Jolabokaflod Advent Calendar 2025

Almost everyone says the same thing at some point:
“I wish I read more.”

It’s rarely a lack of intelligence or curiosity that keeps people from reading. More often, it’s memory. Or intimidation. Or the quiet belief that books require more time, effort, or stamina than modern life seems willing to give.

Many so-called “non-readers” are not anti-books at all. They are simply waiting for the right doorway.

I was reminded of this one Christmas when I gave a book to someone who insisted they “never finished novels.” I chose carefully — something short, welcoming, lightly paced, and emotionally generous. Months later, they mentioned it casually. They’d read it in two sittings. Then another. Then another. The problem had never been reading. It had been entry.

That’s the gift-giver’s quiet power:

Choosing a book that lowers the threshold.

Books for hesitant readers do a few things exceptionally well. They begin quickly. They speak clearly. They reward attention early. They don’t demand patience before offering pleasure. And most importantly, they don’t make the reader feel inadequate for not already being “a reader”.

Today, on Day 10 of our Jolabokaflod Advent Calendar, I invite you to think about the people in your life who might secretly want to read more — and to give them a book that says, gently:

You’re welcome here.

🎁 Today’s Reading Picks — “Books for Non-Readers (Yet)”

Friendly, inviting books that often spark a reading habit:

• The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
• Life of Pi – Yann Martel
• Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton
• The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

These books don’t overwhelm. They open doors.

Explore today’s curated shelf here:
👉 Visit the “Books for Non-Readers (Yet)” collection on Bookshop.org

And if you’d like even more gentle starting points:
👉 Visit the Reading-for-Pleasure Starter Shelf

• A Man Called Ove — Fredrik Backman: Short chapters, deep heart, unforgettable payoff.
• Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine — Gail Honeyman– Relatable loneliness, gentle humour and hope
• The Reading List — Sara Nisha Adams: A love letter to books for non-readers.
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold — Toshikazu Kawaguchi – Short, magical and deeply satisfying.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time — Mark Haddon: Fast, different and instantly engaging.
• Remarkably Bright Creatures — Shelby Van Pelt: An octopus narrator that wins over even non-readers.
• The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry — Rachel Joyce: Simple premise, quietly transformative.
• The Outsiders — S.E. Hinton: Fast, emotional and accessible at any age.
• Sapiens — Yuval Noah Harari: Big ideas, conversational tone.
• Educated — Tara Westover: Compulsive, human and inspiring.
• Born a Crime — Trevor Noah:  Laugh-out-loud storytelling with substance.
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind — William Kamkwamba: Short, hopeful and deeply motivating.
• Atomic Habits — James Clear:  Bite-sized, practical and confidence-boosting.
• How to Stop Time — Matt Haig: Gentle fantasy with emotional pull.
• Tuesdays with Morrie — Mitch Albom: Short, meaningful and accessible.

This Christmas, you might not just be giving a gift.
You might be giving someone their first real reading memory.

And that can change more than we realise.