Right, hands up – how many of us have a copy of Les Misérables gathering dust on a shelf somewhere, bought with the best of intentions? Me too. With World Book Day being celebrated today across the UK (and yes, I’ve panic-searched “easy World Book Day costumes” twice last week), I got thinking about all those books we mean to read. You know the ones.
Turns out, if you actually sat down and read some of our favourites back-to-back, you’d need to block out some serious time. But here’s the thing – the books we actually do read? The ones we pass around book club or stay up too late with? They’re not always the doorstoppers.
The ones worth staying up for
Let’s start with The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Clocking in at around 53,500 words, it’ll take you about 3 and a half hours. That’s doable. That’s a rainy Sunday afternoon with a cuppa while someone else entertains the kids (we can dream). And yes, you’ll cry. We all cry.
The Bridges of Madison County is even quicker – roughly 42,750 words, so about 2 hours and 51 minutes. I read this years ago and still think about it. Four days, one love story, a lifetime of consequences. Perfect for when you need to remember you’re a woman, not just a mum-taxi.
Now Little Women is a different story. Depending on which edition you pick up, you’re looking at anywhere from 5 to 12 hours. But here’s the thing – it’s spread across four sisters’ lives, so it never feels like a slog. Jo March was my childhood hero. Still is, if I’m honest.
The ones that’ll keep you going
For context, the heavy hitters are properly heavy. Les Misérables? That’s 31 hours, which is basically the entire Easter holidays. Gone with the Wind? will eat 24 and a half hours of your life. Love Scarlett O’Hara, but most London Mums don’t have that kind of time until the youngest kids will start secondary school.
Look, I’m not here to make you feel guilty about the books you haven’t finished. I’ve had Anna Karenina on my bedside table since 2018. It’s fine.
What I love about this list is the mix – something for every mood and every amount of spare time. Fancy a good cry in under 3 hours? The Notebook’s your friend. Want something to sink into over a few weeks? Little Women will keep you company. Need to feel deeply seen as a woman juggling duty and desire? Bridges of Madison County has entered the chat.
So this World Book Day, while the kids are dressing up as Peter Rabbit or Gangsta Granny, maybe give yourself permission to pick up something you’ll actually want to read. Even if it takes you three years to finish.
What’s everyone reading at the moment? I’ve just started something that’s already keeping me up past midnight – drop your recommendations in the comments. I need more books and less scrolling.
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Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
