In some seasons of life, it feels impossible to find much time to sit down and read. For these seasons, it’s nice to have a book you can easily pick up and put down, even if you’re not able to read as often as you’d like.
Books like these are great for busy seasons, but they’re also great to have on hand (or on your eReader or phone) when you know you’ll be waiting or will have just a short time to read.
Here is a list of great books that are easy to pick up and put down.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Doyle’s most recent memoir really drew me in, but the essay-like structure and nonlinear timeline makes it easy to read in short bursts. Glennon bared her soul in this book, and wasn’t afraid to talk about how she’s changed and what she’s learned since her previous books. She talked about living without fear and finding her true self, and her stories encourage the reader to do the same.
Well-Read Black Girl by Glory Edim. This is an essay collection, compiled by Edim but written by several Black women authors. This would be a great one to read a little at a time, to really soak in their stories. The theme woven throughout is about seeing yourself in the books you read, and it’s filled with insightful reflections and amazing book lists.
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. This is a collection of advice columns written by Strayed (anonymously named Sugar at the time) for the online publication The Rumpus. Her writing is honest and beautiful, and because of the nature of an advice column, very easy to pick up and put down as you’d like.
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds. This middle grade book tells the story of a bunch of different kids who are all walking home from the same school, and each chapter is one child’s (or group of children’s) walk home. Each chapter felt like a short story, yet still connected by the school and neighborhoods. This one was also great on audio, and perfect to read or listen to a little bit at a time.
You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein. This is another memoir-meets-essay collection. Jessi’s story of growing up as a “late bloomer” and coming into herself as a writer and comedian was honest, funny, and relatable.
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Originally published in 1955, Lindbergh’s musings on motherhood and womanhood still felt relevant when I read it a few years ago. Each chapter is inspired by a shell she has found on the shore, and it’s one that can easily be enjoyed slowly.
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. I shared this in Monday’s round-up, and it fits perfectly into this “pick up put down” category. Gay’s essays range in length from a few paragraphs to a few pages, so this one is perfect for sneaking in short bursts of reading time.
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott. I think I saved the best for last here–I adored this essay collection. It’s honest, funny, and insightful, and I found myself nodding along with so much of Philpott’s observations about her life. What a delightful read.
What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer. Poetry is great to read when you just have a few minutes each day. Baer’s poetry is accessible and relatable, and I was so amazed with the way she managed to sum up womanhood and motherhood in her short but poignant poems. I think anyone who wants to try poetry but feels a bit hesitant should pick this one up.
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Olive Kitteridge feels more like a collection of short stories than a novel, which makes it perfect for picking up and putting down. However, it’s Olive Kitteridge herself who is the thread that weaves together the otherwise marginally-related characters; she plays a part, small or large, in every story. I appreciated how this is a portrait of a town through its people, and the way that Olive loomed large despite not being a main character in every story. The writing is beautiful without being flowery, and quiet without being boring.
Do you like having a book that’s easy to pick up and put down when your reading time is limited? Are there any you find especially good for this?
