5 Books that Helped Me Love Reading Again

I used to read so many books, finishing them within a couple of weeks and immediately moving on to the next one. However, ever since I started University, I’ve read less and less.

While at University, I read a lot of non-fiction bits and pieces for my course- and reading always felt like a chore after a full day of stressful work.

Since then, I’ve found it hard to pick it back up again. However, in the past couple of months I’ve started to read more and more books, finding some interesting reads that have hooked me from the start- and helped me love reading again.

I’ll never be able to fly through books again, but I’ve loved picking up a few new favourites.

In this post, I’m discussing 5 books that helped me love reading again. I loved all of these books- and they each gave me something I needed to fall back in love with reading!

1. ‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid

‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid is a very refreshing read, I loved it! It’s all about a young woman of colour who works as a nanny for a rich white woman in Philadelphia.

One evening, she is accused of kidnapping the child she cares for and the story follows her relationship with her boss, her friends and her new boyfriend.

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I really recommend this book for anyone currently in a reading slump, or looking to pick out their next read.

It’s fast-paced and easy to read, but it’s also full of important questions about race and class.

2. ‘My Life on the Road’ by Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem is such an inspiring woman and writer. This book helped me love non-fiction in a way I’ve never been able to before.

I’ve always read fiction in the past, but I’m so glad I decided to branch out a little!

I found ‘My Life on the Road’ an inspirational and fascinating piece of non-fiction, which delved into American politics, issues such as abortion and Gloria Steinem’s own personal life.

I really recommend this book as an insight into the women’s rights movement, or as a way to gain an appreciation for non-fiction.

3. ‘1984’ by George Orwell

This one surprised me! This book helped me love reading again as I read it so fast.

It currently takes me a while to get through books, but this modern classic was such a gripping read and I couldn’t wait to finish it.

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I really recommend ‘1984’ by George Orwell for anyone who likes psychological stories that pose a lot of questions. The themes and characters in the book really make you think.

4. ‘Pages For Her’ by Sylvia Brownrigg

I previously read and reviewed ‘Pages for You’ by Sylvia Brownrigg a few years ago- and I loved it!

My Mum bought me the sequel for my birthday. This second book looks at Flannery’s life as a married Mother, her college days long behind her.

She meets an old flame again, and the book is all about Flannery’s dissatisfaction with her writing career and her need for something more.

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I loved returning to Sylvia Brownrigg’s exquisite writing style. This book really helped me appreciate the art of writing again.

I would love to read more books by this fantastic author in the future.

5. ‘Yes Please’ by Amy Poehler

I absolutely loved this book. It really helped me love reading for pleasure again.

Written as a memoir of Amy Poehler’s acting and personal life, this book was witty and funny. I learned a lot about acting and the world of American comedy.

Image of Amy Poehler under neon lights that read "yes Please"

I was surprised by how much I liked this book, as I’m not particularly interested in acting- but it kept me hooked and I enjoyed learning about a new subject in a humorous and interesting way.

Have you read any books that you loved recently? What books have helped you fall in love with reading again? Do you have any recommendations for future reads?

Let me know in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

69 thoughts

  4. Such a Fun Age was one of my favorite books last year! I’ve also read Yes, Please and I really enjoyed it. You’d probably also like Tina Fey’s book, Bossypants – it’s equally funny and worth a read.

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  9. I totally get what you mean. I’ve sort of lost the pleasure I use to derive from reading. I sort of locked myself into reading personal development books as part of my self growth journey. I don’t mine that and those books are amazing but I’ve missed reading fiction. Next year I will create more of a balanced reading list. Thanks for the recommendations.

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  10. The only one of those I’ve read is 1984, and I actually hated it. If you like the dystopian themes, though, I would recommend Your One and Only by Adrianne Finlay or Samuel Johnson’s Rasselas.

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  14. The Bridgerton books have made me really love reading recently. Such A Fun Age has been on my list for a while now so when I get home, I definitely want to try and read it. 1984 sounds really interesting, and I really like Amy Poehler but didn’t know she has a book so adding that to my list 🙂

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  15. I am glad you regained your passion on reading. I have chosen 1984 to read it during the Christmas holidays. It is in my TBR list like forever but for some reason I was avoiding it. I hope I also enjoy it.

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  17. I lost my love of reading for a little while after Uni, think it was with everything going on and work etc. It takes a good book to then draw you back in and reignite your passion to read. I’d not even heard of most of these (except Orwell of course) – I’m glad you found some good ones! I love Amy Poehler so I can’t believe I didn’t know she’d written a book. Think I’m living under a rock lately. Got to add that to my TBR, Stat!

    Caz xx

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    1. I was the exact same, there was so much work to do and not enough time to read too! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences Caz, I hope you check out any of these that spark your interest- Amy is great x

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  20. I’m happy you’ve discovered the joy of reading again Eleanor! These are all great picks and represent several genres. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. All of these books sound amazing. I really want to read Such A Fun Age, I have heard so much good stuff about it. I will check out other books. Thank you for sharing.

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  26. ‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid sounds like such a great read. I know what you mean, I just don’t have the time to read. I’ve signed up to Audible a few years back and listen to it when I’m going to bed. I really enjoying it. Currently listening to the final book in A Good Girls Guide To Murder. It’s awesome 🙂

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    1. Aw that’s a great idea, and a good way to “read” books while you do another activity such as cleaning! I’ll have to check out that, thank you for the recommendation, I really hope you enjoy ‘Such a Fun Age’ x

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  29. I only heard great things about Such a fan age and you convinced me to add it to my reading list fo this year! 1984 is one of my favourites and also Animal Farm is amazing too! Thank you for sharing x

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