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Short books to kickstart your yearly reading goal
Start your 2024 reading challenge on the right foot with these quick reads you can finish in a day.
Published on January 24, 2024
Five Tuesdays in Winter
Lily KingPeople can’t stop raving about this enthralling short story collection from the author of “Writers & Lovers.” Esquire gushes, “Each masterful story reminds us that King is one of our finest cartographers of the human heart.” Vogue applauds it as “stories of outsiders finding their people.” Ann Patchett says it “moved me, inspired me, thrilled me. It filled up every chamber of my heart.”
Terrace Story: A Novel
Hilary LeichterAnnie and Edward live in a small urban apartment with their baby. When Annie’s colleague, Stephanie, visits one evening, a closet in their home mysteriously transforms into a decorative terrace. This is the premise of Leichter’s National Magazine Award–winning short story, which she expands on in this novel that includes three additional connected stories. These tales revolving around the terrace explore love, grief, and family in time- and space-bending ways.
Haruki Murakami Manga Stories 1: Super-Frog Saves Tokyo, The Seventh Man, Birthday Girl, Where I'm Likely to Find It
Haruki Murakami Manga Stories 1: Super-Frog Saves Tokyo, The Seventh Man, Birthday Girl, Where I'm Likely to Find It
Haruki MurakamiIt’s hard to believe that Murakami’s beloved short stories didn’t have manga adaptations until recently. This collection, illustrated by a talented crew of French comics artists, breathes new life into the Japanese novelist’s famed works of magical realism, while still carrying Murakami’s signature nuanced storytelling that longtime fans will appreciate.
Killing the Guys Who Killed the Guy Who Killed Lincoln: A Nutty Story About Edwin Booth and Boston Corbett
Killing the Guys Who Killed the Guy Who Killed Lincoln: A Nutty Story About Edwin Booth and Boston Corbett
Jesse JoyceYou know of John Wilkes Booth and the guy he killed, President Abraham Lincoln. Now prepare to learn the far more outlandish stories of Booth’s killers — Boston Corbett, a literal mad hatter who castrated himself, and John Wilkes’ brother, Edwin Booth, a renowned but troubled actor. This wry, rollicking history from stand-up comedian Joyce provides an eye-opening account of America’s colorful past.
Reckless Girls: A Novel
Rachel HawkinsAfter quitting college to take care of her terminally ill mother, Lux MacAllister wants to get away from it all. Sailing around the Pacific with her hot new boyfriend sounds like just the antidote to put her dark past behind her, until there’s trouble in paradise. Sexy strangers, secret islands, and skulls abound in this soap opera-y thriller full of outrageous twists you won’t see coming.
Where to Begin: A Small Book About Your Power to Create Big Change in Our Crazy World
Cleo WadeReady to make a change but not sure how to start? Wade’s aptly titled anthology can point you in the right direction. Full of heart and optimism, Wade wraps self-care advice, inspirational quotes, and gorgeous poetry up into a lovely read that you can finish in under an hour.
Noor
Nnedi OkoraforKick off the year with an action-packed, cyber punk, sci-fi adventure from celebrated Africanfuturist Okorafor (“Who Fears Death,” “The Binti Trilogy,” “Akata” books). Set in the near future, a woman whose many biotech body manipulations keep her alive is forced to flee across the deserts of Nigeria, all while the world watches via livestreaming.
Sunshine Nails: A Novel
Mai NguyenNguyen’s delightful debut follows a Vietnamese Canadian family scheming to protect their mom-and-pop nail salon when a fancy competitor moves into the neighborhood. Witty banter, relatable intergenerational squabbles, and madcap antics drive the plot, but more profound messages on legacy, gentrification, and the enduring power of family make this story memorable.
Good Girls Don't
Mara WilsonGood girls don’t talk back. Good girls don’t disobey their parents. Good girls don’t disappoint their fans. Writer and former child actor Wilson (“Matilda,” “Mrs. Doubtfire”) opens up about her struggle with the pressure to please other people while growing up in the spotlight on set and dealing with the turmoil of her mother’s death. This memoir is candid, humble, and above all, painfully relatable.
Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes
Travis BaldreeIf reading a #BookTok star is on your list, give this fan favorite a listen. Viv, an orc barbarian, just wants to hang up her sword and open a coffee shop. But getting out of the warrior business isn’t as simple as giving two weeks notice. This cozy fantasy pairs perfectly with your favorite caffeinated beverage and a shot of planning how you’ll put your passion to work.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built: A Monk and Robot Book
Becky ChambersThis snackable Hugo Award-winning novella is the first in Chambers’ “Monk and Robot” series. After self-aware robots separated from humankind centuries ago, a tea monk finds themself struggling with feelings of dissatisfaction and restlessness. They connect with a friendly robot and embark on a journey, while rocketing you towards hitting your reading goal.
Trail of Lightning
Rebecca RoanhorseRoanhorse’s postapocalyptic fantasy “Trail of Lightning” has gotten all kinds of accolades, from winning the Hugo and Locus Awards to being named one of Time magazine's “100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time.” It definitely lives up to the hype. The series follows Maggie, a Diné monsterslayer. She’s gruff and tough and a loner who doesn’t consider herself a hero; instead she thinks of herself as “the person you hire when the heroes have already come home in body bags.” (We disagree; she’s definitely a badass, nuevo-punk rock hero!)
The Color of Magic: A Discworld Novel
Terry PratchettBook one of the “Discworld” series features Rincewind, a protagonist permanently stuck in goblin mode, plus a handful of other zany characters parodying well-worn fantasy archetypes. Immensely charming and comforting, “The Color of Magic” will have you laughing all the way through your first book of the year. We can’t think of a better reminder that, whatever reading goal you’ve set, the point is to enjoy yourself along the way.
Every Heart a Doorway
Seanan McGuireThe School for Wayward Children is a place for the young people who went on adventures in fantasy realms (think: “Alice in Wonderland'') to readjust to our world again — with varying degrees of success. This novella (the first of a series that can be read in any order) strikes a great balance between taking the emotional reality of its characters seriously and winking at the reader. If you yourself want to keep one foot in reality and one foot in fantasy, this series is the perfect way to do it.
Tender Is the Flesh
Agustina BazterricaNot for the faint of heart, this blend of science fiction and horror tells the tale of a future world where a mysterious virus has rendered all animal meat poisonous to humans. Unfortunately, humanity finds cannibalism a more appetizing option than going vegetarian. Pull up a chair and devour Bazterrica’s thought-provoking debut.
The Clown Brigade
Stephen Graham JonesWhen Kyle plans to surprise Jenna with a romantic weekend to help him get over Steph — who's still his go-to spin cycle instructor — he doesn’t anticipate the turbulent flight, uncooperative security, or so many clowns creeping around. Jones (“The Only Good Indians”) takes on the maddening and sometimes deadly consequences of living and loving online, and the power of our delusions, in this chilling Scribd Original.
Dr. No: A Novel
Percival EverettBillionaire John Sill, an aspiring supervillain out for revenge, has a plan. He’s going to break into Fort Knox and steal a box of…nothing. Lucky for Sill, Professor Wala Kita is an expert on nothing. He’s also too naive to realize Sill’s dark intentions. Everett’s (“The Trees,” “So Much Blue”) farcical caper includes clever commentary on racism, and never before has such a slender book about “nothing” packed so much substance.
Convenience Store Woman: A Novel
Sayaka MurataA delightfully odd book, this slim, 130-page Japanese novel follows a woman who feels out of place everywhere, except when behind the counter of her convenience store. (To her credit, convenience stores in Japan are truly magical places, unlike their American counterparts.) A surprisingly sweet read about someone who’s probably a sociopath.
Foster
Claire KeeganNamed one of the “50 great Irish novels of the 21st century” by the Sunday Times — and clocking in at just 81 pages — “Foster” is a great way to cross a literary fiction pick off your list. When her mother is about to have yet another baby, a young girl’s parents pack her off to stay indefinitely with distant relatives. NPR’s Heller McAlpin writes, “More than most books four times its size, ‘Foster’ does several of the things we ask of great literature: It expands our world, diverting our attention outward, and it opens up our hearts and minds.”
My Monticello: Fiction
Jocelyn Nicole JohnsonColson Whitehead calls Johnson’s short story collection “a badass debut by any measure — nimble, knowing, and electrifying.” In the title story, neighbors flee white supremacists and seek shelter on the former Monticello plantation with the help of a descendant of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. This engrossing collection grapples with the legacy of racism, all while humming with hope and resistance.
In Five Years: A Novel
Rebecca SerleIf you could see into your future, would you change how you lived today? This is the dilemma Dannie is faced with after she falls asleep and catches a glimpse five years into her future. This quick read is an unforgettable love story, but not the one you’re expecting. The perfect perspective for a fresh start.
12 Months of Work in 12 Weeks: How to Work Smarter and Explosively Grow Your Productivity
12 Months of Work in 12 Weeks: How to Work Smarter and Explosively Grow Your Productivity
Mark DhammaIf you’re a fan of this list, then we know you get inspired by making the most out of your time. Time managed well is time saved. In this one-hour Scribd Coach course, Dhamma, a performance and mindset coach for entrepreneurs, explores planning strategies that enhance productivity and allow you to accomplish more in less time. Focusing on what’s most important is the key to working smarter, not longer, this year.
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings-and Life (Intl Ed)
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings-and Life (Intl Ed)
Laura VanderkamLearn how to better balance work and your personal life with this abridged, one-hour version of Vanderkam’s invigorating guide. The habit of embracing routines makes us efficient and frees up time for new projects (like our preferred activity: reading more books). Vanderkam suggests waking up early to work out, read, write, or do any other health and happiness activity is a key factor in achieving your goals.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie MackesyMackesy’s quiet and profound collection of uplifting messages prove that there really is beauty in simplicity. Whimsical line illustrations accompany a simple tale of a boy’s adventure and the life-changing advice he receives from the unlikely friends he makes along the way. This lovely, 64-page illustrated book is a quick pick-me-up — and a fast way to check one more book off your reading list.