By: Kristin Milks, OverDrive Collection Development Analyst

(Ed. Note: Summer is quickly approaching for readers in the U.S. and with it comes warm weather and holiday weekends. As we welcome that time honored tradition of the long weekend we thought it necessary to offer up some quick reads you can tackle before returning to work. Whether it’s in one sitting or over several days, these books are the perfect excuse to relax all weekend long. We highlight some of our favorites but the links in the first paragraph will direct you to complete lists perfect for curated collections on your OverDrive digital library website.)

The long weekend will soon be upon us and what better way to spend it than with a book in hand. Whether you’re out on the trail, going on a road trip, staying home, or moseying to the beach, a book will make a great companion. But sometimes you need to feel extra accomplished and finish that book quickly! Well we have a list of short books for a long weekend that should satisfy the reader in you, and achiever. But wait…there’s more! Some books, though not short, are hard to put down. Even though you may spend some extra time with these reads, you’ll be wishing there were more pages to flip when you finish. So here is our list of Unputdownables. Below find some picks from both of those lists.

Short Reads:
Something New by Lucy Knisley is a delight. A graphic memoir about the author’s wedding, it’s a look at what it takes to plan a wedding, deal with family, and what marriage looks like, and all that.

At the Mountains of Madness by HP Lovecraft. Need a quick read that has set the basis for much weird fantasy/horror? Nothing like some good old Cthulhu to make you want to curl up in bed.

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes was made into a movie recently, so maybe you can read the book, then go see the movie and compare! I expect your analysis on my desk by 9am Monday morning.

Unputdownables:
You by Caroline Kepnes. Creepy, riveting, and suspenseful, the most terrifying part is that you start feeling for the predator.

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. Binchy writes strong characters with fully formed emotions that compel those in need of a lovely little treat to continue reading.

The Red Hunter by Lisa Unger. The perfect page turner this book has lots of twists and turns, but with enough meat to keep you satisfied. Hear Lisa Unger discuss her writing process and craft with our Professional Book Nerds on our podcast.