Let’s be real.
In today’s fast-paced society, it’s no secret that our attention spans aren’t what they used to be. While we might enjoy the occasional 3-hour long Marvel movie or long read, some days, we can barely sit through a TikTok video that’s more than 60 seconds, or catch up on a lengthy Reddit thread.
Sometimes, short and sweet is the way to go.
So whether you’ve reached a reading slump or are just not able to find the time for reading between your schedule, if you’re in the mood to read from cover to cover in just a few hours, be sure to pick up one of my favourite books under 100 pages for your next afternoon off.
1. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
Number of pages: 96 pages
Genre: Fiction, Novella
This book in emojis: 👴🏻 👦🏼 🧠 🏠 ⏳
“It’s an awful thing to miss someone who’s still here.”
And Every Morning the Way Gets Longer and Longer is a touching tribute to family, memories, and the bittersweet art of letting go. With Backman’s signature warmth and compassion, this novella gives a touching portrayal of Alzheimer’s and how it affects the people it leaves behind.
I promise you this is a little book with a big heart! And from heartwarming moments to emotional goodbyes, this story will stay with you even long after the final page.
2. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Number of pages: 98 pages
Genre: Political satire, Dystopian fiction
This book in emojis: 🐷 🐴 🐔 🐶
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
We all know that Old MacDonald had a farm, but this farm flips the script with a barnyard tale that’s far from a nursery rhyme. After overthrowing Mr. Jones and taking over the farm, the animals are excited by their new freedom. But soon, the animals will face challenges in running the farm and defending their freedom from the returning farmers.
Animal Farm is a witty allegory filled with humour and insight, and timeless lessons about political ideologies and power.
3. Poke The Box by Seth Godin
Number of pages: 96 pages
Genres: Non-fiction, Business, Self-help
This book in emojis: 👉 📦 🕰️ 🤔 🎉
“Soon is not as good as now.”
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Seth Godin truly is the master of the manifesto. His books are always finding new ways to keep inspired and keep inspiring, and Poke the Box is no exception. So the next time you need a little pep talk, give this a read. It’ll remind you of how important you are, and push you to stop waiting and start doing.
Because if not now, then when?
4. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Number of pages: 96 pages
Genres: Fantasy, Allegory
This book in emojis: 👦 🤴 🌠
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Maybe you read it in high school, discovered it as an adult, watched the movie, or simply know the tale. However familiar you are with The Little Prince, it’s the most re-readable book of all time that appeals to readers of all ages. With each reading, I find it means something different to me every time.
It’s a magical celebration of the sweet innocence of childhood, with profound lessons about love, friendship, and human nature.
5. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Number of pages: 30 pages
Genres: Short story, Psychological fiction, Feminist literature
This book in emojis: 🟡 🏠 👩🦳 📝
“It is the strangest yellow, that wallpaper! It makes me think of all the yellow things I ever saw – not beautiful ones like buttercups, but old foul, bad yellow things.”
Remember in Riverdale when Jughead asks Betty if she’d “gone full yellow wallpaper” on him? That’s a nod to this classic: the story of a woman who after having had enough, locks herself in her room to get away from her abusive husband, and begins to obsess about the wallpaper. It’s a book with so many different meanings, you’ll want to read it over and over again.
Oh, and you’ll never guess the colour of the wallpaper.
6. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Number of pages: 80 pages
Genre: Historical fiction
This book in emojis: 😢 👧🏻 🌸 🎐
“And he prayed that his family would be protected from the atom bomb disease called leukemia.”
Meet Sadako, a vibrant and athletic girl from Hiroshima, known as the star of her school’s running team. But when she falls ill with leukemia, or what locals call the “atom bomb disease,” she draws inspiration from a Japanese legend and sets out to fold one thousand paper cranes in hopes of a miraculous cure.
Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes commemorates the extraordinary bravery of a young girl who transformed into a symbol of hope in Japan.
7. Very Good Lives by J. K. Rowling
Number of pages: 80 pages
Genres: Non-fiction, Self-help, Inspirational
This book in emojis: 👍 📚 👤 👩🎓
“Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone’s total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes.”
In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply heartfelt commencement address at Harvard University, and the video of her speech immediately went viral. Now, her profound words are immortalized in Very Good Lives, a book you can hold close for guidance whenever you need it.
How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others? J.K. Rowling unlocks words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life.
So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list or in need of a little pick-me-up, remember: great stories don’t have to be long. Dive into these short reads for big stories in bite-sized portions.
Happy reading, and here’s to enjoying the little things!
The Lilac Blog 