We all have different ways of getting around London. Some people like to take the the tube or bus, others enjoy walking, and still, others prefer biking or driving. But for those who want to read a good book while travelling to their destination, here are 10 quick reads books that would be ideal for short daily journeys. Reading a book, a day would add up to 300 books a year! So get reading!! These books are short and sweet so that you can read them without compromising your daily journey.
1) We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
The book is about two sisters, Merricat and Constance, who live in a large house on the outskirts of town with their Uncle Julian. The book takes place shortly after the death of their parents. Both girls have very different personalities: Merricat is an extremely imaginative girl hounded by her superstitions, while Constance struggles to maintain order within the walls of their home. When many members of the family begin dying off, Constance is forced to confront her sister, Merricat. The book was Jackson’s last book published in her lifetime. It is a compelling quick read and would be perfect for people that prefer creepy stories with an ambiguous ending.
You can purchase We Have Always Lived In The Castle here.
2) A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid
This book is written in the form of an essay about Kincaid’s native country of Antigua, which was once a British colony. This small place is now suffering under the weight of mass tourism, and Kincaid offers a satirical exploration of how the West treats its colonial outposts. It would be perfect for people who want to make a difference in this world without committing too much time or effort. It’s a short read and would be perfect for people who prefer non-fiction.
You can purchase A Small Place here.
3) Travels in the Scriptorium by Paul Auster
In this book, a nameless writer visits an old friend, a retired detective named William Wilson. Their meeting starts out cordial enough, but it soon becomes apparent that something is wrong with Wilson. When the writer finds notes for a novel written by his friend, he learns that it is actually about himself – and so begins the unravelling of one man’s identity. The book would be perfect for people who are interested in detective stories. The book is perfectly paced, so it won’t take you long to read at all!
You can purchase Travels in the Scriptorium here.
4) The End We Start from by Megan Hunter
The End We Start From follows a mother and her infant son as they leave their home in London due to an apocalyptic event that causes something called ‘the flood’. The book follows their journey as they try to stay alive during a time of uncertainty. It would be a perfect read for people who fantasize about running off and living in the wild. The book also has a really interesting style of narration, so it would be perfect for people who like unique writing styles.
You can purchase The End We Start here.
5) Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri
This short book follows the life of a young couple as they navigate adulthood and parenthood in contemporary Japan. It’s about the day-to-day struggles that people face as they grow up, e.g. loss of freedom and romantic partners, as well as the need to provide for a family. It would be perfect for people who enjoy daily life stories set in other countries. As a result of its short length, it’s perfect if you don’t have much time on your hands. The writing is really beautiful, so it would be perfect for people who like reading short stories.
You can purchase Tokyo Ueno Station here.
6) Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
This book is framed as a conversation between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan about the cities Polo has seen in his travels. The book is set up as a series of imaginary dialogues between the Venetian adventurer and the emperor who imprisoned him. It would be perfect for people that prefer fiction or philosophy. The book is really short, so it won’t take you very long to read at all!
You can purchase Invisible Cities here.
7) Wildlife by Richard Ford
Wildlife is narrated by Joe Brinson, whose family relocates from Chicago to Montana in order to run a ranch. The book follows the Brinson family as they try to adjust to life on the ranch, as well as their relationships with each other and those around them. It is a perfect read for people who enjoy coming of age stories set in wilder environments. The book is really short, so you can read it in a day or so. The book itself is also pretty interesting, so it’s perfect for people who like reading coming-of-age stories.
You can purchase Wildlife here.
8) The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
The book narrates the story of Maggie and her partner, Harry, through an unconventional lens, interspersed with different forms of academic writing. It would be the perfect read for anyone who wants to understand queer families and relationships better. As a result of its short length, it’s perfect if you aren’t looking for a very involved read. The book also has really interesting content, so it’s perfect for people who enjoy reading non-fiction books about sexuality and gender.
You can purchase The Argonauts here.
9) The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
The book follows a young Pakistani man who has moved to New York City in order to become a financial analyst. On his way there, though, he meets an American woman on a plane and begins to question his life choices. It would be perfect for people who are interested in immigrant experiences. The book is really short, so you can finish it in one or two sittings. Since the book has an interesting storyline, it would be perfect for people who enjoy reading fiction novels about immigrants’ lives.
You can purchase The Reluctant Fundamentalist here.
10) The Vegetarian by Han Kang
The Vegetarian follows Yeong-hye, a Korean woman who is married and has a child. Due to dreams that she has about becoming a tree, then, she decides that she no longer wants to eat meat or be involved in the processes of killing animals. It would be perfect for people interested in reading feminist narratives from different cultures. The book is also pretty short, so you should be able to read it in a day or two. Since the book is really interesting, it’s perfect for people who are interested in feminist narratives from different cultures.
You can purchase The Vegetarian here.
In Conclusion
These ten books are perfect if you’re looking for short, easy reads that can be completed in just a couple of days. Each of the books is really interesting and would be perfect for anyone who has time to finish them. Let your short daily journeys be boring no more by getting these quick reads!
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