Books for Reading Ten Minutes at a Time

Ten minutes can hold a complete encounter: a poem, an essay, a letter, a comic or one clearly bounded episode. These books give you natural stopping points and a welcoming way back after a gap. They vary in mood and difficulty, from the playful questions in What If? 2 to the reflective letters of Rilke. A few essays and stories need a second sitting, and the connected books work best in order. The aim is not to race the clock or finish a chapter at any cost. Choose a small unit, keep your place, and let the next break be enough.