Getting Started as a New Reader

By: Madison Boll

With the new movie, “It Ends with Us”, hitting theaters this past July, there has been a resurgence of new readers. The movie adaptation of the best-selling book has brought in viewers of all different ages. My friends, coworkers, and many people across the internet have expressed that they want to get into reading. While finding what you like may be difficult, it is easy to get addicted to reading. As someone who has been a reader since childhood, I would say I am somewhat qualified to give my book recommendations to new readers. 

My Recommendations

“Daisy Jones & The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

If I could recommend only one book for the rest of my life, it would probably be this one. “Daisy Jones and the Six” follows the life and rising fame of star Daisy Jones, and her other six bandmates. Set in the 1970s, the rock band deals with themes like the downsides of fame, addiction, and complex relationships. While it isn’t confirmed, the fictional band is said to be loosely based off of the iconic Fleetwood Mac. The story is presented through a set of interviews from the band. This aspect of the story adds a layer of complexity and makes the characters feel so real. 

When I finished this book, I found myself looking up the band for music, interviews, and more. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t find much. The songs that I read about and wanted to hear come to life were simply just on paper. That’s until Amazon Prime Video released a short series based on the book.

This short series came equipped with perfect casting, dialogues, and soundtrack. I may be biased but this series is hands down one of the best book adaptations. For new readers, being able to listen to the soundtrack, and getting a visual idea of the characters can be beneficial to immersing yourself in the story. However, with this book you won’t need much help getting hooked on the storyline. 

“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

Continuing the theme of books with movie adaptations, an interesting story to read is, “Where the Crawdads Sing”. This story follows the main character, Kya Clark, through her upbringing full of hardships. Kya has to learn how to survive on her own after being abandoned by her family and deemed the city’s “marsh girl.” Into her adulthood, Kya becomes the prime suspect in a local murder. This story deals with mental complexities, relationship dynamics, and social inequities. 

Through vivid descriptions and cryptic plots, this story had me at the edge of my seat. The murder mystery is filled with twists and turns, and the reader never truly finds out the true story till the very end. I am no movie critic, but I would say that the movie adaptation does a great job of converting the characters from paper to the big screen. However, the book still beats out the movie in my eyes. If you are interested in a fast-paced mystery, this book is a good place to start.

“Beach Read” by Emily Henry

Reading an Emily Henry book is like encapsulating yourself in a romantic comedy movie. Through her hilarious dialogue, interesting plots, and heartwarming romance; I find myself smiling so hard when I am reading any of her books. 

“Beach Read” follows the heroine, January Anderson, a romance novelist who is on a retreat to her beach house after a loss in the family and within her relationship. While at the beach house, she happens to stumble across her ex classmate who is a literary fiction novelist. They are polar opposites when it comes to the books they write, and their personal traits. Living so close to each other, they have no choice but to spend time with each other despite their differences. How sweet, right? 

Anything that Emily Henry writes will have me running to the store the day of the drop to buy. When I am in a reading slump, Henry’s books are the first thing I pick up. Her writing has deeply developed my love for reading, likewise, her books are the best to develop that love of reading. 

Now I am no literary expert. I am just a girl who has completed her Goodreads reading challenge every year since she age thirteen. However, If you are someone who has seen all the media discourse about books and wants to get into reading, I think these books would be perfect for you. The fun thing about reading is that there are so many options for all different tastes. I hope you can find some books you love!