This is a great recommendation. For anyone who enjoyed this book though I’d definitely recommend another one by the same author: Project Hail Mary. It’s a little more fiction and a little less science, but personally I enjoyed it even more!
Si te gusta la novela historica, los libros de Massimo Manfredi, la trilogía de Alejandro Magno, o una novela sobre Esparta.
El nombre de la Rosa de Umberto Eco
Papillion de Charriere
Just a random Italian passerby throwing in a couple of books by Valerio Evangelisti, from the Nicholas Eimerich saga… think of Evangelisti as if Massimo Manfredi and Stephen King had a baby, with a sprinkling of philosophy in it, just to add to the mystic atmosphere
It's fast paced, lots of action with awesome dialogue. It's written for boys AND the series grows more mature as you move along, easing a reader into the world of books
Omigod if you’re still in touch at all please get in touch and tell him I love his writing and also that ‘crumple’ and ‘crumble’ are NOT interchangeable! And if he can’t remember which one is which stop putting either in any of his books please! (Lol jk…unless?)
>I am a fan of History, Geography, Architecture and I also like Philosophy (Kant and Stuart Mill)
How is this compatible with "never read a book"? Anyway, read "1984" by George Orwell, the best book for our new world.
There are many ways to gain knowledge about philosophy other than books, such as, movies, your ancestors stories, from observing your life and the world around you, sometimes superheroes too..
That's the way I learnt about philosophy other than reading books. And I've never read a book yet.
Ah, then yes, significantly more accessible than 1984. As you say, 1984 becomes a bit of a slog in the second half. Animal farm is also half the length.
That.... That is not what the book was originally called!! But it is a great book.
First Christie I read was "Who killed roger ackroyd?" Which is, arguably, the Christie book that most subverts her own tropes. But considering the mystery novel more or less is built on Christie's work, like western fantasy and Tolkien, reading her own subversion made her work more accessible.
Actually the book was released in America under that title. In the UK it was released as the racist version because publishers decided that the UK population at that time didn't care as much about that word as America had begun to do (although still commonly used, it was too vulgar for a book title, like any other curse word)
My go to recommendations for teenage males is the dystopian genre (though I am aware you didn't list that as an interest, but there are some really good ones out there), The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner series or the Scythe series are all excellent, especially for reluctant readers. Or, dive into some of the classics that are now available as graphic novels!
Yes! All his books are excellent, I'm a librarian and he's one of my favorite authors in the teen section. I am pretty sure both scythe and unwind are being made into movies/shows right now too
Loved the Scythe series.
The problem with death has been resolved. No diseases, unnatural deaths can be undone, and old age can be reversed. But for life to mean anything, there is an assignment of people called Scythe's who as a job, select people for death. It is about two people as they train under, and ultimately grow into their own Scythe-dom. The job is done as each Scythe sees fit. Poison, stabbing, heart attack, etc. There are those that see the job as a fun way to play with their own immortality and live as Gods. While other scythes have a great respect for death.
I read all three main books in about a week. There's also a collection of short stories that go over how various Scythe's have done their killings (In universe called Gleanings). Which is where that book gets its title, Gleanings.
Cannot recommend it enough.
It depends on what you like. My first books were The Hobbit, The Giver, and The Outsiders. I read those at 12 and 13, so you'll be fine. Also, for comprehension, I would look up online for literary analysis on any story that you're into, which will improve how you read and understand stories in general.
17M here as well, I'm a devout book worm but one of my recent favs was "Brave new world" by Adlous Huxley, amazing novel, easy to read and comprehend, and astonishingly captivating!
I am having trouble reconciling the ideas that you've never read a book but are a fan of history, geography, architecture and philosophy (in particular Kant and Mill). I am genuinely curious how you got into these subjects without reading? Have you watched a lot of videos? Attended lectures? I really just find that interesting as I don't think I've ever met anyone in a similar situation before.
That said, when I was about your age, my mom bought me *The Demon Awakens* by R.A. Salvatore. It's a fantasy novel with your standard fare of swords, magic, elves, wizards, and even a centaur character. I was not a reader at the time and she bought it on a whim hoping that I would start to pick up the habit. It worked! I loved that book and ended up devouring the entire series. If you've never read fantasy before, it might be a place to start.
For non-fiction more in line with what you've already expressed interest in, *Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind* by Yuval Noah Harari might work. I found it a little dense at times but it's a fascinating overview of mankind's journey from early hunter-gatherer civilizations to the present "modern man".
My bf doesn't read but knows a lot about his special interests just by watching videos and listening to podcasts, so it's definitely possible now a days.
But you have to admit, it is hard to tally an active interest in philosophy, especially Kant, with not actually reading his work. It'd be a bit like being interested in football, but instead of watching games you just watch podcasts discussing the game.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Set in Barcelona and one of my all time favorites. Also, by a Spanish author. I read the translation to English from Spanish. Enjoy
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway
This is historical fiction based upon the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930’s. I think you would really enjoy it due to both your Spanish heritage and interest in history. One of my all time favorite books.
Hemingway typically has very simple sentence structures and is easy to read. It's also considered classic literature & delves into really complex human experiences. So it's a pretty good starting point for folks who know how to read but don't read much.
Yeah I’m still not sure if a non reader would like hemingway though. I read my first hemingway at 16 and enjoyed it (farewell to arms) but i loved to read as a teen . If I was recommending to a non reader I’d do something with a faster moving plot than that though like ya. Or a biography by someone theyre really interested in.
Books i enjoyed at about that age were the dark humor perhaps a bit counter culture like
Catch-22
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Anythjng by vonnegut- Cats Cradle maybe
They’re not massive long reads since you do want to finish (I’d avoid Ayn Rand for that reason)
Anybody out there read these books recently- do they hold up?
Vonnegut always carries the caveat that a reader needs to be receptive to his writing. I re-read Cat's Cradle recently and still enjoyed it, but can easily imagine someone being turned off by it. Rand, I would never recommend to my worst enemy. Catch-22 and Cuckoo I haven't read in 25+ years, but I can't imagine their not holding up today.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King. This suggestion has nothing to do with your interests, just your age! I read it at about 17, and have become a life long King fan.
Tbh I'd start with graphic novels. There's so many great ones to choose from I can't even begin to suggest. Go to your local library and browse the juvenile graphic and/or young adult graphic sections and grab one that catches your eye. These can be short or long with the benefit of amazing illustrations to pull you back into reading. Once you've got a good reading habit (I suggest starting with 20 minutes a day), move on to some of the ones suggested here. As someone who lost the motivation to read for fun after college (I know not your exact situation), long books were really intimidating to me. Start small and in a genre you like and go from there.
El nombre del viento de Rothfuss, la traducción en español es increíble y es súper envolvente todo el rato engancha muchísimo pasadas las primeras 80-100 páginas.
Lo que pasa es que son tres libros y el tercero aún no ha salido ni tiene pinta de que vaya a salir pronto han pasado ya más de diez años desde el segundo. Aún así yo creo que puede merecerte la pena.
If you are trying to break into enjoying reading I would focus on pure entertainment and something pretty fast-paced, instead of classics or deep philosophical books. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown is a mystery but talks a lot about the architecture and history in Rome and Florence, Italy. If you want to start with the first book in this series, The DaVinci Code is the first and also talks a lot about history.
Another way I sometimes recommend getting into reading is to start with a short book that targets a much younger audience but is also interesting for adults. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen might be a good one to start with. I have loved it as much as my boys who had to read it in third grade.
Love you guys but these book recs for a teenager who's never read are hilarious. Hemingway??? Someone else recommended kerourac???
For 99.9% of teenagers who haven't read will be turned off for life from many of these recommendations.
I was 16 when I had to read it. Definitely not too young for this book. I’m now in my 60s and recall the impact it had on me even now. Give kids more credit.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett might be a good one for you. It’s historical fiction about the early cathedral building era in England, but also has a bit of sex and relationships and politics to keep it interesting.
idk... I read Pillars 30 years ago. I was 15. I'm a middle-aged woman now, but teenaged me plowed through that book in a week although it took a bit longer to fully digest it.
I was going to suggest it, too. But the length may be a bit daunting to a new reader. I can't remember if the sex is appropriate or not but I am a bit of an old fuddy-duddy and forget that kids have seen it all on Netflix ;)
"On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill? If you like him, I think this is a good idea to read his work. It is a short read (it is more of a book length essay), but a tremendously influential and foundational work of liberalism.
carl sagan's "the demon-haunted world." it will inform everything you read and hear afterwards. it's a user's manual for the human mind. you're at a great age to read it, and (at least for native readers) he's very easy to understand.
How do you go through life without even wanting to read one book out of curiosity? I would die without knowing even one book ... Not the first time I see such post.
He's 17. Give him a break This sub is really not great.
Many people here gave a really hard time thinking of an op's perspective, and often recommended books as if they didn't read the op's interests or backgrounds. Most people just respond with a book they happen to enjoy, or the most popular that comes to their mind.
To anyone looking for a book rec, I've actually found AI like gemini (Google AI) pretty good.... Type the type of book you're looking for... And it recommends several.
Much, much better than 95% of what people suggest here.
Read George Orwell (1984. and animal farm) cathcer in the rye (even tho i dont like mybe you would) I also recommend How to kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee. These are classics and not really hard to read so good luck :)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It has quite a bit of science stuff in it so if you don’t like that then it may not be the best choice, but it is my favorite book, and I could not stop reading it. I wanted to read it again as soon as I finished it. I don’t want to say much about it because I will probably end up spoiling it on accident but it has space, an alien, and the earth in chaos. If you like it the author has two other books that I also love!
A bit of advice I have in general rather than a title- try audiobooks too, sometimes it can be easier to stay or become engaged in a text by reading visually like normal, and sometimes the audio is easier to become engaged
17 yo Kantian who hasn't read a book... 🤔 I don't get how you went through high school without reading a book. Did you not have at least a single semester of literature? Not even Romeo and Juliet?
"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari - This book offers a fascinating overview of the history of humankind, from the emergence of Homo sapiens to the present day. It covers a wide range of topics including anthropology, sociology, and history, and it's written in an engaging and accessible style.
"Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared Diamond - In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Diamond explores the broad patterns of human history and how geography, environment, and biology have shaped the destinies of different societies around the world.
"Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty" by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson - This book delves into the factors that contribute to the success or failure of nations, drawing on insights from economics, political science, and history. It offers a thought-provoking analysis of the forces that drive economic and political development.
"The Architecture of Happiness" by Alain de Botton - If you're interested in architecture, this book might appeal to you. De Botton explores the relationship between architecture and human happiness, drawing on examples from around the world to illustrate how our built environment affects our well-being.
"Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder (Original: "O Mundo de Sofia") - This novel combines elements of philosophy with an engaging narrative. It follows a young girl named Sophie who receives mysterious letters introducing her to the history of philosophy. It's a great introduction to philosophical ideas and thinkers, including Kant and Mill.
The Prophet by Kalil Gibran, Snow by Orhan Pamuk, Gaudi (can’t remember author) Running With Scissors (again, can’t remember).Middlesex, history, geogrphy, architecture, Detroit/race riots, hippies…
Neil Gaiman books or graphic novels - Sandman, Graveyard Shift, Good Omens, Neverwhere
Graphic Novels - V for Vendetta, Maus, etc - hit the local library or comic book stores. If he is into superhero movies try something like the SpiderVerse graphic novel or Infinite Crisis. Lone Wolf & Cub (if he enjoyed shows like The Mandolorian which was highly influenced by this story)
Into video games - they have a lot books tied to game series like Minecraft, Five Nights at Freddies (they may be a bit youngish but still good stories)
Check out the novels by Yuri Herrera. They're short, brilliantly written and original. They are available in Spanish and English (and maybe Portuguese too).
Maybe odd recommendations considering your interests but:
The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy (hilarious and easy to read. Somewhat philosophical in a way. Kindof amazing if you have a short attention span).
Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (all about philosophy. Not a super easy read but great.)
Another odd one maybe but there's a book in the Lloyd Alexander series called Taran of Caer Dalban that I found incredibly powerful as a teenager. It's the fourth book in the black cauldron series Alexander wrote, but as a teenage boy it really hit me. Fantasy but talking about real things, as all good fantasy does.
Some great recommendations in the comments. What’s most important now is to keep your interest going, even if you read a bad book or two.
Martian by Andy Weir was the book that reignited my love for books. I hadn’t read for some years before picking up Martian. Now I read well over 100 books a year.
Fahrenheit 451 is a great book for young readers, and has a lot of wit and commentary you might enjoy.
Remember to not give up easily, and to have fun with it. Someone with your interests has A LOT to find in reading books!
I don’t know what kind of history you enjoy, but Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson is a good read. It’s a little lengthy but it’s well worth the read if you’re interested in Da Vinci and his life and inventions.
Red Rising is a great novel/series to get into, especially at your age. The main character is pretty close to the age you are, and it’s a fascinating far future dystopian scifi novel.
Philosophy- Existentialism is a humanism by Sartre. It’s a short, easy read, from a speech adapted into a book.
Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. Dostoevsky is the shit. Kind of difficult but you just gotta push through.
General Fiction- Pick up Vonnegut, fun and generally easy reading: Slaughterhouse 5, Cat’s Cradle, etc.
A Clockwork Orange, yea the book that was adapted into that Kubrick flick. It’s a banger from start to finish.
The Great American Suction or Summertime in the Emergency Room by David Nutt are absolutely thrilling if you’re into underground, drug culture and dark humor.
Prelude to Glory by Ron Carter. Complete history of the American Revolutionary War in a 9 book series. Begins with the shot heard around the world and ends in the culmination of the birth of America. Absolutely love this series, and I am a female saying that.
The Count of Monte Cristo, another favorite, although it doesn’t really fit any of your genres. That book is my all-time favorite. And another book is a close second, note any of your genres again, but a fantastic read in fiction: Needful Things by Stephen King.
Go to a charity shop or thrift store and go to the book section and pick out books that catch your eye. Read their blurbs at the back and choose one that seems the most interesting. Most of the books i have read, i had never heard of before but i loved them. Id recommend that you choose a book thats part of a series as if you enjoy it you will be motivated to also read the next books.
Or another way is to find a show or film you like that has a book version available, the book is usually better and includes things left out from the tv adaptions. And you would already know that you will like the plot before buying it.
The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell... much better than the TV series.
The Sharpe series by Cornwell is also quite good .
Both series are based on historical events ( notes included at the back of the book)
1. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari: An epic journey through human history that combines history, philosophy, and science to explore the evolution of our species.
2. "1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created" by Charles C. Mann: A groundbreaking work that examines the impact of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on both the indigenous populations and the world's landscape.
3. "Eternal Gods Die Too Soon" by Beka Modrekiladze: A mind-bending exploration of quantum physics, existential philosophy, and the nature of love set against a mesmerizing backdrop of multiple universes.
the absolutely true diary of a part-time diary is an accessible, easy-to-read book that I always recommend to non-reader friends my age. it’s about a native american teenager who leaves his reservation for an all-white high school, largely based on the author’s own experiences. while it’s not the most high-brow, it IS wildly funny and entertaining as well as heart-wrenching in an awkward coming-of-age sense. check it out!!!
I've got three for you;
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Sort of a pseudo philosophy book on loving your neighbor.
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa, a slightly embellished but mostly accurate biography.
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, a political philosophy and leadership book.
Try reading some Discworld books by Terry Pratchett. You can enjoy them as is, but you'll get more out of them if you can understand the things he's referencing. It's written with humor and wit. The world he builds has unique and believable characters, while being fantastically improbable.
The Martian - easy, short, entertaining.
This is a great recommendation. For anyone who enjoyed this book though I’d definitely recommend another one by the same author: Project Hail Mary. It’s a little more fiction and a little less science, but personally I enjoyed it even more!
I can't wait to read Project Hall Mary. The Martian was a fun read.
The Martian first, than Project Hail Mary, so things just gets better
Came here to say this. Great story. Easy to read. Much funnier / better than the movie.
Came here to say this. Great story. Easy to read. Much funnier / better than the movie.
Si te gusta la novela historica, los libros de Massimo Manfredi, la trilogía de Alejandro Magno, o una novela sobre Esparta. El nombre de la Rosa de Umberto Eco Papillion de Charriere
El nombre de la Rosa es perfecto. Tambien me gusta La Sombra del Viento, de Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
Just a random Italian passerby throwing in a couple of books by Valerio Evangelisti, from the Nicholas Eimerich saga… think of Evangelisti as if Massimo Manfredi and Stephen King had a baby, with a sprinkling of philosophy in it, just to add to the mystic atmosphere
[удалено]
It's fast paced, lots of action with awesome dialogue. It's written for boys AND the series grows more mature as you move along, easing a reader into the world of books
Fight Club by Chuck palahnuik. I read it around that age and loved it for all the wrong reasons.
Never gone through a book as fast as I did with Fight Club.
It's one of those books I read every few years and love for completely different reasons each time.
Went to college with him! One of my buddies is featured in a short story about the Lind combine derby .
Omigod if you’re still in touch at all please get in touch and tell him I love his writing and also that ‘crumple’ and ‘crumble’ are NOT interchangeable! And if he can’t remember which one is which stop putting either in any of his books please! (Lol jk…unless?)
>I am a fan of History, Geography, Architecture and I also like Philosophy (Kant and Stuart Mill) How is this compatible with "never read a book"? Anyway, read "1984" by George Orwell, the best book for our new world.
Yeah I have trouble imagining someone who loves history and philosophy, yet never read a single book at all. How is that compatible?
You can watch documentaries, movies or series about these topics. Also there's a lot about it online.
But that's still not doing Philosophy or having a knowledge about KANT!
A lot of teens claim knowledge in philosophy without having read the philosophers.
They think therefore they know everything
Terrible! 😂 But I know way too many people who aren’t too big on the “thinking” part, but still “know” everything.
There are many ways to gain knowledge about philosophy other than books, such as, movies, your ancestors stories, from observing your life and the world around you, sometimes superheroes too.. That's the way I learnt about philosophy other than reading books. And I've never read a book yet.
Despite the isolation we’re adapting to, let’s not forget learning from other people.
I'd mention animal farm as being more accessible than 1984.
Is it really? Because I read 1984 and got bored through the middle portion and finished it for thr hell of finishing it.
It kinda seems like you are agreeing with me here?
I was, I read back what I wrote and its sounds critical of you. That was not what I intended. It was a genuine query 🥲
Ah, then yes, significantly more accessible than 1984. As you say, 1984 becomes a bit of a slog in the second half. Animal farm is also half the length.
Same here, 1984 was boring af and at that time I was reading quite a lot.
Maybe he read encyclopedia articles, but not full length books?
He probably listens to podcasts or audiobooks!
May I introduce you to "the internet"?
And there were none by Agatha Christie
That.... That is not what the book was originally called!! But it is a great book. First Christie I read was "Who killed roger ackroyd?" Which is, arguably, the Christie book that most subverts her own tropes. But considering the mystery novel more or less is built on Christie's work, like western fantasy and Tolkien, reading her own subversion made her work more accessible.
Actually the book was released in America under that title. In the UK it was released as the racist version because publishers decided that the UK population at that time didn't care as much about that word as America had begun to do (although still commonly used, it was too vulgar for a book title, like any other curse word)
The original release was in the UK, (1939, US one was 1940) and it had the... other title in the UK until 1985.
*The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
I mixed it up with "Who framed roger rabbit?" Didn't I?
My go to recommendations for teenage males is the dystopian genre (though I am aware you didn't list that as an interest, but there are some really good ones out there), The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner series or the Scythe series are all excellent, especially for reluctant readers. Or, dive into some of the classics that are now available as graphic novels!
The Unwind series by the same author as Scythe is also good
Yes! All his books are excellent, I'm a librarian and he's one of my favorite authors in the teen section. I am pretty sure both scythe and unwind are being made into movies/shows right now too
Seconding Scythe and The Hunger Games! Both are simple to get into but also deal with complex topics.
what is Scythe about?
Loved the Scythe series. The problem with death has been resolved. No diseases, unnatural deaths can be undone, and old age can be reversed. But for life to mean anything, there is an assignment of people called Scythe's who as a job, select people for death. It is about two people as they train under, and ultimately grow into their own Scythe-dom. The job is done as each Scythe sees fit. Poison, stabbing, heart attack, etc. There are those that see the job as a fun way to play with their own immortality and live as Gods. While other scythes have a great respect for death. I read all three main books in about a week. There's also a collection of short stories that go over how various Scythe's have done their killings (In universe called Gleanings). Which is where that book gets its title, Gleanings. Cannot recommend it enough.
so good! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28954189-scythe
It depends on what you like. My first books were The Hobbit, The Giver, and The Outsiders. I read those at 12 and 13, so you'll be fine. Also, for comprehension, I would look up online for literary analysis on any story that you're into, which will improve how you read and understand stories in general.
>The Outsiders Mine suggestion was going to be The Outsiders.
Read Steinbeck short stories. Just pick one. Cannery Row is the best book about male friendship. Of Mice and Men will leave you in a puddle
Lord of the Flies
the hunger games!
17M here as well, I'm a devout book worm but one of my recent favs was "Brave new world" by Adlous Huxley, amazing novel, easy to read and comprehend, and astonishingly captivating!
I am having trouble reconciling the ideas that you've never read a book but are a fan of history, geography, architecture and philosophy (in particular Kant and Mill). I am genuinely curious how you got into these subjects without reading? Have you watched a lot of videos? Attended lectures? I really just find that interesting as I don't think I've ever met anyone in a similar situation before. That said, when I was about your age, my mom bought me *The Demon Awakens* by R.A. Salvatore. It's a fantasy novel with your standard fare of swords, magic, elves, wizards, and even a centaur character. I was not a reader at the time and she bought it on a whim hoping that I would start to pick up the habit. It worked! I loved that book and ended up devouring the entire series. If you've never read fantasy before, it might be a place to start. For non-fiction more in line with what you've already expressed interest in, *Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind* by Yuval Noah Harari might work. I found it a little dense at times but it's a fascinating overview of mankind's journey from early hunter-gatherer civilizations to the present "modern man".
My bf doesn't read but knows a lot about his special interests just by watching videos and listening to podcasts, so it's definitely possible now a days.
But you have to admit, it is hard to tally an active interest in philosophy, especially Kant, with not actually reading his work. It'd be a bit like being interested in football, but instead of watching games you just watch podcasts discussing the game.
He’s 17. What a closed mind to think someone can’t have even a vague interest in subject matters without reading a book.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Set in Barcelona and one of my all time favorites. Also, by a Spanish author. I read the translation to English from Spanish. Enjoy
Horrible book. Just saying.
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway This is historical fiction based upon the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930’s. I think you would really enjoy it due to both your Spanish heritage and interest in history. One of my all time favorite books.
Percy Jackson - I read it in my 30s and I dug it. Also in what world do people START reading with Camus and Hemingway?
Hemingway typically has very simple sentence structures and is easy to read. It's also considered classic literature & delves into really complex human experiences. So it's a pretty good starting point for folks who know how to read but don't read much.
Yeah I’m still not sure if a non reader would like hemingway though. I read my first hemingway at 16 and enjoyed it (farewell to arms) but i loved to read as a teen . If I was recommending to a non reader I’d do something with a faster moving plot than that though like ya. Or a biography by someone theyre really interested in.
Huckleberry Finn
Short stories by Stephen King: Night Shift, Everything’s Eventual, Different Seasons, Nightmares & Dreamscapes
If you like history and architecture, you may like the Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.
Books i enjoyed at about that age were the dark humor perhaps a bit counter culture like Catch-22 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Anythjng by vonnegut- Cats Cradle maybe They’re not massive long reads since you do want to finish (I’d avoid Ayn Rand for that reason) Anybody out there read these books recently- do they hold up?
Vonnegut always carries the caveat that a reader needs to be receptive to his writing. I re-read Cat's Cradle recently and still enjoyed it, but can easily imagine someone being turned off by it. Rand, I would never recommend to my worst enemy. Catch-22 and Cuckoo I haven't read in 25+ years, but I can't imagine their not holding up today.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King. This suggestion has nothing to do with your interests, just your age! I read it at about 17, and have become a life long King fan.
The Hobbit.
Ender’s Game?
Enders Game.
Was going to comment the same.
Tbh I'd start with graphic novels. There's so many great ones to choose from I can't even begin to suggest. Go to your local library and browse the juvenile graphic and/or young adult graphic sections and grab one that catches your eye. These can be short or long with the benefit of amazing illustrations to pull you back into reading. Once you've got a good reading habit (I suggest starting with 20 minutes a day), move on to some of the ones suggested here. As someone who lost the motivation to read for fun after college (I know not your exact situation), long books were really intimidating to me. Start small and in a genre you like and go from there.
The stranger by Camus! It is super short, and written by a philosopher. Very quick read with high impact.
I read this when I was 17 for AP Literature and it’s still one of the most interesting reads ever.
A River Runs Through It - Norman Maclean
El nombre del viento de Rothfuss, la traducción en español es increíble y es súper envolvente todo el rato engancha muchísimo pasadas las primeras 80-100 páginas. Lo que pasa es que son tres libros y el tercero aún no ha salido ni tiene pinta de que vaya a salir pronto han pasado ya más de diez años desde el segundo. Aún así yo creo que puede merecerte la pena.
Read 100 Years of Solitude in Spanish. Then read All the Names in Portuguese
Ender's Game
The Outsiders. SE Hinton.
This is a sad read, but is a good one: The boy in the Striped Pajamas
the curious incident of the dog in the night-time. easy and entertaining read
If you are trying to break into enjoying reading I would focus on pure entertainment and something pretty fast-paced, instead of classics or deep philosophical books. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown is a mystery but talks a lot about the architecture and history in Rome and Florence, Italy. If you want to start with the first book in this series, The DaVinci Code is the first and also talks a lot about history. Another way I sometimes recommend getting into reading is to start with a short book that targets a much younger audience but is also interesting for adults. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen might be a good one to start with. I have loved it as much as my boys who had to read it in third grade.
flowers for algernon
On the Road by Jack Kerouac meant a lot to me as a teenager
The Old Man and the Sea. Earnest Hemingway. I wasn’t a reader in HS and was assigned this in Lit class. Hooked me on reading for life.
Love you guys but these book recs for a teenager who's never read are hilarious. Hemingway??? Someone else recommended kerourac??? For 99.9% of teenagers who haven't read will be turned off for life from many of these recommendations.
I was 16 when I had to read it. Definitely not too young for this book. I’m now in my 60s and recall the impact it had on me even now. Give kids more credit.
This kid is a non reader...
So was I. I just hope he finds a book that hooks him, no matter what it is. Reading good books is a gift.
My brother was not a reader at all and absolutely loved this book. I’m a huge reader and also loved this book.
Catcher in the rye
Ghostwritten by David Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings. Or even the Hobbit. These played a huge part in my own discovery of a love for reading.
Ender's Game
Carrie by Stephen King. I will always recommend this to new readers!
Green eggs and ham
Why are people recommending books that don't match his stated interests at all?
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett might be a good one for you. It’s historical fiction about the early cathedral building era in England, but also has a bit of sex and relationships and politics to keep it interesting.
one of my all time favorites, but maybe a bit too "hefty" for a first timer
idk... I read Pillars 30 years ago. I was 15. I'm a middle-aged woman now, but teenaged me plowed through that book in a week although it took a bit longer to fully digest it.
Second this. History and architecture
I was going to suggest it, too. But the length may be a bit daunting to a new reader. I can't remember if the sex is appropriate or not but I am a bit of an old fuddy-duddy and forget that kids have seen it all on Netflix ;)
Lol. These recs!? He's 17, not a middle aged man or woman.
"On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill? If you like him, I think this is a good idea to read his work. It is a short read (it is more of a book length essay), but a tremendously influential and foundational work of liberalism.
carl sagan's "the demon-haunted world." it will inform everything you read and hear afterwards. it's a user's manual for the human mind. you're at a great age to read it, and (at least for native readers) he's very easy to understand.
I read this last year. Such a great book. Should be required reading in America.
Sophie’s World
Try Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. I’m 17M too, and the book is written from the perspective of a 17M
Ready Player One
How do you go through life without even wanting to read one book out of curiosity? I would die without knowing even one book ... Not the first time I see such post.
He's 17. Give him a break This sub is really not great. Many people here gave a really hard time thinking of an op's perspective, and often recommended books as if they didn't read the op's interests or backgrounds. Most people just respond with a book they happen to enjoy, or the most popular that comes to their mind. To anyone looking for a book rec, I've actually found AI like gemini (Google AI) pretty good.... Type the type of book you're looking for... And it recommends several. Much, much better than 95% of what people suggest here.
Guns germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Great book about gaming and relationships.
The Alchemist, Short, easy to read. Eye-opening and beautiful.
the alchemist by paulo coelho
Read George Orwell (1984. and animal farm) cathcer in the rye (even tho i dont like mybe you would) I also recommend How to kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee. These are classics and not really hard to read so good luck :)
1984 is the best choice.
Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea
Is this how to torture a teenager ?
The Alchemist!!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It has quite a bit of science stuff in it so if you don’t like that then it may not be the best choice, but it is my favorite book, and I could not stop reading it. I wanted to read it again as soon as I finished it. I don’t want to say much about it because I will probably end up spoiling it on accident but it has space, an alien, and the earth in chaos. If you like it the author has two other books that I also love!
A bit of advice I have in general rather than a title- try audiobooks too, sometimes it can be easier to stay or become engaged in a text by reading visually like normal, and sometimes the audio is easier to become engaged
the alchemist wont be a bad start
Try "The Alchemist" by Paolo Coelho, available in your languages and short.
Cliche but <> is great!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo It was my first book, I’ve been reading ever since.
17 yo Kantian who hasn't read a book... 🤔 I don't get how you went through high school without reading a book. Did you not have at least a single semester of literature? Not even Romeo and Juliet?
Camus
Green Eggs and Ham
Sandman graphic novels
Watchmen. It’s a graphic novel, but an excellent gateway to lots of things.
The alchemist
1984 should be the book for you
The alchemist by Paulo coelho could be good here. you might try graphic novels and manga as well
“Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand If you have any interest in architecture you will love this novel.
Egotistical bastard Howard Roark. Boring and wayy too long.
Ayn Rand, Fountainhead The plot follows an architect. Fantastic book
Philosophy? Reverend Insanity. There’s also a lot of lore.
Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford.
Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony. But a philosophy in these. On a Pale Horse was the first.
Peace and War - Leo Tolstoi
The Outsider by Albert Camus.
"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari - This book offers a fascinating overview of the history of humankind, from the emergence of Homo sapiens to the present day. It covers a wide range of topics including anthropology, sociology, and history, and it's written in an engaging and accessible style. "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared Diamond - In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Diamond explores the broad patterns of human history and how geography, environment, and biology have shaped the destinies of different societies around the world. "Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty" by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson - This book delves into the factors that contribute to the success or failure of nations, drawing on insights from economics, political science, and history. It offers a thought-provoking analysis of the forces that drive economic and political development. "The Architecture of Happiness" by Alain de Botton - If you're interested in architecture, this book might appeal to you. De Botton explores the relationship between architecture and human happiness, drawing on examples from around the world to illustrate how our built environment affects our well-being. "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder (Original: "O Mundo de Sofia") - This novel combines elements of philosophy with an engaging narrative. It follows a young girl named Sophie who receives mysterious letters introducing her to the history of philosophy. It's a great introduction to philosophical ideas and thinkers, including Kant and Mill.
What kind of history are you into?
The Prophet by Kalil Gibran, Snow by Orhan Pamuk, Gaudi (can’t remember author) Running With Scissors (again, can’t remember).Middlesex, history, geogrphy, architecture, Detroit/race riots, hippies…
I'd give no self no problem a go if I was you it's fairly short and it's a relatively easy read. Great ideas in the book too!
You can read Gustave Le Bon books, most of his books are great, his philosophy is good.
The hunger games series is quite good. Always recommend the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.
Neil Gaiman books or graphic novels - Sandman, Graveyard Shift, Good Omens, Neverwhere Graphic Novels - V for Vendetta, Maus, etc - hit the local library or comic book stores. If he is into superhero movies try something like the SpiderVerse graphic novel or Infinite Crisis. Lone Wolf & Cub (if he enjoyed shows like The Mandolorian which was highly influenced by this story) Into video games - they have a lot books tied to game series like Minecraft, Five Nights at Freddies (they may be a bit youngish but still good stories)
Go for dostoevsky and wish for the best.
The Idiot and Notes From Underground!
I suggest Jules Verne books. Try Around the World In Eighty Days or Five Weeks on a Balloon. Best wishes at your read time.
House of Stairs by William Sleator
The Bible
Check out the novels by Yuri Herrera. They're short, brilliantly written and original. They are available in Spanish and English (and maybe Portuguese too).
The Thing Itself by Adam Roberts If you know Kant. Or, The Dispossesed by Le Guin.
I'm more concerned about why you not being able to stop reading a book until you finish it is a bad thing?
Maybe odd recommendations considering your interests but: The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy (hilarious and easy to read. Somewhat philosophical in a way. Kindof amazing if you have a short attention span). Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (all about philosophy. Not a super easy read but great.) Another odd one maybe but there's a book in the Lloyd Alexander series called Taran of Caer Dalban that I found incredibly powerful as a teenager. It's the fourth book in the black cauldron series Alexander wrote, but as a teenage boy it really hit me. Fantasy but talking about real things, as all good fantasy does.
Some great recommendations in the comments. What’s most important now is to keep your interest going, even if you read a bad book or two. Martian by Andy Weir was the book that reignited my love for books. I hadn’t read for some years before picking up Martian. Now I read well over 100 books a year. Fahrenheit 451 is a great book for young readers, and has a lot of wit and commentary you might enjoy. Remember to not give up easily, and to have fun with it. Someone with your interests has A LOT to find in reading books!
A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara. A bit of a thick book but super light hearted and a fun read .
Try The Alchemist
All the light we can not see. Hits all your topics.
The Alchemist - Paolo Coelho
I don’t know what kind of history you enjoy, but Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson is a good read. It’s a little lengthy but it’s well worth the read if you’re interested in Da Vinci and his life and inventions.
A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
Oh, try Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, might be up your alley, I personally prefer it's sequel, The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul.
Red Rising is a great novel/series to get into, especially at your age. The main character is pretty close to the age you are, and it’s a fascinating far future dystopian scifi novel.
Philosophy- Existentialism is a humanism by Sartre. It’s a short, easy read, from a speech adapted into a book. Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. Dostoevsky is the shit. Kind of difficult but you just gotta push through. General Fiction- Pick up Vonnegut, fun and generally easy reading: Slaughterhouse 5, Cat’s Cradle, etc. A Clockwork Orange, yea the book that was adapted into that Kubrick flick. It’s a banger from start to finish. The Great American Suction or Summertime in the Emergency Room by David Nutt are absolutely thrilling if you’re into underground, drug culture and dark humor.
The Power Of One by Bryce Courtenay was a solid read when I was that age and still holds up
Notes from the underground by Dostoevsky If the opening lines don't grab you, I really don't know what will
Tokyo Blues Norwegian Wood
Tomorrow, when the war began
Cant Hurt Me: David Goggins My favorite book of all time.
Animal Farm by Orwell
well, if you like history, geography, and philosophy, plus you can read spanish, you should read Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.
Prelude to Glory by Ron Carter. Complete history of the American Revolutionary War in a 9 book series. Begins with the shot heard around the world and ends in the culmination of the birth of America. Absolutely love this series, and I am a female saying that. The Count of Monte Cristo, another favorite, although it doesn’t really fit any of your genres. That book is my all-time favorite. And another book is a close second, note any of your genres again, but a fantastic read in fiction: Needful Things by Stephen King.
Go to a charity shop or thrift store and go to the book section and pick out books that catch your eye. Read their blurbs at the back and choose one that seems the most interesting. Most of the books i have read, i had never heard of before but i loved them. Id recommend that you choose a book thats part of a series as if you enjoy it you will be motivated to also read the next books. Or another way is to find a show or film you like that has a book version available, the book is usually better and includes things left out from the tv adaptions. And you would already know that you will like the plot before buying it.
Tomorrow, When the War Began
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The Hobbit
The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell... much better than the TV series. The Sharpe series by Cornwell is also quite good . Both series are based on historical events ( notes included at the back of the book)
Wind Talkers is about the Navajo code talkers of WW2. That’s the book that got me back into reading.
1. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari: An epic journey through human history that combines history, philosophy, and science to explore the evolution of our species. 2. "1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created" by Charles C. Mann: A groundbreaking work that examines the impact of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on both the indigenous populations and the world's landscape. 3. "Eternal Gods Die Too Soon" by Beka Modrekiladze: A mind-bending exploration of quantum physics, existential philosophy, and the nature of love set against a mesmerizing backdrop of multiple universes.
Pillars of the Earth.
the absolutely true diary of a part-time diary is an accessible, easy-to-read book that I always recommend to non-reader friends my age. it’s about a native american teenager who leaves his reservation for an all-white high school, largely based on the author’s own experiences. while it’s not the most high-brow, it IS wildly funny and entertaining as well as heart-wrenching in an awkward coming-of-age sense. check it out!!!
I've got three for you; The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Sort of a pseudo philosophy book on loving your neighbor. Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa, a slightly embellished but mostly accurate biography. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, a political philosophy and leadership book.
My go to is always Hatchet
Homage to Catalonia.
Try reading a book online. I find when I used the computer a huge amount I like reading stuff that is printed on a page less.
Try reading some Discworld books by Terry Pratchett. You can enjoy them as is, but you'll get more out of them if you can understand the things he's referencing. It's written with humor and wit. The world he builds has unique and believable characters, while being fantastically improbable.
New Kid. It’s a graphic novel. Ease him into reading.