4 Must-Read Books That Helped Me Get Back Into Reading

Even though I’ve always been a reader since childhood, life has a way of making you lose touch with the habit you once loved. The books that helped me get back into reading as an adult were the ones that reignited my reading soul. These must-have stories reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. They challenged me, made me reflect, and thrilled me, sometimes all at once.

If you’ve been struggling to reconnect with your own reading journey, check out my other post, How To Build A Reading Habit That Actually Sticks (Even If You’re Tired, Busy, Or Just… Over It), full of practical tips to make reading a consistent, joyful part of your life.

In this post, I’m sharing four of the must-read books that helped me get back into reading, the ones that brought my love of reading fully back to life.

I didn’t even start with the whole book. I read a random passage online, and it completely shook me:

“Now I ask you: what can be expected of man since he is a being endowed with strange qualities? Shower upon him every earthly blessing, drown him in a sea of happiness, so that nothing but bubbles of bliss can be seen on the surface; give him economic prosperity, such that he should have nothing else to do but sleep, eat cakes and busy himself with the continuation of his species, and even then out of sheer ingratitude, sheer spite, man would play you some nasty trick. He would even risk his cakes and would deliberately desire the most fatal rubbish, the most uneconomical absurdity, simply to introduce into all this positive good sense his fatal fantastic element. It is just his fantastic dreams, his vulgar folly that he will desire to retain, simply in order to prove to himself—as though that were so necessary—that men still are men and not the keys of a piano, which the laws of nature threaten to control.” (Dostoevsky)

That single passage pulled me into serious classics and showed me the power of literature that inspires reading. Dostoevsky’s narrator is bitter, self-aware, and profoundly human. He is a man who hates himself, is friendless, poor, alone, and utterly ordinary in appearance, yet capable of thoughts so devastatingly deep that they left me reflecting on life for days. Russian literature has a way of magnifying the melancholic, existential aspects of human life, and this book shows that perfectly.

The beauty of Notes from Underground isn’t in a fast-moving plot; it’s in the narrator himself. His life is small and lonely, yet his reflections are grand, philosophical, and heartbreaking. It’s a character study that makes you wonder: can seemingly ordinary people harbor such profound, devastating thoughts? And yet, here he is, painfully human, relatable, and unforgettable.

This book is one of the books that helped me get back into reading as an adult, reminding me that reading can challenge you, move you, and make you reflect deeply on what it means to be human. It is the kind of classic that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Othello fascinated me even before I read it properly. I was familiar with the main plot, and I picked it up primarily to gain a deeper understanding of love and relationships. I wanted to explore how someone could love so intensely and yet cause unimaginable pain. I had an idea that Desdemona would be a tragic heroine, but I didn’t fully expect the heartbreak she endured, and that Othello himself would be the agent of her tragedy.

One line in particular has stayed with me ever since:

“Speak of me as I am; of one that loved not wisely, but too well;” (Shakespeare)

That line captured everything about Othello’s love; beautiful, tragic, and devastating all at once. Then there’s Iago, a character so perfectly manipulative that he has become the archetype of literary evil. I had heard of Iago before, seen his name referenced whenever discussions of deception or malice came up, but experiencing his manipulations through Shakespeare’s words was unforgettable.

Reading Othello was not just an exploration of a tragic romance; it was my introduction to Shakespeare and a revelation of his genius for crafting unforgettable, deeply human characters. It showed me that classics aren’t distant or boring; they are timeless explorations of human nature, emotion, and consequence.

This book became a pivotal part of my reading journey and reminded me that the depth of human emotion and the mastery of character can make even the simplest story linger in your mind long after the last page.

The Alchemist isn’t a traditional classic or a cozy read. When I picked it up, I was getting back into reading after years and what struck me immediately was the simplicity of Coelho’s language. The narrative is so easy and fluid that you don’t have to think too hard while reading, a merit or a demerit, depending on how you look at it, but for someone trying to reconnect with books, it was perfect.

The story itself is unlike a typical narrative. Part allegorical journey, part travelogue, it is filled with cultural depth, small philosophical insights, and subtle yet meaningful reflections on life. I loved the way Coelho combines simple storytelling with profound ideas. Some of the lessons may sound like Facebook wisdom posts at first glance, but they really work, especially if you’re new to reading or, like me, rediscovering the joy of books.

One line that particularly stayed with me is:

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” (Coelho)

It’s simple, striking, and makes you pause without feeling heavy or academic. This is exactly why The Alchemist was one of the books that helped me get back into reading. It met me where I was in life, sparked reflection, and reminded me that reading can be light, inspirational, and deeply personal.

If you’re looking for uplifting, easy-to-read books, you might also enjoy my post, 5 Kindle Unlimited Books That’ll Make You Laugh, Cry, And Escape Reality, which features similar reads perfect for anyone restarting their reading journey.

Strangers stranded on a remote island, mysterious deaths, and secrets at every turn! Who doesn’t want that? And Then There Were None is one of the perfect thrillers I have ever read in my life. It has a cinematic quality that is rare to find in books. It is full of super-interesting yet creepy ideas:

“There was something magical about an island—the mere word suggested fantasy. You lost touch with the world—an island was a world of its own. A world, perhaps, from which you might never return.” (Christie)

Christie smartly creates a world outside our own, it’s completely new and remote and yet we become an active part of it. The characters are so well-developed with amazing back stories. She actually made me feel emotionally connected to every single character, which is quite a task for an author.

The pacing, suspense, and character development kept me hooked. And Then There Were None reminded me that reading can be intense and absolutely gripping. This is the perfect book to pull you back into a reading habit as an adult.

These four books that helped me get back into reading, didn’t just pull me back to books but also reminded me that reading can be philosophical, thrilling, reflective, and deeply personal. If you’ve felt disconnected from reading, any one of these picks could be the perfect gateway to reignite your reading journey.

Once you’re back in the groove, don’t miss my next list: 5 Short Books To Complete Your Reading Challenge. It is ideal for keeping your momentum going and discovering even more stories that stay with you long after the last page.
For more thoughtful book recommendations, reading tips, and literary explorations, check out everything on The Reader Life.

Happy reading!