14yo DS2 says he wants to read a book!!!!!

[BaconAndAvocado]

DS2 hasn't been a fan of reading for pleasure fr many years so this is a welcome revelation.

He's been reading a book called Poet X at school and has enjoyed it so far. I think this is what's sparked his interest.

When we were in Waterstones yesterday he expressed an interest in reading something in the horror genre but didn't want a huge tome.

I tried to find a member of staff to recommend something but couldn't.

Any recommendations please?

I would usually suggest a graphic novel for a reluctant reader.
You don't really say what he is able to read - there are books specifically for dyslexic teens for example. Is Point Horror still a thing?

Patrick Ness - Chaos Walking Trilogy

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Slightly he's not dyslexic, just hasn't been interesting in reading.

Something like The Rats maybe? James Herbert.

I came here to post same as @EineReiseDurchDieZeit - brilliant series.

Hitchhikers Guide
Lord of the Rings
White Fang/Call of the wild
Life of Pi
Sherlock Holmes?

Also by Patrick Ness: The Rest of Us Just Live Here
Kate De Goldi: The 10pm Question

@ILiveInSalemsLot

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

I recommend that series in any thread like this. I loved them, and I'm a middle aged woman, so not the target market. I've read them several times too. Genuinely creepy/scary/uncomfortable in places and very exciting, with a side of humour as well.

Actually the Charlie Higson Young Bond books are good too, and I dislike Bond films a lot.

I read and loved Misery at that age. Cujo or The girl who loves Tom Gordon are good starters for teenagers too.

@ShinyMe maybe I should read them too? My ds absolutely loved them and it got him back into reading. He read the whole series, then went onto Cujo, then some other Stephen King and James Herbert. He loved The Rats.
I’ve got quite a few of my old favourites on the bookshelf still.

They're a great read @ILiveInSalemsLot

I would definitely, definitely, definitely recommend The Enemy series by Charlie Higson - it has been a massive hit with the boys at my school over the years. The Spook’s Apprentice series is also good (although it is probably aimed at slightly younger children) as is the Lockwood and Co. series by Jonathan Stroud. Demon Road by Derek Landy is quite gory too! If you think these are too young for your son, Stephen King, Dean Koontz and James Herbert are amazing writers of horror but they are aimed at adults and contain adult themes. Like other posters, I loved their books at his age but be aware.

I second James Herbert for easy to read horror books.

Thanks everyone.

I'm going to choose just one of your fabulous recommendations as I know deep down that this sudden desire to venture into the world of book-reading may well be, unfortunately, a flash in the pan.

The ps4 always wins out.........

On the subject of Stephen King and other adult horror writers. It's strange because I would have been reading books of that ilk and I was also reading the likes of Lace, Hollywood Wives at age 14.

All of these books contained adult themes but no one batted an eyelid.

Ah, the lost age of laissez-faire parenting........

I loved Birdbox (can't remember who wrote it, Josh someone or other?) I think they made it into a film. I thought it was really gripping and scary.

My reluctant reader liked dark matter Michelle paves I think

I read the Stephen King classics at that age - Salem's Lot, Pet Cemetery, The Shining. The Red Rising series is fab too but might be a bit adult - lots of violence

Hunger Games is great too

The Poet X is one of the best books I've read recently. There are 2 more books by the same author that you should get him. He might also like The Hate U Give, if he liked the Poet X.

Also all of the shardlake series by CJ Samson. Mine have gone through that series at speed

I agree that Stephen King would be a good author to look at for his age. And he is the king of horror, definitely. Charlie Higson is a good writer. So is Anthony Horowitz - take a look at some of his creepier stuff too. Very easy to read - hooks you in.

Hunger Games is a brilliant book. Not sure about the sequel and final book in the trilogy, but the first one is superb.