Concise General Chemistry book for self study

[bloviate88]

I am looking for a concise gen chem book to learn the basics of the subject for fun.

I am trying to avoid overly verbose 1400 page hardcover doorstops with 1000 exercises and lots of glossy pictures.

Are there any especially concise and readable gen chem textbooks?

I have identified two potential options.

Linus Pauling Gen Chem - a classic, cheap, relatively concise language. But concerned it is out of date. E.g. no MO theory.

“Why Chemical Reactions Happen” Wothers and Keeler - short broad overview. Seems ideal but concerned it might be too advanced for me because it assumes fundamental chem knowledge.

Are those assumptions accurate?

Any suggestions on other books? Something like Susskind’s Theoretical Minimum (“popular sci” book but technical) might be good, but not sure if that even exists for Chem.

Thanks!