An article in the Daily Mail about Tony Mortimer, a former boy-band musician who read his first novel at age 50 (then promptly read 64 more) caught the eye of Newstalk ZB's Early Edition programme.

Host Kate Hawkesby invited our CEO Juliet on-air first thing this morning to discuss. You can listen again here.

Before joining Read NZ, Juliet was a bookseller for many years and says one of her favourite things about that job was recommending books to people who didn't know where to start.

A passionate reader herself, Juliet feels that non-readers are 'missing out' on a proper treat - one of the great pleasures in life.

Here she shares some tips for 'non-readers' - her best advice for getting back into books if it's been a while since you enjoyed a good read.

It might have been a while since you last picked up a book, but don’t despair: read on for some easy tips that will soon have you turning those pages and reading under the covers by torchlight way past midnight!

You’re creating a new habit, so start with five minutes each day and gradually increase your time spent reading. You'll need to 'retrain' your reading brain to engage with the text on the page.

My top tips are:

- Read what interests you, not what you ‘think’ you should be reading. Reading is meant to be fun!

- Ask your friends and family what they are reading, look for the bestsellers or librarian picks at the library, ask your local bookseller – booksellers love being asked for recommendations! There are lists aplenty online of best sellers of the year, prizewinners, best-loved classics, best crime, best science fiction ... the list goes on...

- Read your first book and got the bug, but don’t know what to read next? A novel series is a good way to really get into reading and you’ll keep your momentum going as you become obsessed with the characters.

- If you’re not enjoying something put it down and choose something else. There are so many books to read and so little time, and so reading a book you’re not enjoying is simply not worth your time.

- Read for the way you feel today. Are you looking for humour? Escapism? Do you want to learn something about the world, or something about yourself? Do you want to treat yourself kindly, be shocked or horrified? Just as your thoughts and feelings can change from day to day, so to what you feel like reading may change. Don’t worry, there’s a book for every occasion.

For some suggestions on what to read, check out our Reading Doctor series (the latest is here), or visit Kete Books for new New Zealand titles.