force myself to like something I don't

Any spare time is tick-tock rapid scrolling, barely reading each one, looking for the next one to catch my interest
I'm so so glad my children...(mid to late 20s) never had this amount of technology growing up
If id had ticktok as a teenager...god help my GCSEs

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Sometimes I’m a 2 books a week reader, sometimes I’m 2 books a year reader. It’s hard to break the doomscroll habit and put the phone down. It’s hard to just sit and read without thinking of all the other things you “should” be doing. That’s ok. It’s not a competition.

Also, if you’re not enjoying a book, you don’t have to finish it.

Why don't you go to a physical bookshop and have a wander round to see what catches your eye?

Otherwise, I'd recommend short stories or a graphic novel or Young Adult fiction or a novella. Or maybe a book that's been made into a film or TV series you've enjoyed.

For a specific recommendation I'd say The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

I read a lot as a child, but I grew up in the seventies and eighties when there were only terrestrial tv channels and no daytime tv, so books helped to fill the long summer holidays in particular.

I didn't read much as an adult until I consciously made the effort. I started having a physical book to read at bedtime - with short chapters so I could read at least one chapter before falling asleep.

My rule for social media is only to look at the stuff I follow (which isn't much) and not the suggested content. Mumsnet is my worst time-sink. My Kindle app books help to fill the time when I need a distraction, and they calm me much more than Mumsnet or social media, so I see it as a wellbeing thing.

What helps me is leaving my phone downstairs at night and having a book/kindle by my bed so no before bed scrolling and if I wake at night the only entertainment is the book. Usually works for me anyway.

Made a start on ..behind closed doors.. managed a few pages

I don't think reading is just one thing as there are so many different styles and genres, plus individual authors and individual plots. There's everything from Jane Green (chick lit) to James Joyce via Dan Brown and Dickens.

Try setting yourself a target of reading a chapter a day.

Just managing a few pages a day ..going to start a second book so I've two on the go

A few pages a day is absolutely fine and I’d say that was a good start but then I am a fairly slow reader

Would you consider also listening to audio books OP? It can be a different way to hold your attention. I recently listened to And Then There Were None read by Dan Stevens and he did a great job.

Also, if you find yourself losing interest in the book don't blame yourself and your attention. It may not be the book for you so try a different one. I am a very voracious reader but I gave up on Eleanor Oliphant - just didn't like it. Also recently gave up on the Calamity club which people rave about. It wasn't for me.

I'd also start with lighter books. Maybe try Eva Ibbotsen's adult novels - light romantic and charming. Or read a children's book that crosses over like Anne of Green Gables. Or Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, and P.D. James.