College is an exciting time full of new experiences, growth, and self-discovery. While taking classes, exploring careers, and making new friends, you’ll also gain valuable life skills and habits that will serve you long after completing your degree. And nothing complements or initiates growth quite like a good book.
Reading has numerous benefits, from increased interpersonal skills to stronger memory and cognitive processing. (Studies have even found that a mere six minutes of reading can decrease stress by up to 68%!)
With that said, college students live busy lives between classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities — so how do you fit leisure reading on top of textbook reading? Fortunately, there are many critically acclaimed short books under 150 pages that you can read in as little as 30 mins. Perfect for fitting into your schedule!
Here are five short books I recommend checking out—especially while you’re in college!
1. “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” (Charlie Mackesy, 128 pages)
“Is your glass half empty or half full?” asked the mole.
“I think I’m grateful to have a glass,” said the boy.
You can consume this one in less than 30 minutes… but digest it for weeks and months afterward. Like A.A. Milne’s “Adventures of Winnie the Pooh”, the author creates characters that mirror the most profound parts of us in ways a child could digest. You’ll see bits and pieces of yourself in all four characters: the boy, mole, fox, or horse.
Paired with minimalistic illustrations, each page presents an unspoken, soul-searching question. Readers will be moved — especially during portions devoid of easily labeled emotions. It’s a story that burrows into your soul and then sends you back into the world with fresh eyes. College is fun and rewarding but can also be challenging, and a story like “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” provides encouragement, insight, and important reminders about life.
2. “Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” (Brian Tracy, 144 pages)
“If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.”
Spoiler: It’s *not* an amphibian cookbook.
“Eat That Frog” is a classic bestseller that’s given countless students the wake-up call to get moving on major life accomplishments and goals. Short chapters make it an easy book to digest — no pun intended — in a single sitting or small, daily bursts. If you’re looking for practical advice on getting more done daily or simply breaking down your goals into more achievable steps, it’s worth your investment. Take initiative, prioritize, break it down, eliminate distractions, reward yourself… and always, always do the ugliest task (eat the ugliest frog) first!
If you’re looking for a taste (again, no pun intended) of what the book has to offer, check out our blog post, Eat that Frog: A Tutorial.
3. “Think Straight: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life” (Darius Foroux, 86 pages)
“The mind is the most powerful tool on earth.”
During college, you’ll encounter many exciting opportunities to find success, knowledge, and experience. You’ll also be making many decisions — about your major, courses, campus involvement, personal life, relationships, time management, and future.
“Think Straight” has chapters so short, you can read each one in less than 60 seconds. Grounded in pragmatism, it focuses on effectively changing your thought life to promote success, make solid decisions, and stop overthinking.
4. “The Entrepreneurial Journey to a Millionaire” (Rushil Shah, 130 pages)
“It starts with a shift in mindset. Instead of seeking instant results, we must train ourselves to think long-term.”
Written by a 17-year-old Melbourne high school student and president of Brevard Finance for Youth Inc., this tiny book contains big financial insights.
College is the perfect time to begin thinking about your future. Do you want to start your own business? Become an entrepreneur? Establish financial stability and independence? “The Entrepreneurial Journey to a Millionaire” provides a crash course on the practical steps you need to take to attain financial literacy, align your passions with your goals, and navigate challenges to achieving your financial dreams — all while making a positive impact on the world around you.
You can watch Rushil Shah’s Cape Canaveral TEDx Talk “Power of Financial Education: How it Can Transform Lives” here.
5. “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World” (Admiral William H. McRaven, 144 pages)
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”
You don’t need to have been a member of JROTC or a military veteran to appreciate this little book. Inspired by his viral commencement speech (which you’ve probably seen!), the author (a Navy Seal) gives his top ten life lessons to benefit you in college and beyond. Packed with practical wisdom, “Make Your Bed” is about making small shifts in your mentality and daily habits to live a fuller, happier, more meaningful life — and maybe even change the world.
Ready to Read?
Good news! You have access to books just like these and more through Eastern Florida State College’s library system. So what are you waiting for? Grab a book, pick a quiet corner, boil a cup of your favorite tea, put on your instrumental playlist, and enjoy the experience of enriching your mind and soul.
DISCLAIMER: All views and recommendations expressed in this post are the author’s own and do not represent the opinions of Eastern Florida State College or its leadership.
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