As busy college students, it is often impossible to read for pleasure on top of our existing schoolwork. But if you miss reading, or want to peruse something other than academic material, do not be discouraged — there are many options for time-constrained students! In particular, graphic novels, poetry, and short story collections are some of the best ways to still read for pleasure without committing the time for an entire novel. Reading stimulates your mind, incites new perspectives, and helps you unwind at the end of the day. College should foster such benefits, not hinder them. For a busy college student, here are four books to supplement your workload and ease you into recreational reading.

1. "Fun Home" – Alison Bechdel

While you may have heard of the hit Tony Award-winning musical, "Fun Home" was first a graphic novel. Dubbed a “tragicomic” by author Alison Bechdel, it is both heart-wrenching and funny. The book is titled "Fun Home" because Alison’s family ran a funeral home that they all referred to as the “fun home.” The story details Alison’s strained relationship with her father before she goes to college and realizes she is gay — and then learns that her father is gay too. The story is painful, uplifting, and unfailingly honest. And as a graphic narrative, it is not a time-consuming read.

2. "No Matter the Wreckage" – Sarah Kay

Sarah Kay is most well-known for her spoken word poetry, such as the viral poem “If I Should Have a Daughter ...” that she performed for TED Talk in 2011. Continuing her success, Kay published "No Matter the Wreckage" in 2014. The book contains poetry from the first half of her career, capturing her breathtaking, lyrical, and honest style. Whether heard through spoken word or read on the page, Sarah Kay’s poetry is always worthwhile, and a great place to start for any poetry newcomers.

3. "The Opposite of Loneliness" – Marina Keegan

Five days after graduating from Yale, Marina Keegan was tragically killed in a car crash. “The Opposite of Loneliness” was a piece written for and distributed to her class at graduation, which quickly spread throughout social media as the nation mourned her sudden loss. A rising literary talent, Marina left behind a wealth of material that was assembled posthumously into the full-length book "The Opposite of Loneliness." Consisting of essays, short stories, and poetry, Marina’s wit and aspiration shine through every page. So much of her material is relatable to confused and hopeful college students, and her tragic death puts readers in a new perspective. Since it consists of various shorter works, you can skip around Keegan’s captivating prose without the pressure of reading an entire volume.

4. "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" – Marie Kondo

The bestselling guide to the “Japanese art of decluttering and organizing,” this book describes the KonMari Method of organizing your physical space in order to become happier. The basic philosophy is that by decluttering your spaces, you will be surrounded by only the things you love, and thus “the magic of tidying” changes your life. While some of her methods require a lot of time, many can be easily implemented in a college setting to make your limited living space more organized and joyful. For instance, she offers helpful advice on tightly storing clothes, weeding out books and papers, and getting rid of items that you claim you will “need someday” but do not actually bring you joy. It is definitely worth it to flip through the book and gain innovative tips on organization and stress relief.