I need to get back to reading

[ReadingRiot]

I used to love reading, I read loads, I always had a book with me if there was any chance I'd have a few minutes to spare and read every evening before bed.

Now I fritter away that time messing about with my phone

Can you suggest something interesting and thought provoking but not too taxing to help me break this habit and get back to reading?

I'm in exactly the same position.

I used to have a job in central London which I commuted to by train every day, so a guaranteed hour or more of reading - I was never without a book. Now, I haven't read since I left. My job is a ten minute walk away and is full 24 hour shift work, I feel like I don't have time and perhaps more importantly can't concentrate any more as I don't have those dedicated periods of quietness.

My best friend sent me a book for my holiday which sounded really intriguing, I got through the first chapter and just couldn't manage any more. I'm not sure it's the type book, I think it's a mental thing, like reader's block.

What sort of books did you used to like?

Could you re-read an old favourite?

I've recently finished The Girl I Used To Be by Mary Torjussen, which is about a woman called Gemma who finds herself being blackmailed, so it's kind of a psychological thriller as Gemma tries to find out who and why.

I've also recently read a book called The Hollow Tree by James Brogden, which is based on the mystery of an unidentified woman whose body was found inside a hollow tree. It has a supernatural element to it if you like that sort of thing.

Or I've also just recently finished The Other Women by Nicola Moriarty, which is about a woman whose break up leads her to start a facebook group for women who don't want to be mothers, but ends up in a rivalry with a group for mothers that gets out of hand. Nicola Moriarty's sister is Liane Moriarty, who wrote Big Little Lies and her books are also quite good.

Read the next book in a series you've read before so you know the characters. Say you'll pick up your book and read for five minutes before checking your phone.

When I have break from reading and want to get back into it I start with something really easy and guaranteed page turner.. this way I don't fall off the wagon so to speak. Usually I opt for a popular thriller that has been widely read... you know, Girl on a Train types. Authors such as Fiona Barten and BA Paris are the most recent ones. Then once I have the bug again I move onto something a bit more diverse.

Oh,this is me! And of course I'm now on MN instead of reading...
But I am reading more again - I realised I was thinking that I had to read something worthwhile and new,so I decided I would reread a favourite series,and that helped me get into the habit of reading rather than picking up my iPad.And I've started going to the library more.
So no specific reading suggestions OP,but good luck restarting
(I am currently reading Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant - it is very,very gripping, and not too demanding so if your thing is suspenseful scarey fantasy I'd recommend it )

Oh Op ditto!!! As a child / teenager I DEVOURED books!! Now i feel like i have the concentration span of a flea
I have a bookcase full of books too that I havnt got round to reading!
I think if you are ready to get back into it (and im hoping to also, once i have moved house yet again for the 10 billionth time in the last few years..) then I would suggest some easy mindless "chick lit" or even young adult fiction. Or those 'page turner' crime novels. Start with the easy stuff, settle down with tea & snacks & phone on silent for at least an hour!
So a random selection of things that spring to mind for me:
The girl on the train
Anything by Martina Cole
Anything by Marian Keyes
The girl of ink & stars
When god was a rabbit
Alice in wonderland
His Dark Materials trilogy
Watership Down
1984
The Hobbit
Chronicles of Narnia series

Good short stories authors:
Road Dahl
Edgar Allan Poe
Guy de Moupassant

Non-fiction:
Anything by Katie Piper
The 12 year old mum

I read Elizabeth is Missing recently and it was written from such an unusual viewpoint (the narrator is elderly and has dementia) I found it really intriguing and couldn't wait to read more. It was easy to read and not very long.