Learning Dutch sucks more than learning English

One of my challenges with improving my Dutch is finding things to read that are both interesting and fit a beginner level. But it's extremely hard to find good resources considering two prerequisites. It also made me think why English is much more enjoyable to learn.

When I was learning English, I made just enough effort to bring it into my life, and that was back in Iran, where no one speaks English on a daily basis. But I could find novels by Edgar Allan Poe, read Sherlock Holmes and Oliver Twist without breaking a sweat & still learn.

With Dutch, however, it's tough. There are kids' books (totally uninteresting); there are standard storybooks for learners (really boring); then there are good writers like Mulisch and Geert Mak, but it's leveled for natives.

I guess what makes a language popular partly depends on how many people write about it, not just speak it.