I want to start reading books...

I've started to watch a couple of intellectual and business related videso on youtube and a lot of people recommend you to read books because it helps you to surround yourself with the greatest thinkers of all time.
Now, I don't read books and hardly have ever in my spare time so I wouldn't know what to start reading.
Does anyone know a good book which is a good start for me.

 

I dont read a lot either but when i was in high school i loved reading the "heir" series. There were 3 books when i was reading but i just googled the series and nows theres 5 so i guess shes still making books.

 

Are you trying to learn anything in particular, or just find "good books" to read? Honestly, hit up your local library, that's why they are paid. They can give you some great recommendations if you give them what you're looking for.

 

Are you looking for fiction/stories, or educational books? Either way, I recommend the book "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoevsky.

 

Asking for book recommendations is pretty useless in your case. You barely read, so you can't give examples of what you enjoy.

And then someone will suggest something, you'll try to read it, it won't be for you, you'll think "gosh, if this was supposed to be good, then reading must just suck", and there ends your resolution to read more.

To accomplish your specific goal of surrounding yourself with intellectual people, start reading classic novels. To Kill a Mockingbird, Animal Farm, 1984, Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudiced, The Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, etc.

Reading ANYTHING will help you intellectually because it will broaden your vocabulary. Even bad authors tend to use words you're not familiar with, which helps your vocabulary, and ultimately you're ability to articulate. The better you articulate, the better you can express ideas. This is an important skill in communicating with intellectual crowds, even if you yourself aren't yet super smart yourself... if that makes sense at all.

With that in mind, ignore the age old axiom "don't just a book by its cover", find a book that looks interesting to you, pick it up, read it, and see if you like it. If you like dragons, great. Find a cover with dragons all over it. If you like medieval themed, look for something covered with swords or castles. If you like sports----- rinse and repeat.

 

This. Grapes of Wrath, 1984 are essentials.

 

Clockwork orange is a fantastic novel

 

Depends entirely on what types of books you like. Biographies, poetry, fantasy, crime, true story etc.

My favourite genre of book is fantasy. Specifically Tolkien's writings. I enjoy Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Terry Brooks, H.P Lovecraft, Stephen King and of course J.K. Rowling.

 

Read books you're interested in, if you force yourself to read books you don't like just because a lot of people recommended them to you you'll get burnt out.

My personal favorites:
Dune series
Most books by Stephen King

 

Go to your local library and just rent whatever seems appealing to you. Eventually you will narrow down what you like and dislike, and go on from there.

 

I loved reading A Series of Unfortunate Events back in highschool. I think that's a pretty solid series to start off on.

 

1984 is just such a good book on so many levels, from writing style, character/setting development and deeper ideas. Would highly recommend, the writing itself isn't difficult at all either.

 

Thank you for the awesome advice.
To be honest, I just want to read to increase my general knowledge and improve my concept of things generally.
Thanks again