Husbands never read a book

[MaybeItsBecauseImALodoner]

Husbands 45 years old, hasn't read a book since leaving school. We were just talking about our upcoming child free week away. I plan to read lots on the sun lounger and I want to buy him something to read.
His Movie favourites are Sci Fi (The Matrix) and Horror, he's always watching videos on ghosts and aliens.
Any suggestions?

Perhaps non fiction, what's his interests?

Dp had a book which were stories where numbers being messed up had consequences, was interesting

Thanks I'll take a look

My DH never reads. He once asked for a book on his obsession/interest. I purchased it. He never even opened the first page - just purchased the audiobook himself.
I don’t buy him ‘stuff’ anymore - it’s pointless. Even the things he asks for, don’t get used.
He’s 50

@Seashellssanctuary
Yes he said he'd like to.

I like reading but find Stephen King too long winded.
Would he enjoy an autobiography op?

Same here - stuff just sits around gathering dust!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

My first thought too!

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

The ghost stories book is Winter Spirit, i think.

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.

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.

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

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.

Or the first book of Game of Thrones?

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.

It baffles me too, I love the chance to chill out with a book. He mainly swims, gets out the pool, moans about the heat, gets back in the pool, falls asleep.

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?