All of us have a handful of one-sitting reads. Those books that are so thin and, in general, short, that as long as you aren’t a snail-reader like me, you can read in one go. I don’t think it’s any secret that I’m a slow reader, but even I got through each of these in a very short amount of time, which I’d like to attribute to their readability and amazing storytelling and less so to any new-found, super-reader skill of my own—or their length. The skinniest books on my shelf make some of the best reads you’ll squeeze in yet this year!

Skinniest Books On My Shelf

If you’re looking for something to buzz through in one sitting, or keep in your backpack or purse for the subway ride, or even just to fill the tiny gap between your bigger books on your shelf, then you can’t go wrong with these glorious reads.

True Grit

What to Love: The story! Seriously, True Grit is one of the best Western stories out there. With an amazing main character who drives the story with her determination and (per the title) grit. Great characters, good story climax, lots of action, and a good sense of authenticity throughout.

Reading Time: I finished this in just a day or two. And I’ve reread it in the same amount of time. It’s easy to get through and love.

Added Bonus: Female main character. If this is your thing and you’re looking for books that specifically have this aspect, then you’ll love True Grit.

The Abolition of Man

What to Love: The timelessness of C.S. Lewis’s observations and thoughts. The Abolition of Man is as relevant today as it was when it was published, and I have a feeling it will be relevant for decades (or even centuries) to come.

Reading Time: This one is a bit dense at times, so it took me a few days to read through it. I want to revisit it, because I know I’ll get more out it the second time through.

Added Bonus: There is a great podcast called The Young Heretics that does a series on this book and walks you through some of the context and content to help you better understand C.S. Lewis’s perspective and the major points he makes.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

What to Love: It’s an actual book of fairy tales from the Harry Potter universe. Next.

Reading Time: The nice thing about this one is you can read the individual fairy tales like you would any other book of fairy tales; as stand alone, or you can read the whole book in one go. Depending on how you approach it, it’s a pretty quick read overall.

Added Bonus: This book contains Albus Dumbledore’s notes on the fairy tales. Honestly, the work that went into making this a beautifully authentic addition to an already beloved world is awesome. Nerd moment over.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

What to Love: “What to love” seems a little out of place regarding a book about a Soviet labor camp. But one thing I do love, as I do with all historical pieces like this one, is the brutal honesty and glaring detail of something I am lucky enough to hopefully never have to live through. God willing, there will be a day when no one will suffer through any of these conditions. I am always overwhelmed with a new appreciation for the bravery and fortitude of people who suffered in these horrible, yet very real, situations, and I’m always humbled and inspired.

Reading Time: Two to three days if you have the time.

Favorite Quote: “Easy money doesn’t weigh anything and it doesn’t give you that good feeling you get when you really earn it.”

Persuasion

What to Love: I literally have a whole blog about this. But honestly, it’s the characters and beautiful love story. It’s the hopeful message and the heart of Jane Austen that is all over every page.

Reading Time: I usually take my time with Persuasion on purpose. I reread scenes, research terms, and just enjoy the ride. Typically, though, it usually takes me a week to two weeks.

My Favorite Quote: “A man does not recover from such devotion of the heart to such a woman! He ought not; he does not.”

The Outsiders

What to Love: The chaos and love and found-family vibes. These boys are just trying to make their way in a rough world and, though their specific circumstances may not be relatable, their desire to be understood and have bright futures definitely is.

Reading Time: I think The Outsiders took me about a week to read, maybe a bit less.

Added Bonus: A very young Rob Lowe is in the movie, which is also a very faithful adaptation.

The Giver

What to Love: The Giver is easy-to-read dystopian fiction. If you want a quick sci-fi read that isn’t a seven part, 900-page-each series, then The Giver is for you. It also has a wonderful message about embracing every part of life–even the hard, painful, and unpleasant things. To live in a world without decisions, without pain, without color is a dead life.

Reading Time: I read this in high school so it probably took me longer than it would have otherwise, but I would guess about a week.

My Favorite Quote: “Even trained for years as they all had been in precision of language, what words could you use which would give another the experience of sunshine?”

Lady Susan

What to Love: Obviously all the classic things found in Jane Austen’s most acclaimed books can also be found cram-packed into this short, ninety-page novella. Comedy, love, insipid as well as beloved characters, the whole nine yards. Additionally, the classic Jane Austen wit is stronger than ever.

Reading Time: I believe it only took me a week to read Lady Susan. And that was with many other things happening.

Added Bonus: The cover! It’s just beautiful, but there are also a lot of other beautiful covers out there - including a Penguin clothbound version.

The Stranger

What to Love: The surreal nature of the main character. This was the first truly “foreign” book I had ever read. And it was oddly satisfying. I loved the landscape, the weird events, the character’s passivity coupled with his desire to feel something. Anything.

Reading Time: I finished this one in a little less than a week, but I have full confidence that, had I been given an uninterrupted day, I could have finished it in one sitting.

Added Bonus: My sister and I agree that this is the literary equivalent of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” We’ll fight you on that one.

(As if you don’t know that song: here’s a link)

Of Mice and Men

What to Love: The one hundred and seven pages of pure classic literature. I had never been required to read this during school and when I saw it in person, and how short it was, it was an immediate buy. I think I’m a little too dumb to completely understand the wisdom of this book, but the story itself was more enjoyable than high-school-me ever thought it would be.

Reading Time: I’m pretty sure I had this completely read in a day and a half.

Added Bonus: Of Mice and Men is on most books-you-have-to-read-before-you-die lists, so you can go ahead and check that one off.

The Wide Sargasso Sea

What to Love: If you’ve ever wanted to know just how complicated and crazy the history of Mr. Rochester’s (of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre fame) first marriage is, look no further. Beautifully written, and far less of a fanfic than a moving history of a character we all initially hated, the one hundred and forty-nine pages will give you a new appreciation for Mr. Rochester’s first wife and everything she suffered.

Reading Time: I think The Wide Sargasso Sea only took me around three days.

Perfect For: Anyone who loves Jane Eyre. We are given a very biased perspective of the woman in the attic, it’s nice to have an actual history.

Sanditon

What to Love: Sanditon is a short romp that ends just as we’re meeting the main love interest – or, at least, who we assume would be the main love interest. It’s a quick peek at what would be Jane Austen’s first draft and it’s fun to think of where she hoped the story would go.

Reading Time: This is literally 11 chapters, so only a day or two.

Perfect For: Anyone who loves Jane Austen and ever wanted a glance at her notes. This is an unfinished novel so we get a look at the beginnings without seeing the end product. A rare glimpse into Jane Austen’s mind.

The Westing Game

What to Love: The fact that you can solve the mystery as you go. It’s been years and years since I’ve read this book, but I remember being completely in love with the whole idea. It was complicated and fun and, if I remember correctly, actually difficult to solve. We (my brother, sister, and me) even wrote down the various clues, but we still couldn’t solve it.

Reading Time: Honestly, it depends on how thorough you are and how well you keep up. Maybe a week?

Added Bonus: This was an inspiration for some really early creative writing of mine that I promise will never see the light of day.

Tuck Everlasting

What to Love: Tuck Everlasting is a beautiful, magical story of young love and life. Perfect for young readers, I loved the simplicity of the plot that was mixed with an approachable complexity.

Reading Time: It only took me a handful of days to finish this book.

Added Bonus: There’s not only a movie adaptation, but a musical, too! Both, as far as I can tell, are faithful to the story.

Is there a short story or book you love? Let me know!

Happy reading!

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The Skinniest Books On My Shelf