Standard assigned readings may not interest you precisely because they're assigned. You're telling me you've never read a novel on your own? Not Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, nothing?
>You're telling me you've never read a novel on your own?
I have never read a novel. I was curious whether I could finish one, so I tried to read the first Harry Potter book. I did not continue after the fifth chapter since it felt like work.
Reading for pleasure is a skill that works like a muscle that must be exercised. The more you train it, the easier it becomes. If you never read as a kid, I can understand why you'd find it difficult as an adult.
I'm curious, though: do you watch TV for fun, i.e. not to learn something but just to enjoy the story?
A lot of people don't really like the first few chapters of the first Harry Potter book when they first read it. It is not uncommon for people to stop reading the first book at a few chapters in. Perhaps you should try something different for your first novel. I like the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis, his writing is short and to the point, but very descriptive in its own way. That may not be your cup of tea, though. You may want to ask friends or family who know your tastes better what they would recommend. Or just read the next 5 chapters of harry Potter and see if it gets any better for you- I think for most people it does.
It takes the right book, the right mood and the right stimulus. I used to think like you. I can tell you that after you enjoy the first novel, you "get" it. You get why everyone says the book is better at the end of a movie session.
What changed my perception of fiction books was the passion of a friend of my mom about a particular book, and the fact that the book was around during some particularly boring summer vacations.
I imagine such a collusion of events in nowadays fast paced world is more difficult. I do understand where you are coming from, though.
I have never read a novel. I was curious whether I could finish one, so I tried to read the first Harry Potter book. I did not continue after the fifth chapter since it felt like work.