Reading is, indisputably, one of the greatest pleasures in everyday life.  However, in this beautiful Christmas season, who has the time to commit to a series?  Not only do we lack the time, we don’t have the emotional capacity to involve ourselves in a multi-book story.  To honor this holiday break, we’ve compiled a list of guilt free books you are sure to enjoy.  While many may have sequels, almost all can be read without chaining yourself to the entire series.  Here is a startlingly diverse compilation of books that are sure to make your holiday full of late nights and procrastinated chores.

20. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

19.  Prank Wars by Stephanie Fowers

18. The Camel Club by David Baldacci

17. Paper Towns by John Green

16. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

15. Persuasion by Jane Austen

14. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

13. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

12. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

11. The Hobbit by J. R. Tolkien

10. The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

9.  American Sniper by Chris Kyle

8. The Giver by Lois Lowry

7.  Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

6.  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

5. Austenland by Shannon Hale

4.  The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

3.  After Hello by Lisa Mangum

2.  Unwind by Neil Shusterman

1.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens