Your Teen Can
Love Reading Again
After ten years as an English teacher, one question came up more than any other.
"How do I get my teenager to read?"
So I turned to the experts: I asked teenagers themselves what actually works. I helped hundreds of reluctant readers in the classroom. And I put everything I learned into two practical resources for parents. These resources are the answer to that question.
Whether you're looking for a practical guide you can put into action tonight or a deeper understanding of why teens stop reading and how to help them rediscover books, I've created both.
Best for busy parents:
The Quick Start Guide
Practical strategies you can start using tonight.
You've tried reminding.
You've tried bribing.
You've bought books they never opened.
You've watched a teenager who once loved stories slowly stop reading altogether.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
As an English teacher for more than ten years, the question parents asked me more than any other was: "How do I get my teenager to read?"
Stop guessing. Start with a plan.
Inside you'll discover:
✔ Practical strategies to make reading part of everyday life
✔ Conversation starters that avoid arguments
✔ How to choose books your teenager will actually want to finish
✔ Ways to compete with phones without constant battles
✔ Solutions for teens who say they "hate reading"
✔ Troubleshooting for when nothing seems to be working
✔ Support for ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences
✔ 130+ books recommended by reluctant readers themselves, organised by age and genre
✔ Printable Book Bingo pages to keep reading fun
Everything is practical. Everything is designed to be used immediately. Everything is designed to help you get your teen to read.
What's Inside The Quick Start Guide
✓ A practical, action-focused guide you can start using today
✓ A simple 5-step plan to get started straight away
✓ An overview of the biggest reasons teenagers stop reading
✓ What real teens wish their parents knew about reading
✓ Dozens of proven strategies to encourage reading
✓ Practical routines to build lasting reading habits
✓ Help finding books your teen will actually want to read
✓ Tips for teens with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences
✓ Troubleshooting when reading isn't going to plan
✓ 130+ books that reluctant readers couldn't put down
✓ Printable Book Bingo challenges
✓ Available to download instantly.
Best for parents who want the full picture:
The Book
Your teen can love reading again! If you’re worried that your teen isn’t reading enough, and tired of the battle it takes to encourage your teen to read more, then this guide is for you.
Written by former journalist and English teacher, Monique Hurlin, every chapter is grounded in real classroom experience and backed by research, with practical strategies you can use immediately.
The book will help you:
✓ Understand why your teen resists reading
✓ Choose books they'll actually want to read
✓ Start conversations about reading, without them turning into a battle
✓ Build a reading culture at home
✓ Support teens with different learning needs
✓ Read the stories of real teens who shared their reading insights - including those things they wish their parents knew
Included is a list of 130+ book suggestions, each one recommended by real-life reluctant readers, as well as printable ‘book bingo’ grids as a fun little extra.
It’s never too late to encourage your teen to read.
What's Inside The Book
✓ Everything included in the Quick Start Guide, including the proven strategies to encourage reading, 130+ books that reluctant readers couldn't put down, and printable Book Bingo challenges.
✓ The psychology behind why teenagers stop reading
✓ The reasons each strategy works (so you can adapt them to your own family)
✓ Real stories and conversations with reluctant teenage readers
✓ Common mistakes parents unknowingly make, and how to avoid them
✓ Troubleshooting for when nothing seems to be working
✓ Advice on creating a reading culture at home that lasts beyond childhood
✓ Reflection questions and practical exercises throughout
✓ Available instantly to download, or as a beautifully printed paperback.
Not sure which is right for you?
The Parent’s Quick Start Guide contains all the practical strategies from the full book in one easy-to-use handbook. The Complete Book explores the psychology, real student stories and the reasons these strategies work.
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You want practical advice you can start using tonight.
You like concise, actionable resources.
You're looking for an affordable introduction.
You mainly want book recommendations and strategies, without the theory or stories about teens.
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You want to understand why your teen resists reading.
You enjoy real stories from teenagers and families.
You'd like the research, psychology and deeper explanations behind each strategy.
You want the most comprehensive resource available.
10+ Years Teaching English
✳︎
Hundreds of teenagers taught
✳︎
Advice from dozens of reluctant readers themselves
✳︎
130+ Books That Even Reluctant Readers Couldn't Resist
✳︎
10+ Years Teaching English ✳︎ Hundreds of teenagers taught ✳︎ Advice from dozens of reluctant readers themselves ✳︎ 130+ Books That Even Reluctant Readers Couldn't Resist ✳︎
Does this sound like your teen?
Most parents tell me the same thing: "He used to read endlessly as a child… now it's a battle." "Reading always turns into a battle." "We really battle to get her to read."
And underneath that word “battle” I sense the same feeling: powerlessness. You know reading matters for your child’s grades, for their imagination, for their future… but nothing you try sticks. Getting your teen to read feels like another thing you’re failing at.
You've bought books they said they would read. Those books are still on the shelf, unopened.
You've taken away their screens. It ended in conflict and still no reading.
You've heard "Reading’s boring" so many times you've almost started to believe it yourself.
Every conversation about reading turns into an argument.
The truth is that somewhere along the way, reading has become associated with pressure, boredom or something your teen "should" do, rather than something they choose for themselves.
This guide will show you how to break through these associations and help your teen rediscover reading for themselves.
“When you approach reading as a battle, you automatically position yourself as the opposition. The harder you push, the harder they push back."
Real Students, Real Transformations
A student who "would never be a reader"
Zach started reading regularly after years without touching a book. He said: "I found a book about a person and a topic I'm very interested in: How To Build A Car by Adrian Newey, the most successful F1 engineer of all time. This led to me reading a book by another engineer, and then another. I now read most days without any prompt or reward, because I enjoy it."
Zach, Year 11 student, now reads unprompted every day
The student who finished 476 pages
Earlier in the year, Cameron had told me: "I hate reading and don't see a point in it. I think there are much better things to do with your time." But after trying some of the approaches in the book, like giving teens total agency over what they read, Cameron finished all 476 pages of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and proudly told me that it was "such a good book."
Cameron, Year 9, from "I hate reading and don’t see a point in it" to finishing a 476-page novel
Practical strategies you can start using tonight.
You've tried reminding.
You've tried bribing.
You've bought books they never opened.
You've watched a teenager who once loved stories slowly stop reading altogether.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
As an English teacher for more than ten years, the question parents asked me more than any other was: "How do I get my teenager to read?"
Stop guessing. Start with a plan.
Inside you'll discover:
✔ Practical strategies to make reading part of everyday life
✔ Conversation starters that avoid arguments
✔ How to choose books your teenager will actually want to finish
✔ Ways to compete with phones without constant battles
✔ Solutions for teens who say they "hate reading"
✔ Troubleshooting for when nothing seems to be working
✔ Support for ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences
✔ 130+ books recommended by reluctant readers themselves, organised by age and genre
✔ Printable Book Bingo pages to keep reading fun
Everything is practical. Everything is designed to be used immediately. Everything is designed to help you get your teen to read.
What's Inside The Quick Start Guide
✓ A practical, action-focused guide you can start using today
✓ A simple 5-step plan to get started straight away
✓ An overview of the biggest reasons teenagers stop reading
✓ What real teens wish their parents knew about reading
✓ Dozens of proven strategies to encourage reading
✓ Practical routines to build lasting reading habits
✓ Help finding books your teen will actually want to read
✓ Tips for teens with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences
✓ Troubleshooting when reading isn't going to plan
✓ 130+ books that reluctant readers couldn't put down
✓ Printable Book Bingo challenges
✓ Available to download instantly
Your teen can love reading again! If you’re worried that your teen isn’t reading enough, and tired of the battle it takes to encourage your teen to read more, then this guide is for you.
Written by former journalist and English teacher, Monique Hurlin, every chapter is grounded in real classroom experience and backed by research, with practical strategies you can use immediately.
The book will help you:
✓ Understand why your teen resists reading
✓ Choose books they'll actually want to read
✓ Start conversations about reading, without them turning into a battle
✓ Build a reading culture at home
✓ Support teens with different learning needs
✓ Read the stories of real teens who shared their reading insights - including those things they wish their parents knew
Included is a list of 130+ book suggestions, each one recommended by real-life reluctant readers, as well as printable ‘book bingo’ grids as a fun little extra.
It’s never too late to encourage your teen to read.
What's Inside The Complete Book
✓ Everything included in the Quick Start Guide, including the proven strategies to encourage reading, 130+ books that reluctant readers couldn't put down, and printable Book Bingo challenges.
✓ The psychology behind why teenagers stop reading
✓ The reasons each strategy works (so you can adapt them to your own family)
✓ Real stories and conversations with reluctant teenage readers
✓ Common mistakes parents unknowingly make, and how to avoid them
✓ Troubleshooting for when nothing seems to be working
✓ Advice on creating a reading culture at home that lasts beyond childhood
✓ Reflection questions and practical exercises throughout
✓ Available instantly to download, or as a beautifully printed paperback.
More about me and why I wrote this book
The idea for this book came on a summer's evening walk when I was thinking about a student whose mum had emailed asking for reading ideas. I'd sent my standard reply but felt frustrated at how much more I could have said. That frustration became this book.
I spent a decade as a high school English teacher, including as Deputy Head of English. Before that, I was a journalist: subeditor, features writer, editor. Words have been my entire professional life.
When I started writing, I went straight to the source: my students. I asked them why they didn't read, what they wished their parents knew and what their parents could do differently. They talked honestly, sometimes brutally so, but always helpfully. Their voices are woven through every chapter of this book.
I also know, from those many parents' evening conversations, what it feels like to be on the other side of this. Genuinely worried about your teen, trying your best, and not sure what to do next. This book is for you.
Every chapter is grounded in real classroom experience and backed by research, with practical strategies you can use immediately.
The book will help you:
✓ Understand why your teen resists reading
✓ Choose books they'll actually want to open
✓ Stop accidentally turning reading into a battle
✓ Build a reading culture at home
✓ Support readers with different needs
What’s inside the book
Chapter Breakdown
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The Gift of Reading
Why reading still matters, academically, emotionally and now more than ever in the age of AI. How to talk to your teen about this without getting an eye roll.
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Why Teens Resist Reading
The real reasons teens aren’t reading, straight from the students themselves.
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Parenting Myths and Misconceptions
What parents do that unintentionally makes things worse, including things that feel like they should work. Based on what students actually said (including the things they'd never say to your face).
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Understanding Motivation
Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, and why bribing works short-term but fails long-term. Includes the six research-backed factors that will actually inspire a love of reading.
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System-Based Ideas to Get Your Teen to Read
Dozens and dozens of practical, immediately actionable structures, from phone-free routines and pocket money systems, to habit stacking, reading bingo, and 'book and hot chocolate Fridays'. Pick what fits your family.
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Building a Family Reading Culture
How environment, modelling and shared reading experiences work together to create a family reading culture. Includes the story of Holly, a student who announced on day one that she had no intention of ever reading a book.
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It's All About the Books
The 'discovery conversation', matching books to interests, the psychology of choice, and when to let your teen read whatever they want (even if it's the same manga for the fourth time).
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Supporting All Readers
Adapting for ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and processing differences. Small environmental and format changes that make reading more accessible and often benefit every reader.
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When It's Not Working: A Troubleshooting Guide
A breakdown of what to do for each of the most common scenarios, including "it was going so well, and then it stopped," "they'll only read one thing," and "it always turns into an argument" with honest, specific advice for each.
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'Death by Analysis': The School Factor
Why school sometimes becomes part of the problem, what to do when a set text has turned your teen off reading entirely, and how to separate school reading from reading for pleasure.
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How Do I Know It's Working?
The real signs of progress, none of which involve counting books. What to look for, how to respond without sabotaging the moment, and how to keep reading in the family long-term.
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130+ Books Recommended by Reluctant Readers
Not a generic 'top books for teens' list. Every title was recommended by an actual reluctant reader, organised by age group and genre, with brief descriptions.
Your teen can love reading again! If you’re worried that your teen isn’t reading enough, and tired of the battle it takes to encourage your teen to read more, then this guide is for you.
Written by former journalist and English teacher, Monique Hurlin, every chapter is grounded in real classroom experience and backed by research, with practical strategies you can use immediately.
The book will help you:
✓ Understand why your teen resists reading
✓ Choose books they'll actually want to read
✓ Start conversations about reading, without them turning into a battle
✓ Build a reading culture at home
✓ Support teens with different learning needs
✓ Read the stories of real teens who shared their reading insights - including those things they wish their parents knew
Included is a list of 130+ book suggestions, each one recommended by real-life reluctant readers, as well as printable ‘book bingo’ grids as a fun little extra.
It’s never too late to encourage your teen to read.
Available instantly · Includes printable Book Bingo sheets and
130+ books recommended by reluctant readers
Prefer a physical copy, or to read on a Kindle? You can get your copy from Amazon!
You might be thinking...
"My teenager genuinely just doesn't like reading. I've accepted it."
After teaching hundreds and hundreds of teens, I’ve met exactly two students I truly believed were wired to never enjoy reading. The rest just hadn't found the right conditions yet. "I don’t like reading" is usually a story a teenager has told themselves after a run of wrong books, too much pressure, or a bad classroom experience. The book addresses all of these directly.
"We've tried everything."
Most of what parents try is based on what worked when their teen was eight. These approaches often backfire with teenagers because they remove the one thing teenagers need most: a sense of control. One of the central chapters is entirely written from what students told me they wished their parents knew.
"I'm not a big reader myself."
Chapter 3 deals honestly with this. You don't need to be a bookworm. But there's a difference between not reading much and sending mixed messages, and this book will help you understand which one you're doing. Some of the most effective approaches in here require no reading at all from you.
"School has put them off reading."
This is one of the most common things I hear and it's all covered in Chapter 10. School reading and pleasure reading are two different experiences, and your teen may need help separating them. The strategies in this book are specifically designed to exist outside the school context, not compete with it.
Before you buy: who this guide is (and isn't) for
This guide is designed for parents who want to help their teenager rediscover a love of reading. But it's not a magic fix for every reading challenge.
This guide may not be right for you if:
Your teen needs support with reading skills rather than reading motivation. This guide focuses on building confidence, habits and enjoyment, and while it does include strategies for supporting readers with different needs, this is not the primary focus.
You want to force your teen straight into the classics. This is about helping them discover the joy of reading first, in whichever form that takes.
You're looking for a way to get your teen reading without changing anything about the way reading is approached at home.
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You'll receive a PDF download immediately after purchase and emailed to you separately. No waiting for postage.
If you’d prefer a physical copy of the book or to read on Kindle, you can also get it on Amazon.
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Not at all. It’s never too late to start reading. In fact, sometimes an older teen can access reading in a way they couldn’t when they were younger. I go into more detail about this in the book.
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A monthly email for parents of teen readers, including reluctant ones. You’ll get good book recommendations, classroom insights, tips for conversations about reading and what's actually working for parents, all written by me. No spam, ever. You can unsubscribe any time. Sign up, and you’ll automatically get a list of 12 Books Even The Most Reluctant of Readers Can’t Refuse.
If you're looking for a practical, realistic way to move away from conflict towards a more positive reading relationship, this guide was written for you.
Practical strategies you can start using tonight.
You've tried reminding.
You've tried bribing.
You've bought books they never opened.
You've watched a teenager who once loved stories slowly stop reading altogether.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
As an English teacher for more than ten years, the question parents asked me more than any other was: "How do I get my teenager to read?"
Stop guessing. Start with a plan.
Inside you'll discover:
✔ Practical strategies to make reading part of everyday life
✔ Conversation starters that avoid arguments
✔ How to choose books your teenager will actually want to finish
✔ Ways to compete with phones without constant battles
✔ Solutions for teens who say they "hate reading"
✔ Troubleshooting for when nothing seems to be working
✔ Support for ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences
✔ 130+ books recommended by reluctant readers themselves, organised by age and genre
✔ Printable Book Bingo pages to keep reading fun
Everything is practical. Everything is designed to be used immediately. Everything is designed to help you get your teen to read.
What's Inside The Quick Start Guide
✓ A practical, action-focused guide you can start using today
✓ A simple 5-step plan to get started straight away
✓ An overview of the biggest reasons teenagers stop reading
✓ What real teens wish their parents knew about reading
✓ Dozens of proven strategies to encourage reading
✓ Practical routines to build lasting reading habits
✓ Help finding books your teen will actually want to read
✓ Tips for teens with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences
✓ Troubleshooting when reading isn't going to plan
✓ 130+ books that reluctant readers couldn't put down
✓ Printable Book Bingo challenges
✓ Available to download instantly
Your teen can love reading again! If you’re worried that your teen isn’t reading enough, and tired of the battle it takes to encourage your teen to read more, then this guide is for you.
Written by former journalist and English teacher, Monique Hurlin, every chapter is grounded in real classroom experience and backed by research, with practical strategies you can use immediately.
The book will help you:
✓ Understand why your teen resists reading
✓ Choose books they'll actually want to read
✓ Start conversations about reading, without them turning into a battle
✓ Build a reading culture at home
✓ Support teens with different learning needs
✓ Read the stories of real teens who shared their reading insights - including those things they wish their parents knew
Included is a list of 130+ book suggestions, each one recommended by real-life reluctant readers, as well as printable ‘book bingo’ grids as a fun little extra.
It’s never too late to encourage your teen to read.
What's Inside The Complete Book
✓ Everything included in the Quick Start Guide, including the proven strategies to encourage reading, 130+ books that reluctant readers couldn't put down, and printable Book Bingo challenges.
✓ The psychology behind why teenagers stop reading
✓ The reasons each strategy works (so you can adapt them to your own family)
✓ Real stories and conversations with reluctant teenage readers
✓ Common mistakes parents unknowingly make, and how to avoid them
✓ Troubleshooting for when nothing seems to be working
✓ Advice on creating a reading culture at home that lasts beyond childhood
✓ Reflection questions and practical exercises throughout
✓ Available instantly to download, or as a beautifully printed paperback.
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