The frantic rhythm of modern life does not always leave time to read voluminous books. In the hustle and bustle, you often forget what you read the day before, and you have to reread at least a few pages to immerse yourself in the topic. Our review today features great books that you can read in just a few hours.
“They’ve got something wrong with their heads, those Russians,” Anne-Lena Lauren
The Finnish journalist worked in Russia for many years and was able to fully appreciate the uniqueness of Russian women. In Moscow and St. Petersburg she observed their behavior, and then released a collection with a telling title. Many will be able to recognize themselves or their acquaintances in the heroines of the little stories, see from the outside what an astounding ability to be late everywhere looks like, what a desire to obey men leads to, and marvel at how generous Russians are with broad gestures.
“The Bookshop”, Penelope Fitzgerald
Concise and subtle syllable, fascinating plot and excellent command of the material made Penelope Fitzgerald one of the best English authors. Unfortunately, her name is little known to Russian readers, but everyone has the opportunity to fill the gap. This is a story about how difficult it is to start everything in life from scratch, especially when those around you are determined to do everything to make the endeavor fail.
“Nine Stories,” J. D. Salinger
Each of the nine stories is a separate story, filled with deep meaning and some special beauty. These stories are considered by many readers to be the ultimate expression of the writer’s genius. The book is able to completely change the view of life and gives the opportunity to assess not the characters, but yourself from the outside. If you want to reread it again, the reader will be no less discoveries than during the first acquaintance with it.
“Where Our Footsteps Lead” by Mikhail Zhvanetsky
A collection of short stories and anecdotes about the author’s youth, about his relationships with people around him and his family are unlikely to leave the reader indifferent. And if you remember that Mikhail Zhvanetsky was one of the brightest, most talented and famous satirists, then you can understand: you definitely will not get bored while reading.
“I Will Die for You,” by Francis Scott Fitzgerald
Readers could get acquainted with the stories of Fitzgerald only 80 years after the writer himself left this mortal world. None of the stories in the collection were published during the author’s lifetime. Some of the stories were reconstructed from drafts by literary critic Ann Margaret Daniel, who also assembled the stories and prepared the book for print.
“Bitna, Under the Sky of Seoul,” Jean-Marie Gustave Leclesio
The story of Seoul’s Scheherazade, as critics have called this book, is an incredible interweaving of real stories and fiction, ghosts of the subconscious and fantasy. The fascinating novel will tell the story of a girl who comes to Seoul to study and finds work with a woman who cannot leave her home. Bitna will tell her stories, and at some point she seems to become entangled in a tangle of were and tale herself.
“Uwe’s Second Life,” Fredrick Backman
This book is full of warmth and warmth of heart, despite the fact that Uwe can rightfully be called the most sullen and grumpy man in the world. He believes that he is surrounded by some of the least intelligent people in the world. But as it turns out, this not-so-benevolent hero has a very kind heart, and his introduction to his new neighbors will lead to a completely unexpected result.
“Brooklyn Folly,” Paul Auster
The cozy and warm narrative envelops the whole and, despite the rather large volume of the book, it is impossible to tear yourself away from the novel from the first to the last line. “Brooklyn Folly” may well take a place on the list of favorite books that you want to reread over and over again.
“Morphine. Stories and Tales,” Mikhail Bulgakov
A serious and probably one of the most frightening works of the great author is Morphine. Step by step, Mikhail Bulgakov shows how the craving for forbidden pleasures can change a person’s fate. It is simply impossible to remain indifferent to this work.
“The Feast that is Always with You,” Ernest Hemingway
People often underestimate the present, expecting the future to be brighter and more successful, richer and happier. Only as the years go by do you realize: that time was true happiness. Ernest Hemingway met him back then, in Paris, where his wife and son were by his side, where inspiration came unexpectedly and immersed him in the magical world of creativity. But it was not a draft of life, but life itself, happy, cheerful, bright.