Brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Today's theme is:
Top Ten Books You'd Hand To Someone Who Says They Don't Like To Read
I've got a bit of experience with this, as I'm always trying to get my non-reader hubby to try a new book. Some of these on the list are ones that he actually read and enjoyed over the years. If you have any tips for getting non-readers to read, let me know in the comments :-)
America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction, Jon Stewart
Charts and graphs and pictures and jokes! What’s not to love?
The Complete Maus, Art Spiegelman
Classic graphic novel. So, so good.
Falling Up, Shel Siverstein
Really, any of his books of poetry are great. Funny, with charming drawings. And if there’s a youngster they can read to, double win!
The Fabulous Girl’s Guide to Decorum, Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh
Admittedly, I read this a long time ago, and cannot vouch for its feminism-friendliness, but I remember it making me laugh and teaching me a thing or two. And I love the title and the cover.
Nothing’s Sacred, Louis Black
More jokes! Seriously, I think comedy writing is a great way to interest non-readers., especially if you find a book by someone they like.
My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George
I loved this book about a young boy running away and surviving in the woods.
A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry
An accessible and timely play.
The Man Who Ate Everything, Jeffrey Steingarten
I lovelovelove Steingarten’s food writing. He’s a former lawyer, and he applies all that analytical skill to breaking down food in a way that’s totally obsessive, yet inspiring.
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto, Chuck Klosterman
Even when I have no idea what he’s talking about, I enjoy his essays, whether they be about Brittney Spears or Saved by the Bell.
Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
A fun book that encourages looking at issues from all angles. The authors try to answer questions about cheating, crime, and more, by looking at incentives for behavior.
7 comments:
Great list!
A Raisin in The Sun is a fantastic book! But I also like your picks of non-fiction to jump-start a non-reader. My list today was all memoirs and non-fiction.
AWESOME list!!! I am especially onboard with Spiegelman and I think A Raisin in the Sun is an inspired choice. I wouldn't have thought of it, but I wholeheartedly agree!
I almost put America (The Book) on my list too- loved it!
Great and unique list! Yeah for Maus! Thanks for visiting.
Jennifer @ Feminist Fairytale Reviews
Freakonomics is a really fun read. That is a great gateway non-fiction book. I also wish I'd included a graphic novel. I haven't read Maus, so I would probably go with Anya's Ghost, or Persepolis.
@Amy: Thanks!
@Trish: Yeah, I think memoirs and non fiction are a good idea for non-readers.
@Andi: *blushes* Thanks!
@Anne: America is so funny!
@Jennifer: Thanks, and you're welcome :-)
@LBC: Anya's Ghost and Persepolis are both great choices, too. I read Freakonomics to a class of high school seniors, and they liked it. My non-reader hubby did, too!
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