Education / Professionalization
If you think you don’t like to read, maybe you just haven’t found the right book yet
World Book Day, celebrated on April 23, is more than just a symbolic date: it’s an invitation to discover new stories, broaden your horizons, and, above all, develop a reading habit. But what if reading seems difficult, tiring, or simply uninteresting?
The truth is that, often, the problem isn’t reading itself, but choosing the right book. Finding engaging, light, and accessible stories can be the first step toward transforming your relationship with books.
That’s why we’ve selected 10 books for those who don’t like to read, featuring dynamic narratives, simple language, and stories that hold your attention from start to finish.
This is a philosophical fable about a pilot lost in the Sahara Desert who meets a boy from Asteroid B-612. The prince recounts a journey through other planets, encountering lonely and superficial adults, until he learns on Earth, from the fox, that “what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Short, poetic, and full of reflections, it is a classic book that moves readers of all ages.
The book tells the moving story of August “Auggie” Pullman, a 10-year-old boy with a severe genetic facial deformity. After years of being homeschooled, Auggie begins attending school, facing prejudice, bullying, and the quest for acceptance, while transforming the lives of everyone around him with his strength and kindness. A sensitive and inspiring story about empathy and acceptance, with a fluid and engaging narrative.
A moving love story about Hazel Grace, a teenager with terminal lung cancer who meets Augustus Waters, a former basketball player with an amputated leg, at a support group. They fall in love and embark on a journey to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, to meet an author. It’s a lighthearted and emotional novel, with simple language and short chapters.
It’s a children’s book narrated in diary format by Greg Heffley, a 12-year-old boy trying to survive elementary school. With humor, Greg recounts his plans to become popular, his family drama, and the mishaps with his best friend, Rowley. Perfect for beginners: fun, illustrated, and easy to read.
The book is a historical novel told from the innocent perspective of Bruno, a 9-year-old boy and the son of a Nazi officer during World War II. After moving near a concentration camp, Bruno befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy, leading to a tragic and moving conclusion. The narrative is simple yet deeply impactful.
A dark fantasy novel that tells the story of a curious girl who, bored by her parents’ neglect, discovers a door to a parallel world. There, she meets an “Other Mother” who seems better, but who steals souls and has buttons for eyes, forcing Coraline to face her fears to save her real family. It’s a short story, but creative and with a touch of mystery that grabs your attention.
This book is a parable about how to deal with changes in life and work. The story follows four characters—the mice Sniff and Scurry, and the gnomes Hem and Haw—who live in a maze searching for cheese (a metaphor for happiness, money, or success). When the cheese runs out, they must decide whether to adapt or resist the change. It’s a quick read, with straightforward language and inspiring messages about life.
The story follows Nora Seed, a 35-year-old woman who is unhappy and full of regrets and who, after attempting suicide, finds herself in a limbo between life and death. There, she explores alternative lives
based on past choices, learning to value one’s own existence. It is a reflective yet accessible book, ideal for those seeking meaning and purpose.
Percy is a 12-year-old boy with ADHD and dyslexia who discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon. Accused of stealing Zeus’s master lightning bolt, he sets off with friends on a journey across the U.S. to find the real thief, prevent a war among the gods, and save his mother. It’s an engaging adventure book, with short chapters and a fast pace, yet packed with information on Greek mythology.
A true, moving, and easy-to-follow account. Anne was a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. Between 1942 and 1944, she chronicles in her diary (called “Kitty”) her daily life in confinement, her fears, hopes, family conflicts, and her coming of age, becoming a symbol of the Holocaust.
If you feel that reading “isn’t for you,” it’s worth reconsidering a few points:
Science shows that habits are built through frequency, not intensity. In other words: reading a little every day is more effective than trying to read a lot all at once.
To begin your reading journey, find a place that offers books for free to those who don’t like to read. The perfect place is the Professor Arlindo Corrêa da Silva Library at the Ramacrisna Institute, located in Betim, in Greater Belo Horizonte.
Founded in 1974, the library is one of the institution’s historic pillars in promoting reading and knowledge. With over 50 years of operation, the space houses a collection of more than 9,000 books, including titles for children, teens, and adults, in an area of 194 m².
And most importantly: the library is open to the community. Local residents, young people from the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area, students, and staff can access the space for free, explore books, and discover the joy of reading.
Recognized for its innovative initiatives, the library is part of important networks such as the Betim Public and Community Library Network and the National Community Library Network.
In April 2026, the Library will celebrate its 52nd anniversary with a special program. Throughout the month, various activities will take place, such as literary gatherings, discussion circles, storytelling, and musical performances for Ramacrisna students and staff.
On the 29th, the celebration is open to the entire community. Check it out:
Join the celebration and become part of the Ramacrisna reading community
