3 Book Recommendations for the Casual Reader

When did you cultivate your love of reading? I’ve always been a slower reader and while in university I had a hard time keeping pace with the required readings for all of my classes. So much so that reading, even for fun, was no longer appealing. It wasn’t until recently that I rediscovered the joy of reading and my love of stories. I started by rereading some YA novels I’d read in my teens. As fun as it was to revisit those characters, I realized I needed something different. But I didn’t know how to identify adult fiction I would enjoy. I was so grateful when I found the Bookish corner of Instagram. Although it took time to find those with similar tastes, seeing so many different genres, titles and authors I’d never heard of was so encouraging.

A friend of mine felt the same way and asked me for a list of books I’d recommend for those getting back into reading. And so here is a booklist for casual readers or those who are getting reacquainted with reading. While compiling this list I focused on adult fiction, stand alone books (not a series), that are medium paced and engaging but not too emotionally taxing.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore | The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

SYNOPSIS | THE LONELY HEARTS BOOK CLUB

Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane’s day that when Arthur doesn’t show up one morning, she’s instantly concerned. And then another day passes, and another.

Anxious, Sloane tracks the old man down only to discover him all but bedridden…and desperately struggling to hide how happy he is to see her. Wanting to bring more cheer into Arthur’s gloomy life, Sloane creates an impromptu book club. Slowly, the lonely misfits of their sleepy town begin to find each other, and in their book club, find the joy of unlikely friendship. Because as it turns out, everyone has a special book in their heart—and a reason to get lost (and eventually found) within the pages.

Get it here: Amazon | Libro.fm

The first two books on the list are very similar in theme and content. As with most novels about books and libraries, the focus is on how they can unite and connect community members. In both books, we have characters of different ages, stages and walks of life. Yet they all manage to form connections and friendships they didn’t realize were missing and sorely needed.

SYNOPSIS |THE READING LIST

Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Ealing after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.

Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.

When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list…hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again. 

Get it here: Amazon | Libro.fm

While I enjoyed The Lonely Hearts Books Club, I didn’t love the narration choice for some of the characters. As such, I’d recommend the physical/ebook over the audio for that one. I switched back and forth between the physical and audio of The Reading List and equally enjoyed both. If you like books with alternating POVs, an ensemble cast with bookish references and themes of community and connection you’ll love both of these.

All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle

SYNOPSIS | ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE

In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship, and fulfillment. But it’s a lie. In reality, Hubert’s days are all the same, dragging on without him seeing a single soul.

Until he receives some good news — good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on. The news that his daughter is coming for a visit.Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out.

Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship, and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . .

Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows, will he ever get to live the life he’s pretended to have for so long?

Get it here: Amazon | Libro.fm

If you’re in the mood for a book that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle is a fantastic choice. This book took me through the full gamut of emotions. I laughed, I got angry and I definitely shed a few tears. I loved all of the characters in this book. All of the topics and themes in this novel lead into one another so well. They both moved the plot along and contributed to character development. I listened to the audiobook and Ben Onwukwe’s narration is outstanding. I tend to gravitate toward novels with older main characters. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an old soul or if it’s because I’m intrigued with the ‘life in review’ trope of books of this nature.

Rediscovering the joy of reading can be a truly magical experience, especially if you’ve had a hiatus like I did during my university years. It’s all about finding the right books that resonate with you and your current preferences. The three stand alone book recommendations I’ve shared here cater to casual readers and those looking to rekindle their reading habit without feeling overwhelmed. With a wide range of emotions and relatable characters, these novels are captivating reads that will keep you engaged from start to finish. You can sign up for Libro.fm here if you’re looking for an audiobook subscription to purchase any of the audiobooks mentioned above.

The key to getting back into reading is to find books that align with your interests and pace. So no matter what you’re into, there’s a book out there waiting for you. Happy reading, and may you continue to discover the joy of storytelling with each page you turn.