I don't know how to start reading better books?

Question

I really like reading books that aren't bad but really aren't helping me learn anything. My mom keeps wanting me to start reading these good books that are classics likea tale of 2 cities. and books like that. I know that when school starts again that I will have to start reading better books but I know that I won't suddenly be able to go from reading 5th grade level books to 12th grade level books. Some one please help me figure out how to get myself motivated to start reading better books.

another thing, I'm 13 and in the 8th grade and am an advancedreader for my age. I am capable of reading higher.. I just can'tget motivated

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean.
Classics are an acquired taste. It takes some time to start enjoying them, but trust me, once you start there's no turning back.
Although, "Tale of Two Cities" is an amazing novel, I'd suggest you read a classic, with a theme that appeals to you. Whether that's romantic books you're after, or something a bit more mysterious, is your choice.
Ask your mom for some advice. She obviously knows what she's talking about.
Good luck and happy reading!

Answer 2

Have you tried Harry Potter? Ok so your mom might not think Harry Potter is better reading but it's a starting point. The books are pretty long so they help build endurance & they are very intracate so they help you learn to read between the lines. Also there are a lot of references to mythology, phylosophy, and the Bible and it will inspire you to look further into other books and genres. For instance most of the magical creatures are taken from mythology, Nicholas Flamel was a real alchemist, Dumbledore defeated Gindewald around the same time as a very major war ended. Another reason that you might get more involved with reading other things if you start reading HP is because there is a whole fandom out there that discusses all things Harry Potter. I will include a great list of sources below. Most libraries have the HP series available. Your best bet is to buy the series in paperback and grab some highlighters, a pen & some post it notes and start taking the book apart. Don't let it stop at just reading about grindylows & unicorn got to the forum and post some questions or try to answer some questions. Google some of the creatures and find their origin, or places find out if they are real and where they are and why JKR would choose them, also some of the famous witches and wizard google them and find out if they were real people also. HP is just a starting point and can light a spark for you to want to read many other things. The HP books are not light reading, they are filled with death, sacrifice, ridicule, good vs evil, love, hate, loss. So I hope this has been helpful, HP increased my appitite for reading 10 fold which is significant because I love to read anyway but even in my college years I hated history after I got into HP i started to read more and more about history and mythology and I have discovered a whole new area of fasicnation. So give it a try, and if you've already read them, check out the sites below and then maybe the spark will be lit for you to do some more investigating.

Answer 3

Sometimes it takes a long time to warm up to the classics. When I was in high school, it was easier to read the classics when two things would happen: (A) I read in a literature circle (and discuss the book with others reading the same book) and (B) when I rented the movie and saw it first and my interest was gained. That way I was able to understand where the plot was going.

Not all the classics are classics because they are easy to read. Take 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It was a classic at the time because of the science as well as the quality of the adventure. Now, you could honestly skip the flora and fauna discussions every other chapter and probably enjoy it just as much OR even more. Just be patient with the so called
better books. The key thing is to read what you find interesting to you... especially when reading for pleasure.

Answer 4

I have to agree with Sara S. - take a look at Rory's book club list for the classics on that list. There's a lot of good ones on there that are really good reads that will keep you interested, and a lot of current ones that are good too, like The Time Traveler's Wife.

Dickens is not the best thing for an 8th grader to read - I was a very advanced reader in 8th grade and high school, but could never get into Dickens. Don't burn out your interest by trying to read books that you just don't like. If you've read about 100 pages and still don't like it, just stop reading it. Some books do take a while to get into, but 100 pages usually gives you a good picture.

Answer 5

What I like to do is to go to the public library and just browse. I read the back of a few books until I find one that sounds like something I'll like. Then I take it home, and start reading. If I get a bit bored with the story than I stop reading and do something. In a day or so I go back to the book and give it another try. Most times I find that my interest has perked up and I end up enjoying the book, and feeling good that I tugged along through it instead of giving up. I also go back and forth in reading levels, as well as book length. I don't read anything too education, I just read as a hobby...I keep that in mind when I look for a book. If a book looks to school-like, but seems interesting I pick another more fun book to take home with it. This way if I end up not wanting to finish the first book, I have a back-up so that my trip to the library at least bared fruit. Good luck.

Answer 6

First off let me say, it's wonderful that you want to gain knowledge through reading. Not many young kids today have time to read and would rather watch a movie or play a video game. You could check with your local librarian, or ask for suggestions from your mom or teachers. I will tell you a few of the books I have read that while considered great books, may not be as boring as some of the classics. A Tale of Two Cities might be a bit ambitious for a first read though, it is VERY long and written in a style that might be difficult for a younger reader. The old classics are often written in an older style language with words that we do not use everyday. So this is a good way to utilize a dictionary, but it isn't the most enjoyable way to read. Try starting out with some of the modern classics that will also peak your interest. One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest is a wonderful book that is considered a modern classic but also has a great story you might enjoy. It will teach you not to accept things at face value and that there is always more than one side to every story. I also enjoyed reading James Mitchner when I was a teenager. He writes very well researched historical novels about the birth and development of America and makes them very interesting by expanding the actual characters you read about in history books. Anything by him is stellar in my opinion, but you might start out with Texas, it covers the Louisianna Purchase and immigration by Mexican Americans as well as European Immigrants into Texas. So his books can help you put your history classes into a more humanized perspective but they don't read like a boring old history book at all. Frank Baum's books are considered classics and are also very enjoyable to read. He wrote the Wizard of Oz, but there are a whole series of books about Oz by him that not everyone has read or heard about that were not quite as famous. The Chronicals of Narnia are also a series that only one book got real famous from, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, but all the books in the Narnia series are very good to read. You may also enjoy reading Kurt Vonnegut, also considered modern classics. He has way too many to list, but any of his books you will find very funny as well as containing life lessons about greed and politics. I think that's a great start and enjoy your reading adventures.

Answer 7

Classics can be great books. Especially if you're approaching them with a positive attitude. I think one of the many reasons classics are an acquired taste is because they are required reading. Having a teacher require you to write essays, answer trivial questions about the significance of certain colors and whatnot and how many of this or that...or what significance is there in this character's name...etc. tends to take all the fun and enjoyment out of a book.

To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee
Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
Anything by Jane Austen, particularly Pride and Prejudice
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte
Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare
The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand
Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery

Most classics have at least one movie adaption. And while I would never suggest that watching movies replace the practice of reading books, perhaps you can "reward" yourself with watching the movie version after you read a book. Maybe even use this as a time to discuss these books and movies with your mom.

My other piece of advice, don't feel bad for enjoying to read books that are "below" your reading levels. This is normal. Everyone does it. Just because one is capable of reading and understanding this higher-level (more challenging and demanding) book...doesn't mean that one has to always read those kinds of books. Sometimes you just need to relax and read something fun. I often go from reading classics or something typically viewed as "mature" straight into the "junk food" category of books--for me romance novels. Are they stimulating to the mind...no...but do I enjoy myself and love every minute of it...yes.

Answer 8

Hi,

The local library is an excellent place to start. If you aren't up for Dickens right now you might consider Gone With the Wind, Ben Hur, The Robe or authors like Hemingway, or F Scott Fitzgerald. These are things that I read when I was your age and my daughter liked, too. You might also look into reading books that have won the Pulitzer or Booker prizes. They are more modern in style than some of the "classics" but also fine literature with challenging themes. Some of these books have themes that are for mature readers so you may want to consult with your parents about your choices. Good luck. Keep reading!

Answer 9

Most of the so-called classics are tragedies.They always make me depressed at the end.I certainly wouldn't recommend 'Tale of two cities' for a beginning.However I'll name the few classics i loved.

1.Count of Montecristo by Alexander Dumas.The hero is Edmond Dantés, a young French sailor who, falsely accused of treason, is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of Château d'If. After staging a dramatic escape he sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo and catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge, with Dantés, believing himself to be an `Angel of Providence', pursuing his vengeance
to the bitter end before realizing that he himself is a victim of fate.The author did a great job describing the emotions of the prisoner.Disbelief,denial,self pity,madness,apathy and finally hope.For God's sake don't see any of the movies based on the book.They don't do justice to the book.

2.The three musketeers by Alexander Dumas.The three musketeers have become symbols for the spirit of youth, daring, and comradeship. The action takes place in the 1620s at the court of Louis XIII, where the musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, with their companion, the headstrong d'Artagnan, are engaged in a battle against Richelieu, the King's minister, and the beautiful, unscrupulous spy, Milady. Behind the flashing blades and bravura, in this first adventure of the Musketeers, Dumas explores the eternal conflict between good and evil.Be warned.This book does not have a happy ending.The heroine dies at the end.

3.A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.In Dickens' tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser is shown his past, his present, and if he does not change, his future.The first ghost reminds him how he once enjoyed life's pleasures. The second ghost shows Scrooge his current deplorable state. The final ghost foretells the likely outcome of his skinflint ways.

You can read all these books on-line from Project Gutenberg.

Answer 10

One suggestion-this is a book I think everyone should read. Its an american classic in its own rights. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a wonderful book about a very difficult subject. Even if you've seen the movie (another american classic!) do yourself a favor and read the book-I guarantee once you start it you won't be able to put it down-its that good. If you find that you like this book pick up something by John Steinbeck-another great american author.Of Mice and Men, The Grapes Of Wrath, East Of Eden-all great books that are just so enjoyable and easy to read. These are all books that will put you on the road to reading good literature. Best of luck to you on the road to reading "good" books-you have many pleasant and interesting surprises in store for you!!