Top 10 Shortest Bestselling and Classic Books You Can Read in a Day

Books are shrinking in size. A study of non-fiction bestsellers from the New York Times between 2011 and 2017 revealed that the average page count dropped from 467 to 273, marking a 42% reduction.

Even so, 273 pages can still feel like a lot. For those seeking a quick yet satisfying read, there are plenty of acclaimed and popular books that prove less is more. Here are 10 titles you can easily finish in one sitting. (Note: Page counts are approximate and may vary by edition or format.)

1. On Bullsh-t (2005) // 67 Pages; $10

In 1985, Harry Frankfurt, a philosopher and Princeton professor emeritus, penned an essay on the perils of ignoring truth, often referred to as bullsh-t. Initially circulated among students and peers, Princeton later released it to the public in 2005, where it soared to become a New York Times bestseller.

2. Of Mice and Men (1937) // 107 Pages; $10

John Steinbeck crafted this timeless classroom favorite, depicting the hardships of two migrant workers during the Great Depression with remarkable brevity. Ironically, this concise approach proved fortunate, as Steinbeck was forced to rewrite the manuscript after his dog destroyed an earlier draft.

3. Who Moved My Cheese? (1998) // 96 Pages; $16

Spencer Johnson’s parable follows four mice navigating a maze to understand how to adapt when their cheese vanishes. This simple yet profound story resonated deeply, selling over 30 million copies by 2018, many in hardcover. Johnson initially resisted releasing a paperback version, convinced that hardcover lent the book greater gravitas.

4. Animal Farm (1945) // 140 Pages; $7

George Orwell crafted this concise allegory about Communist Russia. While it remains a staple in American literature, it has faced bans in several countries, including Cuba and North Korea.

5. The Elements of Style (1918) // 43+ Pages; $12

William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White have guided countless writers with this compact manual on grammar and style. First published by Strunk in 1918 as a 43-page guide, it was later revised by White—the celebrated author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little—in 1959. The latest edition now exceeds 100 pages.

6. 84, Charing Cross Road (1970) // 112 Pages; $13

In the 1950s, author Helene Hanff reached out to a London bookseller in search of rare titles unavailable in New York. Frank Doel, the bookseller, responded, initiating a decades-long friendship through letters. Their heartfelt correspondence forms the basis of this epistolary classic, which became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a 1987 film featuring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

7. Love Story (1970) // 224 Pages; $7

Erich Segal’s sentimental story of two lovers, tragically separated by a terminal leukemia diagnosis, didn’t earn much critical acclaim. The National Book Committee’s five-member panel even threatened to resign if the book was considered for an award. However, Segal likely remained unfazed, as the novel became a massive bestseller and was adapted into a successful film the same year.

8. The Little Prince (1943) // 96 Pages; $16

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote this children’s classic that has since resonated with readers of all generations. The author’s own experiences influenced the tale: while flying from Paris to Saigon, Saint-Exupéry survived a plane crash, which mirrored the story of a stranded pilot meeting an extraterrestrial prince. The book is one of the most translated works globally, even receiving a Toba Amerindian language edition in 2005, a distinction shared only with the Bible.

9. Shopgirl (2000) // 130 Pages; $9

Like many entries here, Shopgirl is technically a novella—a fact author Steve Martin proudly highlights on the cover. Set in Beverly Hills, the story follows Mirabelle, a young woman in her twenties, as she seeks purpose in life. Jeremy, a man her age, and Ray, a wealthy older businessman, both vie for her attention. Martin later adapted the book into a film, in which he also starred.

10. The Old Man and the Sea (1952) // 128 Pages; $11

Ernest Hemingway’s poignant story of an elderly man battling the forces of nature is not only a beloved classic but also one of the briefest novels ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.