Short Days, Short Books Display
Yesterday I told one of my coworkers that I probably couldn't wear this sweater again because it was going to get too warm out. She proceeded to laugh at me. Here in New England, we know that we're in the season known as "False Spring," where we get teased by a few warm days, and then the temperatures drop again. The good news is that the days start to get longer and it gets lighter earlier and stays lighter longer. So let's celebrate the end of these short days by reading some short books! You'll find that almost all of these titles are less than 250 pages, with many of them being less than 200. It's a great way to accomplish the goal of finishing a book! Here are some suggestions:
"Marion Deeds's Comeuppance Served Cold is a hard-boiled historical fantasy of criminality and magic, couched in the glamour of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries." Described as a "beautifully constructed magical heist in turn-of-the-century Seattle," the book is only 190 pages long and will show you the wealth, history, and violence of 1929 Seattle.
You know I can never resist a romance, and at 209 pages, "Capturing the Earl : the Wallflowers of West Lane" by A.S. Fenichel makes the cut. "After the demise of her friend's disastrous marriage, Mercedes Parsons isn't about to let the widowed Wallflower of West Lane, Lady Aurora Radcliff, undertake another perilous trip to the altar. At least, not before the bridegroom-to-be is thoroughly investigated. If only Mercy could stop her uncharacteristic daydreaming about Wesley Renshaw's charm, his intellect, his dashing good looks. After all, the earl has already set his sights on her best friend! She must keep her wits about her and avoid giving into temptation. Wesley is both irritated and intrigued by the machinations of Mercy--he cannot let her cleverness and beauty distract him. He needs to marry her friend, Aurora, so he can reclaim his family's ancestral home. A wrong he has hoped to right his entire life. Besides, who is penniless spinster Mercedes Parsons to decide whom he can and cannot marry? Yet while he admires her unwavering loyalty to her friends, he decides it's high time the misguided woman had a dose of her own medicine. Two can play at this spying game. But they are both embarked on a dangerous charade. And it won't be merely Mercy's reputation at risk--or her heart on the line--as Wesley comes to the inescapable conclusion that he has found the right woman at exactly the wrong time." If you enjoy this title, others in the series are just as short!
If you like to read short stories, check out "The Beadworkers" by Beth Piatote. This "luminous debut collection opens with a feast, grounding its stories in the landscapes and lifeworlds of the Native Northwest, exploring the inventive and unforgettable pattern of Native American life in the contemporary world."
In "Once More Upon a Time" by Roshani Chokshi, a fairy tale prince and princess get a "second chance at getting what they truly desire in this dazzling tale as they embark on an enchanted road trip and encounter a delightful cast of magical characters. Imelda and Ambrose have forgotten why they got together in the first place. After a whirlwind courtship and a fairy-tale wedding, they embark on life together as royalty of Loves Keep. But when Imelda is in trouble, Ambrose sacrifices their love to save her life, little knowing that the loss of their love will jeopardize the entire kingdom..." This one is perfect for readers who are looking for "a fresh, magical fairy tale, love so strong, it breaks a witch's curse, an enchanting world to escape to, a delightful cast of magical characters, and compelling storytelling from a beloved, bestselling fantasy author."
"Monkey Bridge" by Lan Cao is a fiction memoir about a Vietnamese refugee. "The narrator, Mai Nguyen, was 13 when a helicopter lifted her from Saigon. Scenes of war written in lyrical style alternate with reflections on America, such as the obsession with winning and the usurping of parental authority by teachers." This author also wrote "Everything You Need to Know about Asian Americans."
You'll find these and lots of other murder mysteries in our "Short Days, Short Books" display. For additional title suggestions, see the lists below:
