Free Reading Guide - Literature Lighthouse

Introduction

How will this reading guide completely change your reading experiences for the better?

To answer that question, I’m gonna tell you how I became a book addict.

I used to feel zero motivation to read – reading was a burden in my schedule. I couldn’t focus, every page I read was a page closer to the gloriously anticipated finishing of the book.

One day, I decided I wanted to read more, which was impossible with the reading habits I had before, so I started trying new things that would hopefully make me fall in love with the books I read.

The first thing I did was choose a captivating book that wasn’t too hard to read. That is why, in this guide, I selected some books that you will most certainly enjoy reading – you can find some book recommendations by genre and many classics I believe are essential reads.

I also started researching the benefits of reading so that I had more motivation to read – the first chapter of this book pertains to all the advantages of reading – some of which you had probably never thought about.

Lastly, I started implementing some habits that would allow me to take more benefits from each book I read and also to enhance my motivation even more – and that is why I listed some game-changing reading tips that will certainly alter your reading experiences.

From the time I completely changed my reading habits and most importantly the books I read, reading finally became something I was passionate about. Now, my goal is to help people find that book, that book that will make them want to read it nonstop. After all, I want people to be as passionate about literature as I am, and that’s the reason why I wrote this guide.

If you want to read this guide in pdf you can download it here.

Lastly, I just want to mention that Literature Lighthouse is an Amazon affiliate, which means that we earn a small commission if you buy a book or any product through our links.

Why do people read in the first place? (there are more benefits than you might think)

There are 2 main reasons why people read. They either read for enjoyment or self-improvement purposes.

If you read or want to read for enjoyment, you probably relate to the following motives:

Escapism – You want to escape the routine and stress of everyday life and you want to experience what it would be like to live a different life.
Aesthetic Pleasure – You find good writing fascinating and value vivid descriptions that stimulate your imagination.
Entertainment – A great book can be more captivating than any movie.
Emotional Experience – Some books can make you experience emotions and feelings you never felt before.

If you read for self-improvement and you are more focused on the long-term benefits of reading, these are probably the underlying motives:

Knowledge Acquisition – The more things you know the more interesting you will also be to other people. There are a lot of domains of knowledge – you have an interest in at least one of them.
Skill Enhancing – Maybe you want to improve your social skills or control your emotions better. There are uncountable specific skills that can be learnt.
Vocabulary Expansion – A greater vocabulary allows you to speak and write more precisely
Speaking Articulation Improvement – By reading more complex sentences, arguments, and structures, slowly you’ll start talking more eloquently, precisely, and concisely.
Improved Focus and Concentration – If you’ve ever struggled to focus while reading, by consciously steering your attention towards the words, you’re training your mind to better control your thoughts and to improve concentration.
Mindfulness and Relaxation – Reading is actually a form of meditation and there’s evidence that it helps you relax and even fall asleep. [2]
Cognitive Stimulation – Reading uses your brain. The more mentally demanding a book is, the more your brain and intelligence will “grow”.

I listed only some of the most recognized reading benefits that you may get by reading different types of books. In this guide, I will explain how different reading genres will meet your reading goals and give you access to these benefits.

Tips to take the most out of every book and to have motivation to read more

You probably wish you could read more. Sometimes, you end up choosing to consume other types of content like Netflix Series, TikTok, or Instagram.

It may even be the case that you end up procrastinating to read a book that you feel an obligation to finish.

That is why I’ve gathered a list of reading tips that will certainly help you to read more and do it with more enjoyment:

Quit books you don’t like. People claim they don’t like reading. Maybe they don’t like the books they’ve read.
Quit books that are too hard to read. The more difficult a book is, the more rewarding it is, but if you can’t read a full sentence and always end up losing your focus, you should save it for when you are more mature.
Skip parts you find irrelevant or trivial (only works for some books).
Have a reading list.
Set reading goals – either pages read or time spent reading – and write it down.
Try reading in different book formats and switch frequently between them:
- Physical book – personally not my favorite, but it’s completely normal to claim that it is the only way to feel like you’re actually reading a book.
- Audiobook – Perfect for multitasking. For example, if you spend a lot of time doing chores or driving, this format is perfect for you. If you want to get any free audiobook of your choice, you can sign up for the audible free trial. Click this link to get that offer.
- E-book – This is the format I’ve been reading in. Each book I read is cheaper, so I end up not feeling as obliged to finish the book as I would if I had to buy the physical book. You only have to make an initial investment by buying a Kindle or other similar device (the e-books themselves are extremely cheap). I personally use this model from Amazon. It feels like I’m reading on paper.
Read multiple books simultaneously.
Try different reading genres. Switch back and forth between genres and let your mood decide.
Read some short books. They will keep you confident.
Turn on airplane mode on your phone while reading.
Quality over quantity. Reading a great book multiple times is sometimes better than reading multiple books.
Take notes as you read. It will help you remember what you read and structure your understanding of the book. Kindle is great for that because you can highlight important things you might want to re-read. It’s also great to keep track of new vocabulary.
Join a reading community. You can find people that share the same interests as you.

I believe that the most crucial thing is to find a book that actually excites you to read it. After that, there is nothing you need to worry about – progress will naturally come and with each book you read, you’ll have more fun reading.

Find the perfect genre for you

Every genre feels different to read and will give you its own benefits, so it doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting your reading journey or you’re a little bit more experienced – it’s always worth it to try new reading genres.

This chapter is a list of the most popular genres with some book recommendations for every genre. It’s unlikely that every one of them will be a good fit for you. There are some genres I personally don’t value. After all, the goal of this chapter is to make clear what the most popular genres consist of and to convince you to try them.

Fiction Genres

Mystery and Thriller

All books are mysterious in some way – it’s the mystery that motivates you to read the next page. Books that are considered to be in the mystery genre typically involve a puzzle or crime that needs solving.

A thriller is almost the same thing as a mystery. A thriller usually focuses more on the psychological or physical danger that the main character is in. It commonly involves a lot of suspense and emotional stress.

If you struggle to find a book that isn’t tedious, these two overlapping genres are perfect for you – mystery and thriller books are rarely boring.

Here are some I usually recommend:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – Any Agatha Christie book is great but this one is probably her best. This is the plot: Ten strangers are murdered on a private island, one by one. As they realize that the others are disappearing and being murdered they get invaded by terror. Who’s the murderer and what are his motivations? (this question is almost a cliché but is inevitable to convince you that this book is really a must)

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – Nick’s nonchalance makes him the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance, unveiling a twisted web of lies, deceit, and unsettling revelations. Everybody thinks Nick killed Amy but the answer is way deeper than that.

Science Fiction

If you like to imagine future world settings but still want them to be realistic, science fiction is perfect for you.

What if aliens existed? What if time travel was possible? If technology and its advancements fascinate you, there’s no genre I would recommend to you more fiercely.

These are some of the books I suggest you try:

The Martian by Andy Weir – It’s the story of Man, who finds himself stranded and alone on Mars after his crew left him there, thinking he was dead. Will he be able to survive and return to Earth?
1984 by George Orwell – In a dystopian future, a man fights against a totalitarian government that manipulates reality, love, and thought. It’s a frightening exploration of power and the price of freedom.
Blindness by Jose Saramago – It’s about a city that is hit by an epidemic of blindness. Suddenly, people start facing the difficulties of living without their sight. Trust me when I tell you that this book has one of the most vivid storytelling you’re ever going to find. I’m sure you’re going to impatiently want to know what happens in the end.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton – You’ve probably already watched the movie. Either way, this book is a must-read. It’s the story of how genetic cloning made it possible for humans to observe creatures that had been extinct millions of years ago and how it all went wrong.

Fantasy

I haven’t read many fantasy books so I won’t recommend any. They usually appeal to readers who like to escape to magic realms with mythological creatures. That concept is too “fictional” for me as I prefer more realistic books. However, I believe you should definitely try fantasy books if magic interests you.

Historical Fiction

If you have some kind of interest in any period of the past and you want to feel how living in that period was, historical fiction books are for you.

What novel you will choose depends on what period and culture interests you but here are some historical fictions I believe were 10/10:

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – A man named Lale is forcibly transported to the Auschwitz concentration camp where he is given the job of tattooing the prisoner number on thousands of men. This book is a terrific and vivid description of all the horrors experienced by him and his fellow inmates. More than that, it’s a story of the love he has for Gita that will keep you hooked until the last word of the book.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – Scarlett is the spoiled daughter of a Georgia plantation owner who has to escape poverty during the American Civil War. It’s a long book but it’s extremely rewarding because by the end of the book you will have built a lot of emotional attachment to her and the plot. You will certainly not forget this story and, particularly, you won’t forget Scarlett as she is considered one of the most unforgettable characters in literature history.
Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer – Kane and Abel are born on the same day on opposite sides of the world. One day fate will bring them together. This is a story of war, disaster, ambition, and success that portrays the first half of the 20th century. I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book.

Horror

The goal of any horror book is to scare, frighten, or disturb you. If you like feeling the intensity of those emotions, horror books should be your choice.

For this genre, I personally recommend:

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum – Two teenage girls are left in the care of their lunatic aunt. Her madness rapidly turns into mental and physical abuse for the two girls, who having nowhere to go, live a nightmare at their aunt’s house.
The Lost by Jack Ketchum – In the summer of 65, three teenage friends (Ray, Tim, and Jennifer) are hanging out and drinking in the campgrounds. To the surprise of Tim and Jennifer, Ray kills 2 girls from the other campsite. Only some years later would Tim and Jennifer suffer from what they most feared.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson – Robert Neville is the last sane human on Earth. Every man and woman is trying to kill him for his blood.

In addition to their exciting plot, the vivid descriptions in these three books also contribute to their capacity of not letting you sleep.

Romance

Romance novels focus on the emotional relationships between characters, often leading to a happy ending. They are a great escapism tool, allowing the reader to be immersed in a pool of emotions.

Not my favorite genre, since most romances are too cheesy. Here I some novels I suggest:

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough – This one is actually a historical fiction book (the best romance books are historical fiction). The story takes place at the beginning of the 20th century in Australia.
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey – Another historical romance. This time it is mixed with fantasy. Some people find “too much sex” offensive, but this is one of the few books where sex is necessary to the plot and women are strong, well-rounded characters who aren’t taken advantage of. This is a well-done erotic romance if that’s your thing.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë – If you like a long story focused on character development, you will love this classic.

Adventure

Adventure books are usually focused on a physical journey the characters go through. They typically have a lot of action and evoke a sense of adventure, danger, and excitement.

No novels gave me a greater sense of adventure than the following:

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding – A group of schoolboys is stranded on a desert island, after their plane crashes. As the most selfish intentions start emerging in the once innocent boys, this novel will puzzle you with many moral and philosophical questions.

The Mysterious Island by Júlio Verne – Five northern prisoners manage to escape the American Civil War after stealing a balloon from a Confederate camp. After traveling seven thousand miles, they emerge from the clouds onto a Pacific volcanic island that has not yet been explored. They attempt to create a colony from the ground up. However, this resource-rich island hides some mysteries – the wanderers learn that they are not by themselves.

Non-Fiction Genres

There are too many non-fiction genres so, obviously, I won’t cover them all. I advise you to choose a genre that aligns with your interests. If you like cooking, a good way to learn that skill is by reading a cooking book (On Food and Cooking for example is a great choice). If you like math, read a math book. If you want to learn about improving your health, research what book could help you with that.

I only feel confident recommending non-fiction books in two genres: biography and self-improvement. The next two sections of this guide will be about them.

Biography

Biographies can be extremely interesting and enjoyable. Additionally, most of their benefits probably come from the lessons one can learn from the intimate experiences, principles, and mistakes of remarkable individuals.

There’s one biography I believe everyone must read regardless of their situation in life. It’s really life-changing:

Born a Crime (Trevor Noah’s auto-biography) – Noah was born in apartheid South Africa. He was born to a white father and a black mother, which, at the time, was punishable by 5 years in prison. At any moment he could be stolen by the government, so his mother had to take absurd measures to hide him. I read this book relatively young and I can safely say that it completely changed me.

Self-Improvement/Personal Development

Nowadays, most of the recently published self-improvement books are a scam and don’t offer innovative insights.

For that reason, I believe that reading just some of the most influential books of this genre will give you the most benefits in the least amount of time.

Here are the books that I read that definitely helped me achieve goals in life and helped me believe I am a better person in a variety of aspects:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – This was the first personal development book I read. It completely changed how I approached social interactions and taught me some really valuable tricks I’ve been using to be more sociable and influential.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz – With four principles this book taught me how I could transform my life into a better experience overall.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – This book completely got rid of the mindset that keeps people broke. It taught me that the path to success is failure.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – This one is actually a memoir of Viktor Frankl’s life during the holocaust, but since it includes so many reflections about the meaning of life, I decided to include it here. It really taught me how to be more grateful and it actually redefined my definition of happiness.

Classic Literature Reading List

Classic Literature books are books that are considered artistic, because of their outstanding plot and eloquent writing. They are usually studied academically for exploring the human condition, societal issues, and philosophical questions. Typically their narrative is more focused on the character than on the plot.

Here is a list of classic literature books and philosophy novels that I believe are essential reads for everyone:

The Stranger by Albert Camus – You’ll get immensely intrigued by the main character. You’ve probably never seen a philosophy of life as his. This book is very easy to read and can be read in only 2 hours.
Fahrenheit 451 – Tells the story of a man whose job is to destroy all books, never questioning what he’s told to do.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka – This masterpiece is the story of a young man who, transformed into an insect, becomes his family’s disgrace.
The Trial by Franz Kafka – A man is arrested. He is never told the reason for his arrest. Like almost all of Kafka’s works, reading it will feel like a dream.
Jaws by Peter Benchley – A massive great white shark terrorizes a seaside village, leading the police chief, a marine biologist, and an experienced fisherman to go in search of the shark. Pure thriller, relentless terror. This was the classic that inspired Steven Spielberg to make the movie that horrified millions of beachgoers.
No Exit by Sartre – Three characters are imprisoned in a chamber forever. This book is a raw examination of existentialism.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – How important is your beauty and youth? Dorian Gray decides to trade his soul for eternal beauty and will have to live with its consequences.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – Tells the story of an Alabama girl in the great depression. Her father helps a black man win in court for a crime he didn’t commit – she learns how important it is to be empathetic and just.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky – This was one of the books that most involved me in its plot – you’ll almost feel the main character’s experiences, you almost won’t be able to tell apart what is real and what is not.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey – A nonconformist convict named McMurphy fakes mental insanity to avoid going to prison. He ends up in a psychiatric ward where he starts a rebellion.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess – Alex is a member of a drug gang. He and his friends frequently engage in acts of brutality. When a robbery goes wrong, Alex is sentenced to 14 years in prison. He ends up being subject to Ludovico’s Technique to treat his criminal behaviors. It resolves his criminal behaviors but he starts struggling with his own identity.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – This is the story of Yossarian, an American war hero who is trying to excuse himself from the high-risk missions he’s being assigned. However, there’s an absurd bureaucratic rule that he can’t escape: “A man can be relieved from active duty if he’s considered insane”. The problem is that if he is able to make a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and thus is ineligible to be relieved.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Gatsby is a mysterious millionaire with an obsession to get together with his former lover, Daisy. This novel is a charmingly perfect depiction of America in the 1920s that will give you valuable lessons about the constant pursuit of more.
Beloved by Toni Morrison – This disturbing and poignant novel tells the story of a proud and warm-hearted woman named Sethe. Having been born a slave, she hasn’t yet forgotten all the hideous experiences she went through. If you want to read a heart-touching book, this one is a must.

About Literature Lighthouse

Our friendship began in Portugal. Me and Gomes are both passionate readers willing to spend time and effort on ourselves. We found a way to learn new things, which is what we love, by creating content about literature and books in general.

We post content on a variety of social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) and in our website blog.

Thank you for reading this guide. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to message us via the social media of your choice.

Free Reading Guide – Literature Lighthouse

Table of Contents