7 Impressive Books You Can Read in One Day
They’re all under 300 pages
“So many books, so little time.”― Frank Zappa
It can be hard to fit reading into a busy schedule.
That’s why I’m sharing several impressive books you can read in one day. All of them are powerful and moving, and made me think differently about the world around me.
Let’s dive right in!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Page Count: 180
The Great Gatsby is a classic for a reason.
The book is set in New York in the 1920s and follows newly-made millionaire Jay Gatsby. We watch as Gatsby throws lavish parties and attempts to win over his wealthy childhood love, Daisy Buchanan.
I liked the reflective writing style in the book. The story is told through the perspective of Jay Gatsby’s neighbor’s eyes, Nick Carraway. I also enjoyed the metaphors and symbols throughout the novel. It’s so rich and interesting to analyze.
The Great Gatsby is a fascinating book that made me reflect on the American Dream and what it means to idealize one’s past. Read it as soon as possible!
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Page Count: 277
I read The Catcher in the Rye in school, and it was one of the few required reading books I actually enjoyed.
The story follows angsty teen Holden Caulfield after being expelled from yet another school. As he wanders New York City, he talks to strangers and reflects on his younger sister, Phoebe, the only person who truly seems to understand him.
Holden is unlikeable and whiny, and that’s why a lot of people don’t connect with this story. But, I loved Holden’s voice in this book. For me, his personality made for a more compelling story.
If you want to read a coming-of-age story about a struggling teen, read The Catcher in the Rye!
“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn’t happen much, though.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Page Count: 208
I read The Giver almost ten years ago, and I still remember its compelling and effective storytelling.
The book is set in a utopian future and follows a young boy who is chosen to train with The Giver, the one person who holds the memories of all of humanity’s past.
The concept of this story is fascinating. It made me think about how essential history is for the foundation of society. The book is simple, which made the message of the book all the more powerful.
If you love dystopian stories and have yet to read The Giver, you must!
“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” ― Lois Lowry, The Giver
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Page Count: 226
The Curious Incident is about a young autistic boy who goes on a quest to discover the mystery of his neighbor’s dog’s death. The novel is told in first person, and we get an intimate look at the way Christopher views the world.
Though there is a mystery component to the story, it is not a thriller. Instead, it’s an exploration of Christopher as a character and his perspective on life.
I genuinely loved getting to know Christopher. I appreciated how the writing style of the book reflects his personality and interests. I also enjoyed how the adults in the story supported Christopher.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is a poignant book that will make you reconsider the way you think about the world. Pick it up as soon as possible!
“Prime numbers are what is left when you have taken all the patterns away. I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them.” ― Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
Page Count: 118
The Time Machine is a must-read for anyone who loves science fiction.
The book is about a man who comes back from the future and tells everyone about his experience. But, the future isn’t as exciting or positive as one might think, instead, it’s haunting and dangerous.
Despite the Victorian-era language, the story is very readable for modern-day audiences. I liked reading about Wells’ imagined future because it reflected a lot of the concerns he had for society.
If you want to read a great sci-fi classic, put The Time Machine at the top of your reading list!
“Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.” ― H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
City of Thieves by David Benioff
Page Count: 258
City of Thieves is not your typical historical fiction.
The book is set in 1942 Leningrad. It follows prisoners Lev and Kolya who are given a shot at freedom if they can complete a weirdly specific task: find a dozen eggs for a Soviet colonel’s daughter’s wedding cake. The only issue is the Nazi’s brutal siege of the city has left Leningrad cut off from all supplies and suffering deprivation.
The characters were what made this book special. Lev and Kolya form a sweet brotherly friendship bond that I absolutely loved. I found myself laughing at the absurd situations and inner monologue in the book, while also being shocked at the brutality and realities of war.
If you’re looking for an insightful (and funny) book set in World War II, pick up City of Thieves!
“Truth might be stranger than fiction, but it needs a better editor.” ― David Benioff, City of Thieves
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Page Count: 106
84, Charing Cross Road is one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve ever read. It’s the true story of an American writer and a British bookseller who write letters back and forth to each other for twenty years.
I read the entire book in an afternoon because I couldn’t get enough of the story. It’s a beautiful celebration of how books can bring people together. I saw myself in both characters as I read their correspondences.
I loved 84, Charing Cross Road, and I highly recommend it!
“I love inscriptions on flyleaves and notes in margins, I like the comradely sense of turning pages someone else turned, and reading passages someone long gone has called my attention to.” ― Helene Hanff, 84, Charing Cross Road
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