The Five Best Starter Books for Men Who Don’t Read

Apart from a few percentages, most men would rather watch or play a game than read a book. From “It’s too long” to “I don’t want to”, the reason for the lack of interest in reading can be anything. Although it’s such an enjoyable pastime, you can’t force reading on someone who doesn’t want to read. Perhaps that’s why books are the last things that come to mind when thinking of ideal manly gifts.

It’s not easy to buy books for someone who barely reads. Not only do you need to find a genre that works for them, but you also need to find a book that they will actually enjoy reading. Here are some suggested book titles for men who don’t read and who reject books just because they don’t have the patience:

JD Salinger’s Heart Catcher

About: This is about teenage angst and alienation by Holden Caulfield, who shares with readers his account of his 24 hours in New York City. Here, he realizes that adulthood is just a sham and hopes to preserve the innocence of childhood when he grows up.

Who it is for: First published in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye is one of the most remarkable works of fiction of the 20th century. Originally intended for adult readers, the novel finally made its way to a more suitable audience, young adults. They are the ones, and many adults too, who thought they could tell the pangs of adolescence that the protagonists were going through. Brilliantly crafted by Mr. Salinger, the realistic themes and characters make for a believable story for everyone.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

About: Taken from Amazon.com, “Set in Italy during World War II, this is the story of the incomparable bomber simulating Yossarian, a hero who is enraged because thousands of people have ever encountered try to kill him. However, his real problem is not the enemy – it is his own army, which is constantly increasing the number of missions the men have to perform to fulfill their service. Yet , if Yossarian attempts to apologize for the perilous missions assigned to him, he will be in violation of Catch-22”
For whom: Men, who are hardcore fans of action, war stories, logic and dark humour, they would certainly cherish this book.

Short Stories of Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore

About: Written between 1891 and 1917 by Tagore, this book compiles sixteen short stories by him, which depict varied human emotions, as men and women deal with the limitations of contemporary Hindu society.
Who it’s for: Tagore, one of India’s greatest writers, poets, painters and musicians, captures the life of India in all of his stories, and this is no different. He is non-judgmental in his stories and readers must come to their own conclusions. This book is definitely for those who are touched by simple beauty, depth of understanding and compassion.

Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

About: “At the stroke of midnight…” on August 15, 1947, an independent India was born and Saleem Sinai, the protagonist too. Soon, he realizes that his birth time has a direct connection with the event happening in post-independent India. He also realizes that he has telepathic powers, which connect him to thousands of other children born at midnight on August 15, 1947, and their special powers.

For whom: Full of magical realism, this book will immediately find a buyer among those who have developed a pronounced taste for historical fiction. Salman Rushdie’s lively storytelling method captivates the reader from start to finish.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Related: Taken from Wikipedia, “Sports columnist Mitch Albom recounts his time with his 78-year-old sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz, at Brandeis University, who was dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) … The resulting book describes those fourteen Tuesdays they encounter, supplemented by Schwartz’s lectures and life experiences and interspersed with flashbacks and allusions to contemporary events.

For whom: It’s for men of all ages who have forgotten the true meaning of life and how to live it.

If you’re an avid reader yourself, depriving loved ones who don’t read of the immeasurable satisfaction derived from getting lost in the stories doesn’t quite make you satisfied, does it? Therefore, the next time you consider books too, like gifts for men, which will keep him glued to them until the very end. The market is full of “page turners”, a term used for books, which are fast, easy to understand and active.