Short Reads for Busy People Who Still Love Books

deeheartsbooks
13 hours ago
3 min read

Let’s be real for a second.

If you’re anything like most of us, life be lifing.

You want to read. You miss reading. You dream about curling up with a book that will change your life, steal your heart, and touch your soul.

But at the end of the day?

You’re tired. You’re overstimulated. Your brain is fried.

And the thought of picking up a 500+ page book that requires emotional investment, focus, and critical thinking feels unrealistic.

Sometimes you don’t need a masterpiece.

Sometimes you need quick, easy, entertaining reading that reminds you why you love books in the first place.

If you’re busy but still want to read, these are the books I recommend.

Let’s Start with the Quick Ones

Novellas & Short Reads

Sister Samurai

About 150 pages, and every single one of them counts.

This story follows a Black female samurai in her 40s who is the last of her kind.

Her knees hurt. She’s tired. She’s carrying grief and survivor’s guilt. And honestly? She just wants to go home.

But the people in her town still believe she is their hero.

Eventually, she realizes her oath will never leave her, and she decides it’s time to stand up. And when she stands up, baby, she stands all the way up.

Short, powerful, and emotionally rich without being exhausting. Perfect when you want something meaningful but manageable.

The sequel, The Return of Sistah Samurai, is another 220 pages of action-packed, witty perfection.

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

You already know this setup.

You’re out trying to enjoy your night. Some man will not take a hint.

You grab the nearest normal-looking guy and ask him to pretend to be your boyfriend so the situation can end peacefully.

Except the chemistry does not stop when the act does.

What starts as a fake relationship turns into one unforgettable night, and then into something neither of you expected.

Fun, flirty, and easy to devour in a sitting or two.

September Kind of Love

A cozy, fall-feeling romance about two friends who tried to take their relationship to the next level and completely messed it up.

Time passes. Feelings linger. And when September rolls around, they’re given another chance to do things differently.

Soft, reflective, and perfect for readers who want warmth and second chances without emotional chaos.

Not Novellas, But Absolutely Guilt-Free Page-Turners

These books aren’t necessarily short, but they are so entertaining, so unserious, or so messy that you will fly through them anyway.

Mead Mishaps series

(Unserious in the best way)

Monsters. Dragons. Demons. Werewolves. Humans falling in love with all of the above.

The Mead Mishaps series is completely unhinged in the best way. These books are funny, spicy, imaginative, and proudly refuse to take themselves seriously.

They are here for a good time, not a long lecture, and that is exactly why you will finish them so fast.

Baker Street Mystery series

(Entertaining in the Best Way)

A young woman inherits a bakery in a small town.

Suddenly, she has a new life, a group of wholesome friends, and a murder to solve.

Then another.

And another.

These cozy mysteries give strong Scooby-Doo energy.

Comforting, engaging, and perfect for readers who want intrigue without intensity.

Only for the Week

(Oh so Messy!!)

Your sister invites you to a destination wedding in Tulum, Mexico.

Sounds great, right?

Except she’s marrying your ex-boyfriend.

And that is just the prologue.

From there, the messiness escalates beautifully. Between the tropical setting, the spice, and what may very well be one of the most elite book boyfriends of all time, this book does not let up.

You’ll say, “Just one more chapter.”

You will lie.

Not a novella, but absolutely unputdownable.