Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Reading doesn't have to be a race, but sometimes it is satisfying to start and finish a book in one sitting. If you're the kind of person who doesn't have a ton of time to read, you like finishing a story ASAP to get closure or maybe you're just trying to hit a book count goal, there are many novellas and smaller works to choose from. Parade spoke with five librarians to get their expert recommendations on the 25 best short books that make for enjoyable and often thought-provoking reads.Beth Kane is the library director at Norway Memorial Library in Maine. Rose Waldman is a library supervisor at the Menlo Park Public Library in California. James Sherman and Catherine Royalty both work at the Los Angeles Public Library's Central Library—Sherman is a librarian in the literature and fiction department, and Royalty is the collection services manager in the emerging technologies and collections department. And Sam Helmick is the president of the American Library Association.All five of these librarians had interesting and unique short books to recommend—from timeless classics to more contemporary picks. "If you've been craving a reset or just a reminder of how satisfying a single good book can be, I recommend setting aside a day... to read a library book from start to finish," says Helmick, adding that these recommendations may be quick reads, but they're "rich enough to stay with you long after."Related: 45 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time, According to Librarians
25 Best Short Books You Can Read in a Day, According to Librarians
1. 'Much Ado About Nothing' by William Shakespeare
A
Helmick says this story is filled with comedic "wit, love and misunderstanding." The plot juxtaposes two couples who navigate their relationships in very different ways. And though it's a classic, they say it's "surprisingly modern, especially in how it skewers gossip and gender politics."
2. 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck
Amazon
At just 144 pages, this book tells a "devastating" tale about two migrant workers struggling during the Great Depression. "[It] remains one of the most emotionally efficient stories in American literature," says Helmick.
3. 'The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession' by Michael Finkel
Amazon
Waldman recommends this breezy read for anyone who likes "light true crime." "[It's] fluffy, fun and immensely readable," she adds. "I finished this in one day without even meaning to."It details the true story of Stéphane Bréitwieser, a renowned art thief who pulled off over 200 heists.
4. 'Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future' by Jason Stanley
Amazon
Written by a former Yale professor, this nonfiction book explores modern fascism. Waldman calls it "a good, quick choice for those seeking to understand why story, and shared history, are important on a global scale."
5. 'Hangman' by Maya Binyam
Amazon
Sherman recommends this story about the "surreal journey" of a refugee's return home to Africa after two decades in America. "It mixes elements of farce with tremors of existential dread," he says, adding that the story is "wild, weird and remarkable."Related: 150 of the Most Wonderful Quotes About Reading & Books for Book-Lovers
6. 'Earth's the Right Place for Love' by Elizabeth Berg
Amazon
This novel is set in the 1950s and tells the story of two brothers, one of whom has a crush on a girl named Nola, while Nola has a crush on the other brother. Kane calls it "a warm and tender story of young, faithful and enduring love."
7. 'Foster' by Claire Keegan
Amazon
Kane is a big fan of this author, recommending Claire Keegan's 90-page novella as a quick read. "A young girl is sent to stay with another family when her mother is giving birth to a sibling," Kane describes. "She is loved in a way she hasn't experienced by the childless couple she is placed with. There is a lot packed into this novella. So much to feel and think about. Loved it."
8. 'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata
Amazon
Translated from Japanese, this story follows a single woman and convenience store worker as she attempts to fit into the rigid societal expectations of her. Helmick recommends it as a "darkly humorous novel" that challenges preconceived notions of happiness.
9. 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Amazon
Often regarded as a children's book about a prince who travels through space, Helmick reminds us that the philosophical tale "speaks as much to adults." At under 100 pages, it's an easy one-day read.
10. 'The House on Mango Street' by Sandra Cisneros
Amazon
Another classic Helmick recommends is this coming-of-age story about a young Latina girl in Chicago. "It's intimate [and] poetic," they say.
11. 'The Test' by Sylvain Neuvel
Amazon
This dystopian novella explores immigration via a British citizenship test and its 25 life-changing questions. Helmick recommends it for its "sharp" storytelling.Related: 222 Best Books of All Time That Deserve a Spot on Your Bookshelf, With Picks from Bestselling Authors and Indie Booksellers
12. 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James
Amazon
"[This is] my favorite short short novel and one of the creepiest ghost stories ever written," Royalty tells Parade. It follows a young governess caring for two orphans in a seriously spooky home. The 2020 Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor was adapted from this story.
13.'The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories' by Leo Tolstoy
Amazon
A lot of Tolstoy's books are quite long, but this collection of short stories gives you a quicker way to read the Russian author. Sherman calls it "a gem that distills the best of Tolstoy."
14. 'Train Dreams' by Denis Johnson
Amazon
Adapted into a Netflix movie in 2025, this western follows Robert Grainer, a struggling day laborer in the 1900s. Sherman likes it for the contrast of the lyrical prose with the brutality of Grainer's life.
15. 'Song of Solomon' by Toni Morrison
Amazon
"Absolutely everything Toni Morrison wrote is stunning," Waldman says. She adds that this book is a "less intimidating" introduction to Morrison's work if you haven't yet explored it. This novel tells the story of a young black man named Macon Dead, Jr., as he navigates the complexities of life.
16. 'Graveyard Shift' by M.L. Rio
Amazon
Five night-shift workers cross paths in a graveyard and attempt to unpack the mysteries left behind by the local gravedigger. "One of my best reads of the year, in a bite-sized morsel," Waldman says.
17. 'Interior Chinatown' by Charles Yu
Amazon
Now a Hulu show, this short novel follows an Asian-American actor stuck in generic, stereotypical roles who dreams of something more. Waldman says it's a "very fast read" but "packs a punch."Related: Jenna Bush Hager Just Revealed Her Feb. Book Pick—See the Full 2026 List
18. 'Tree. Table. Book.' by Lois Lowry
Amazon
Lowry's work is usually thought of for younger readers, but her themes can resonate with anyone. This story follows a young girl named Sophie and the friendship she forms with an elderly neighbor also named Sophie. Kane says it's a great family read that explores "friendship, aging, memory loss" and more. She adds that the book gives you "lots to talk about and consider."
19. 'The Swimmers' by Julie Otsuka
Amazon
Kane says that this story is a "small but mighty novel about life and love and relationships." The book follows Alice and her estranged daughter as they deal with Alice's declining mental health.
20. 'The Vegetarian' by Han Kang
Amazon
Translated from Korean, this short book follows a woman named Yeong-hye who is driven to give up meat by the increasingly disturbing dreams she keeps having. Helmick describes it as "surreal [and] disturbing," but "beautifully written."
21. 'Chronicle of a Death Foretold' by Gabriel García Márquez
Amazon
For the murder mystery fans, this book tells the story of a man who wants to get to the bottom of a murder that took place nearly three decades ago under suspicious circumstances. Helmick lauds the book for being a "masterclass" its elegant storytelling.
22. 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson
Amazon
Helmick says this book is "unsettling" but "darkly funny." It's a psychological horror novel about a murderous family who encounters a visiting relative to their estate.
23. 'Dept. of Speculation' by Jenny Offill
Amazon
A couple navigating family life reaches a breaking point in this short book that Helmick calls "piercing." The quick read is under 200 pages, but Helmick says it will leave a lasting impression.
24. 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built' by Becky Chambers
Amazon
This 160-page novella is a "gentle, hopeful" read, says Helmick. It tells the story of a monk and a robot exploring what humanity is.
25. 'This Is How You Lose the Time War' by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
Amazon
This romantic tale about time-traveling rivals from warring factions is an "inventive... genre-bending novella," says Helmick.Up Next:
Related: 29 'Must-Read' Magical Realism Books, According to Librarians
Sources:
Sam Helmick, president of the American Library AssociationBeth Kane, library director at Norway Memorial LibraryRose Waldman, library supervisor at the Menlo Park Public LibraryJames Sherman, literature and fiction department librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library's Central LibraryCatherine Royalty, collection services manager in the emerging technologies and collections department at the Los Angeles Public Library's Central LibraryHence then, the article about 25 best short books you can easily read in a day according to librarians was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 25 Best Short Books You Can Easily Read in a Day, According to Librarians )
Also on site :
- Europe’s cyber agency blames hacking gangs for massive data breach and leak
- The Trump Dictatorship Is Cracking Up
- Miami lands blue-chip quarterback for 2027 class