Who doesn’t love a short and quick read? In the reading community, a short book is like an espresso shot – powerful and effective to get you out of your slump!

I mostly go for short books to get out of a reading slump but the quick reads are also perfect to complete your reading challenge. Although it’s not a competition, but well…sometimes it is! It feels heavenly to see you are way past your reading challenge on Goodreads or Fable.

Here are 5 super quick books from different genres to help you complete your reading challenge. Please note that all of these books are beginner-friendly.

Galatea is a short story published in book format by Madeline Miller. It is the retelling of the Greek myth of Galatea and Pygmalion. Pygmalion was a skilled sculptor who created the perfect statue of a woman that he named Galatea. He was blessed by a goddess who gave life to his statue. Pygmalion married his creation.

Miller tells the tale from the perspective of Pygmalion’s wife Galatea. The story is merely 36 pages and Miller does an amazing job of highlighting the female perspective.

It is a tale of female empowerment but in quite an unconventional manner. You will surely love it. The way Miller ends the story is amazing.

Animal Farm is for the fans of classics who want to read an easy, engaging, and short book. It is a fable of animals living on a farm, controlling it, and creating their own system and manners. The book criticizes the role of power. It exposes the corrupt nature of every living being who is entrusted with responsibility.

The book is a thought-provoking tale of brutality and injustice in only 100 pages. The characters are very well-written with a narrative that will grab your attention from start to finish. This book will stay with you forever.

I don’t think you can have a successful reading year if you don’t read at least one of Kafka’s books. No matter what you like or dislike, your favorite genre, or your age, you NEED Kafka in your life. If you have read all of his books, then reread! But read at least one book by Kafka every year.

That being said, The Metamorphosis is a brooding tale of human existence. Who are we if we lose our physical appearance? We all tirelessly debate about ethics, morals, human behavior, and personality, do we really believe it? If a giant cockroach has a human name and human feelings, will you treat him as a human? Or imagine, he was your best friend yesterday, in a human body but now he is transformed into an insect, how will you react? Will your cold reaction kill him? Will your affection be enough to restore him to life even if he cannot regain his human form?

All these questions are explored in Kafka’s masterpiece. I don’t think I have ever read something so heartbreaking before. By the way, it’s only 63 pages.

If you want to experience philosophical literature but don’t have the heart to pick up big tough books, Albert Camus is the ideal choice.

The Stranger by Albert Camus is the story of an ordinary man who commits a murder. Why? Where? How? Read the book for that because I don’t want to spoil it for you. It’s only 130 pages long.

The Stranger explores Camus’ philosophy of nihilism. You don’t need to understand his philosophical stance. The story is enough to make you understand the absurdity of human existence.

Just a warning! It’s really depressing.

I think all of Mitch Albom’s books can be classified as quick reads because of the author’s writing style and selection of subjects. Albom always chooses highly interesting and amazing subjects for his books. For One More Day is a tale of love, loss, and second chances. Imagine you lose someone close to death and you get one more day to spend with them or to talk to them.

Although For One More Day has a magical fantasy-based idea, the narrative is raw and real. You can never go wrong with this book. It is 156 pages long but once you start, you cannot get up without finishing it.

I have added contemporary and classic books to this list so that every reader can find at least one book to their liking. These books are also in the must-read category. They are well-praised and critically acclaimed so this can be your chance to read good literature (no offense to booktok). Have fun reading!