Where to start with fiction again after GCSE English Literature put me off

[Mokel]

I want to read fiction again. Loved reading as a kid/young teen.

Then came GCSE English Literature. My book was Lord of the Flies. Because had to study it, that killed off my love of books.

In the 28 years since the GCSEs, I probably read about 6 fiction books and probably more that I gave up as I felt I was studying it.

I have dyslexia so have a short attention span.

No issues with non fiction Auto\biography, history and murders/crime.

Any ideas of where to start? I have a Kindle

are the history, murders/crime books non-fiction? if so look at similar but fiction versions.

what sort of history are you interested in? there's lots of Tudor based fiction books

The book of any TV/ films you like.

Anything a long way from lord of the flies! How about science fiction or time travel?

Pratchett

Funny, engaging, interesting

History - Victorians, first half of 20thC and War of the Roses

Agatha Christie's books are quite short and fast paced. They have a variety of settings - London, village, country house, overseas - so you'd hope to find something that appeals.

Nevil Shute - A Town Like Alice, Pastoral, Trustee from the Toolroom are my favourites.

Something more classic - Jane Austen is about as far removed from Lord of the Flies as you can get, and Persuasion is quite short.

Or revisit some childhood favourites?

there's this series Stormbird: The Wars of the Roses (book 1)

The Handmaids Tale Margaret Atwood.

CJ sansoms Shardlake series is excellent for tudor fiction.

Ben Elton's later stuff. Time and Time again, Two Brothers, The First Casualty. For war of the Roses, try Sharon Penman, Sunne in Splendour..its a tome but excellent, or anything by Phillppa Gregory

Not quite your time period, but Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier is a lovely book to get you reading again. It's about the friendship between Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot in Lyme Regis. It's got some social history, the place of women in society and obviously some focus on the big finds from Mary Anning.

English Lit killed my love of reading for many many years too.

I'd go for something you enjoyed as a child or something related to one of the six non-fiction books you have read. I like Maggie O'Farrell as a writer, you might enjoy The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. But I'd also check out your local library, mine have a free subscription to online e-books and audiobooks. The choice is somewhat limited (eg you might not be able to read all in a series or may have to wait til the title is available) but it's a great way to try out a lot of books and authors to see if you might enjoy them because are just borrowing the book.

Orbital by Samantha Harvey. A fictionalised twenty-four hours aboard the International Space Station. A lovely (short) novel with a few great characters that explores some of interesting ideas.

ACOTAR or fourth wing. I hadn’t read for years and I am now OBSESSED like a teenager again

What about How to stop time by Matt Haig or to say nothing of the dog by Connie Willis. Both are time travel based. The Connie Willis book has a history base around Coventry cathedral. Dunno why I went for these two recommendations, they're just quite enjoyable books.

For a mix of Tudor history and crime fiction, try a series of books by SJParris about Bruno Giordano. Easy read and decent plots.

I read a lot and all different kinds of stories, but I have ADHD and sometimes my brain just can’t get with it, to kick start it again I read something like a Lisa Jewell thriller, well written enough but easy to read and pacy/engaging. I’d suggest something like that.

I think you may enjoy Dana Schwartz's books- anatomy a love story and immortality. Both set just before the victorian age. Language is quite accessable, chapters aren't too long.

I'd also recommend following old town books. They do lots of if you enjoyed x as a child you should read y as an adult.

(all non-fiction)
Notes from a Small Island - Bill Bryson
If you like cats:
The Unadulterated Cat - Terry Pratchett
A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen

Tudor fiction/Wars of the Roses, great choice of authors there OP! Philippa Gregory's Lady of the Rivers, then straight into her White Queen, Anne Boleyn,Katherine Howard etc books will keep you entertained (then possibly hooked) for the rest of the Summer.
There are lots in the series and I always feel envious of new readers yet to discover these gems!

My county library service uses an app called BorrowBox. You sign up with your library card. Used it when had eye surgery to listen to e-audiobooks - non fiction.

There is one license per book. So one user can has access at a time. You can put yourself on the reserve list. When it’s available for you to borrow, you get an email. So you can accept it or if found another source in the meantime, pass it