Every Reader Was Once Someone Who Hated Reading
Reading is a wondrous habit. It allows you to learn and experience things, you can’t in real life. You can learn about so many things through reading, the options are endless. It is also a great way to pass the time and kill boredom. While everyone sees reading as a marvellous hobby to have, many people don’t like it, so let me ask you, dear reader, do you believe that reading is meant for everyone? Let’s dive in and find the answer to this question together.
Let’s first look at the different genres one can read between fiction and non-fiction. Fiction can include fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, and more. Non- fiction can include memoir and biographies, true crime, self-help and how-to, history, and essays.
While I like to read non-fiction, I personally lean more towards fiction, that being said, reading non-fiction is just as great if one prefers that. Fiction is just this magical world where everything and anything can happen, and there are no rules to follow. You can let your imagination loose and go to places that can only exist beyond reality. One of the most beautiful things about literature is that, while history teaches you about how things were during a certain period of time, the literature, even if it's fiction, teaches you about how the minds of the people worked, how they lived, and what their opinions were. Etc… In short, it's like you get to be in the minds of the people of those times and feel every emotion that they are going through. Fiction in literature also lets you live lives and have experiences that aren’t your own, but feel very much like it.
Mystery, suspense, and thriller are such fun reads. They really shake the wires of your brain. The sudden plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat, while your detective skills also get activated. You really connect with the characters, analyzing everyone and trusting no one. Action scenes are also such a thrill to read, for while you wouldn’t want to witness any of that in real life, it's still really exciting to read. My most favourite mystery authors are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and Enid Blyton, who wasn’t really a mystery writer, but did write some books in that area
Horror books are also really enthralling. The plot is often quite gory and intense, but the story makes it all the more worthwhile, and for someone like me who can’t watch horror movies, reading horror is a perfect alternative. The stories of the supernatural are quite terrifying, but that is what makes them all the more exciting. I haven’t read much horror, but R.L Stine is my go-to author when it comes to reading something spooky and scary. His book “Trapped” is a must-read for anyone who likes horror.
Fantasy and comedy are also really enjoyable books to read. Fantasy books are pure magic. They take you places that can only exist in your imagination. The characters can be anything, be it animals or your everyday items. It’s a place where dragons and unicorns come to life, and anything is possible. Two of my favourite fantasy authors are Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. Comedy books are obviously entertaining and hilarious. I haven’t read much comedy. Maybe some books by random authors who also write on various other topics. One of my favourite comedy series is “A Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney.
Non-fiction books are also amazing. Memoirs and autobiographies tell you all about the lives of famous people. You can learn about the lives of the authors you love through them. Then there are self-help books that teach you about managing life, your mental and physical health. Etc… “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a great example. It teaches you how little things that don’t seem much can actually help you in moving closer to achieving your goal.
True crime books introduce you to the evil that has been committed in this world. They open your eyes to how much justice is actually being served, and just how evil humans can get. Then we have history books that teach about the different cultures, societies, and eras that have passed. I personally find history books my favourite when it comes to non-fiction. Reading about old empires and kingdoms, and how they ended, teaches you a lot. Also, reading about the horrendous customs and traditions of old times makes you feel really thankful to be born in the present, even with all its flaws.
Overall, through this entire journey of exploring different genres, we saw just how many types of books one can read. So, the answer is, yes, reading is meant for everyone. You may not be interested in something, but there is surely a book out there waiting to be read by you. With all the different genres there are, there is undoubtedly one that would be of your interest. You just need to find it. In my eyes, there is no such thing as not liking to read, as J.K Rowling, the author of one of my most favourite series “Harry Potter” said,
“If you don’t like to read, you just haven’t found the right book yet.”
