this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2024
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I started reading last year, mostly productivity stuff, but now I’m really looking to jump into fiction to unwind after a long week of uni, studying, and work. I need something to help me relax during the weekends without feeling like I’m working.

I’d love some recommendations for books that are short enough to finish in a day but still hit hard and are totally worth it. No specific genre preferences right now. I'm open to whatever. Looking forward to seeing what you guys suggest. Thank you very much in advance.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I would recommend The Wheel of time, but be aware that its a very long book(series?). It contains 14 Books and totals at about 11k Sites. It absolutely takes quite a lot of time to fully read it, but its absolutely worth it. Its by far the best book ive read so far.

[–] wolf 1 points 2 months ago

Mandatory heads up: The writing gets better over time.

The first time I tried to read it, the writing style of the first book really turned me off.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Not sure if I'd say they hit hard, but for readability it's hard to beat Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe books. Some of the best murder mysteries I've ever read, so much fun.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The Heart Shaped Box

NOS4A2

Between Two Fires

The Troop

The Princess Bride

Edit: Just realized you're looking for something to finish in a day, my bad. Have your read any Sherlock Holmes? They're entertaining and you can get through quite a few stories in a day.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm waist deep in The Dresden Files right now (just started Turn Coat, book 11 of like 20 and counting) and it very quickly became one of my favorite series I've ever read. Jim Butcher has woven a web of a story where every little detail is a foreshadow that often won't pay off until two books later, it's incredible.

Prior to this I read The Expanse and that one also comes highly recommended. It's one of the most believable space operas I've ever read. I also hear the TV show is good, no idea, never watched it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The Expanse TV show is superb. I'm halfway through the books now, and in some ways the TV show is much better, in other ways the books are better.

There's enough subtlety and complexity that I've watched the entire series twice, and I wouldn't be averse to watching it again.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

When I was young, I read Diane Duane's The Young Wizards series, and I remember I loved it. Also Artemis Fowl, Sherlock Holmes, and The Inheritance series (C. Paolini). As an adult, I've read the LotR series which I highly recommend. Also, The Expanse series, 1984, Chronicles of Narnia.

Short enough to finish in a day...hmm that's tough. Maybe Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis? The Martian. Lots of short stories out there by Isaac Asimov!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Best? Hard to say. But favorite?

Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick. It's quite short, like many of his books, and you could absolutely knock it out in a day.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Not a 1 day read but reasonably short (I normally read it in about 2-3 days of non-dedicated reading) is the Scorpio races by Maggie stiefvater. It's a lovely read that focuses pretty heavily on the two man characters which is what draws me in every time. I read this book 14 times one year in high school and I continue to read it once a year

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I was entranced by the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brien. Sailing ships, adventure, and a little romance.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

The Hornblower stories are also excellent. They might hit a bit simpler -- the characters are a bit more heroic, a bit less complicated. IMO both are worth reading, but they hit a bit different even though they sail through similar waters (I was going to say 'covers the same ground', ha!)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Lots of great recommendations here. I'd also add Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. Her Penric novels are quite fun, too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Read the short story : the approach to al-mutasim By Jorge L. Borges: https://ia601405.us.archive.org/10/items/HeliganSecretsOfTheLostGardens/BorgesJorgeLuis-TheApproachToAl-mutasim.pdf#:~:text=The%20Approach%20to%20Al-Mu'tasim%20Philip%20Guedalla%20writes%20that

If you like it, and like shorts stories, Borges will also become your favorite author. A good start is :

A Universal History of Infamy: A Universal History of Infamy Giving some more or less accurate retelling of the life of evil people like Billy the kid.

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