Audiobooks
One of my favourite ways to engage with literature is through audiobooks. They are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a story without having to dedicate all of your time to sitting down and reading. I often listen to audiobooks whilst tidying my room or travelling on public transport, and I am always amazed at how they can transport me to a different world, even whilst I’m engaged in mundane activities.
I used to worry that listening to an audiobook was a “cheat” way of reading, but I have since discovered that there are real benefits to listening to books rather than simply reading them. One thing I have learnt is that when someone reads to me, I can visualise the events of the book much more clearly, with the reader’s intonation bringing the characters to life in a way I struggle to achieve when reading silently to myself. I have also found that I often remember more about the events of a book, even if I am multitasking whilst listening. This has led me to realise that humans are naturally more receptive to spoken word than written text. After all, storytelling was originally passed down orally, long before the invention of writing.
Recommendations:
- My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton and Cynthia Hand
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
- The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
- One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are another great way to engage with stories on your own terms. They provide visual cues with minimal dialogue, allowing your imagination to flourish and helping you become more engrossed in the story. Because they combine both visual and written elements, graphic novels can be an excellent way to ease yourself into reading. They make the words on the page feel less intimidating whilst still offering the depth and complexity of a traditional story.
It might also surprise you to learn that graphic novels can be one of the most effective ways to retain information. Since they incorporate images alongside text, they better reflect how we interact in the real world, making it easier for our brains to process and remember the content.
Recommendations:
- Frieren by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe
- Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani
- My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi
- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Novellas
Another great way to ease yourself into reading is through novellas, these are shorter works which usually range between 20,000 – 50,000 words which means you can still get lost in a story by reading in a more conventional way without being bogged down by extensive lore or numerous sequels before being given a satisfying ending.
Because novellas are so short they offer a more focused narrative whilst still providing more depth and character complexity than short stories. This means you get all the richness of a well-developed plot in a format that is easier to digest. Novellas are also a lot more experimental than full length novels, exploring more unique ideas and themes and presenting these using different styles of writing.
Additionally, novellas also present a more intense reading experience. They draw you straight into the action, focusing less on backstories or setup and more on getting to the most engaging parts of a book right away. They’re also a lot less complicated, using less chaotic plotlines and focusing more on dynamic narratives and characters ensuring they only focus on one or two key players. This conciseness makes them perfect to read even in one sitting, ensuring you won’t forget the events that took place last time you read.
Recommendations:
- The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K.Rowling
- Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Grace Sanders is a Classics student at the University of Nottingham, she loves reading fantasy fiction and historical novels.