Compact Wonders by Aoife Roantree: Exploring the World's Tiniest Marvels
Struggling to concentrate on a good read? Fret not, I feel you. Winter lockdowns can sure be a drag, especially when all you want is a savory escape into some captivating literature. But here I am, barely managing to read a page, and that too with gritted teeth. So, what did I do? I found the trick to keep going - by reading short books! Yes, you heard that right. Short books! They gave me the swift victory I needed. The thrill of finishing something fast, and then, well, the momentum just kept growing. I found myself back to my usual rhythmic reading pace.
Now, if you're grappling with concentration or time, fret no more. Here's a moody list of some of my favorite bite-sized reads, each under 200 pages long.
- "Agatha" by Anne Cathrine Bomann
A saddened psychiatrist marks each passing day until his retirement, barely lending an ear to his patients as he sketches birds in his notebook. Yet, a new patient in dire need of help forces him to acknowledge his narrow existence and break free from his comfort zone, making meaningful connections with the people around him. This novel is subtle, moving, funny, and thought-provoking as hell - a joy to savor in a compact form.
- "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata
Meet Keiko, a 36-year-old with no boyfriend, who's been clocked in a convenience store for 18 years. This novel is as charming and odd as its protagonist. Keiko's social exclusion spotlights, with an incisive deadpan wit, the unfairness and hypocrisies of the modern world.
- "Our Souls at Night" by Kent Haruf
Neighbors Addie and Louis have lost their spouses, but their connection runs deeper than shared fences. This novel is devastatingly beautiful and uncomplicated, painting a profound picture of peace and happiness that I dare call genuine. Written as the author was dying, it may remind us of the true essence of what matters at life's end.
If you're in search of more thought-provoking, character-driven, introspective reads, check out these recommendations:
- "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery
In this novel, we traverse themes of identity, class, and personal growth through the lives of a wealthy French family and their building's concierge, who loves literature with all her heart.
- "The Strange Library" by Haruki Murakami
This surreal novella takes us on a journey into themes of identity, isolation, and storytelling power in a curious and thought-provoking manner.
- "Of Love and Other Demons" by Gabriel García Márquez
In this heart-rending tale, we explore love, isolation, and the human condition against the backdrop of an enigmatic sickness.
- "The End of Eddy" by Édouard Louis
This powerful and introspective novel delves into themes of identity, family, and self-acceptance in a working-class French town.
- "Norwegian Wood" by Haruki Murakami
Though not as brief as a novella, this novel is compact and takes us on an exploration of love, loss, and identity set against 1960s Tokyo.
If the length of a book is a concern for you due to limited time or struggling concentration, consider reading short books like "Agatha" by Anne Cathrine Bomann, "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata, or "Our Souls at Night" by Kent Haruf. These books, each under 200 pages, offer thought-provoking narratives that can be easily consumed as part of a lifestyle focused on brief yet meaningful reads.
