Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
As much as I love to sit down with a chonker and really immerse myself in a book, there isn’t always the time for that. Not to mention the fact that I don’t always have the attention span for it either. So, when I’m low on time or mental focus, I grab a short book to indulge my reading need.
Manga is a favorite of mine when I need a quick read. I can usually get through one in an hour or so. Some of my favorites lately:
Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo
Heartstopper by Alice Osman
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku by Fujita.
Yes, I’ll admit it, I tend to go for the goofy manga.
There are a ton of great novellas out there as well.
Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series, that starts with Every Heart a Doorway, is a great series with fast, engaging stories.
The first four installments of Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries, starting with All Systems Red, are short, fast reads as well. This is a series I need to catch up on soon as I love it.
Another source of quick reads are cozy mysteries. While they’re usually a full length novel, they tend to go faster for me since the plot is light and fun. Some of my favorite cozy series:
Witchless in Seattle, which starts with Witch Slapped, is a fun paranormal cozy series by Dakota Cassidy.
Caroline Fardig’s Java Jive series is also a fun, quick read, set in a coffee shop in Nashville, TN. The series starts with Death Before Decaf.
Mindy Quigley has an intense, but engaging series called Deep Dish Mysteries, set in a gourmet pizzeria in Geneva Bay, WI. The first is Six Feet Deep Dish and is a great start to an excellent series. My only complaint is I wind up craving pizza while reading these!
And to round it out, a couple of books I recently devoured in a short time.
Out of the Fog by Clarissa Ross is an engaging gothic romance with a bit of suspense thrown in. It was published in 1970 and the writing is to the point, making the pages fly by.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. This comes in at just under 300 pages or about seven hours in audio. However, I will say that I was so taken in by this mystery – and Richard Armitage’s narration of the audiobook – that I found myself unable to stop listening.
Good point on cozies! I don’t tend to read many of them but they are super quick! Thanks for dropping by my post!
Cozies are a great way to get in my mystery fix without something too heavy. 😀
I see Seanan make lists quite a bit, not just this week, and every time I’m curious! Like you say, sometimes it’s nice to read something that doesn’t require all the mental strength and is quick and easy. Honestly, no matter what I’m reading, I tend to like the shorter novels. 😉 Thanks so much for visiting my website today!
The Wayward Children series is the only one of hers I’ve read so far, but they’re light and quick and full of quirky characters. Hope you check her out soon!
I also included manga on my list. It’s my main go-to for reading these days, even if I have tons of time to read. The others on your list I haven’t read but they certainly sound interesting.
I love manga for so many reasons – quick reads, often light and fluffy, too. So many great stories and the artwork only brings it more alive for me.
Nice list. I also enjoyed your last title, and Martha Wells’ series.
I love manga, but decided not to include them for today
So glad we share some similar interests. 😀
Manga and graphic novels are great quick reads! The Wayward Children series and Murderbot both made my list this week, too.
Happy reading! My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2024/02/06/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-novellas/
I noticed that both series were very popular today! But it’s definitely a skill to write such short books with developed plots and great characters.
Ahhh, how did I forget the Murderbot series?!?! I can’t believe that! haha. This is a fabulous list!
Seriously! Such a great series. 😀 And thank you!
You’re welcome!!
The Roger Ackroyd book intrigues me, but I’ve not read it yet. Happy reading. My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/top-10-short-books/
A friend who has read most of Agatha Christie’s work recommended it as my first, I can see why now. Hope you get to read it soon.
These sound like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing!
They are, thanks!
Great selection. I haven’t read that Agatha Christie book. I’m listening to The Christie Affair just now which is great!
It was my first Christie and now I need more. Hahaha. Oh, good to know that The Christie Affair has been good, too. I’ve had my eye on that one.
Witchless in Seattle sounds like one I need to read!
If you like lighthearted paranormal cozy mysteries, I highly recommend them. I just started #8 this morning and the audio is only 4 hours long, so they go fast! Besides, you can’t go wrong with Dakota Cassidy.
All are new to me! Thanks for visiting my blog today!
Awesome, hope you found something new to check out!
I’ve been reading the Murderbot Diaries and love them.
Turns out my local library carries Wayward Children series, so I’m going to start reading those, too.
Great list!
Thanks! I hope you love the Wayward Children series as well.
I have read that The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of Christie’s best, I have to look for that audiobook, with Armitage 🙂
It was very good! And he makes a fabulous narrator. Another audio rec is his book Geneva, that he also narrates.
I love the Wayward Children series, and Heartstopper is just amazing! Terrific list.
Heartstopper is so darn cute!
I love that you have an Agatha Christie on your list. Her mysteries are the best! These are all excellent choices.
It was my first of hers and now I understand why she’s so highly regarded.
I really need to read the Murderbot Diaries. I love cozy mysteries too, I’ll have to check out the ones on your list!
Cozies are like candy for me. Sweet and satisfying without all the yuck of regular mysteries.
Everyone keeps recommending MURDERBOT and the Seanan McGuire, so maybe I should give them a shot?
I hope you love them both if you do try them!
Cozies tend to be quick reads for me too.
I like them because they tend to get to the point a lot faster than a regular mystery. Plus, they’re usually full of crazy characters, which is always fun.
I love how quick I can get through manga as well! I just put the first volume of Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku on hold from the library and I really need to read/watch Heartstopper one of these days. 🙂
Manga are great for when you’re short on time or in a reading slump. Hahaha – um, you’re welcome? I’ve only read the first couple of volumes of Watoakoi, but it’s a lot of fun.
Very interesting picks – I’m interested in Out of the Fog!
Out of the Fog was pretty good. I don’t read a lot of gothic novels, but this one really sucked me in. I hope you enjoy it if you do read it!
I do love The Murder of Roger Ackroyd — I was surprised by how good it was when I read it back at university, I was riveted. Some excellent choices here!
Same here! And I was floored at the end when the murder was revealed!
I have not read much Manga. Have a great week!
Manga definitely isn’t everyone’s thing, but I like it. 🙂 And you, too.
I love a cosy mystery! I don’t have the attention span so a cosy is excellent for me 😂
Have a great week!
They really are great for when you can’t focus!
There are a few novellas that I enjoy, though I normally like bigger books. Novellas always make me crave more after the end.
Thanks for stopping by my Top Ten Tuesday
I can totally relate to that! Read what makes you happy, right? 🙂
This is a great list, and you make such a good point with the cozy mysteries. I didn’t even think of them, but they really do fly by. You listed a couple that I’ve never heard of, so thanks for the new series hopefuls to add to my TBR!
Awesome! Hope you love them if you do read them.
Love Heartstopper!! And someday I want to read a cozy mystery. 🙂
Heartstopper is fabulous! Aw, read what makes you happy! I love cozies, but they’re definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. 😀
The Wayward Children books are perfect for this theme!
They really are!
Oh my gosh, what a great list! Heartstopper is a huge favorite of mine. I just discovered Spy x Family and Wotakoi last year and absolutely love them! Have you read Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun yet? I think you might like it.
No, I haven’t read that yet, will have to add it to my list now, thanks! (My younger girl also loves manga, so extra thanks for the rec.) I get such a kick out of Spy x Family.