20 Short Books for the Reluctant Reader: Learn to Love Books

Are You a Reluctant Reader?

Not everyone grows up to love books. This could be attributed to a plethora of reasons. No matter the reason, you have come to this list and here you will find a variety of books to give a try. Learn How I Made Myself Love To Read.

It is sobering to know:

• 1/3 of all high school graduates will never read a book again.

• 42% of all college grads will never read a book again.

• 80% of all American homes will not read or buy a book in a years time

Don't let your home become a part of this statistic. If you set an example in your home everyone in the family will benefit from it. Remember, be the person who you want your children to be.

Here are some great short reads.

An * marks those that may be a more challenging short read due to the style of writing:

Don't know where to start? I have listed them in a suggested order to help you work your way up to a true love of books. If you are a teen or adult I suggest that you start with #3, Sara Plain and Tall.

1. The Spiderwick Chronicles by:Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

This is a great book at the start of a series. It is the first series I read as an adult. I loved that the print was a little bigger, the fun textured paper edge and it follows the adventures of a set of twins and their sister. Siblings learning to get along and working to protect each other.

2. The Tale of Little Pig Robinson by:Beatrix Potter

This is a great read for a child who has learned to read but intimidated by a full chapter book. Beatrix Potter always introduces beautiful pictures with thought and sophistication.

3. Sara Plain and Tall by:Patricia MacLachlan

This is a beautiful story about a family who has a woman move into the house with their family after their mother had passed away.

4. Skylark (sequel to Sara Plain and Tall) by:Patricia MacLachlan

This is the sequel to Sara Plain and Tall

5. The Little Prince by:Antoine De Saint-Exupery

You will not experience any book like The Little Prince. The vocabulary you will experience is off the charts and the story will expand your mind in many ways.

6. Winnie the Pooh by:A. A. Milne

OK, I really don't need to tell you anything about this book but the humor and hidden messages should be enjoyed by adults as well as children.

7. A Bear Called Paddington by:Michael Bond

Here is another great book about an entertaining bear. A great motivator is that there is a movie you could watch after reading the book.

8. The First Four Years by:Laura Ingalls Wilder

Did you know that Little House books are written by one of the characters in the book series. Get a peek into how life was in the late 1800's.

9. The Call of the Wild by:Jack London

Everyone should read at least one Jack London book in their life time. Adventure, Alaska, peril all written from the perspective of the main character, Buck the dog.

10. The Red Pony by: John Steinbeck

Here is another book about an animal. This book is so short anyone can read it. Yes, even you.

11. Animal Farm by: George Orwell (For teen and older)

Every single person should read this book. I would say it should be saved for those who are at least middle school ages. It really makes you think about how society works, how leaders can take control and will make you think about how people are treated. If you are an adult and you have not read this book you need to read it now

12. The Incredible Journey by: Sheila Burnford

OK, one more animal story. This book is about a trio who are wandering the Canadian wilderness to find their humans.

13. *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by:Washington Irving

This is a classic that every one should read. I am sure you have heard about this story, have seen the movie, or experienced Disney's rendition but you don't truly know the story until you have read it.

14. *Rip Van Winkle by:Washington Irving

Here is another classic tale by Washington Irving. Follow this classic story and see if the main character is bested by Rip Van Winkle.

If you rather spend your time reading

self-help or informative books try:

15. The New One Minute Manager by:Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D

(how to manage life)

16.Turn the Page by:Chris Brady

(learn how to read books like a top leader)

17. Gift from the Sea by:Anne Morrow Lindbergh

(meditations on youth, age, solitude, and contentment)

18. Man's Search for Meaning by:Viktor E. Frankl

(Learn what a man learned while he lived in and survived a Nazi concentration camp)

19.Dumbing Us Down by:John Taylor Gatto

(Learn how public school has nothing to do with education)

20. The Dream Giver by: Bruce Wilkinson

(Learn how to reach your life dream)

An article titled *The Long, Steady Decline of Literary Reading by Christopher Ingraham, relaying facts from a study done by the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts). He states that with the increase of education in the country you would expect to see the number of people who would read leisurely to increase, but that is not happening. "Indeed, previous research by the NEA has found that drops in the literary reading rate have happened across the board, among all ages, races and educational levels."

*Click the link above to read the entire article mentioned from the Washington Post