Big books have a special place in the literature. They are full of potential and allow us to spend more time in the fictitious world. But don’t be disheartened if you can’t complete an 800-page novel. In today’s fast-paced world, only some have the time and patience to do that. Also, all good books need not be bulky and have hundreds and hundreds of pages.
Best Easy Books To Read!
Many books are easy, well-acclaimed, and will leave a mark on your heart. Here is a list of easy and impactful books to aid your reading journey.
1. 1984 by George Orwell
This book tells the story of people under constant surveillance by Big Brother in a totalitarian society. People don’t have good food, lack peace, and don’t even remember the days when all was good. As every move is scrutinized, they must think twice, even before talking. History is being rewritten, words are being truncated, and the rich are getting richer while the poor remain the same.
Even children in the place have acquired the worst ideologies and are keen to watch people getting hanged. Big Brother and his cult centralize on the themes like “War is peace, Freedom is slavery, and Ignorance is bliss.” The protagonist Winston Smith is working at the “Ministry of Truth” and is doing the job of rewriting historical records.
He keeps a diary where he secretly writes his thoughts, which was considered a crime in those days. He meets a girl named Julia, whom he initially despises, but later begins a secret affair. Later, he and Julia are arrested by the thought police. What happens later? What will be the end of their dictatorship? Centered on themes like oppression and mass control, this story is a must-read for all. You can get the book here! 📖
2. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Ove, a 59-year-old prickly and grumpy man, wants to die. His wife of 40 years has passed away, and he is forced to retire from his job. But his suicide plans go haywire when he is constantly interrupted by something. One time, he is interrupted by his new neighbor Parvaneh. She is pregnant and arrives with her husband, Patrick, and two kids at the house opposite Ove’s.
Though they all are good people, Ove feels that his peace, more importantly, his all-prepared suicide plans are disrupted after Parvaneh’s arrival. The book alternates between the present and the past. Ove’s childhood, the passing away of his parents, and the dark portions of his life are reflected. His life changes for the best after meeting Sonja, his late wife. His wife was the one to bring colors to his dull life.
Even after a tragic accident that left Sonja paralyzed for a lifetime, she found ways to keep herself cheerful and happy. Ove often says that he didn’t know how to live without her. Did Ove drop his suicide plans? What happened to Parvaneh? What did life have in store for all of them? This book is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and second chances at life. This can be a perfect mood-lifter and read by people of all ages. You can get the book here! 📖
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Set in England, the Bennet family has five sisters- Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, and Kitty. Mrs.Bennet is hell-bent on finding a good match for the sisters because they will not inherit their family estate. So, if one of the sisters marries a wealthy household, she can provide for the rest of them. Charles Bingley is a wealthy young man. Jane and Charles develop a mutual attraction. Mr.Darcy is Bingley’s friend.
Elizabeth and Darcy despise each other initially but begin falling for each other as the story progresses. How do both of them overcome their pride and prejudices? What happens to the other sisters? Given the gripping characterization and simple plotline, this story is easy and quick to read. A must-read if you are looking forward to starting reading Jane Austen novels. You can get the book here! 📖
4. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Hiram. B. Otis, an American minister, buys the Canterville Chase, considered haunted. Lord Canterville also states horrific incidents experienced by his family members and warns him. But Otis dismisses all of it and shifts with his family to the place. Initially, the family finds the blood stain of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, which keeps reappearing despite repeated rounds of cleaning. Except for Virginia, the family’s fifteen-year-old daughter in a relationship with the Duke of Cheshire, everybody quickly gets past it and starts living everyday lives.
The Ghost does meticulous planning to scare the family but is, in turn, ridiculed by everyone and becomes depressed. He eventually opens up to Virginia. Did the Ghost go away? What happened to the rest of the family? This story is a short yet humorous take on Ghosts and haunted places. If you are looking forward to reading classics, this book can be your perfect take! You can get the book here! 📖
5. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Santiago is an aging fisherman considered unlucky because he has gone for eighty-four days without catching a fish. Manolin is a young boy who Santiago trained. At one point, he is forced by his father to go and fish alone because of Santiago’s bad luck. Despite his parent’s words, Manolin maintains his friendship with Santiago and keeps bringing food for him. Santiago also tells Manolin that he will start early and catch a fish on his eighty-fifth day, ending his abstinence.
On his eighty-fifth day, he catches a huge Marlin fish but cannot pull it into his boat. He holds the fish for almost three days. What happens later? Did he get the fish back home? This story is about hope, perseverance, and strength. The story also emphasizes the connection between humans and nature when the older man says that his hands and the fish are brothers. Throughout the three days, despite his tiredness, he keeps trying, which shows that despite suffering, human hope prevails. You can get the book here! 📖
6. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Alphonse Frankenstein and Caroline Beaufort have three sons- Victor, Ernest, and William. They later adopt a girl named Elizabeth, who fills the family with light and love. Victor, after his learning in Geneva, decides to go to study at Ingolstadt. Elizabeth gets Scarlet fever and recovers, but their mother is severely affected after and passes away.
Later, he resumes his plan to study at Ingolstadt and meets Professor Waldman, who introduces him to natural philosophy and Chemistry. He becomes sleep and rest-deprived and continues to work hard for nearly two years to infuse life into an inanimate body. But the result is a horrible creature who is large and ugly. Victor immediately repulses it and leaves the place.
He then starts developing an aversion towards everything science and is emotionally supported by his friend Clerval. After a few days, his father writes a letter stating that William is dead. Victor finds out that the murderer is the creature he created, but the blame falls on Justine, who was adopted as the nanny of the house. Despite knowing the truth, Victor is helpless, and Justine is hanged. Full of guilt, Victor goes to the mountains, and the creature meets him there and tells him its side of the story.
How humans brutally treated him, and how he now wants revenge against every one of them. It threatens Victor to make another female creature, or he will kill all his family members. When Victor is unable to do so, Clerval is murdered, and the next victim to be is Elizabeth. What happens later? Did the creature get peace? What does Victor do? This is a perfect science fiction story with touches of horror. A short and gripping read! You can get the book here! 📖
7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Santiago, a shepherd boy, has a recurring dream of finding treasure in the pyramids. A fortune teller interprets his dream, and he then begins his journey. On his way, he meets various people- an old king, a Crystal Merchant, an Englishman, an Arabian girl, and an Alchemist. All of them play vital roles in his journey. In the end, did he find the treasure he was searching for? What was his takeaway from the entire journey? This book is a simple yet impactful book. Translated into many languages and considered an international best-seller, this book is considered “Life-changing.” You can get the book here! 📖
8. Malgudi Days by R. K. Narayan
Malgudi Days is a collection of 32 short stories in the fictitious town titled Malgudi. It traces the life of the people in the town back in the ’70s. The stories are all simple yet leave a substantial impact on our hearts. These stories have characters whom we come across in our everyday lives. The book’s best stories include An Astrologer’s Day, The Doctor’s Word, and Iswaran. You can get the book here! 📖
9. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Nazi book burnings inspired this novel in Germany. It is set in the backdrop of a futuristic society where books are outlawed and burned. Guy Montag is a fireman whose job, ironically, is to burn books and the homes they are hidden in. His wife Mildred is highly attracted to the parlor walls, aka the television. Clarisse McClellan is a teenager who converses with Montag and opens up an entirely new thought process in him.
Montag starts secretly stashing the books while Clarisse dies. Montag eventually reveals to Mildred that he has been stashing books, and both decide to look at them together. However, Mildred remains ignorant, while Montag goes against his Mentor, Captain Beatty. He warns him that if books are found in the fireman’s home, they will eventually be burned. Were the books found in Montag’s home?
What was the future of Montag and Mildred’s relationship? Did Montag understand the significance of books? Burning books is not limited to burning the papers and their covers alone. It signifies that we also burn knowledge and our thinking capacity. Characters in this book are glued to their gigantic parlor walls, which makes them highly unaware and ignorant of the outside world.
Similarly, we want to know things that can keep us entertained in today’s world. We want to avoid being informed of the serious stuff happening in the world. That is why we want good memes and funny videos all day while throwing away our privacy to data companies. If you want to read a simple yet enlightening book, this can be your perfect choice! You can get the book here! 📖
10. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Five years ago, Andie was brutally murdered, and the blame falls on her boyfriend, Sal, who kills himself shortly after. At present, Pippa is a 17-year-old determined student. She takes the case and starts her investigation with Sal’s brother Ravi. Several new suspects start popping up, and all are connected in some way or the other.
Meanwhile, Pippa receives repeated warnings to stop investigating the case, and as a threat, her dog is also murdered. Will she get out of the web of mysteries? Who is responsible for all the murders? This story is the first in the series of three novels. This is also a perfect treat for mystery lovers. Being a racy read, this book can be quickly completed in one sitting. You can get the book here! 📖
These are the Best Easy Books to read! How many books have you read from this list? Do comment below. Happy reading!Â