Let’s be real, books for people who don’t like to read might sound like a contradiction, right? I get it if you’ve always preferred scrolling on your phone or rewatching your favorite series over flipping through a novel. Reading can sometimes feel slow, overwhelming, or just not your thing. Maybe school textbooks made it boring. Maybe your attention span has other priorities. Or maybe you just haven’t discovered the right book yet.
But here’s the truth: some books feel like a movie in your head. They grab you from the first page and never let go. Whether you’re on the hunt for a book to get someone who doesn’t read, or you’re someone who wants to give reading a real shot, this list is here to help you ease in, get hooked, and maybe even start calling yourself a reader.
I know this because It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover was my turning point. A friend handed it to me during a long flight, and I didn’t even realize I’d read half of it before we landed. It turns out I wasn’t alone. It Ends With Us was the best-selling print book in the United States in 2023, with over 1.29 million copies sold, according to Statista. A few weeks later, I picked up The Midnight Library and looked forward to reading at night. It didn’t happen overnight, but the right story changed everything. That’s the goal here.
If you’ve struggled to finish a book since grade school, this list is made for you. These titles are short, thrilling, visual, hilarious, or just plain addictive. Some are fiction, some are memoirs, and some are the best self-help books that feel more like conversations than homework. Each one is a doorway into a world that might finally click with your brain and your schedule.
1. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Genre: Humorous Fiction
The heartfelt story follows Ove, a curmudgeonly yet deeply human character whose gruff exterior hides a tender soul. Its simple language and warmth make it a fantastic choice for people who aren’t really into reading. The story gradually pulls you in, making it easy to pique your interest and enjoy the benefits of reading.
As someone who hated reading for years, I found this book unexpectedly moving and engaging, reminding me that good stories can reach even the most reluctant readers. Hence, this is one of the best books to get into reading.
Buy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
2. Verity by Colleen Hoover
Genre: Novel, Thriller, Romance, Fiction, Suspense
This is one of those books that you won’t be able to stop reading. Fast and intense and written cinematically, Hoover’s writing is perfect for people who don’t like reading. You’re instantly dropped into a house full of secrets, a mysterious manuscript, and a romance that makes your stomach flip.
I personally went through this in a day, and I’m not alone. It’s often the book to gift to a non-reader because it’s so gripping from page one.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, BooksTech, Crossword
3. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
What if you could live all the lives you never chose? This concept alone has made The Midnight Library a runaway hit, especially among adults who feel stuck or curious about life’s “what ifs.”
The writing is accessible and poetic without being dense. It’s a book that eases you in and makes you feel something big. This is one of the best book recommendations for someone who doesn’t like reading.
Buy at: Amazon, The Indian Book Store, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble
4. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Genre: Humor, Autobiography, Biography
Try Trevor Noah’s life story; it’s raw, hilarious, and shocking in all the best ways. From surviving apartheid to navigating teenage rebellion, his stories read like stand-up sets.
You don’t have to “like books” to love this. If you’ve ever enjoyed a comedy special or a podcast, this one’s for you. You’ll fly through it and gradually fall in love with reading along the way.
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Novel, YA Literature, Science fiction
This was the book that converted me from “I hate reading” to “Okay, what’s next?” The story is pure adrenaline, kids forced to fight to the death on live TV, and the writing is razor-sharp.
It’s short, fast-paced, and impossible not to binge. If you’ve been in a reading block, this one could break it.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, eBooks
6. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Genre: Novel, Drama, Quest, Fantasy Fiction, Adventure Fiction
A simple fable that reads like a spiritual road trip. If you’re craving something meaningful without diving into heavy literature, The Alchemist is gold.
Its sentences are short, but its ideas are big. Perfect if you don’t like reading but want to read something that stays with you. This is hands down one among the classic books that can change your life.
Buy at: Amazon, HarperCollins, Flipkart
7. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Genre: Self-Help Book
If most self-help books feel like they’re trying too hard, this one does the exact opposite. Mark Manson’s brutally honest and conversational style is what sets this book apart. It challenges toxic positivity, embraces discomfort, and delivers hard truths with unexpected humor.
For people who hate reading, especially dense or preachy material, this book is a breath of fresh air. It’s straight to the point, doesn’t talk down to you, and somehow makes self-improvement feel cool, not cringeworthy.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, HarperCollins
8. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Genre: Novel, Magical Realism, Time Travel Fiction
This novel is heavily emotional. People sit in a cafe that lets them travel back in time until their coffee gets cold.
Each story is compact, moving, and makes you reflect on time and regret. It’s short and sweet, ideal for non-readers with busy minds.
Buy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, HarperCollins
9. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
While reading this book, you will feel a warm hug. It’s imaginative, inclusive, beautifully weird, with characters that you slowly start liking.
For book suggestions that are joyful but still meaningful, this is a gem. You’ll breeze through it with a smile on your face.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble
10. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Genre: Memoir, Biography, Autobiography
This memoir feels closer to a raw conversation than a book. McCurdy shares her story with her trademark wit and emotional candor, covering subjects such as fame, abuse, and identity. If it’s surprising how much a show with such heavy themes can consistently make you laugh, it’s no mystery why.
For non-readers looking to start somewhere, this is a perfect gateway. The chapters are short, the writing is lifelike, and it snags your attention immediately.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble
11. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Genre: Contemporary Romance
This sad book is right for readers who ache for something emotional, intense, and based on real-life conundrums. The tale, about love, heartbreak, and the difficulty of elevating yourself above all things, reflects these subjects without being overly poetic or difficult to follow.
If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t get into fiction,” this book might challenge that belief. It moves quickly, gets under your skin, and reads like a Netflix series you can’t put on pause.
Buy at: Amazon, Bookbins, Flipkart
12. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Genre: Novella, Fiction, Tragedy
This slim novel is often a reluctant reader’s first foray into the classics, and for good reason. The story of George and Lennie is heartbreaking and profound, but told in such accessible language that it feels modern.
It’s brief, memorable, and emotionally powerful. Even if you swore off classics in school, give this one a shot; it won’t let you down.
Buy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Flipkart
13. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Genre: Literary Fiction
Ever felt like you don’t fit into society’s idea of “normal”? So does Keiko, this internationally bestselling novel’s quietly brilliant main character.
The writing is clean and minimalist, and the story makes you think about? without being preachy. This is one of the best books for people who don’t like to read, precisely because it’s unexpectedly human, funny, and easy to connect with.
Buy at: Amazon, Crossword, Flipkart
14. The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
Genre: Self-Help Book
This isn’t your typical self-help slog. Sharma tells the story through a parable that flows like fiction, embedding powerful lessons about productivity and purpose.
If you’re curious about routines and motivation, or just want a morning kickstart that isn’t caffeine, this book might get you out of bed and into books.
Buy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Flipkart
15. The Martian by Andy Weir
Genre: Science Fiction
The Martian is a thrilling tale of survival adventure that’s spiced with accessible science, the kind of satisfying and compelling novel that people who don’t like to read can really get into. Its brisk pace and humor draw you in immediately, making complex subjects a fun journey. The story’s real tension keeps you hooked without overwhelming you with dense text.
For those who want to fall in love with reading gradually, this book offers an exciting plot and a relatable protagonist.
Buy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Flipkart
16. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Genre: Mystery, Bildungsroman
This book’s unique narrative style and simple language make it incredibly engaging for people who hate reading. It presents an intriguing mystery through the eyes of a boy with autism, inviting readers into his perspective. The short chapters and straightforward prose are perfect for easing into more frequent reading. If you are looking to read books written by autistic authors or characters, then this story is perfect for you, as it is both touching and captivating.
Buy at: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Flipkart
17. Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino
Genre: Romance
This is one of the greatest YA books of all time, beautifully capturing the nostalgia and complexities of love through clear, emotive language that is perfect for readers with reading blocks. The story’s emotional depth and straightforward pacing draw you in naturally without feeling like a chore.
It’s a solid book to get someone who doesn’t read interested in romance novels with a heart.
18. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Genre: Fiction
Wonder offers an uplifting story about kindness and acceptance that is engaging and approachable. Its straightforward writing style and relatable characters make it a great introduction to books that are hard to put down for reluctant readers. This book is a perfect gift for a non-reader who wants to experience the power of storytelling.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, Crossword
19. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Genre: Literary Mystery / Family Drama
This is one of those good books for someone who doesn’t like to read but wants to start somewhere. It’s written in a way that doesn’t overwhelm, letting you slowly fall in love with reading through the story, not the style.
Ng unpacks family secrets with such quiet tension that it never feels like a chore, only curiosity pulling you forward.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble
20. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Genre: Psychological Thriller
This is the best book by Lisa Jewell that I have read so far. It has a gripping story. The plot moves fast with plenty of twists, making it hard to put down even if you usually avoid books.
The straightforward language and relatable characters make it an excellent choice for those looking for good books.
Buy at: Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble
Wrapping Up: Your Next Step Into Reading
Breaking into reading when it’s never felt natural can be intimidating. But like anything worthwhile, it starts with the right first step. These books are carefully chosen to spark your curiosity, fit your interests, and respect your time. Whether you’re here because you want a good book for someone who doesn’t like to read but wants to start somewhere, or are ready to push through your own reading block, this list offers stories to pull you in.
Reading isn’t about finishing classics or knowing every literary reference. It’s about finding moments that grab you, stories that make you think or laugh, and benefits that extend beyond the page, like empathy, focus, and calm. So take your pick, and don’t stress about speed or quantity. Enjoy the ride. After all, these are books for people who don’t like to read, but they might change that forever.
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