Reading is a wonderful hobby that can enrich your life in many ways. Reading can improve your vocabulary, enhance your imagination, increase your knowledge, and provide entertainment and relaxation. However, reading can also be challenging and frustrating if you don’t know how to choose the right books for your level and interest. Here are some tips to help you find the best books for reading beginners:
Follow Your Heart: Start with Your Interests
One of the most critical factors in choosing a book is whether it appeals to you. Consider what topics, genres, themes, or characters you enjoy or are curious about. You can browse online or in a bookstore for books that match your preferences or ask friends, family, or librarians for recommendations. For example, if you love animals, you might like books such as [Charlotte’s Web] by E.B. White, [The One and Only Ivan] by Katherine Applegate, or [Watership Down] by Richard Adams.
Use Your Fingers: Apply the Five-Finger Rule
Using the five-finger rule is a simple way to determine if a book is too easy or hard for you. Open a book to any page and start reading. Raise one finger when encountering a word you don’t know or can’t pronounce. If you have raised five fingers by the end of the page, the book is probably too difficult for you. The reader may be too easy for you if you have no fingers. Ideally, you want to find a book that challenges you but doesn’t overwhelm you. For example, the book is just right for you if you read [Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone] by J.K. Rowling and raise three fingers.
Read the Blurb and the First Page: Get a Taste of the Book
Another way to decide if a book suits you is to read the summary on the back cover or inside flap of the book. This will give you an idea of what the book is about and its tone and style. You can also read the book’s first page to see if it grabs your attention and makes you want to read more. If the summary or the first page doesn’t interest you, the rest of the book won’t either. For example, if you read the blurb and the first page of [The Hunger Games] by Suzanne Collins and feel excited and curious, the book is a good choice for you.
Try Different Formats and Lengths: Explore Various Types of Books
Books come in different formats and lengths, such as picture books, graphic novels, short stories, novels, and nonfiction books. You can experiment with different types of books to see what suits your taste and reading level best. For example, picture books and graphic novels can be great for beginners because they have less text and more visual elements to help you better understand the story. Short stories and nonfiction books can also be good choices because they are faster and more focused than novels. Some examples of these types of books are [Where The Wild Things Are] by Maurice Sendak (picture book), [Persepolis] by Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel), [The Lottery] by Shirley Jackson (short story), and [Hidden Figures] by Margot Lee Shetterly (nonfiction book).
Have Fun and Keep Reading: Enjoy Your Reading Journey
The most important tip for choosing the best books for reading beginners is to have fun and keep reading. Reading should not be a chore or a burden but a pleasure and a reward. Don’t force yourself to finish a book you don’t like or don’t understand. You can always put it aside and try another one later. The more you read, the more you will discover what kind of books you love and what kind of reader you are.
I hope this article was helpful and informative for you. Happy reading! 😊
