Often when I ask people if they enjoy reading, they sadly reply that they did when they were younger, but then life got in the way. In our busy world, it seems only English majors and retirees have the time to sit down and enjoy a great novel. Work, school, and friends, combined with a myriad of distractions, have led many people to stop reading as they believe it is too time-consuming. But fear not. Not every master piece is as long and complex as War and Peace. If you miss the days of reading before the world become so hectic, try reading one of these short novels, or novellas. They are all under 200 pages and quite enjoyable reads.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Very different from the movie, this novella traces the story of an unnamed narrator and his fascination with his neighbor Holly Golightly, a country girl turned socialite.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde's only novel is a modern retelling of Faust in which Dorian Gray sells his soul to remain forever young. The novel explores the themes of duplicity, a hot topic in 19th century literature.

3. The Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald

This is my favorite American novel. Though the reading won't take you long, this is a book you will ponder for days, or even weeks, afterwards because of all the great symbolism and themes. Told through the voice of Nick Carraway, it is the story of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsessive love of the married socialite Daisy Buchanan.

4. The Stranger by Albert Camus

This novel is a great introduction to the absurd and existentialism, though Camus didn't like to associate himself with existentialism. In this novel, Meursault, an outsider with very different views on life and relationships than most, is arrested for killing a man with no motive.

5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This is a novel that is frequently discussed and referenced, though far fewer people have actually read it. The novel is relatively short and an interesting read that tells the tragic fate of a scientist who created life and then rejected his creation.

6. Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

This is a short and spiritual novel about a wealthy young man named Siddhartha (not Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha) who renounces his life and goes on a quest of self-discovery.

7. Animal Farm by George Orwell

This tale of animals that take over their farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and an amazing short read.

8. The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Originally written in Korean, this novel is the story of a South Korean housewife who becomes a vegetarian after terrifying dreams of animals being slaughtered.

9. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

This mystery novel is about a family who lives on a remote estate in Vermont , isolated from the rest of the society since six years prior shook their family.

10. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

Heavily influenced by Transcendentalism and the writing style of Ralph Waldo Emerson, this novel tells the story of the narrator, Ruth, and her sister, Lucille, who are raised by various family members after their mother commits suicide.

If you miss the days of reading, pick up one of those short novels to read over a weekend. They will enrich your life without consuming too much time.