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If you rarely find time to poke your nose in books, we recommend these copies: They all have less than 200 pages.
Unfortunately, life is far too short to read all the good books in the world. The trick is to find the right ones in the short amount of time. Sure, we like to lose ourselves in lengthy novels with fictional characters who take us on journeys where they become our heroes. But if a story is told on 1000 pages, that unfortunately carries a lot of weight. Carrying the big tome on the tram, to the lake or on vacation is often a real procedure. That’s why we prefer to leave the really fat books at home and grab thinner copies for when we’re on the go, which are just as good to read. They are easy to take with you and are quick to read.
“The beautiful life of the dead” (2019), Milena Moser and Victor-Mario Zaballa
Book thickness: 176 pages
In Europe we fear death and avoid talking about it whenever possible. It’s different in Mexican culture: there the subject of dying is always present and never taboo. The Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, is greeted with anticipation. Because then the deceased come to visit and there is a celebration. The Swiss writer Milena Moser (58) has put her personal touches and thoughts on Día de Muertos in a book. Her partner Victor-Mario Zaballa (67) has been seriously ill for years. He’s originally from Mexico, so he’s not afraid of the end. Because he is convinced that the dead are doing well where they are now.
«After everything I almost did for you» (2016), Marie Malcovati
Book thickness: 128 pages
How many characters and relationships does a good story need? Not as many as you might think: In “After everything I almost did for you” Marie Malcovati (40) tells of only three people. Two of them sit together on a bench in the Basel train station while a third observes the unusual duo. Curious? Just poke your nose into the 128 pages!
“The Cafe on the Edge of the World” (2003), John Strelecky
Book thickness: 128 pages
It gets profound in John Strelecky’s (52) “The Café on the Edge of the World”. The bestselling book by the US author makes you think and question: John, a constantly harried advertising manager, takes a break in a small café somewhere in the middle of nowhere that is supposed to change his whole life. There are three questions on the menu that catch his attention: «Why are you here? Are you afraid of death? Do you lead a full life?” Together with the chef, the waitress and a guest, he gets to the bottom of this thought and gains new insights, quickly realizing that a career isn’t everything in life. Lively written, absolutely touching and enriched with valuable wisdom.
“Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran” (2001), Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Book thickness: 112 pages
Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s (62) “Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran” tells the story of a wonderful, albeit unusual friendship that goes to the heart and has become a symbol of a world full of tolerance for a multicultural society. In his hometown of Paris, Moses occasionally steals canned goods from the shop of Monsieur Ibrahim, who is also known as “the Arab on the corner”. While the boy is convinced that the shopkeeper knows nothing about his theft, he has long since seen through him.
“The world is not always Friday” (2002), Horst Evers
Book thickness: 144 pages
We all struggle with everyday life from time to time. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes not so well. Horst Evers’ (55) protagonist also finds it difficult. He’s lazy, lazy, and just plain unlucky. He is convinced that everyday life keeps throwing obstacles in his way. The trouble starts as soon as he gets out of bed in the morning. During the day he tries to avoid work, but is repeatedly interrupted by the unwanted. The 144-page book shows seven days in the life of this man. Written in a classy and entertaining way: A story that you can easily and quickly devour in a weekend.
“Love Story” (1955), Louise de Vilmorin
Book thickness: 128 pages
The pure chaos of love awaits us in “Love Story” by Louise de Vilmorin (1902-1969): Catherine and Marise are actually friends until Peter von L. shows up and both fall in love with the much-coveted man. But he is actually lovesick and doesn’t want to know anything about either of them. When Catherine’s daughter falls in love with him, the mess is complete. Entertainingly written by an exciting woman who, while studying literature, became engaged to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), author of “The Little Prince” (1943), and is said to have been friends with Coco Chanel (1883-1971).
“The Old Man and the Sea” (1952), Ernest Hemingway
Book thickness: 160 pages
A world-famous book that is one of the classics of literature, but surprisingly not such a fat ham: “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) tells the story of the Cuban fisherman Santiago, who for eighty-four days caught nothing. His young helper switches to another boat because everyone is convinced that the old man is being pursued by misfortune. But then the big surprise happens: an enormous fish bites and Santiago is pulled out to sea.