Use these quick-but-smart books to help stay sane while going wherever you’re going (the beach, we hope).

	Alone with You What New Yorker can’t relate to the title of Marisa Silver’s latest book of short stories ($15)? Savor the understated, brilliant, and darkly funny writing in snippets. Especially great: “Pond.”
	Thief Bad boy drama never gets old: Maureen Gibbon’s fast-paced novel ($10) about a girl who takes up with an ex-con named Alpha Breville addresses what women endure in relationships.
	The Moomin Series If you had no shame reading Harry Potter on the subway, there’s no need to hide Tove Jansson’s witty, whimsically illustrated Swedish series ($16 each).
	Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces Flip through this picture-driven book ($20) from decor blog Apartment Therapy for small-space decorating tips. But beware the apartment envy that it inspires.
	Three Delays Like Under the Volcano fueled by every drug in the world instead of mezcal, Charlie Smith’s first novel ($10) in fourteen years tracks a pair of twisted lovers across hot and sweaty locales.

For more great page-turners, go to ShopTalk.