Written by Annie Burdick
If you’re in a reading slump or perpetually unable to finish the books you want to, the simple answer isn’t to give up on reading forever. In fact, you should be picking a short book, which you will be able to finish in a day or two, and feel great about your accomplishments! Not only are short books both fun and appealing since they only require a minimal time commitment, but they are one of several guaranteed cures for a reading slump. We’ve found 10 diverse books under 200 pages to help cure your reading slump!
Check out our list and let us know in the comments below if you will be adding one to your TBR!
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote | 178 Pages
A charming and simple classic which will make you laugh and fill you with longing for decades of the past!
This short classic follows Holly Golightly, an offbeat, charming woman living in New York in the mid-20th century. The book feels decadent and if you’re wondering, it’s quite different from the movie in plenty of ways, meaning it’s not a waste of time for those who’ve seen Audrey Hepburn in this role already.
Chasers of the Light: Poems from the Typewriter Series by Tyler Knott Gregson | 144 Pages
Gorgeous poetry, both in appearance on the page and in quality of the writing.
Most poetry books are very short, but not all are worth reading. While I personally have plenty of experience reading poetry, I have never enjoyed looking at or reading a book of poetry more than this one. Writing poems on a typewriter makes the collection look stunning by giving the poems a vintage and nostalgic feel.
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern | 159 Pages
A funny and concise memoir about a son’s relationship with his very vocal, honest, and funny dad, who became internet famous.
This book will have you laughing as Halpern’s dad is an awesome character, and the fact that he and all of his quotes are totally real makes it an even better read!
Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster | 181 Pages
An often overlooked classic book that’s funny, charming, and compulsively readable.
This is one of my favourite books of all time (I’ve read it at least 4 or 5 times now) and it still never ceases to charm me. It’s an older story, told entirely in letters, and it’s hilarious and sweet. You could finish it in a couple of hours and have time left in the day to think about how great it was.
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain | 160 Pages
A short novel about a man in Paris who finds a purse on the street and attempts to track down the woman it belongs to.
While I am yet to read this, it’s a favourite of my mother’s. It’s an adorable book which takes place in Paris and you can quickly finish it! What more could you want?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald | 64 Pages
A short work by the famous author, featuring the strange story of a man who ages backward.
Technically this one is more like a short story or novella, this story is a well-known movie but a lesser known piece of writing. Many people probably don’t even know it was written by the incredibly famous Fitzgerald, but indeed it was. The story is well written, quirky, and can be easily finished in one afternoon sitting.
Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling | 74 Pages
A beautifully illustrated print rendition of an incredible speech given by J.K. Rowling.
No, it’s not a member of the Harry Potter collection, this was originally a speech given by Rowling to the members of a graduating class at Harvard. The speech is beautiful, inspiring, and of course well-written, but what makes the book even better are the incredibly stunning illustrations along with gorgeous typography. This is a book you’ll end up wanting to reread at least once a year!
Jesus’ Son by Denis Johnson | 160 Pages
A masterfully written book of short stories that requires a lot of thought and reflection.
Johnson’s stories are unlike any others as they’re simply written, but surprisingly complex. They examine ordinary lives thrust into uncommon situations. They’re dark, moving, honest and raw. While it is short, you will take the time to appreciate and explore the stories it will stick with you for a long time.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett | 120 Pages
A humorous novella about the queen of England discovering a love of the library.
This quaint short novella tells the story of the queen of England wandering into a mobile library with her dogs and discovering the joys of reading.
Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs | 160 Pages
A companion to the popular Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series, this book is filled with fables and fairytales based on the world Riggs created.
This book, appearance-wise, is absolutely beautiful, but the stories inside are both awesome and entertaining. The nice thing about a book of stories like this is that if you have 20 minutes you can read one story, set the book back down, and move on to another whenever you have time again.
