Ecclesiastes 1

"The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." v.1

Read chapter 1
Ecclesiastes is not just another book in the Old Testament.  As every book is unique in its own way this one has to be read with the right view to understand its purpose.  You will notice that some verses contradict scripture, but as we know God's word is perfect there has to be a reason for seemingly contradictions.  This book is a sermon on how to get by in man's government, not according to God's government.
Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon.  Here he is called the Preacher.  In Hebrew the word is KOHELETH and means the person who is head of the assembly.  Ecclesiastes is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Koheleth.  You may recognize the greek word ekklesia which is often translated church in the new testament yet the meaning is more specified as "one who is out called."
As you may remember Solomon asked God for wisdom and it was granted to him and became the wisest man in all the earth.  Yet even all the wisdom he had he still chose to partake in what the world lived like.  As you read consider the things in this world that are meaningless or vanity and why.  Whats the first thing that pops in your mind?