It’s everyone’s favorite holiday: Drop Everything and Read Day! …okay, so it’s our favorite holiday, but one of the easiest ways to cozy up to D.E.A.R. Day as an adult is to make your reading goal attainable. How about getting back in the saddle with books that are roughly 200 pages or less? Here’s our short list of short novels to start.
The House on Mango Street – Sandra Cisneros
Published in 1984 to instant acclaim, Sandra Cisneros’ lyrical novel draws on her own experience as a Mexican American woman and the obstacles that present themselves in a patriarchal community resistant to change.
Convenience Store Woman – Sayaka Murata
The first of Sakaya Murata’s novels to be translated into English, Convenience Store Woman captures the vibrant atmosphere often found in Japanese konbinis while exploring main character Keiko Furukura’s heartfelt journey to find her purpose in a conformist society.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Truman Compote
Set against the backdrop of 1940’s New York, this madcap-era novella finds an unnamed narrator captivated by the free-spirited Holly Golightly. Holly has a lot going on, to say the least. She’s making the most of her life with a cast of colorful characters. But her luck runs out after her mysterious past comes calling and her present company lands her behind bars.
Sula – Toni Morrison
A favorite among the acclaimed Nobel Prize winner’s collection, this short novel tells the story of the fierce friendship between Nel Wright and Sula Peace and its demise after a tragic accident. As the young women take separate paths in life, with Nel preferring a more traditional route and Sula going her own way against society’s expectations, a bond than began in adolescence is tried, tested, and terribly severed.
The Happiest Man on Earth – Eddie Jaku
In a memoir filled with wise insight and timeless lessons, Eddie Jaku shares the simple beliefs that helped him move forward with joy despite immense suffering. After surviving against the most unimaginable odds of being captured and tortured by Nazis at the height of the Holocaust, Eddie made a promise to smile every day in gratitude for life and in honor of the six million Jews murdered by Hitler; a promise that led him to become known as “The Happiest Man on Earth.”
There you have it, five short reads to take advantage of during what is sure to become your favorite holiday. Have at it and let us know which short stories and novels you would add to the list. Looking for a way to have the kids join in on the D.E.A.R. Day fun? Take a look at our Best Books for Middle-Grade and Teen Readers to Read in a Day. Happy reading!
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I literally clicked this to find out when DEAR day is because I’ve never heard of it before and it never says 🙁
Byrd, it’s April 12th in honor of Beverly Cleary’s birthday. I used to be a reading tutor and it’s a big deal in elementary schools. And a great way to get kids to read.
Hello, * Drop Everything And Read * day . . . . . . .
Drop Everything and Read