Whether you’re waiting at the Gautrain station, on a short flight or have a bit of time to spare over the weekend, grab a quick shot of literature from our list. The smart people at Ebook Friendly have compiled a list of books that can take an hour or less to read, though others are longer. Binwe Adebayo has selected five of the best short reads
Every Day is for the Thief
Teju Cole
128 pages
Prolific Nigerian author Cole crafts a meaningful tale about homecoming. With some biographical elements, it tells the story of a young Nigerian writer who returns to Lagos after a spending a long time in New York. He struggles between the two worlds – and must find his place in both.
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
Gabriel García Márquez
18 pages
Better known for his longer-length offerings Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude, this story still showcases the mind of the literary heavyweight that is Márquez. Described by the author as magic realism, the title pretty much gives it away. It follows the life of a man with large wings attached to his body. Profoundly philosophical, the novella questions the nature and role of the supernatural in our everyday lives.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
F Scott Fitzgerald
64 pages
Though most of us have heard of the film version of the story, the original text is well worth the read. By the man who brought us The Great Gatsby, this is a fantastic tale of a man who ages backwards – looking younger as he grows older. Of course, this makes falling in love complicated, as youth and old age collide in a complex plot by a masterful storyteller.
Song for Night
Chris Abani
170 pages
A riveting and heart-wrenching tale of war, Abani’s Song for Night is highly recommended for anyone wanting to read detailed and rich depictions of African history. The Nigerian author, who also wrote the critically acclaimed novel GraceLand, constructs the story of a soldier who lies semiconscious on a battlefield and his search for order in the midst of rampant disorder.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
98 pages
This English adaptation of the French classic is a must-read. Although often dismissed as just a children’s book, some of the world’s most profound and well-written truths are contained in this concise tale of magic. Follow the little prince as he travels through galaxies, encountering all sorts of interesting characters and searching for the meaning of life.
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