Now, if you hate, and I mean absolutely despise even the thought of reading, maybe it’s a long shot to get you to change your mind and start reading. But nonetheless, it’s worth a try.

Hatred of reading can stem from school and required reading. Whether it was a long summer reading list or simply required books to read during the school year, everyone has memories of hating a certain book. Even me, and I love reading.

But have you ever read for fun? Simply for the pure enjoyment of reading? If your answer is no, I’d like for you to give it a go. Try reading a book in a genre that actually interests you. For example, if you find yourself loving scary/sci-fi movies as opposed to a romantic comedy, maybe you should try out mystery books or fictional novels. To get you interested in reading, I’ve put together a short list of books in a few popular categories. If you find one that catches your eye, I recommend picking one up and reading.

1. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

If you’re into historical-fiction, this may be the book for you. Set in 1938 during the rise of Hitler, it shows an orphan’s great love for books. It is also a New York Times bestseller and has been adapted into a movie!

2. "Bras and Broomsticks" by Sarah Mlynowski

Looking for an easy, but fun read? This coming of age novel follows a young teenage girl who discovers that her younger sister and mom are both witches!

3. "The Eye, The Ear, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

For all you science-fiction lovers out there, this novel’s for you. Set in the futuristic Zimbabwe in the year 2194, the book follows three children whose safety is in danger. The technology during this time includes pantries that can cook and antigravity landing pads. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

4. "The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty

If you’re a scary-movie lover, then you’ve probably already seen the movie. But have you ever read the haunting book? Deemed “The Most Terrifying Novel Ever Written,” you might want to read this with the lights on.

5. "Where’d You Go Bernadette?" by Maria Semple

Looking for a mysterious, comedic novel? Look no further than Semple’s novel following Bee’s adventures to try to find her mother.

Happy Reading!