Help me get back into the habit of reading. What book should I buy next?

[Marghe87]

I used to read a lot when at Uni, then increasing distraction from social media slowed me down (shameful, I know) but still used to read when commuting, traveling etc. Since having DD, I barely read anything and I’d like to get back on track. I have a lot of books sitting on a shelf, ready to be read but I am not inspired by any of them atm. Can you recommend a good book to help me break this limbo I am in and get back into the habit of daily reading? I am looking for something that is well written but also easy to read (English is my second language but also I can only read at night when tired) and that keeps you engaged page after page.
I like fiction and wouldn’t mind reading something “modern” as I usually read classics.
I also like thrillers but not in the right mood atm.
Other themes I am interested in are: feminism, expat stories, ironic/funny books.
No cheesy romance please :)

Thank you!

Rivers of London - come series with a magical twist. Well written, engaging and witty.

I have just read American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Recommended by a friend and we both loved it. A well written best seller.

Two books that come to mind are Em and Me by Beth Morrey and The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

I think Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus fits your brief.
It's well written, sharp, witty, has some lovely feminist themes, and an easy, engaging read.
I recently finished it and loved it.

Woman in the Photograph
Away with the Penguins
The Lido
Seven Sisters - Lucinda Riley
Mrs Benson Beetle

American Dirt is a really good but is a long book, and quite tough reading in parts (about people trying to get from Mexico to US, on top of the train).

Lessons in Chemistry is fantastic!!!

I would recommend your local library then you can get a nice big pile of books and if you don't like one it's no big deal.

Another vote for Lessons in Chemistry. Brilliant and easy to get into straight away.

Anatomy a love story by Dana Schwartz.

I enjoyed lessons in chemistry...but I found it difficult to get into. If you are able to use your local library they normally have a selection of "quick reads" I recently enjoyed the donor by clare macintosh.

Agree. I already recommended this to someone else earlier. It was the first book that came to mind when l read your post.

I'm re-reading The Secret History by Donna Tart and am loving it. My daughter has just read it for the first time and reminded me how good it is.

I have the same issues with reading. I read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams over the summer and absolutely LOVED it.

I've massively addicted to my phone and it has trashed my reading, but I'm really enjoying Affinity by Sarah Waters. It's about a young woman in Victorian England who's had a bereavement and is being treated for illness, who becomes a Lady Visitor in a women's prison. She meets Selina Dawes, a spiritual medium in prison for terrible crimes. I haven't finished it yet. It is deeply creepy but I'm not a horror reader and I find it quite manageable.

Recommend watching under the covers on bbc iplayer - it's like Sara cox's reading group ! And gives loads of recommendations and ideas.

Another vote for American Dirt. It was excellent.

I’m reading Chouette by Claire Oshestky and that seems to fit what you’re after. It’s short and simple to read but literary in the sense it’s basically an extended metaphor. It’s contemporary and feminist too.

The Strike series by Robert Galbraith (aka jk Rowling)

Great plot, well written, easy to read. They are real page turners and got me back into the habit of regular reading.

I also like more challenging reads, but mixing it up with easier reads really helps me read consistently.

The first one is the Cuckoo's Calljng.

This is on my re read list too - along with her other 2 books.

Happy to hear I'm not alone in my problem. I used to devour books and now I love and hate my phone and Netflix!!

I'll try and pick up lessons in chemistry from my library. Sounds like my sort of book.

I used to be addicted to Stephen king but read the bookseller of Kabul over the summer and found it breathtaking!

How to kill your family by Bella Mackie is hilarious if you like a dark comedy

Still Life by Sarah Winman was a lovely read this year.

Another vote for going to your local library and just seeing what stands out for you. Plus you can pick up some books for your LO

Another one for Lessons in chemistry.

I read loads!! Like any spare minute I have. Could recommend loads.
But at the moment I'm addicted to anything Colleen Hoover. Her books range from a light hearted happy ending love story to a few that are quite deep/thriller