There are times when you open a book and by the third line your mind is already somewhere else: on your phone, on your to-do list, or on tonight’s dinner. If that sounds familiar, don’t worry: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to force yourself through a doorstopper to make peace with reading. Sometimes it’s enough to start small.
That’s the idea behind the selection of 13 books of up to 150 pages published by Vogue España, which brings together novels, stories, essays and hybrid works. Here we look at some of its most striking titles and explain why they can be a good starting point if you want to enjoy reading again.
Why choose short reads
A short book has one obvious advantage: you can see the end from the beginning. Finishing one brings a small sense of satisfaction, and that feeling of accomplishment helps rebuild the habit. It’s not a magic formula, and we won’t promise that reading short books will improve your concentration. But it can make sitting down with a book feel less intimidating.
- They fit into your routine: you can read them on public transport, before bed or on a quiet afternoon.
- They get to the point: they tend to hook you from the first pages, because there’s no room for detours.
- They offer variety: there’s fiction, memoir, essays and genres that blend together, so it’s easy to find something that suits your mood.
Some reads to get you started
The Uruguayan, by Pedro Mairal
A brisk, well-paced novel about personal decisions and contradictions. It follows a writer who crosses the Río de la Plata and ends up in a day where everything gets a little more complicated than expected. It’s one of those stories you read almost without noticing, with a warm tone and just enough tension to make you want to turn the page.
Happening, by Annie Ernaux
Here we change register. Ernaux offers an intense, direct autobiographical narrative, written in spare prose without embellishment. It’s a short book that leaves a mark, ideal if you want a read that makes you think and doesn’t need hundreds of pages to say what it has to say.
The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
A classic that tackles isolation and women’s mental health. Its short format makes it a read you can finish in one sitting, although the ideas it raises stay with you much longer. It’s a good gateway to the short story and to literature that invites you to see things differently.
Ravel, by Jean Echenoz
Echenoz approaches the figure of the composer Maurice Ravel with an elegant style full of irony. It’s a hybrid work, halfway between biography and novel, perfect if you’re looking for something different with a touch of cultural curiosity.
La moda justa, by Marta D. Riezu
For those who prefer essays, this book invites you to reflect on the fashion industry and the way we consume it. As a short, accessible text, it lets you get informed and gain perspective without needing a master’s degree on the subject.
Fish Don’t Close Their Eyes, by Erri de Luca
An evocative, almost poetic read, the kind you enjoy slowly but without demanding too much effort. Erri de Luca writes with a special sensitivity, and this book shows how a few pages can create a very distinctive atmosphere.
And the rest of the list
The full original selection runs to 13 titles, with more novels, stories and works that mix genres. If you want to see the entire list, we recommend going directly to the Vogue España article, where all the recommendations appear as they were published.
How to make the most of short reads
Choosing the right book is only half the journey. These small tricks can help make reading an enjoyable plan again rather than an obligation:
- Start small: ten or fifteen minutes a day already counts. You don’t need to set big goals.
- Find your moment: some people find it in the morning with coffee; others, right before turning off the light.
- Keep your phone out of reach: it’s not mandatory, but it helps you keep the thread.
- Quit without guilt: if a book says nothing to you after a few pages, move on to the next one. There are plenty of great ones.
- Mix it up: alternate a novel with an essay or a story to keep your curiosity alive.
Reading is also a form of self-care
Setting aside time to read can be a pause in a day full of noise: a small space of your own, free of screens and notifications. It’s not about reading more than anyone else or meeting an annual goal, but about recovering the pleasure of immersing yourself in a story or an idea. In that sense, short books are a friendly ally.
To wrap up
If it’s been a while since you finished a book, that’s okay. Pick a short one, one that calls to you from the first paragraph, and give it a chance. It might be a novel like The Uruguayan, a testimony like Happening or a classic like The Yellow Wallpaper. What matters is feeling again that small pleasure of turning the last page and thinking: that was great, what should I read next?
