Do you remember a time before Netflix? I vaguely do, but a time before television, well, no. Reading used to be a primary source of entertainment. It’s true! But as our human attention span has decreased, so has the number of pages in a bestseller and our capacity to enjoy art that requires thoughtfulness. Do you agree? We are short on attention and short on time. But, “I don’t have time to read” will never fly as an excuse with these titles! They’re all less than 250 pages and deserve every bit of your short attention.

 

 

The End We Start From by Megan Hunter

This book is about a catastrophic flood that hits London. The story centers around a mother and her child, but the writing is what makes it so notable. It’s written almost like a poem; the language is very lyrical, metaphoric, and abstract. I haven’t read anything like this– it was really unique! Fiction, 141 pages.

 

 

 

 

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

If you need a little inspiration or a boost of creativity, this book give guidance, advice, and stories about art. It’s thoughtful, instructional, and once again, short! This one was recommended to me by a few people on the internet and I thought it was interesting and practical. I liked it and will probably read it again. Nonfiction, 192 pages

 

 

 

 

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Fairytale meets science fiction in this quirky book. I didn’t know much at all about the plot of this when I started reading it and I think it’s best to go into it that way! I’ll only say that there’s a little magic, mystery, and weirdness 🙂 Fiction, 191 pages.

 

 

 

 

Man’s Search for Meaning

I wish this book was required reading for high school and/or college and/or workplaces! This is from the Amazon description: Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Nonfiction, 184 pages.

 

 

 

 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This is a classic that I never read until last year! It’s a parable and reminded me of stories from the bible. A super quick read packed with a lot of thought and meaning. Fiction, 208 pages

 

 

 

 

 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

Funny, smart, and surprisingly insightful. I love Mindy Kaling. Her books are part memoir, part advice, part humor, and I love all the parts. Nonfiction, 222 pages. Her other book ‘Why Not Me?’ is also great and it’s 240 pages.