If like me, you have a read goal on Goodreads that you have fallen a tiny bit behind on, my favorite solution is to read some novellas or short books! Especially listening to a couple via audiobook is a great way to knock some books off your goal! Here are 17 short books that I’ve read over the past few years that I enjoyed to give you some ideas. All of these are under 300 pages but 7 of them are under 200 pages, and I have them listed from shortest to longest. These are all from a variety of genres, so hopefully something on the list will be a genre you enjoy!
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
70 pages
This one is the shortest recommendation – only 70 pages, so the easiest if you are trying to hit your read goal for the year! It is about unwed mother homes that existed in Ireland run by the catholic church. A lot of women were mistreated there and children taken from them. This is historical fiction about that topic and I found it to be very gripping!
4/5 stars
Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid
88 pages
This novella is only 88 pages and I really enjoyed it! I love Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing and this was a really unique format for a novella. The story is told through letters between characters. Recommend this one if you’re a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid!
4/5 stars
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
101 pages
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren is a really short novella (101 pages) on Kindle Unlimited that I flew through! A big part of the story is told through emails and then it changes. It’s a really cute read and I totally recommend it is you love a romance!
4/5 stars
Paradais by Fernanda Melchor
133 pages
I must warn you that this one is extremely dark. It is pretty violent and has a lot of profanity by definitely held my attention and is reflective of Mexican poverty in a sad, but interesting way. I would classify this book as dark literary fiction.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
144 pages
If you are looking for more of a science-fiction novella, this one is only 144 pages. I really enjoyed this one. If you enjoy science-fiction that has to do with creating civilization on other planets and robots with some action, I think you’ll like this one!
4.25/5 stars
Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren
184 pages
I REALLY enjoyed Liturgy of the Ordinary. This is more of a faith-based book, but I do think people could get something out of it without being religious because it is SO well-written and is just a reminder of finding gratitude throughout the ordinary things of the day.
5/5 stars
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
187 pages
This is a short novella (187 pages) that is technically book 1.5 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. It’s actually a stand-alone novella though, so you could read it without ever having read book 1 of the series if you like romantasy books and need something short. You definitely don’t need to read it in the series at all, but I really enjoyed it and it actually made me appreciate book 2 a little more!
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
210 pages
Tuesdays with Morrie is kind of an oldie (it’s like 24 years old now!) and I actually read it back in high school like 10+ years ago, but was looking for a short audiobook. It’s a really sweet story and it’s a very quick read/listen. Some of the advice is pretty generic advice, but it’s good advice all the same.
4/5 stars
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron
238 pages
This book is a little cheesy at time but I think it’s a good intro into the enneagram. If you are just getting into Enneagram, this feels like a really good overarching, intro book.
This was one of my favorite non-fiction books of 2024!
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
245 pages
This book is just about the briefness f life and how we can do to embrace life instead of trying to do everything and send ourselves into an anxious spiral. It’s a good book to remind yourself of what is priority in life.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
254 pages
Truthfully it’s been years since I read this book, but I do remember really liking it and giving it over 4 stars! This one is a mystery/suspense/thriller.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
256 pages
Michelle Zauner is part of the indie-rock band, Japanese Breakfast. If I am being honest, I have heard maybe one Japanese Breakfast song, but that did not stop me from LOVING this book. You absolutely do not need to know anything about or be a fan of Michelle or her band to thoroughly love this memoir.
Michelle talks about growing up Korean-American and the sometimes complicated relationship she had with her mother. I think a lot of women can relate to some of the aspects of Michelle’s relationship with her mom, but Michelle also talks about culture, food, and grief. It’s a beautifully written memoir that made me cry!
The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon
264 pages
If you have young children, this one is a quick read or listen about the importance of reading aloud to your children (even after they learn to read to themselves)! It is very informative, although if you already make the practice of reading to your children daily (like myself), some of it will feel a bit like “okay well you don’t have to convince me, I’m doing this already”. But the book has a lot of recommendations and ideas of books to read, which is helpful!
Never Lie by Frieda McFadden
286 pages
Never Lie follows a couple, Tricia and Ethan, who are going to tour a house, but get stuck in a huge snowstorm. They are forced to bunker down in the house, but quickly realize it was previously owned by a famous psychiatrist, Dr. Adrienne Hale, who was murdered years back. Tricia stumbles upon a secret room filled with tape recordings off all of the sessions Dr. Hale did with her patients. Tricia begins listening to some of the tapes and starts to uncover a story of the events leading up to Dr. Hale’s death. Creepy things start happening in the house too, but with the snowstorm outside, there is no where for them to run.
I never would have been able to figure out the twist of this book and it felt so creepy reading about this potentially haunted house. Truthfully, the actual writing skill of this book is meh at best, but it didn’t stop me from being glued to this book and enjoying it.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
288 pages
The Glass Castle is a memoir by Jeannette Walls whom I actually did not know before reading this book. Jeannette is a journalist and had a very unique upbringing by parents that were dysfunctional and often negligent. However, her story balances the positives and negatives of her upbringing in a really interesting way. If you every read and enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover, you will likely also enjoy this book.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
288 pages
This book made me cry. Sweet story, I tore through this book and really recommend it.
The Woman In Me by Britney Spears
288 pages
This memoir was highly anticipated for anyone like me who enjoys pop culture, especially if you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s. When Britney was finally released from her conservatorship, she signed a book deal and I feel like we have all been eagerly awaiting it since!
I did the audiobook for The Woman In Me, and Britney only speaks briefly at the beginning to introduce the book. I wish the whole thing was narrated by her, but I completely understand her resistance to do so and have to relive the things that she talks about in it.
The In-Between by Hadley Vlahos
288 pages
I came across Hadley on TikTok a few years back and then a friend recommended her book to me. I am a nurse like Hadley, so I have also held the hand of dying people, but as a hospice nurse, Hadley has had some really interesting encounters. You don’t have to be religious by any means, to read and enjoy this book. It is a very emotional book though and made me cry several times!
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