Did you set a reading goal for 2025?
I use Goodreads to record what I’m reading – I’ve tried Storygraph and Bookmory, and while I liked those too, I’ve been using Goodreads for so long that it just felt right to stick to my old fave.
I’ve been taking part in Goodreads’ annual Reading Challenges since 2013 when I set my first ever reading goal of 52 books, 1 for each week of the year – I beat that by 10 books! Most years since, I’ve set my challenge at around 50-60 books (aside from the years around when the kids were born!). This year, I’ve gone a bit reading mad and surpassed my goal of 60 books by, well, quite a long way! We’ve still got over a month left and I’m at 114 books!
But in past years, I’ve set it at 50 and read, like, 9 books – that was the year after Emmy was born and we were in global lockdown!
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So if you’re staring down your Goodreads Reading Challenge and realising that maybe 50 books was an ambitious goal…you’re not alone!
Whether you’re catching up on your 2025 reading challenge, trying to reignite your reading habit, or just looking for something you can finish in a single sitting, short novels and novellas are the perfect way to get back into your reading groove.
Even though I’ve hit my reading goal this year, I’ve indulged in a few novellas and really short reads too. So I decided to make a list of books that are 250 pages or fewer, some a lot shorter!
These shorter works pack as much punch, heartbreak, and brilliance as any 500-page epic, only with fewer sleepless nights and back-breaking hardbacks. From literary fiction classics like The Old Man and the Sea to modern cult favourites like This Is How You Lose the Time War, these are the best short books to read when you want something powerful, digestible, and deeply memorable.
What Counts as a Short Book?
There’s no strict definition! But this is what you tend to find as a definition of a novella or short book:
- Short stories: under 10,000 words (can be read in an hour or less)
- Novellas: 10,000–40,000 words (roughly 100–200 pages)
- Short novels: 200–250 pages — still compact, but with room to breathe
These shorter works often began life as magazine serials, experiments in style, or literary playgrounds for great writers like Ernest Hemingway, Edith Wharton, Leo Tolstoy, and James Baldwin. Today, the tradition continues through contemporary authors like Jenny Offill and Elena Ferrante, whose precise storytelling reminds us that fewer words can mean greater impact.
I’ll round up a few with some short blurbs below, then even more below those, so scroll down and click to check out any you like the sound of!
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Contemporary Short Novels and Novellas You’ll Love
For something more modern, from speculative fiction to lyrical contemporary, these shorter reads prove that big emotions don’t need big page counts.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
Page count: 209
A queer science fiction romance told through letters between two time-travelling enemies. It’s poetic, emotional, and completely unique. It’s one of my top picks for readers who love lush prose and a bit of heartbreak.
I’ve only just finished reading this and it’s what inspired me to write this list! I read it in just 2 sittings, and it really leaves you pondering.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Page count: 184
Haunting, minimalist, and unforgettable. This dystopian masterpiece begins with 40 women trapped underground and spirals into a meditation on existence itself. It’s one of those shorter works that lingers long after you close the final page, a proper book hangover!
This is the other novella I read this month that has had me obsessed with short books that pack a punch. I think I’ve spent more time thinking about it than I did reading it!
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Page count: 224
Six astronauts orbit Earth for twenty-four hours, their lives intertwining in quiet reflection. A meditative and moving short novel that explores humanity from a breathtaking distance.
Come Closer by Sara Gran
Page count: 194
If you like your stories dark and unsettling, this one’s for you. A woman’s slow descent into possible demonic possession (or madness?) told in clipped, unnerving prose. Perfect for psychological thriller readers.
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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Page count: 152
A gothic gem about two sisters living in isolation after a family tragedy. With an unnamed narrator, unreliable storytelling, and hints of witchcraft, it’s a chilling but beautiful read.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Page count: 240
Equal parts horror and love story, this novel follows a woman whose wife returns from a deep-sea mission…changed. It’s eerie, emotional, and perfect for fans of The Shape of Water.
I have this one in my Kindle library and I’m hoping to squeeze it in to my reading list before the end of the year!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Page count: 195
A nostalgic fairytale for adults about memory, childhood, and the magic that hides in the ordinary. Gaiman’s short novels always feel timeless, and many say this one might be his best.
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The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night by Jen Campbell
Page count: 224
This is stunning short story collection of modern fairy tales: mermaids in jars, hearts for sale, reimagined myths. Each short story is a strange little jewel. Perfect for dipping in and out of when you want a touch of magic.
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
Page count: 64
Dark, witty, and twisty in all the ways Flynn fans adore, this short story begins with a scam psychic who takes on a new client and a haunted house. It’s part ghost story, part grifter tale, and entirely addictive. The perfect single sitting read for fans of Gone Girl or Sharp Objects.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Page count: 241
A psychological thriller that starts with an uneasy road trip and spirals into a nightmare. Minimalist in word count but maximal in tension, it’s perfect for readers who love a good mind-bending mystery with an existential twist.
This was also made into a movie that I watched on Netflix and really enjoyed.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Page count: 254
Flynn’s debut may sit just over the “short” threshold, but its razor-sharp prose and relentless pace make it a single-sitting thriller. Reporter Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to cover a murder case and to confront the scars of her past. Dark, disturbing, and utterly unputdownable.
Thin Air by Michelle Paver
Page count: 223
Set in the 1930s on a doomed Himalayan expedition, this atmospheric ghost story evokes the same creeping dread as The Woman in Black. Paver’s vivid writing and slow-burn tension make this one of the best modern short novels for fans of classic supernatural fiction.
This is genuinely one of my favourite reads of all time – I hadn’t even considered it a short book until I made this list!
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Short Classics Everyone Should Read
If you’re building a full list of short novels for your challenge, these American classics and timeless stories are the best place to start.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Page count: 96
A story of endurance, pride, and humanity told through one fisherman’s epic battle with the sea. This short novel is a masterclass in simplicity and symbolism — and one that leaves a lasting mark. A must for lovers of literary fiction or those wanting to understand why Hemingway is still studied in American schools and even around the world today – we read it for GSCE English back in the mid-2000s!
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Page count: 141
You can’t talk about short novels without mentioning Orwell’s allegorical masterpiece. This biting political satire turns a barnyard rebellion into a chilling exploration of power and corruption. If you’ve read 1984, this is the perfect shorter companion.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Page count: 180
It’s hard to believe this dazzling, tragic tale of the Jazz Age fits into under 200 pages. Between its lyrical prose and unforgettable characters, it’s easy to see why it remains one of the best books of the 20th century — and a favourite for anyone looking for a single sitting classic.
This is one of my favourites reads of all time, I read The Great Gatsby for AS Level English at school and it’s stuck with me ever since.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
Page count: 86
This novella distils all of Tolstoy’s philosophical genius into one story about mortality, meaning, and the quiet terror of realising one’s life may have been lived wrongly. It’s intense, introspective, and shockingly modern in tone.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Page count: 139
A gothic favourite that feels just as sharp today. This eerie exploration of duality, morality, and repression is a perfect way to dip into Victorian horror.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Page count: 99
A bleak but beautiful American classic about love, duty, and isolation in a snowbound New England town. It’s a shorter work that leaves a surprisingly deep ache.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Page count: 188
Conrad’s classic novella follows Marlow’s journey deep into the Congo to find the mysterious Kurtz, and himself. Both an adventure tale and a psychological exploration of imperialism, this shorter work remains one of the most discussed pieces of literary fiction ever written.
This is another one of those “I read it at school” books that I genuinely enjoyed at the time (I didn’t like them all!), and I think I need to reread it!
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
Page count: 118
One of the first true science fiction stories, this slim classic sees an inventor travel far into the future to witness the fate of humanity. Beneath the adventure lies a sharp critique of class, industry, and progress — proof that short novels can tackle big ideas.
This is one where I actually watched the movie first – there was one made in 2002 that I was a little bit obsessed with before I read the book!
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Page count: 323 (just over, but reads like a short novel)
A cornerstone of American literature, this story of childhood, justice, and moral courage in the Deep South remains essential reading. It’s warm, wise, and heartbreakingly relevant, a book that transforms with every reread, no matter your age.
And again, this is another I read at school that stuck with me – apparently they really like to teach novellas!
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Page count: 89
This brilliant short play is Wilde at his sharpest, filled with wit, mistaken identities, and social satire. Perfect for when you need a clever, laugh-out-loud read that still feels timeless. A good conversation starter and a reminder that brevity can be brilliant.
Yet another one I read at school, and I remember loving this – I even wrote my own short, witty (or at least, I thought so!) play after reading it!
Shorter Works That Tackle Real Life
Sometimes a short book can say more about humanity than a 700-page saga. These stories do exactly that.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Page count: 132
Dictated by blinking after a stroke left him paralysed, this memoir is a testament to resilience and the power of imagination. It’s slim, devastating, and completely unforgettable.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Page count: 213
Told through letters, this coming-of-age story captures what it means to feel out of place. It’s a poignant read that was made into a movie too. If you missed it in American schools, it’s never too late to experience it. I love this one.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
Page count: 250
A haunting story told through the collective voice of neighbourhood boys watching five sisters self-destruct under the weight of suburbia. It’s poetic and deeply human, one of the great short books of the modern era.
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
Page count: 169
Memoir meets fiction in this sharp, candid look at mental health and female friendship. It’s raw, short, and brilliant.
The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan
Page count: 144
Bleak, disturbing, and unforgettable, McEwan’s debut short novel tells the story of four siblings concealing their mother’s death. It’s a twisted coming-of-age tale that examines family, isolation, and moral decay. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but impossible to look away from.
Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa
Page count: 112
A haunting and poetic short novel from Japan, Hunchback explores loneliness, otherness, and the human desire to be seen. Sparse yet deeply moving, it’s a work of quiet power that lingers in your thoughts long after you close the final page. Ideal for readers of literary fiction who love introspective, character-driven stories.
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
Page count: 240
A poignant and powerful story of hope set in a refugee camp, told through the eyes of Subhi, a young Rohingya boy born in detention. Written for younger readers but resonating with all ages, this short novel balances heartbreak with humanity, a perfect way to understand real-world issues through fiction.
Short Novels for Younger Readers
These books are more for young adults (although I still enjoy them!).
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Page count: 194
When war breaks out during a summer holiday in England, fifteen-year-old Daisy finds herself navigating survival, love, and loss. Sparse, haunting, and surprisingly romantic, this short novel remains one of YA’s most unique post-apocalyptic stories. A quick but emotional read.
Witch Child by Celia Rees
Page count: 240
A historical YA novel told through the diary of a 17th-century girl accused of witchcraft. Mary’s journey from England to the New World is filled with fear, courage, and suspicion. Atmospheric and beautifully written, it’s a shorter work that feels timeless.
I reread this, and its sequel Sorceress, recently and loved them just as much as the first couple of times I read them as a teen.
The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein
Page count: 250
Set in a girls’ boarding school, this eerie gothic novel blends diary entries, psychological breakdown, and possible vampirism. It’s kind of The Virgin Suicides meets Dracula and Carmilla. A short novel steeped in repression, adolescence, and obsession.
Short Stories Worth A Read
If you’re truly short on time, short stories are the ultimate commitment-free read. Here are a few great starting points:
- The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (62 pages) — an early feminist masterpiece that captures the suffocating effects of patriarchal medicine.
- A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor (180 pages) — dark, funny, and shocking.
- House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (110 pages) — a series of vignettes capturing Latinx girlhood and community in Chicago.
- The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (30 pages) — one of the most famous short stories ever written, still chilling today.
- The Aleph by Jorge Luis Borges (28 pages) — for when you want to melt your brain with cosmic philosophy.
Short Books in Translation
Short novels from around the world often deliver the most original storytelling:
- Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo — a surreal Mexican classic that inspired One Hundred Years of Solitude.
- Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata — a delicate, melancholy Japanese love story.
- The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector — Brazilian existential brilliance in just 96 pages.
Perfect Short Reads for Genre Lovers
Because short books aren’t just for literary fiction fans!
- Fantasy: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin — a slim but rich introduction to one of fantasy’s most influential worlds. I believe most of the books in the series are short reads too!
- Horror: I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid — a tense, claustrophobic read that spirals into madness.
- Thriller: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn — slightly over the 250-page mark, but still a psychological thriller you won’t be able to put down.
- Young Adult: How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff — short, strange, and surprisingly hopeful after the world falls apart.
Why Short Books Deserve a Place in Every Reading Challenge
There’s a certain kind of magic in a short book. With a limited word count and page space, every line matters. Each image, each conversation, carries weight, and they often leave a deeper impression than longer novels that take weeks to finish. I’m genuinely still thinking about I Who Have Never Known Men and This Is How You Lose The Time War weeks later!
Shorter books also help with rereading! Once you’ve devoured The Great Gatsby or Animal Farm, you might find yourself diving back in to discover new layers of meaning, something readers from American schools to book clubs across the world have been doing for decades.
They’re also a perfect way to explore new genres. Want to test the waters of science fiction or a psychological thriller? Start small! A short story or novella can give you a taste of something different without the commitment.
And honestly? There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of finishing a book in one sitting. It’s like hitting “achievement unlocked” on your reading life.
Why Reading Short Books Can Transform Your Reading Life
When life gets busy, reading can start to feel like a luxury you can’t afford. But reading short novels, or even just a quick short story from a collection before bed, can help to rebuild that lost connection. As I said earlier, I struggled between 2020 and 2023 to pick up books again – kids and lockdown got in the way. But reading a few short books pulled it back in for me.
You might find yourself reading more, not less. Shorter books can help you rediscover what kind of stories move you. They can offer a deeper understanding of yourself, spark good conversations, and even connect you with a community of readers who love the same titles.
And if you’re doing a 2025 reading challenge, these books are your secret weapon. They’ll not only help you meet your goal but reignite your love for reading!
A short novel isn’t a lesser novel, it’s a distilled one. The authors who write them, from Toni Morrison to Thomas Mann, prove that brevity can be as profound as breadth.
So next time you’re tempted to abandon your reading challenge, pick up something small. Read The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Revisit The Great Gatsby. Or dive into a short story that reminds you why you fell in love with books in the first place.
After all, it’s not about the page count. It’s about the stories that stay with you long after you’ve finished them.
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