Best Books for People Who Don't Like Reading
The Martian by Andy Weir is the best book for people who don't like reading — it reads like a TV show in book form, with a first-person narrator who makes jokes about his life-threatening problems and solves them through logic, and there is never a paragraph that isn't propulsive. It's best for readers who resist books because they've only encountered slow, serious ones. The tradeoff: Born a Crime is the better choice in audio format — Trevor Noah's narration makes it arguably the best audiobook experience available.
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Quick Comparison
| # | Book | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Martian by Andy Weir | Best for Reluctant Adult Readers | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn | Most Addictive | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Born a Crime by Trevor Noah | Best as Audiobook | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | Atomic Habits by James Clear | Best Non-Fiction Entry | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty | Best for TV Drama Fans | Buy on Amazon |
| 6 | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | Funniest Option | Buy on Amazon |
Full Reviews
1. The Martian
by Andy Weir
An astronaut stranded alone on Mars uses science and humor to survive. Weir writes with the pace of a thriller and the jokes of a comedian. The most reliably successful book for turning non-readers into readers.
Skip this if: Skip this if you actively dislike science — Weir's protagonist thinks in scientific problem-solving.
2. Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
An alternating narrative between a missing woman's husband and her diary. Flynn's unreliable narrators create compulsive reading energy.
Skip this if: Skip this if you know the twist already — the book's principal power is in the midpoint reveal.
3. Born a Crime
by Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah's memoir of growing up mixed-race in apartheid South Africa. Funny, warm, and genuinely moving.
Skip this if: Skip the print version and go straight to audio — Noah's narration is the experience.
4. Atomic Habits
by James Clear
A practical system for building better habits. The most readable practical non-fiction book. Non-readers who want self-improvement respond well to its directness.
Skip this if: Skip this if you don't want to improve anything about your habits — Clear writes for people who want actionable change.
5. Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty
Three women with secrets collide. Moriarty's pacing is designed to make it impossible to stop.
Skip this if: Skip this if you've watched the show — the book and the HBO series cover the same material very closely.
6. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
by Douglas Adams
An ordinary Englishman is dragged across the galaxy. Adams writes comedy that works even for readers who've never liked science fiction.
Skip this if: Skip this if science fiction settings are an immediate barrier.
What to Consider Before You Buy
Audiobooks count
Non-readers who try audiobooks during commutes often discover they're readers who just haven't found the right format.
Short chapters matter
Non-readers often struggle with long chapters that make stopping feel impossible. All books on this list have short chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book should I read if I hate reading?
The Martian is the most reliable answer. Gone Girl if you want a thriller. Born a Crime if you prefer audio.
Our Verdict
The Martian converts more non-readers than any other book. Start there.