Tiny Books to Tick Off Your Reading List!
7 Short non-fiction books that you can read in a day.
Last year, I took four months off from social media. In these months of not scrolling, I did something else; flipping, the pages of my kindle.
I realized one thing; that it was easier for me to read a book when it had more or less 100 pages. (Talk about the attention span of a millennial.)
I have curated a list of worth-reading non-fiction books that won’t take a huge chunk of your time. I also believe that more pages do not necessarily mean more knowledge or information. (Although there are many exceptions like The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss.) These books are some of the most influential books I have read.
The Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (112 pages)
Virginia Woolf’s writing is without a doubt compelling. Her ideas go through several eras as far as women’s literature is concerned while still being concise and clear. It’s certainly a laconic essay, which is good because it doesn’t get tiresome and the ideas are easy to understand, relate to, and analyze. However, the great issue of women in literature is undoubtedly a topic that could spread pages and pages.
I also understand that her goal was not to do something dense or very philosophical, but since the subject personally calls my attention so much that I couldn’t help but wish it would last longer. Something like the second sex, a long essay that touches on absolutely all the issues regarding sex and feminism.
Something that I must emphasize is that if you want to start learning about feminism, this is a good book. It does not tell you the history of feminism on time (for that I have another quite extensive book pending) but it works and raises easy-to-digest ideas.
Black Holes: The Reith Lectures by Stephen Hawking (55 pages)
Reading Hawking is always a pleasure. One way or another, it’s amazing that he always makes you laugh. This book corresponds to the BBC Reith Conferences, referring to black holes. The book itself is a transcript of Hawking as a lecturer, and also includes technical support comments from the BBC’s Director of Science.
The book is extremely easy to understand, it even has illustrations that serve to support what is being explained. It is mostly the explanation of what happens in a black hole and concluding that they are not necessarily so black, thus revealing Hawking’s contribution to science: Hawking’s Radiation.
THINK STRAIGHT by Darius Foroux (82 pages)
I love reading articles by the author on Medium. That’s why I was so excited to read this book. Each letter, each sheet is the most practical that you will find in a long time. A book to read over and over again, especially in moments that you consider difficult. This book touches on William James’ concept of Pragmatic thinking. The author gives simple but profound ideas on how to move towards a richer and fuller life.
Managing Oneself by Peter F. Drucker (72 pages)
This book is an excellent tool to bring out the best in yourself. It helps you detect how you work, how you learn, and your priorities in the decision-making process. I feel like it’s the typical book that you have to go back to every once in a while, in order to get a broad perspective on how to make the most of your skills and methods.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (52 pages)
A clear, concise, and brilliant reading on feminism and gender inequality, in the world and in Nigeria (where the author is originally from).
It was the first time that I read the author, but she raised the situation and her ideas to perfection.
She conveys in every word how most women think. Perhaps the only flaw was that I was wanting to continue reading more. I’d also recommend Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by the same author.
Go Get Your Everything by Jessica Wildfire(60 pages)
Another one of my most favorite authors from Medium. I love that this is a no-bullshit self-help book. It has a lot of practical advice. I would have loved to read more, but it’s a 60-page book. Can’t complain!
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (165 pages)
I remember when the pandemic began, how many complained about the confinement, and I remember the testimonies of some (the few that remain) Holocaust survivors, their anger, their scolding, their suggestions. “How can they complain about spending a few days or months at home, with all the luxuries they have when we lived for years in this confinement?”
One can read and reread Viktor Frankl and still feel moved and uncomfortable, his reflections are still current and continue to matter, without the Holocaust, with or without confinement.
It is a jewel that I liked to reread today, just today, when we must have hope and when we must give more value to what we do have. And not forget it.
