books that will kickstart your love for reading

as we roll into the second month of the new year, people are slowly starting to forget about their new years resolutions and go back to the same habits as last year. i get it. i told myself i was going to start going to bed earlier this year and i think i've gone to bed before midnight once. oops. 

but if your new years resolution was to read more books this year and you feel like you're going to abandon this goal, don't! i'm here to give you some fun, easy-to-read, and interesting books that have helped me fall in love with reading. i'll try to hit a few genres so hopefully there's a book here for everyone!

disclaimer: all of these summaries are spoiler free! 

fantasy

fantasy can be the most difficult genre for people to get into but i promise once you start liking fantasy, no other books will compare. i think a fantasy book is so engaging because it really feels like you step into a completely different world. the creativity of these authors is literally amazing i have no clue how they come up with this stuff. there are two problems you may face when starting a fantasy series as a beginner reader: the world-building is too complicated and the plot is cliché. i have read lots of books with these problems so i understand how frustrating that can be. but i'm going to recommend four books that are really one-of-a-kind and super easy to understand!

1. caraval by stephanie garber

i talked about this a lot in my 2024 reading recap but it is just that good. there is no author doing it like stephanie garber. this first book of the series was released back in 2016 and the most recent book was released in 2024 so she has been actively writing these books for the past few years. this ya (young adult) fantasy book universe consists of two three-book series. the first book is caraval followed by legendary and finale. the first book in the next series is once upon a broken heart followed by the ballad of never after and a curse for true love. the series are interconnected so they have character crossovers but they have different main characters. caraval follows scarlett dragna, a young girl whose sister is kidnapped by the infamous game/performance, caraval. ultimately scarlett has to win the game to get her sister back but she doesn't know who she can trust. i had never read a book with a universe like this one and i really enjoyed reading it. these books are also super easy to read and understand so it's perfect for readers of all levels. the universe slowly reveals itself instead of trying to bombard you with information right away, which makes it easier to grasp the language and history. as scarlett uncovers information throughout the book, so does the reader, and i like that format of writing in fantasy. the characters are also super fun to read about and they only get more interesting as the series continues. 

2. red queen by victoria aveyard

guys when i tell you this book is insane i mean it. red queen is a ya fantasy book released in 2014 and it has been the blueprint for every other fantasy book after it. i'm not lying when i say this book will blow your mind. victoria aveyard is a genius. i feel like this series is super underrated too like it was popular when it came out but now everyone has forgotten how amazing it is and i would really like there to be a resurgence of red queen fans. this book takes place in a universe where people are separated by the color of their blood. those with silver blood are elite and magical while those with red blood are just common. mare discovers that she is magical but bleeds red, something that is seemingly impossible. to cover this up, the king forces her to hide the true color of her blood, pretending to be a silver, and marry one of his sons. this plot was soooo ahead of its time it's crazy. i also feel like this universe isn't super complex and is pretty easy to understand if you're new to fantasy. mare is an awesome main character and i really loved reading about her, but there are so many other fascinating characters too. i highly recommend as a book to introduce you to the fantasy genre!

3. a court of thorns and roses (acotar) by sarah j maas

this book series is obviously super popular and well-known in the book community. i considered not including it in this list just because everyone knows about it but it really is a great introduction to the concept of fantasy. the first book is an adult fantasy that contains simple to understand world-building, relatively easy history, and interesting characters. the book is advertised as a retelling of beauty and the beast, which i didn't pick up on in my first read, but looking back on it that makes sense. basically the main character, feyre, is a human who accidentally kills a fae (magical being) and is basically kidnapped by another fae to... i actually don't remember why he kidnaps her i think it was because she was under arrest for magical crimes or something. anyways she ends up in the fae land and basically starts to fall in love with her kidnapper (stockholm syndrome). the first book is pretty okay but the rest of the series gets reallyyy good. there is a ton of stuff that happens but obviously i won't spoil for you guys. the world building, history, and plot gets more complex as you read so it helps slowly ease you into the concepts and it makes it less complicated to understand. i will say the language takes a second to get used to but once you do it gets easier. also some of the names are hard to pronounce and i found out i was pronouncing a very important character's name wrong for the entirety of reading (oops). other than that though, sarah j maas has a ton of other books that basically connect together, so if you like this series there are a ton more books to read. my personal favorite series of hers is throne of glass but it's not on the list because it is definitely more complicated to understand. but if you like acotar, i definitely recommend that series next. if you want to read a ton of books this year and don't know where to start, start with this one, and you'll get sucked into the whole sarah j maas universe quickly. 

4. shadow and bone by leigh bardugo

and the final fantasy recommendation for you is shadow and bone! i feel like the fantasy concepts presented in this series are pretty easy to understand. as the reader, you do jump into an already fully developed universe, so be prepared for that, and the main character already knows the full history/language, so there isn't a slow ease into information like the other books. the plot follows alina starkov, a mapmaker/soldier on the frontlines of the fold, a giant mysterious wall of shadows filled with monsters. alina accidentally discovers that she has powers while on the frontlines and she is actually a magical being called grisha. with this revelation, her life changes, and she enters a new world of royalty and power as she trains with other grisha. while the language of this book definitely takes some getting used to, the plot is easy to follow, and the book does a good job describing the history/politics. i think the concept of this book is also relatively unique, the first book was released in 2021 and quickly gained more popularity when its show was released on netflix. the show was really good but unfortunately did not get renewed for a second season. i think this series has ya game of thrones energy and is extremely underrated in the fantasy genre. there are three books in this series, with two books in a spinoff, and two more books in another spinoff, so there's definitely a ton to read if you enjoy it. the one spinoff, six of crows, is extremely popular and really good, i definitely recommend taking a look at that series too. i personally recommend reading shadow and bone before that one, but it's up to you! basically, i would definitely recommend this to people who are open to the concepts of fantasy or have read a fantasy book and enjoyed it.

dystopian

this is an underrated genre but i think it can be widely appreciated by everyone. dystopian books typically don't have complicated magical systems, the world-building is easier to comprehend because it mimics the modern world, and the plot is interesting. i always think a dystopian book is a great start for someone looking to get into fiction, but isn't a fan of fantasy. let's get into some my easy-to-read favorites! 

1. the hunger games by suzanne collins

this book series is extremely popular and became even more well-known for the amazing movies that accompanied it. i definitely think these books became really popular for a reason. the hunger games is a one-of-a-kind plot that is a really interesting look into government systems and society. i'm pretty sure this book is also on the banned book list and i always recommend people read books from those lists. everyone definitely knows the plot of this by now but i'll still give a synopsis. the hunger games is a ya dystopian series following katniss everdeen as she volunteers to enter the 74th hunger games in place of her sister. katniss then has to compete against twenty-four other young adults to be the last one standing in the cutthroat, televised game. at this point, i think everyone has a general idea of the plot of these books, but if you've never read them, i highly recommend. there are two other books after this one, catching fire and mockingjay, and then the prequel spinoff series about the villain, the ballad of songbirds and snakes. the author is also writing another prequel book for this series called sunrise on the reaping, so now is the perfect time to start this series! if you enjoyed watching the movies but haven't seen them in a long time, this s is a great book series to kickstart your interest in reading. the books are fast-paced and interesting, the characters are extremely complex, and the world-building is absolutely insane. suzanne collins is a literal genius for creating these books. i think the movies were a great interpretation but there is so much more depth in these books and i think reading them will elevate your experience next time you watch the films. 

2. shatter me by tahereh mafi

this is a ya dystopian series (with some magic) consisting of six novels and five novellas. this is another relatively popular series in the book community and there is a pretty huge "fandom" on social media so there's lots of discussion about the books online. tahereh mafi is a wonderful writer who creates really complex, diverse, and funny characters. she has created a really fascinating universe within these books! shatter me is the first book in this series and follows seventeen year old juliette ferrars. juliette has been imprisoned because she discovered that she has a dangerous power, anyone she touches/who touches her will experience extreme pain/death. in this dystopian universe, the reestablishment is the government system that holds power and they see juliette as a weapon they could use for destruction. so they imprison her and try to persuade her to use her powers to their benefit. i think this plot is very unique and i was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole series. this was another book series i finished so quickly because every book is as good/better than the book before it. i don't want to give too many spoilers but the romance subplot gets very good after book one! i definitely recommend this one if you want to ease into a longer book series. the books are super easy to read, the politics/history is simple to understand, and the books aren't too long! i think this is perfect for reading beginners or people who want to read a lot of books this year. 

3. the selection by kiera cass

do you like the bachelor/bachelorette? do you love the drama of reality tv? do you love a period piece? if you answered yes to any of those, you need to read this book. the selection came out 2012 and is a classic series for many people. i read it for the first time in 2020 and wow it was crazy. i love the plot/concept of this book and i think it is perfect for people who like a little drama in their books! thirty five girls are selected to compete for prince maxon, the heir to the throne, and live a luxurious lifestyle as the future queen. however, when america is selected to compete, she is upset because she leaves behind her secret boyfriend, aspen. she doesn't want to compete for the prince and doesn't care about becoming queen. until she actually meets maxon and then things start to change. this book series is the perfect amount of cliché, filled with drama, and is so fun to read. the writing style is easy and the plot is simple to understand. there is no complicated world building and the politics/history follow a structure similar to the hunger games (without the murder). this is a great introduction to reading and is a more light-hearted dystopian universe compared to other series. there are three books in the main series (the selection, the elite, the one), two books in a spinoff series (the heir and the crown), and two books in a prequel spinoff series (the betrothed and the betrayed). so there's lots to read if you end up liking the first book! 

4. fahrenheit 451 by ray bradbury

guys i just read this book over the summer and wow! i was never required to read it for school and my friend told me i had to read it and i'm so glad i picked it up. i think this is a really interesting dystopian universe. i'm not the biggest fan of 1984 so i was surprised i liked this book, because i heard they were very similar, but this one was much better in my opinion! in this universe, books are completely banned, and the main character, guy, serves as a "firefighter" (not a normal firefighter but instead someone who burns books when they're found). guy basically lives a relatively normal life until he meets his young neighbor who sparks his interest in the past. suddenly, guy feels like there's more to life than what he's been living and becomes curious about books. this book is super short but filled with so much plot. there were some aspects of the future that confused me at first, so that may be challenging to understand if you're a new reader but i highly recommend googling anything that might be confusing to you. the universe ray bradbury created is very fascinating, and since it was published in 1953, it is interesting to see what technological predictions have become somewhat true. i honestly think everyone should read this book at some point in their lives, it really focuses on the importance of knowledge and literature in a society that focuses on technology. the themes in this book are extremely prevalent in our present world and this is such an important concept. if you're looking for something quick but a more serious topic, this is perfect for you! 

contemporary romance 

i think this genre is probably the easiest to get into if you're new to reading. romance books are normally easy to read, simple to understand, and very fun! contemporary romance is also great because it is easy for readers to relate to the content, as opposed to fantasy and dystopian. there are a ton of books within this genre so definitely go out and research for yourself too. i like when a contemporary romance book reminds me of a good rom com and these four book recommendations are just that! 

1. better than the movies by lynn painter 

when i think of a contemporary romance book, this is definitely the first book that comes into my mind. lynn painter books have the perfect rom com vibe and her characters are always so sweet. this book just has the cutest, light-hearted vibe! the plot follows highschooler liz buxbaum, who's desperately trying to win the attention of her childhood crush, michael. but, in order to do so, she has to befriend her annoying neighbor, wes, to help her. this plot is so simple but is executed so well by lynn painter. liz and wes are so funny and everything about this book just has perfect rom com energy. there is a second book that just came out in october (nothing like the movies) that follows liz to college, and i honestly loved that book too (even though it was slightly controversial on the internet). there are also lots of other lynn painter books if you like the style and tone of this one. i just think better than the movies is the perfect place to start in this genre. 

2. beach read by emily henry 

i love emily henry books. if it is an emily henry book i will read it. period. but this is the first emily henry book i read and it holds such a special place in my heart. for starters, the main characters name is january (the month i was born) andrews (my literal last name) so i feel connected to this character on a whole other level. she's also extremely funny and relatable (in my opinion) so i love that. basically january moves to a beach house to get away and focus on writing, only to discover she's now neighbors with her enemy from college, augustus. both of them are authors struggling to write their books, january writes romance and augustus writes literary fiction. when they find themselves in creative ruts, they strike a deal to switch genres and take trips to do different activities to help spark their creativity. i think this plot is super cute and unique, and i love that both the main characters are authors. this isn't necessarily an enemies to lovers book, and if you read it you'll see why, but the characters definitely develop a deeper relationship throughout the duration of the book. my favorite thing about emily henry books is that the book are mainly romance but also focus heavily on the lives and struggles of the characters. this book is super popular and very easy to read so i feel like it's a great place to start your love for reading!

3. today tonight tomorrow by rachel lynn solomon 

i think this book is so underrated! it reminds me a lot of lynn painter books, but the plot of this is so different from other books i've read. this is an academic rivals to lovers tropes so if that's something you like reading about, you'll definitely love this. i think these characters are so sweet and funny. on the last day of senior year of high school, rowan decides to compete in howl, the senior class game, in an attempt to beat her academic rival, neil. but when rowan discovers a group of seniors is out to beat her, she forms an unlikely alliance with neil in order to win. this book is a super cute story and also has a lot of themes about growing up and dealing with change. i think rowan and neil are so interesting to read about and just have a really funny dynamic. the characters feel very realistic in the way that rachel lynn solomon writes them, and i really enjoy that from a book. this book is fast-paced and easy to read so it's perfect for all readers. i feel like not a lot of readers in the book community talk about this book but it is really one of my favorites in this genre. 

4. this summer will be different by carley fortune 

i just read this book this past summer and i thought it was so good! the cover of this book is literally beautiful (all carley fortune books have the most perfect covers) and i feel like the story matched the vibe very well. i like this book because it's very different from other books in this genre, as this relationship feels more like a "situationship" at first, which was an interesting concept. the main character was very relatable and realistic to me as well. basically lucy travels to pei (prince edward island) to stay with her friend and get away, when she arrives, she meets a cute guy at a restaurant, felix, and they hook up. later, lucy finds out that felix is her best friend's brother, so she can't continue to see him and doesn't want to tell her friend about what happened. but every time lucy visits it's hard for her to stay away from felix. i really like the different dynamics between the characters. both felix and lucy are complicated, and there's some miscommunication, but not too much in my opinion. this is the perfect book to add to your summer tbr (to be read) list and it just has the best coastal energy. i really like carley fortune's writing style and feel like this book is super easy to follow and the perfect quick read! she has two more books (every summer after and meet me at the lake), both of which i've read, but i think this one is my favorite of hers. she also has another book, one golden summer, coming out in may 2026. 

mystery

i'm not the biggest fan of mystery books but i like to read them from time to time and this is a huge genre. i know lots of people who really like to read mystery books so i thought i would include some that are perfect starter books and that i found really interesting!

1. one of us is lying by karen m. mcmanus

i read this book forever ago but it has really stuck in my brain for a long time. the plot of this book is mysterious but not too complicated to understand, and it really keeps you on the edge of your seat. they made a show for this book a few years back too and it really reminded me how interesting this plot is. five kids find themselves in detention one day after school and while the detention monitor steps out, one of the kids, simon, ends up dying. simon ran the school's gossip website and the four other kids in the room all had a motive to kill him. now they're being investigated for simon's murder. the four kids stick together through the whole situation, but are also extremely suspicious of one another. this whole story is really fascinating and i think it is a perfect ya mystery book. as a reader, you're suspicious of everyone, and each character has their own secrets that you discover. i read this very quickly and i think it's a great book to start getting into reading. this is also part of a series, so if you like the first one, there's more to read, but i've only read the first book. the other books are one of us is next and one of us is back, and there are several more different series written by mcmanus.  if you want an easy-to-understand mystery book, this is a perfect one!

2. the inheritance games by jennifer lynn barnes 

this is a superrrr popular ya mystery series in the book community but it is definitely popular for a reason. jennifer lynn barnes is a genius and an extremely thoughtful writer. this book is filled with puzzles, tricks, and new mysteries on every single page. avery grambs is just a highschooler trying to survive and make it to college when she suddenly discovers a random billionaire left his entire inheritance to her. suddenly in the public eye, avery confusingly moves into hawthorne house, now her house, and finds it occupied by the man's four grandsons. now, avery must complete a set of several puzzles and riddles in order to obtain her inheritance and understand why the man left her the money. with the help of the grandsons, avery tries to unravel the mysteries that the man left behind and navigate her new life as a wealthy woman. this plot concept is amazing and it is so well-written that it really elevates this series above other mystery books i've read. the puzzles in this series are definitely more complex than other books, but i like that you have to think a little bit to try and uncover what's happening. i dislike predictable mystery books, and this series is definitely not predictable at all. the grandsons are all very interesting characters and i think avery is a very relatable main character as well. there are also a ton of books in this series: the hawthorne legacy, the final gambit, the brothers hawthorne, and games untold. so if you like the first one, you can really read a lot of books quickly! i've only read the first one but i've been thinking about getting back into this series because it was really good. 

3. a good girls guide to murder by holly jackson 

this is another very popular series but it is super interesting and has a well-developed plot. netflix also recently made a tv series about this book and it is really good, so when you finish this book i definitely recommend watching that! this book follow pip, a highschooler who is trying to investigate the murder of popular girl andie bell. andie was claimed to be murdered by her boyfriend at the time, sal singh, who tragically killed himself when he was found guilty of the crime. pip doesn't believe that sal is to blame for andie's murder, and she wants to find out the real truth. pip also recruits the help of sal's brother, ravi, who is desperate to prove his brother's innocence. this book is so interesting and pip is a fascinating character. she really becomes obsessed with discovering the truth, even when she is threatened by so many people to stop. the case is so much more complex than she initially believes and she is incapable of abandoning it. i love how information is introduced in this book and the stakes are so high, it really keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. this series is also super easy to read and the plot slowly gets more complex, so it eases you into it rather than immediately starting off complicated, which is great for a starter book! this is also a three-book series, good girl, bad blood (the second book) and as good as dead (the third book), featuring a novella, kill joy. so lots of books to add to your tbr! 

4. the silent patient by alex michaelides

this is definitely a darker mystery book compared to the other ones but it is super interesting. if you're looking for a book that delves more into psychology and just has an overall darker vibe, i think this is perfect to add to your tbr. alicia is currently admitted into a psych ward after murdering her husband. after the murder, she went completely mute, refusing to speak to anyone. theo is a criminal psychotherapist who makes it his mission to uncover what happened to alicia and the search for the truth consumes his life. this book is lowkey crazy and there are some wild plot twists that are uncovered throughout theo's study of alicia. all of the characters are so intriguing and mysterious, they are super fascinating to read about. if you love psychological thrillers, mysteries, or intense plots, you have to read this book. i think it can also be a great beginner book because the language and writing style is relatively easy to understand, and while the plot is complex, it is not overwhelming. you will definitely want to read more after reading this one.

miscellaneous 

and finally, the miscellaneous category! i could not really fit these books into a specific genre but i still think they're great to read if you're thinking about reading more books this year. most of these are personal favorites and books that helped me get into reading!

1. the invisible life of addie larue by v.e. schwab

i've already talked about this book because it's my favorite book of all time, but it did really help me get back into reading. there is no other book like this, and i think that's one of the main reasons why i love it so much. here's another quick summary if you missed the one on my first post. in 1714 france, addie larue is being forced into a marriage she does not want, and in an act of desperation prays to any god that will listen to save her. when a god of the night answers, he grants her immortality, however, no one will ever remember her. every single person she meets forgets about her the minute she leaves their sight. after three hundred years of living this way, addie meets a boy who is the first to remember her. like c'mon that plot is crazy! i love addie so much, she will always hold a special place in my heart, and i think she is super realistic. this book has elements of magic, but it is not the main point of the plot, and a lot of the concepts are extremely relatable. if you're trying to get into reading i just think this book is so perfect and one-of-a-kind. the plot isn't too fast-paced but it's still interesting, and the magical concepts are easy to understand. if you don't know what genre you like yet, i definitely recommend giving this book a read because it combines so many of them.

2. malibu rising by taylor jenkins reid 

this is another top book for me and i just think it is so perfect if you like contemporary books. i can't limit this book to one genre but it's more like a character study of these four main characters. nina, jay, hud, and kit are the children of famous celebrity mick riva. but he abandoned his children, leaving them behind and to be raised by nina, the oldest. the story follows the struggles and secrets of the four characters, all leading up to nina's big house party. i just found everything about these characters to be so fascinating! they all have different talents and are relatively wealthy individuals, but their lives are still filled with struggles and trauma. the different dynamics and relationships between the siblings are interesting to read about as well. this book is set in malibu and definitely has a summer/coastal vibe that also makes it fun to read. this is an easy read, with simple language but complex characters, and i think that makes it a perfect book to start with. taylor jenkins reid has written tons of books too, so if you like this one, definitely give those ones a read! if you're a fan of daisy jones and the six and the seven husbands of evelyn hugo (her most popular books) then you'll definitely like this one.

3. the song of achilles by madeline miller

this book was super popular on tik tok a few years ago and i feel like a ton of people read it, but it's popularity has died down a bit recently. when i first got back into reading in 2020, i read this book, and i really think it made me want to read more books! this is a retelling of the story of achilles, specifically focusing on his relationship with patroclus, as the book is from the perspective of patroclus. this story is just absolutely crazy, and if you don't know the story of achilles and patroclus i encourage to read about it. madeline miller is an insane storyteller and everything about this book is so interesting. she really knows how to make well-rounded and realistic characters. if you like greek mythology or were really into percy jackson when you were younger, this book is perfect for you! i feel like this book would fit into a lot of different genres, with prominent themes of romance, mythology, war, and coming-of-age. the ending is heartbreaking, if you know the original story of patroclus and achilles then you know why, but everything in between is amazing. i would suggest having a general idea of greek mythology before reading this book, but it isn't necessary to understand what's happening. madeline miller also wrote another greek mythology retelling, circe, and it is super good if you want to check that one out. i really need her to write more books because i love her writing style! 

4. the midnight library by matt haig

this book is so life-changing (at least for me) and is the perfect book for people looking to read something more deep and introspective. the plot follows nora, a thirty-six year old woman who feels like she's wasted her life. when she feels like everything is falling apart, she tries to end her life, only to end up in a place between life and death called the midnight library. any book nora chooses allows her to see what her life would've been like if she'd gone down a different path. suddenly, she is faced with the opportunity to change her life to one of the new possibilities she is shown. i just think this concept is really fascinating and it really makes me think a lot about my own life. this book focuses on dealing with regret and really enjoying the life you have been given. matt haig is an extremely talented writer and this book is, in my opinion, a literary masterpiece. while the initial topic is somewhat dark, a woman being so unsatisfied with her life she tries to end it, the story blossoms into something truly beautiful. this is another book i think every single person should read. 

and that concludes my book recommendations for new readers! i really hope you guys add some of these to your tbr because they are all such unique and wonderful books. reading is a super fun hobby, you just have to pick books that cater to your interests and make you want to read more. try one of these out, take your time reading, and don't give up on yourself. let me know if you try any of these and enjoy them!

next week we'll really get into fourth wing by rebecca yarros and dissect that literary universe. i just finished onyx storm (the third book in her series) last night and it was literally insane i can't wait to talk about it. talk to you soon :)