Book recommendations for someone who hasn't properly read a book in years.

[Ronald Nand]

I've recently been trying to get back into reading, the last book I read properly from start to finish was in 2009. I tried reading the Hobbit but I had already seen the movie so I wasn't very motivated to read it all.

The problem I have is the books I try reading all seem to have really boring beginnings, I remember trying to read Harry Potter 1 and I got so bored with the 1st chapter with Dumbledore lighting street lights I gave up on it.

So I want a book that hooks me into the story, characters and setting quickly, I don't mind what the genre is anything except romance or anything trashy like Twilight. I like stuff like crime and thriller novels, something with a fast paced story.

Edit: The last book I read was James Patterson, one of the Alex Cross novels. However I'm looking for something a bit different.

 

[Tiger King]

I've recently been trying to get back into reading, the last book I read properly from start to finish was in 2009. I tried reading the Hobbit but I had already seen the movie so I wasn't very motivated to read it all.

The problem I have is the books I try reading all seem to have really boring beginnings, I remember trying to read Harry Potter 1 and I got so bored with the 1st chapter with Dumbledore lighting street lights I gave up on it.

So I want a book that hooks me into the story, characters and setting quickly, I don't mind what the genre is anything except romance or anything trashy like Twilight. I like stuff like crime and thriller novels, something with a fast paced story.

give 'i am legend' a go. dont worry it's nothing like the film though.
i would recommend it because its not too long or heavy and it's a pretty good book.

i also tried reading harry potter but thought it was rubbish. i gave up after the first few pages, i hated how he was made out to be so special, with that special scar on his head and his parents were super dooper wizards so that means he will be super dooper as well etc etc

 

[Hero in a half shell]

You could try George Orwell, I've always found his books really easy reading, although most probably have slow starts.

1984 would be a good one that is quite entertaining from the start, It's public domain now, so check it out here: http://www.george-orwell.org/1984/0.html

Other than that, there are quite a few famous short stories, Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde is an excellent short story, if just to see how the original actually stacks up to today's popular culture understanding of it. It's only 50 pages, and again it is available for free because of the glories of public domain. http://www.atkielski.com/PDF/data/Jekyll.pdf

If you like that you should check out the other old horror stuff. Dracula by Bram Stoker is excellent: http://www.literaturepage.com/read/dracula.html
Frankenstein is really interesting because of just how different the original is from today's retellings: http://www.planetebook.com/ebooks/Frankenstein.pdf

And there's plenty of other works such as Treasure Island http://www.literaturepage.com/read/treasureisland.html (actually it's pretty good right from the start, make sure you give it a go)

If those fail I know Stephen King began his career writing collections of short thriller and horror stories, so you could give them a look up (although they aren't public domain so you'll have to pay for them). Hope this gave you some ideas.

 

[sextus the crazy]

Either Gravity's rainbow, or Finnegan's wake

OT: Try some david sedaris stuff. All of his books are collections of autobiographical (for the most part) short stories. They're pretty easy to read and funny to boot. Holidays on ice itself is worth it simply for the 40 page story, the santa land diaries.

 

[Little Woodsman]

Try grabbing a couple of anthologies with contributions from multiple authors from your local library.
They are comprised of short stories, so with what it sounds like your 'reading style' is like you should be able to stick with each story to the end. Then if there were any stories that stood out for you, look for more works by the author of that story.
Try Thieves' World, edited by the late (and sorely missed) Robert Asprin.
Also Snow White, Blood Red, edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling.
The first few books of the Wild Cards series, edited by George R. R. Martin are also anthologies. Their shared universe is an interesting take on the idea of metahumans appearing in an otherwise relatively normal world.

The Percy Jackson series is aimed at teens, but it hits the ground running. Just don't think too much about certain things...

And I always have to throw in a plug for Robert Asprin's Myth Adventures series.....

 

[spartan231490]

You want a book that comes out right from the get-go? Well, "Warbreaker," by Brandon "Sanderson" does that. It's a solid book. "Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss doesn't have much action right in the beginning but it's got an early hook, and it's so good I can't recommend books without recommending it. "The Night Angel" trilogy by Brent Weeks is also a great fast paced read, truly impeccable. "Wizard's First Rule" has a good early hook, page 3 I think. I know you said you didn't want romance, but you might want to consider in the case of the "Mercy Thompson" or "Alpha and Omega" series by Patriccia Briggs, or the "Vampire Huntress" series by L.A. Banks. They're all really good supernatural science fiction and, in my opinion, the action and supernatural aspects are focused on more than the romance. You could try "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini. Frankly, if you're looking for fast paced YA fiction like "Percy Jackson" series by Rick Riordan or "The Ranger's Apprentice" series by John Flannagan is a great place to start.

 

[Launcelot111]

The works of Dashiell Hammett, specifically Red Harvest. Old school hard-boiled detective novels economic with language but big on attitude and action.

 

[James Joseph Emerald]

John Dies at the End [http://www.amazon.com/John-Dies-End-David-Wong/dp/1250035953] is great. Probably one of the funniest books I've ever read, but also one of the most deeply disturbing. It's about two friends who take a drug that allows them to perceive reality as it really is: extremely fucked up and crazy.

One of the interesting things about it is that even after all the weird and mysterious things that happen (which range from hilarious to disturbing), the ending actually manages to deliver a pretty decent explanation that ties everything up satisfactorily.

It's kind of like Lost, except with a better ending and lots of dick jokes.

 

[Yojoo]

The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. Great combination of accessibility and quality, and a fantastic balance of comedy and action.

 

[Flatfrog]

Not crime or thriller, but Terry Pratchett is great from the first moment. Perhaps the ones that might appeal to you the most would be his non-Discworld books Nation and Good Omens, but you could also try the City Watch books such as Guards, Guards! or Men At Arms.

 

[Lord Garnaat]

The Song of Ice and Fire series (which was adapted into Game of Thrones) is very, very good. It is, however, rather complex and is a big time commitment to get through. Still, probably one of the best fantasy series of all time.

If you're looking for something a bit lighter, I can recommend The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It's a short but dense novel about two demons discussing ways to damn an average everyday Englishman during the Second World War, and is brimming with charm and humor and surprisingly deep philosophical discussion as well. There's also an audiobook narrated by John Cleese, if you'd rather just listen to it, and it's available on YouTube.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

World War Z by Max Brooks. Haven't seen the movie, the book is still one of my favorite of all time since it was released sometime around 2005.

You expect some sort of zombie outbreak book, and you get it. But it's filled to the brim with so much political knowledge and attention to obscure topics like castle warfare, submarine drivers, Placebo medicines, mass people migrations, and how each government reacts to each problem.

The book isn't written in one person's perspective, it's more about understanding global implications through many people's perspectives. Getting past that weird format (you'll understand it after a few pages), I've never met a person who didn't like the book.

 

[Queen Michael]

Kanikaze Girls is a Japanese novel by Novala Takemoto. Don't let the fact that it's about a girl who likes Lolita dresses turn you off it, because that's like saying no to watching Titanic just because you don't have any particular passion for old boats. It's really well-written, and pretty funny.

 

[cubikill]

The Name of the Wind by Pat Rothfuss.
Is a low Fantasy with a semi-Harry Potter vibe. But way better written and more engaging. Because of A Game of Thrones fantasy is on its way up, but don't start with Game of Thrones.
It's big, conplex, not finished and get off on pissing off its readers. The Name of the Wind isnt the best fantasy novle ive read, but is the best place to start reading fantasy. With that said it really really good.

 

[cubikill]

You want a book that comes out right from the get-go? Well, "Warbreaker," by Brandon "Sanderson" does that. It's a solid book. "Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss doesn't have much action right in the beginning but it's got an early hook, and it's so good I can't recommend books without recommending it. "The Night Angel" trilogy by Brent Weeks is also a great fast paced read, truly impeccable. "Wizard's First Rule" has a good early hook, page 3 I think. I know you said you didn't want romance, but you might want to consider in the case of the "Mercy Thompson" or "Alpha and Omega" series by Patriccia Briggs, or the "Vampire Huntress" series by L.A. Banks. They're all really good supernatural science fiction and, in my opinion, the action and supernatural aspects are focused on more than the romance. You could try "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini. Frankly, if you're looking for fast paced YA fiction like "Percy Jackson" series by Rick Riordan or "The Ranger's Apprentice" series by John Flannagan is a great place to start.

I Second Warbreaker; also it's a free and legal download From the authors website.
Actually any books mentioned in the post above are pretty good, with exception of Wizards first Rule. I can't in good conscience really recommend the book sorry.

Oh another YAbook that's good is The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson. It starts off fast, has good characters and a sweet magic system. I would recommend it over the Percy Jackson series.

 

[FoolKiller]

I've recently been trying to get back into reading, the last book I read properly from start to finish was in 2009. I tried reading the Hobbit but I had already seen the movie so I wasn't very motivated to read it all.

The problem I have is the books I try reading all seem to have really boring beginnings, I remember trying to read Harry Potter 1 and I got so bored with the 1st chapter with Dumbledore lighting street lights I gave up on it.

So I want a book that hooks me into the story, characters and setting quickly, I don't mind what the genre is anything except romance or anything trashy like Twilight. I like stuff like crime and thriller novels, something with a fast paced story.

give 'i am legend' a go. dont worry it's nothing like the film though.
i would recommend it because its not too long or heavy and it's a pretty good book.

i also tried reading harry potter but thought it was rubbish. i gave up after the first few pages, i hated how he was made out to be so special, with that special scar on his head and his parents were super dooper wizards so that means he will be super dooper as well etc etc

If you can't even try to get past the first few pages of a book then you miss out on some great stories. Also, for you Ronald, don't talk shit about a story when you don't know what you're talking about. There's a couple of thousand pages explaining the story and your assumptions just make you seem stupid.

For the OP, try the Anita Blake vampire hunter series. Its basically mature Buffy, and starts about as quickly as it can. Also, read The Gun Seller. Its funny from start to finish. A good murder mystery from start to finish is Gorky Park.

That being said, try to make it through the beginning. It needs to set the story and give you information to get going. J.K. Rowling is a talented writer and did things very deliberately. There is a reason the story is presented as such, and

Spoiler: minor spoiler

that lighter matters

.

Also, if you can stand the beginning of a great story, read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. One of the best murder mysteries I've ever read.

 

[Tiger King]

I've recently been trying to get back into reading, the last book I read properly from start to finish was in 2009. I tried reading the Hobbit but I had already seen the movie so I wasn't very motivated to read it all.

The problem I have is the books I try reading all seem to have really boring beginnings, I remember trying to read Harry Potter 1 and I got so bored with the 1st chapter with Dumbledore lighting street lights I gave up on it.

So I want a book that hooks me into the story, characters and setting quickly, I don't mind what the genre is anything except romance or anything trashy like Twilight. I like stuff like crime and thriller novels, something with a fast paced story.

give 'i am legend' a go. dont worry it's nothing like the film though.
i would recommend it because its not too long or heavy and it's a pretty good book.

i also tried reading harry potter but thought it was rubbish. i gave up after the first few pages, i hated how he was made out to be so special, with that special scar on his head and his parents were super dooper wizards so that means he will be super dooper as well etc etc

If you can't even try to get past the first few pages of a book then you miss out on some great stories. Also, for you Ronald, don't talk shit about a story when you don't know what you're talking about. There's a couple of thousand pages explaining the story and your assumptions just make you seem stupid.

For the OP, try the Anita Blake vampire hunter series. Its basically mature Buffy, and starts about as quickly as it can. Also, read The Gun Seller. Its funny from start to finish. A good murder mystery from start to finish is Gorky Park.

That being said, try to make it through the beginning. It needs to set the story and give you information to get going. J.K. Rowling is a talented writer and did things very deliberately. There is a reason the story is presented as such, and

Spoiler: minor spoiler

that lighter matters

.

Also, if you can stand the beginning of a great story, read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. One of the best murder mysteries I've ever read.

You are right, sometimes you need to persevere. However having seen a few of the films and attempted the book, I realised that I just don't get it. I don't know what it is, I just can't get into it.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I suggest Yatzee two books Mogworld and Jam. Mogworld is humorous right from the start which will surely get you hook!

 

[Yopaz]

If you can't even try to get past the first few pages of a book then you miss out on some great stories. Also, for you Ronald, don't talk shit about a story when you don't know what you're talking about. There's a couple of thousand pages explaining the story and your assumptions just make you seem stupid.
.

This is too true. The Wheel of Time is a great series with a slow start and it drags on for a few books around the middle, but it's all very deliberate and planned some things are presented in book 1 and not explained or brought to fruition until the final book. I don't use the word epic lightly, but this series truly is. However it starts slowly soI won't recommend it.

Try The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy series. It's simply amazing. A well written and interesting story that also manages to be hilarious.
Last Chance To See manages to present sad themes while still having a refreshing sense of humour. This isn't fiction, but rather the description of a journey to see endangered species in various places in the world.

 

[ForumSafari]

How about the First Law trilogy? The Blade Itself, the first book, particularly comes out swinging.