Picture this: Snow floating outside, chilly weather, a warm blanket, and a book on your lap. Only, this isn’t like every seasonal cliche ever. Why? Well, the plot isn’t hitting like it was supposed to, you can’t really focus on what the hell you’re trying to read, and you’ve been in a slump for the past few months. It’s OK, we’ve all been there.
Even if you’re not currently the biggest page turnerer right now, the perfect time to try to nurture — or create — that reading habit within yourself is winter break, as it gives more space and time to trying out new hobbies. And the tip is, as with most things, to start small. Literally.
Having that in mind, here are 10 books with less than 200 pages, from crime fiction to poetry and contemporary. Each one is a perfect, moody choice for a quick wintertime read. Think self-reflection, thought-provoking, and even fluffy words to spend your small vacation on.
- Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin
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Open Letter Winter In Sochko by Elisa Shua Dusapin, $15
In the off-season, the tourist city of Sokcho — on the border of South and North Korea — is slowed down by winter.
The main character of Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin, a young woman working in a guesthouse, expects this, though: As the beaches mix sand with snow, the city keeps quiet, dormant without the frenzy of visitors. That is, until a mysterious Frenchman Yan Kerrand shows up to Sokcho on a mission to write his next graphic novel.
Striking a slow-burn friendship with the unnamed main character, Kerrand gives her the mission of showing him the real Sokcho. Both haunted by loneliness and insecurity, the protagonists attempt to truly see each other as they discover that there is more to their relationship than what is told.
The atmospheric writing style of Winter in Sokcho feels just like the chilly town depicted, slowly melting away from inertia and finding warmth in the characters’ conflicts and interactions. Because of that, it’s moody and a great option to read this season.
Page count: 160
- Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
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Europa Editions Although short in page number (with a sum total of 192 flips), Heaven by Mieko Kawakami is nowhere near a light read. Told through the voice of a 14-year-old boy with a lazy eye, the talent of the acclaimed Japanese author targets the dynamics of power and bullying as she tells the attacks the schoolboy decides to suffer in resignation.
When he receives a letter from Kojima, a fellow student and victim, though, his posture towards their shared trauma seems to change. Beyond trying to understand why people act like they do, they seem to find peace in each other’s company and letters. To Kojima, “if there’s a hell, we’re in it. And if there’s a heaven, we’re already there.”
Diving into reflections on beliefs and morals, the book does have a couple of triggers, like bullying and physical violence.
Page count: 192
- Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro
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Charco Press Elena Knows by Clauida Piñeiro, $16
From Argentinian author Claudia Piñeiro, “Elena Knows” is written through layers.
The first is what you’d expected from a crime fiction novel: After Elena’s daughter, Rita, is found dead, she is determined to find justice, even after the case is closed. The other, however, is what makes this 143-page read so strong. Elena suffers from advanced Parkinson’s, diving into the struggles of having a debilitating disease, while sensibly debating disability, aging, abortion, and hypocrisy as the mystery unravels.
With fresh writing and thoughtful dialogue, the novel was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022 alongside Kawakami’s Heaven.
Page count: 143
- The Stranger by Albert Camus
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The Stranger by Albert Camus, $7
An absurdist classic, The Stranger by Albert Camus opens with the iconic line, “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I can’t be sure.”
The 1942 book tells the story of a detached, apathetic man who randomly kills a person — and feels no regret after. Despite its somewhat simple plot, what makes this book different is how Camus slides in principles surrounding free will, emotions, and what defines humanity.
With bare, fluid writing and only 159 pages, this novel is a must-read: Whether in one sitting or throughout time, The Stranger is one of those books that, even after a while, lingers on your mind.
Page count: 159
- The Hour Of The Star by Clarice Lispector
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New Directions The Hour Of The Star by Clarice Lispector, $10
The Hour Of The Star’s Macabéa is described as “one of life’s unfortunates.” Leading a life of poverty in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, the character is supposed to be miserable as she’s considered unloved and unpretty. Even the narrator, Rodrigo S.M., seems to think she’s annoying. And still — she seems happy.
Deeply self-reflective and even more entertaining with its simplicity and good humor, this novella is an example of Clarice Lispector’s brilliance as an author.
Page count: 96
- Feminism Is For Everybody: Passionate Politics by bell hooks
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Pluto Press Feminism Is For Everybody by bell hooks, $14
Feminism Is For Everybody: Passionate Politics is one of those books that can be life-changing.
With accessible writing, hooks juxtaposes the perspective of race, class and gender as she discusses the principles and basics of feminism. Although it has less than 200 pages, it’s only deceptively short, since Feminism Is For Everybody constantly offers its readers some food for thought.
As the author herself says in the introduction, it’s a great primer to intersectional feminism and hooks’ other works.
Page count: 123
- Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong
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Copper Canyon Press Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong, $16
An extraordinary debut, Night Sky With Exit Wounds is Ocean Vuong’s full-length collection of poems on memory, family, loneliness and sincerity.
Winner of prizes such as the 2017 T.S. Eliot Prize, the author manages to entice the readers through simple, well-worded thoughts that feel gentle and new — and, well, the breathtaking verse “loneliness is still time spent with the world” is always a plus.
Even if you don’t like poetry in general, Vuong will manage to find his way into your heart with a poem or two.
Page count: 89
- Ariel by Sylvia Plath
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Harper Perennial Modern Classics Known for her major contributions to confessional poetry, Sylvia Plath crystallized in Ariel one of her best poetry collections. With thought-provoking, honest verses, the novel included her previously unpublished works, that fly between pain, tenderness and even the ordinary, like accidentally cutting your finger on a cutting board.
If you liked The Bell Jar and/or you like some female rage, give this one a shot.
Page count: 105
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
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Classix Press The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, $4
I slipped in yet another classic novel on this list because why not? The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka starts right in the middle of the action — one day, Gregor Samsa woke to find himself transformed into a giant bug. Literally.
Bitterly comical, the novel is considered to be Kafka’s masterpiece as it meditates with mastery on topics like isolation, guilt, and the value of production in a capitalist society.
Page count: 64
- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
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Hodder Children\’s Books Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, $16
Technically, Heartstopper has over 200 pages. But, since it’s a graphic novel, that counts too, right?
If you’re looking for a light, heartwarming read this winter, you should give Alice Oseman’s novel a shot. Following the relationship between the shy, overthinker Charlie and Nick Nelson, the school’s extroverted rugby player, Heartstopper is a delicate, queer story that has even travelled to mainstream media as it got a Netflix adaptation.
With realistic characters and endearing moments between characters, the graphic novel highlights friendship and self-acceptance as it tells a cute coming-of-age book.
It’s popular for a reason, OK?
Page count: 288
