【推荐1】If you’ve found yourself stuck in reading burnout lately, you are not alone. Thankfully, a short reading book may be a good solution to this. Here are four books under 250 pages that are certainly worth your attention.

Assembly by Natasha Brown

With her unique narrative voice, Brown covers everything from the workplace to the British colonialism. In just the 100-page fiction, Brown manages to cover more fertile ground than many of the celebrated books six times its size.

Intimations by Zadie Smith

There are few writers who could excite us with the concept of an essay collection focusing on the experience of living in the disease lockdown, but an exception must always be made for Smith. Written before 2020 was even half-way through. Intimations is a window into the authors’ reflection on the special time we have lived through.

We Live in Water by Jess Walter

It is the first collection of short fiction from the bestselling author. Walter’s slim collection of short stories offers the same observation you can find in his novel, The Financial Lives of the Poets. As for Walter’s nonfiction, you will fall in love with it again each time you read one of his novels.

The Poetry Pharmacy by William Sieghart

Sometimes, only poetry will do. Offering a cure for any spiritual pain, these poetic wise words of advice offer comfort, delight and inspiration for all. From everyday worries to finding the strength to deal with life’s great difficulty, this is the perfect volume to have by your side.

【推荐2】Misery by Stephen King (1987)

On my first tour at 23, I bought Misery for one of countless flights. I found myself onstage thinking, occasionally, “This is an enjoyable and exciting experience, but I can’t wait to get back to the hotel to read the next chapter.” The film doesn’t do justice to the original suspense (悬念) of King’s novel. It made me a reader for life.

The Day After Tomorrow by Allan Folsom (2008)

All of Folsom’s novels are worth your time, but his first, which is totally unrelated to the movie of the same name, is the most entertaining work of fiction I know. You’re attracted from the first chapter, taken on a ride of action and passion right to the last jaw-dropping sentence.

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen (1903)

I’ve gifted this to countless friends. A century before Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret came this brilliant exposition of how thoughts influence quality of life. It’s a life-changing 64 pages. I always keep it in my bag when I travel and on my nightstand at home. I consider it my Bible (圣经).

America’s Reluctant Prince by Steven Gillon (2019)

This bio (自传), written by a longtime friend of John F. Kennedy Jr., was a great companion during my tour in 2019. As someone with thorough knowledge of and deep affection for his subject, Gillon skillfully walks the line between exposure and respect.