36 Must-Read Short Books You Can Finish in a Single Sitting

For fans of: Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Page count: 192

From the author of PEN/Faulkner Award finalist We Cast a Shadow comes a short story collection that brings New Orleans to life. Published in August 2021, The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You examines characters living on the margins of the Big Easy. Whether rendering an army vet, a couple struggling for money or a group of teenagers, Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s book attends to the characters with wit, joy and magnificent heart. Some of the stories can be consumed in a single sitting. All of the stories deserve a second read. If you’re aiming to read more books by Black authors but struggle to find the time to read anything, this collection is a great entry point.

For fans of: There There by Tommy Orange

Page count: 160

This 2018 New York Times bestselling memoir is both brief and devastatingly beautiful. Terese Marie Mailhot, who is from Seabird Island Band, a First Nation in British Columbia, Canada, is one of a small but growing number of acclaimed Indigenous authors making visible what many have been unwilling or unable to see. In the exquisite and ruthless prose of Heart Berries, Mailhot grapples with trauma in its many devastating forms. She shows how generations of harm have cycled in her family, all bound by silence before she took up her pen. Her writing makes vivid both violence and tenderness. For fans of memoirs, Mailhot’s story is essential reading.

For fans of: Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America and the New Face of American War by Evan Wright

Page count: 272

Part coming-of-age tale, part war story, Matt Young’s 2018 memoir Eat the Apple is technically a bit longer than most of the books on this list, but it’s a page-turner and very much worth the read. “Eat the Apple by Matt Young is one of my all-time favorite memoirs,” says author Karie Fugett. “It’s both gritty and poetic, funny and blunt. This book is so brutally and beautifully self-reflective that you can’t help but identify with Matt, even if you’ve never served in the military. After reading it, I felt I had a much better understanding of what might lead an 18-year-old to join the military during wartime.”

For fans of: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Page count: 110

This modern classic about a Latina girl growing up in Chicago has been translated and taught all over the world. Written in 1984, The House on Mango Street is still a banned book in some school districts for its commentary on racism and violence. At fewer than 150 pages (depending on the edition you purchase), it packs a punch well out of proportion to its size. Few novellas have left such a lasting mark. Unsurprisingly, given the compression and power of her work, Sandra Cisneros is also a poet. She renders each vignette in this book in unforgettable imagery.

For fans of: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Page count: 64

National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward has a catalog of books that are each too long to make this list. But the beautifully illustrated Navigate Your Stars fits perfectly. Based on the 2018 commencement address she gave at Tulane University, this 2020 book can be read whenever you need a boost of inspiration. Ward traces her family’s history through her own, sharing stories of her grandmother and parents. In a nurturing and encouraging voice, she writes about the realities of life, how much hard work is needed to thrive and what different ways of persevering look like. Bonus: Its lovely illustrations make it a perfect graduation gift or mini coffee table book.

For fans of: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Page count: 272

Yes, this is over our 250-page limit. But hear us out: While this may not be a short book per se, it’s undeniably a quick read. Many of the pages in this innovative debut novel hold only a paragraph or a handful of letters. Ghost Forest, published in 2021, is the story of a family that immigrates from Hong Kong to Canada without their father, who continues to work in Hong Kong and dies soon after. Through his daughter, Pik-Shuen Fung explores how to grieve the loss of that which is already absent. The abundance of space on each page reminds the reader continually of absence, and the story speaks to anyone interested in themes of grief, immigration or family.

For fans of: Bluets by Maggie Nelson

Page count: 192

Jenny Offill has redefined brevity in literature. Each chapter, paragraph and sentence seem so carefully distilled that not a single extraneous word can be found. Her laser-sharp concision is like a broth boiled all the way down—each morsel is incredibly complex and full of depth, making you return for more. In Dept. of Speculation, she explores the layers of a loving marriage gone wrong. On more “book-of-the-year” lists in 2014, when it was released, than there is space here to mention, this novel will become a favorite of anyone who appreciates craft, depth and page-turning storytelling.

For fans of: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Page count: 203

This beauty of a memoir, which was published in 2020 and has won multiple awards, is structured around letters from the author’s mother during years of separation. When E.J. Koh was only 15 years old, her parents moved to South Korea for work, leaving her and her brother to navigate life in America on their own. Years later, Koh found the letters in a box and set out to translate them, weaving them into a captivating story you won’t want to put down. Koh’s use of language in The Magical Language of Others casts a powerful spell readers, bringing layers of the human experience to light. Its themes would make it a great choice for a mother-daughter book club.

For fans of: The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories by Tim Burton

Page count: 32

If you’re a Tim Burton fan, Edward Gorey’s 1957 classic, The Doubtful Guest, is the perfect book for you. “At 32 pages, this pocket-size presentation may seem better suited to children,” says Barbara Basbanes Richter, the host of the Writing for Immortality podcast and a voting member of the National Book Critics Circle, “but when I need a quick dose of whimsical macabre, I turn to this book, which I keep on my nightstand—proof of how often I page through Gorey’s 14 rhyming couplets concerning a mysterious sneaker-clad creature who appears at a family’s home and never leaves.” Richter even recommends the book as “a humorous housewarming gift to put an apprehensive host at ease.”

For fans of: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

Page count: 124

Mexican author Juan Rulfo did not begin writing until his 40s and then published only one novel, in 1955. Yet Pedro Páramo, which embraces a world both past and present, is considered a masterpiece of 20th-century literature. Lauded Latin American author Gabriel García Márquez claimed that he knew the entire book by heart. If you’re looking for a quick novel to transport you on surreal adventures, this one’s for you.

For fans of: Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón

Page count: 128

Readers interested in poetry, this one’s for you. Andrea Gibson is one of the most popular spoken-word poets today. In You Better Be Lightning, Gibson explores things as far as space and as close as illness. “Many of the poems in this collection were written at an octave of compassion that was often out of my daily range,” Gibson shared on social media. “It wasn’t until my cancer diagnosis that I could consistently reach those high notes.” This collection sings, revitalizes and heals. If you’re new to poetry, this book of poems, published in 2021, is a perfect entry point, as they are approachable, vulnerable and undeniably powerful.

For fans of: There Are Trans People Here by H. Melt

Page count: 96

Poetry collections are a great option if you’re looking for short books that pack an emotional punch. This slim collection, published in 2020, is brimming with energy, insight and tenderness. A finalist for both the 2020 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2021 NAACP Image Award, Homie is both a celebratory and an unflinching LGBTQ book. Danez Smith, a queer Black poet, writes from a place of deep love. These poems vary in theme and tone but as a collection serve as an exaltation of friendship, connection and being alive.

For fans of: Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

Page count: 112

A New York Times top book of 2018 from MacArthur fellow Terrance Hayes, the poetry collection American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin takes the sonnet form to new heights. In popular culture, sonnets are often associated with love poems, but in Hayes’s hands, they tackle so much more: political structures, father-son relationships, time and mortality. Each 14-line poem is packed with alliterative sounds, rich syllables and infinite meaning. For lovers of language and innovation within form, there’s no better book than this.

For fans of: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Page count: 224

It’s no wonder Durian Sukegawa’s charming 2017 novel, Sweet Bean Paste, became an international bestseller. “This book, which is translated from Japanese [by Alison Watts], reminds me of the film Tampopo in its reverence for food—in this case, dorayaki, which is a kind of pancake filled with sweet bean paste,” says Christine Bollow, the co-owner and director of programs for Loyalty Bookstores and a fiction juror for the 2024 Kirkus Prize literary award.

“There is a lovely simplicity to the story, the kind that makes you appreciate things like the return of cherry blossom season and the exquisiteness of a favorite treat,” Bollow says. “While there is a poignant thread throughout the book, Sweet Bean Paste is ultimately a heartwarming story that reflects on the value of friendship and on every being’s contribution to the world, no matter how seemingly small that might be.”

For fans of: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Page count: 210

Co-author of the international bestseller Ask Your Angels, Andrew Ramer brings us a truly unique tale of the oldest woman in the world. Deathless comes in the form of the “autobiography” of Serach bat Asher. Though she’s mentioned three times in the Hebrew Bible, her stories are not included there, and now, living near the beach in Los Angeles, she’s here to rectify that. Channeling spirituality, imagination and in-depth knowledge of the Torah, Ramer writes a story for all who love to learn through speculative fiction. This 2018 novel is visually small but densely packed with knowledge that only a 3,000-year-old woman could confer.

For fans of: All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

Page count: 192

Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima was originally published as a series of short stories in Japan in the late 1970s. It has since been compiled into a novel, the English translation of which was published in 2018. What appears to be a quiet story of a divorced single mother finding a new life, Territory of Light teems with profound questions and immersive images. Book critic John Self calls it a “hidden masterpiece.” Because of its original format, each chapter is self-contained and seamlessly connects to create an emotionally rich journey, making it the perfect short book for anyone who reads in small bursts of time.

For fans of: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charles Mackesy

Page count: 96

If you haven’t read The Little Prince, you’re in for a treat. Written in 1943, this is one of those short books that can be read in one sitting but also savored over a lifetime. The story of a stranded aviator getting to know a prince from another planet will delight readers of all ages and generations, as it’s an easy book that offers truly profound lessons below the surface. Its watercolor illustrations, also done by the author, add to its tenderness and sense of immediacy. Adapted into graphic novels, films and animated TV series, The Little Prince still remains one of the best children’s books ever written.

“I first read this book in a high school French class and probably struggled more than I enjoyed it. But every reading after that has revealed new layers to what, at first glance, looks like a beautifully illustrated but simple children’s book,” says Tracey Neithercott, Reader’s Digest Books Editor. “I think I enjoy it even more as an adult who can appreciate the depth of the tale. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry writes, ‘It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’ This book is all heart.”

For fans of: Upstream by Mary Oliver

Page count: 42

This is the shortest of the short books on our list, and one of the oldest. These 10 compiled letters from celebrated poet Rainer Maria Rilke to a young mentee were written between 1903 and 1908. Their wisdom and beauty shine through today, making Letters to a Young Poet a timeless gift, perfect for the aspiring writer in your life. If you’re looking for quick reads that offer life lessons and questions to contemplate, this is one to add to your list.

For fans of: Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

Page count: 190

Renowned poet and author Sylvia Plath put much of herself into main character Esther Greenwood’s struggle with depression and mental health. Published just before Plath’s death in 1963, this unforgettable novel gives us an intimate view into the mind of a brilliant and misunderstood writer. If you’ve been meaning to read Plath (and you should—she’s one of the most celebrated female authors of the 20th century), The Bell Jar is a good starting point.

For fans of: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Page count: 146

We Have Always Lived in the Castle was the last novel written by acclaimed horror book writer Shirley Jackson. This 1962 Gothic novel follows the strange and possibly murderous Blackwood sisters, who live in isolation away from the neighboring villagers until a charismatic estranged cousin appears and threatens their peace. Julianne Buonocore, president of the Literary Lifestyle, describes it as “a book that can be read in one day but will never be forgotten. The suspense surrounding the neurotic, unreliable narrator builds to an utterly haunting conclusion.”

For fans of: Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Page count: 76

Yes, we promised no War and Peace, but we didn’t promise to forego Leo Tolstoy altogether. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is your opportunity to read a (short) masterwork by one of the greatest writers of all time. You can do this, dear reader. Page count depends on which edition/translation you grab, but all are well under 150 pages—much, much shorter than War and Peace‘s whopping 2,201 pages. This book may have been published in 1886, but to this day, no one is wiser than Tolstoy about death and dying—or living, for that matter.

For fans of: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Page count: 96

Heinrich Böll was a German writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1972. He was known for his short stories, novels and What’s to Become of the Boy?, the memoir of his life between 1933 and 1937, which he published in 1981. This brief, wrenching account of growing up in Nazi Germany in a family that hated Hitler will leave you thinking of nothing else. It’s a must-read Holocaust book about one of the darkest chapters in German—and human—history.

For fans of: They Called Us Exceptional: And Other Lies That Raised Us by Prachi Gupta

Page count: 200

If you’re seeking short books that can be read in digestible chunks, essay collections are a great way to go. This dynamic 2020 book by debut author Sejal Shah received rave reviews and continues to gain momentum. This Is One Way to Dance is filled with essays taking creative forms that NPR says “should inspire and enlighten other essayists.” Shah shares her American experience as the daughter of immigrants navigating between cultures and locations. In these pages, she redefines, broadens and makes more space for intersecting identities.

For fans of: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Page count: 206

Toni Morrison, winner of both the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes, is a true icon. She gave us 10 novels, seven books of nonfiction and three children’s books. If you haven’t read her work yet, 1970’s The Bluest Eye is a perfect starting point—this book about racism was her first bestselling novel and is under 250 pages. With her signature poetic prose, Morrison tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl who longs for her eyes to turn blue … and the nightmare of that dream coming true.

For fans of: Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence

Page count: 128

Kate Chopin wrote only two novels before she died in 1904. The first is largely forgotten, but the second, The Awakening, is now considered a classic. At the time of its publication in 1899, it was widely condemned for portraying a woman who, trapped in a loveless marriage, has an affair. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the early feminist book found—and held—its audience.

For fans of: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Page count: 160

Published in 2021, Becky Chambers’s science fiction book won the 2022 Hugo Award for its feel-good solarpunk tale of humans and robots. “You know that feeling when you’re sitting by a campfire outside, looking at the stars, enjoying the fresh air and the sounds of nature with the fire crackling, and time slows down as you just enjoy simply existing? That’s how I felt reading this book,” Bollow says. “Becky Chambers’s Monk & Robot books, consisting of A Psalm for the Wild-Built and its follow-up, A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, are delightful, hopeful, inclusive and absolutely magical.”

For fans of: A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

Page count: 80

Adored author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares the story of her father’s death in this moving mini memoir from 2021. Notes on Grief is actually an expansion of a New Yorker essay Adichie published in 2020. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, her celebration of her father’s life and mourning of his death help all of us process the communal and personal griefs of these past years. For anyone who has suffered loss, this is one of those sad books that also serves as a balm—so go ahead and cry it out.

For fans of: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Page count: 64

Ntozake Shange’s 1975 masterpiece defies category: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf is performed as theater but reads like a gorgeously urgent prose poem. As a play, it won Tony and Obie awards, and as a work of literature, its title inspired a 2012 essay collection by author Keith Boykin. Under 80 pages in print (depending on the edition), this passionate, courageous flash of a book vividly brings to life the outer experience and inner processing of being a woman of color.

For fans of: Outline by Rachel Cusk

Page count: 176

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jhumpa Lahiri wrote Whereabouts in Italian and published it in Italy before translating it herself and publishing it in the United States in 2021. It’s quite a departure from her previous work. Anyone who has wondered about their place in the world or felt isolated will find companionship in the book’s unnamed protagonist. In 46 quick chapters, Lahiri takes readers to different locations in the character’s life and gives them a close-up view of her thoughts and transformation.

For fans of: Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley

Page count: 231

When it comes to hard-boiled fiction, nobody did it better than Raymond Chandler. He died in 1959, but his work lives on. The prolific master of the detective story turned to writing after he lost his job with an oil company during the Great Depression. The Big Sleep, published in 1939, was his first novel to feature his famous PI, Philip Marlowe. When a millionaire calls on Marlowe to investigate the blackmailing of his daughters, seduction, kidnapping and murders ensue.

For fans of: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

Page count: 128

In this award-winning 2013 collection of short stories, Guadalupe Nettel offers five entrancing tales in which animals—even fish and insects—reflect hidden aspects of human nature. Like many of the best short books on our list, Natural Histories is an international fiction title in translation, this time from Spanish. Nettel’s insights into marriage, family and desire transcend borders and cultures.

For fans of: St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell

Page count: 128

In her 2011 novel, contemporary fairy-tale writer Kate Bernheimer draws on Russian, German and Yiddish folklore and fairy tales to vividly evoke the enchantment of a young woman’s inner life. This quick read of a novel is the third in a trilogy in which all three pieces are breathtakingly brief and can be read as stand-alone stories. The Complete Tales of Lucy Gold is wholly original, compelling and a smart choice when you’re short on time.

For fans of: An Equal Music by Vikram Seth

Page count: 128

In the crystalline pages of the novel Ravel, Jean Echenoz imagines the last 10 years of Maurice Ravel’s life. The 2006 historical fiction book opens in 1928, as the great eccentric composer embarks on a grand tour of the United States. Echenoz not only provides a rich portrait of a flawed genius but also illuminates the times in which he lived.

For fans of: What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver

Page count: 160

Literary provocateur Gordon Lish has a towering reputation as an editor, teacher, writer and paradigm-breaker. Goings, published in 2013, is a collection of 13 witty, slyly subversive stories that tackle relationships with the self, family, friends and lovers. For fans of his earlier books or the many famous writers he’s edited (including Raymond Carver), this is one of the short books that won’t disappoint.

For fans of: Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy

Page count: 148

Jason Schwartz’s innovative 2013 book lives in the shadowlands between fiction and poetry, and it pushes the edges of what it is possible to do with the written word. In John the Posthumous, Schwartz enfolds fictional histories, a possible murder or two and a slew of startling images in a work that delights and unnerves its adventurous readers.