J. K. Rowling, author: “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book”

Reading—like so many other forms of art—has the power to stir every kind of emotion. Sometimes it teaches us about worlds completely outside our own experience; other times it sweeps us into realms of fantasy, sci‑fi, or spine‑tingling horror. A great book can even awaken feelings we thought we’d buried long ago. And of course, reading can also become a much‑needed escape from the chaos of everyday life, transporting us to magical universes that spark our imagination in ways nothing else can. Few authors understand this better than British writer J.K. Rowling, the creator of one of the most beloved literary phenomena of all time: Harry Potter.

What does J.K. Rowling’s motivational quote really mean?

Rowling has been one of the most influential literary figures of the past few decades, inspiring millions of kids, teens, and adults to fall in love with reading. The runaway success of the Harry Potter series—seven books released between Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 1997 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2007—turned each new installment into a global event, with readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Harry’s story.

But Rowling has always recognized that even a worldwide bestseller won’t appeal to everyone. That’s why she encourages people to explore reading in their own way, through whatever genres or authors speak to them. Her well‑known motivational line—“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book yet”—is an invitation to experiment.

She urges readers to try everything from fiction and nonfiction to comics and graphic novels until they discover that one “gateway book” that transforms reading from a chore into something deeply personal and enjoyable.

For Rowling, variety is the secret. With so many genres—mystery, thriller, romance, fantasy, sci‑fi, narrative nonfiction, and more—there truly is a story for everyone. She also advises against forcing yourself through a book that isn’t clicking. The “right” book should pull you in naturally, turning reading into a pleasure rather than an obligation.

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