By Megan Cradock, Stella Konstantopoulou, Caroline Dowse, Zalak Shah and Ana Cecilia Matute
There's no doubt that in today's world, the fast-paced rhythm of life often results in little time for reading. Bookworms struggle to find moments to read, research or make any progress on their TBR. Fitting in time for reading can start to feel like a chore. Luckily there's no shortage of excellent short stories and novellas to save the day. This ‘Read a Book Day’ dive into one of the following recommendations to find the perfect short read to accompany you while navigating busy day-to-day life. There's always time for a story – even if it's a short one!
Are you looking to fall in love with reading again?
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa (Translated by Louise Heal Kawai)
When his grandfather suddenly passes away, Rintaro Natsuki stops going to school and hides at his grandfather's bookstore until, one day, Tiger (a tabby cat) appears. Tiger tells Rintaro he must accompany him into labyrinths to save books from three people: a collector who imprisons books, a researcher who cuts up books and a publishing company president who prioritises profit over the story. With the help of Tiger and his friend, Sayo Yuzuki, Rintaro must show these people what it means to love books truly – and, in doing so, he might just learn something equally important about himself.
Examining the role of readers in the lives and souls of books, this is a beautiful story of hope and bravery, perfect for those seeking a reminder of why they love reading.
Bookshops are so much more than buildings…
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (Translated by Eric Ozawa)
The sequel to Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, surely awaited by many, has come to show us the deeper meaning of a bookshop and how it can affect people’s lives. When Takako seems to continue her routine blissfully – work, relationship, walks in the Jimbocho neighbourhood – she also finds herself in new adventures. Amidst the turmoil of a secret waiting to unfold, there is a brilliant story to be told; Mr Yagisawa deeply explores the profound meaning of bookshops for people, and the story of Takako proves that its mere existence can bring newfound hope to any heart bleeding with the thorns and arrows of pain that life often has to give out to its soldiers.
Dwelling on the past while building its future, this story remains honest about the magnitude of grief while synchronously shedding light on the dusty bookshelves of second-hand treasures.
Are you looking for something nostalgic?
Foster by Claire Keegan
In 1980s rural Ireland, an unnamed ten-year-old girl is sent to live with her aunt and uncle while her mother gives birth. Her aunt and uncle – Kinsella and Mrs Kinsella, as she calls them – have agreed to foster her until her mother recovers, and the girl, who doesn’t know them, is nervous. Her father forgets to pack any clothes for her, so she has to wear only the children’s clothes that the Kinsellas own, which clearly belonged to a boy. As the weeks pass, she settles into life on their farm but then learns a shocking secret about her foster parents.
Foster is a beautiful story about the importance of family. The girl’s description of life with the Kinsellas and their growing bond is evocative, especially during a scene at the beach between the girl and Kinsella. Foster proves that short really is sweet.
Are you looking for a page-turning revenge story?
The Victim by P.D. James
The plot of this book is quite simple. From the get-go, we know who the murderer is, who the victim is and what the motive of the crime is. What makes this book different and an absolute page-turner is that we are taken inside the mind of the murderer. His meticulous planning and blinding need for revenge take over all his moral faculties. The out-of-character murderer makes this story even more chilling.
The detached narrative style mirrors the narrator’s state of mind and confronts the reader with uncomfortable questions surrounding justice, morality and the human capacity for violence. At thirty-five pages, this is probably one of the shortest books you can read. But the gripping tale provides excellent insight into the human psyche and is a satisfying read for thriller fans!
Are you looking for something that combines both horror and the marvellous?
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez (Translated by Megan McDowell)
Mariana Enriquez's unique tone draws you into each world she creates, where the rawness of life is explored, and its visceral truths are revealed. Things We Lost in the Fire contains twelve distinct stories, each with a different theme yet all following the thread of the lost real marvellous.
Some of the short stories are perfect for a tube journey, while others are ideal for listening to while making dinner. Once you've experienced her writing, you'll crave more of the fantastic and marvellous worlds she has built.
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