TTT: Books to Read in a Day

When I was little(r), I used to pack a backpack full of books and cycle to our local library. I would replenish my stock and return the next day (or the next), having finished several books in a single day.

Things are a little different now – we read thicker books, more complicated books, books that exhaust us. But there is still value in those short books you can read in a day – and that’s The Broke and the Bookish‘s question this week.

I’m not sure if the intention is to read all of these books in a day, or just one of them – but if you had the time, you could finish most books in one day, so I’m sticking to the shorties.

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes – an excellent (and short) YA novel about a teacher changing the  lives of his students at a struggling school in Bronx, New York. I’m pretty sure the MTV movie Freedom Writers is based on this.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery – short, insightful and simply wonderful. This book was
my first encounter with philosophy.

Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers – this is probably the third or fourth time I write about this book (I should get royalties, seriously). Easily read, powerful. One of the few books I read more than once.

The Twits by Roald Dahl – possible one of the shortest Dahl books, and maybe one of the most undervalued too. It’s fun and enjoyable.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler – oh wow, I remember checking this out from the library when I was 15 and being so worried about what anybody would think if they saw me reading it. But then I devoured it, and it was perhaps one of the most formative books of my teenage years.

The Road to Mecca by Athol Fugard – a play by one of South Africa’s most excellent playwrights. Set in a small conservative town in one of the darker times of the Republic, it will shock you and entice you. And again – it is short.

For One More Day by Mitch Albom – or any Mitch Albom book actually. Having a little more time to mull over the content is useful, though. TBTB recently wrote a review for it here.

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume – one of those books on the edge between kids’ and YA, and I think the first book where I finally started understanding romance. I would read it again, more than ten years later. I would actually suggest any of Blume’s books – she is a true master of her craft. Kids should read it because it might be helpful to them, and adults should read it to be brought back down to earth.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – a good book, a quick read.

Unwind by Neil Shusterman – the longest book on this list – one that was so gripping that I couldn’t put it down. It’s not for the sensitive though. You should read the description before considering it.

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32 thoughts on “TTT: Books to Read in a Day”

  1. Ooh good list, lots here I’ve never read. I’m afraid to say I’ve never had any interest in reading The Vagina Monologues because somehow, over the years, I’ve got the impression it’s an angry diatribe or rant or something. I think it must have picked up some negative connotations in the media that I’ve unwittingly absorbed.

    I’m curious about Tiger Eyes now – I only read a couple of Judy Blume’s books in primary school, and didn’t care for them much.

    Love The Twits!!

    Here’s my list.

    1. I was too young at the time to pick up anything the media had to say about The VM, but I can imagine that there was probably some negativity surrounding it. Nevertheless a good book to read, whether you’re a hardcore feminist, just a chilled lady or even a guy.

      If you read it, I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on it!

  2. The Little Prince is one of my favorite books and I had a lot of fun withe the Twits ( like qith every Roald Dahl book) 🙂

    Don’t know the other ones, though I’ve heard about some of them. Bronx Masquerade souds really interesting.

  3. Tiger Eyes- holy smokes, that takes me back. I LOVED that book in my teens. And Life on the Refrigerator Door is such a gorgeous book. And one that once you start, you will have to read right through to the end.

    Great list!!

    Thank you for stopping by my top ten this week 🙂

  4. Of your list I’ve only read Tiger Eyes but it was one of my absolute faves in early high school! Have to wonder how it’d hold up to a re-read!

    Thanks for stopping by my list.

  5. I love the Little Prince. That is the type of book everyone should read many times in their life to help refocus on the important aspects of life.

  6. I had the same backpack full of books habit when I was little(er). Though, I think I would still do that, if I could find the time. Ah, youth!
    I loved all Judy Blume growing up and read “Tiger Eyes” a little young… But it was good even then, if not a touch on the eye opening side.
    “The Little Prince” is great, though I have to admit, I have only read it in French (not that it really matters).
    Great choices!

  7. Great list! I’ve been meaning to read The Alchemist since it first came out – I’ve heard it’s wonderful. And I’ve honestly never read The Little Prince, which seems like a travesty from everything I’ve heard. It seems like a magical little book!

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