Hi everyone. I'm Steph or MsPurple. I am a 25 yo who has dyslexia. When I was younger I struggled with reading. I am a pretty good reader now however I consider myself someone with a poorer vocabulary. What taught me to read was the Harry Potter books. I listened to the audio books and would read alone with them (Stephen Fry's voice is amazing FYI). When the 5th book came out the audio book was 9 months away, so I read it on my own. It took me a week of pretty much reading all day. This was a huge stepping stone for me at the time and I started to have more confidence in my ability to read.

Now as a 25 yo old I don't know how to find a book to read. I don't even know where to start. I have read a few YouTuber books (such as the Shane Dawson books, FYI a really good read) but other than that I haven't really been reading. How to you find a good book to read? My mum can go to any book shop and seem to find something, I just get intimidated. I do have a tablet so I do use the kindle app so it doesn't have to be a physical book. I just want something good to read as I think it would be better to read before bed than watch TV.

1. What book suggestions do you have for me or anyone wanting to take up reading? (my suggestion is a Shane Dawson book)

2. What is your favourite book? (mine is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

Thanks guys for your help :)

Hi Steph,

I think this thread is a brilliant idea!

Congratulations on your reading strides. I think you've come a very long way and I can't say that I'm surprised that Harry Potter was the turning point for you 😉

Btw I have 2 (offline) friends who also have dyslexia, and like you, they're both avid readers.

Yeah, I agree that sometimes trying to find a book to read can be overwhelming as there's so much on offer.

Here are my suggestion:

- figure out if you have a favourite genre (or at least if you gravitate towards a genre) e.g. fantasy, literature, thriller, Sci-fi, biographies, etc). This will help you narrow down reading options.

- check out bestseller lists online to see what's popular. Maybe some of them will capture your attention.

- ask book shop assistants for recommendations (then look up those titles on your kindle)

- read the blurb of books for the plot

- skim the first couple of pages of a book to get a "feel" for it. This is to get an indication if it's something you are likely to get into or not.

Wild (Cheryl Strayed) is a memoir that I would recommend.There's a movie based on it starring and produced by Reese Witherspoon.

Hope this helps a little 😊

Dottie x

Hi MsPurple

Congrats on achieving such a huge step. I love reading although I lack the time. But it is definitely something that calms me down and let's my imagination go wild. As Dottie123 mentioned find the genre of books you like. Go on Dymocks website or Book depository (i buy my books there) to see popular books of those genres.

For me I personally enjoy a hard copy. Bit of a nerd I say. I too enjoyed the Harry Potter books. Bought the latest one just released but have yet to read it as that is one of the 5/6/7 new books I bought recently! I lost count!

I enjoyed reading the twilight series - it is much better than the movies. And my all time favourite is the Shopaholic series or really books written by Sophie Kinsella. Very lighthearted humorous books.

Do let me know what book you have decided to read next?

Anony

Dottie thanks for the tips for finding a book. I wasn't sure how to find them. Kindle has best sellers I have had a look at them, but some of them having jumped out. I didn't even think about getting the sample and reading the first few pages until you mentioned it. (I just had a fiddle with my kindle then, I usually search for titles anyways). I think i like fantacy (is that what Harry Potter is?). I also like memoirs (like the Shane Dawson one, but his is short stories so I find it easy to stop and start). I generally like non-fiction kinda adventure ones. I guess it depends on the mood. I sometimes feel like a murder mystery (can ask mum for a recommendation in that department)

Anony I read the new Harry Potter the cursed child book. It was awesome. It is like a play so a lot more dialog. It also focuses on the child not Harry which is refreshing. I read it in 2 days. Its probably as long as the second book. I have seen the shopaholic movie I should give the books a go, I cant really remember the movie so would still be new.

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I just realised another book I would reccomend. It isn't a long book and it is good for people dealing with depression and maybe social anxiety. it is call So much to tell you by John Marsden.

Hi Steph,

No worries at all- my pleasure 😊

Yeah, you're right, I'm pretty sure Harry Potter is considered fantasy. I'm glad you've an idea of which genres you tend to like.

Oh I have read So Much To Tell You too. I really enjoyed it but it was also very sad, I think.

Ha, ha the Shopaholic movie is a guilty pleasure of mine. Isla Fisher was hilarious as Becky in the movie!

Dottie x

MsPurple - definitely have to read the latest Harry potter. I think they purposely wrote it cause alot of people couldn't travel to UK to watch the actual play. I think it is an actual play they have there! Definitely love the Shopaholic Series - such a light read and she is so hilarious! Sophie Kinsella also has non-shopaholic books and the characters are all similar to Becky Bloomwood. Definitely will look into So much to tell you.

Steph!!!! Well done!!!! That is so awesome to read!!!!!

I find that just browsing in the bookshop works for me at times, see what jumps out at me and grabs my attention, then read the back and see if I like it. I like Thriller, Autobiographies and general fiction. I read one by Harlan Coben - Fool me once - just recently and loved it. His books are well balanced.

Maybe try getting a library card so you can try reading a few different types and see what you like.

Deb

Hi Steph,

Out of all the books I have read A book by the author Tim Conigrave called "Holding the man" is the only book that I couldn't stop reading it is of gay interest I hope that doesn't bother you it's just such sad love story. Lonlelydan....

thanks everyone for the advise and support. Sorry I moved to Brisbane yesterday and today I'm at my dads chillaxing before I start work next week.

Anony I think it is a play in the UK. I'm pretty sure I saw parts of it on snapchat. I think they released it the same day as the book. But Im not sure (haven't double checked with google)

spunkyturtle thanks hun :) I am looking for a perminant place to live up here in Brisbane (just staying at dads for a few weeks till I find a place). I think I will have to check out the library. I grew up in Warrnambool and used to go there when I was younger.

Lonelydan Ill have to check out 'Holding the man'. Ill look it up on my kindle now. I have no problems reading about sad love stories. (I am an Ally as well as a B). I don't think I've actually read a real love story book so it could be good to check out.

Thanks all for the advise. I went to a book shop recently and I purchased a James Patterson book shot called 'The Hostage'. It is a short faced passed book and only 120 pages which is good for a start. It's pretty interesting. About a hotel and a murder mystery. Im only 1/4 of the way through but so far so good :)

Hi Steph

I love reading too. I read a lot with my children which is great because I get to read books that I also enjoy such as Harry Potter. I reckon you would enjoy the Artemis Fowl series of books. I think they are written for children/young adults but in my opinion they are at about the same level as Harry Potter in terms of difficulty. I enjoy reading them even though I'm a "grown up". The person who put me onto the books was a grown up who enjoyed reading fantasy. They are adventure stories with lots of magic and creature characters. They are best sellers so you would definitely be able to get them on kindle but I always manage to pick them up in charity shops such as vinnies and salvos. Just look in the children's/teenagers section.

Sounds like fantasy is something you are into. If you want something that's light, very easy to read and funny try the Terry Pratchett disc world books. There's millions of those and your local library would have copies as they are very well known world wide.

Happy reading

Simone

Hi Ms Purple. Sorry for the delay in replying. I haven't bee online in a bit. That's a pretty hard question to answer! Do you mean favourite book ever? I don't think I have one. Sorry that's a bit of a rubbish answer!! I must admit I'm a bit of a fence sitter when it comes to books . I don't have a favourite genre, my taste is pretty broad. I like classics like Jane Austen but also the children/young adult fantasy. Also good biographies. I just finished one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read which is Russell Brand's autobiography - it's called "My booky wook". I was literally laughing out loud when I was reading it. If you like his comedy I would very much recommend that book. If you aren't into his comedy you should definitely not read the book as it is pretty full on. Stephen Fry has also written his autobiography which he has broken down into a few books. He's also had a very interesting life so those books are very good reads too. Both of those blokes are hilarious but have also struggled with their issues such as depression etc. The books are not depressing though.

Ms Purple are you into any other genres or do you stick mostly to the fantasy, Harry Potter type stuff?

I've been doing a fair bit of reading lately as I've been doing some modules on another website that helps people living with the black dog etc. I think the module is something like how to increase pleasurable activities in your life as a way of managing your depression. I picked reading.

Hi,

Oh great thread - I got excited when I saw this one because I'm a huge booklover!

1. What book suggestions do you have for me or anyone wanting to take up reading? (my suggestion is a Shane Dawson book)

I think the worst thing to do when you're not a reader is to read something because someone says 'it's good'. Find things you're interested in. Find things you love. Find things that you're passionate about. I'm a big biography reader so picking up a thriller/horror is just not my jam, no matter how good it is.

What made you pick up Shane Dawson's book? Is it because you like him on YouTube? Or the easy read - short essays? If you like his book you could try the other - I saw he wrote two: one called 'I hate MySelfie' and one called 'It gets worse'.

A lot of youtubers have written books - not sure which ones you watch but there's a list here that might jump out at you - http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/74522.Youtubers_and_Books#22886110

Are there any other celebs/famous people you like? What sort of TV shows/movies do you like? I like Lena Dunham, Sarah Silverman, Nick Offerman, Caitlin Moran and Amy Poehler so I read their bio's. Maybe that could be something looking into?

2. What is your favourite book? (mine is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

I don't have one. Asking me to choose my favourite book is like asking me to choose my favourite song. Damn near impossible. I do read a lot though - a lot of the ones I read are biographies/memoirs, books about health and psychology, business/HR, humour and creative ones. I do read some fiction but I find it harder to get into.

Hope this helps! Oh and if you like audio books you could check out Audible - they often have 30 day free trials (and then you just cancel before they charge) and if you read on Kindle you could check out Amazon's free list. It's updated every-day and often they are short reads so it can be a great way to figure out the sort of stuff that interests you - https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/2496751051/ref=zg_bs_fvp_p_f_2496751051?ie=UTF8&tf=1

I suggest you look at the Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher, it's urban fantasy, easy reading and light hearted for the most part.

There's a website called goodreads too, that will list books similar to books you like.

I'm Not Scared - Niccol Ammaniti

it is a great read. Well written, powerful and vivid.

I'm a big fan of audio books too. You might find them easier to get into.

I'm often listening to a book when doing the dishes, walking or trying to sleep.

Audible is a website that will give you the first audiobook free (and then is one book a month for $15 but you can cancel). Stephen Fry's reading of Harry Potter is meant to be brilliant.

Harry potter is often called fantasy, or urban fantasy, and /or YA (youth adventures) fantasy

if you belong to a library, then you should also be able to get the 'overdrive' app which lets you 'borrow' ebooks and audiobooks on your phone or tablet.

Steph,

Yeeeeees...reading in the sun sounds great. Even better if it's at the beach in my opinion 😊

Dottie x

I LOVED The Lake House by Kate Morton. All her other books are great too. Sort of modern/historical mix, crime/mystery-ish, long enough to get your teeth into but well enough written to keep you entertained.

Also Muddle Earth - I can't remember the author. It's a young adult fantasy book and it's a lot of fun. Highly recommended!