32 Best Short Books You Can Read in a Day
When you're short on time but craving a great read, there's nothing better than a short book that packs a punch. Here are 32 of the best short books you can devour in a single day, grouped by theme and each offering a unique literary experience.
Classic Short Books That Never Fade
1) Animal Farm by George Orwell
Page Count: 112
This timeless allegory is a satirical take on the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. Orwell's novella is as relevant today as it was when first published, using a farmyard rebellion to explore the dangers of totalitarianism and political corruption.
2) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Page Count: 107
Steinbeck’s tale of two displaced ranch workers during the Great Depression is a poignant exploration of friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of life. This tragic novella offers a glimpse into the struggles of the American working class.
3) The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Page Count: 127
Hemingway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novella is a simple yet profound story of an old fisherman’s epic struggle with a giant marlin. It’s a tale of endurance, pride, and the battle between man and nature.
Short Books That Question Existence
4) The Stranger by Albert Camus
Page Count: 123
Camus’ existential classic delves into the life of Meursault, an indifferent French Algerian who commits a senseless murder. The novel examines themes of absurdism, the meaning of life, and the disconnect between society and the individual.
5) Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Page Count: 152
Hesse’s philosophical novel follows Siddhartha, a young man on a spiritual journey to find enlightenment. It’s a beautiful exploration of self-discovery, inner peace, and the search for meaning in life.
6) The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Page Count: 201
Kafka’s surreal tale of a man who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect is a powerful commentary on alienation, guilt, and the human condition.
7) Pincher Martin by William Golding
Page Count: 208 pages
This harrowing novel follows the desperate struggle for survival of Christopher "Pincher" Martin, a naval officer who finds himself stranded on a rock in the middle of the Atlantic after his ship is torpedoed. As he battles the elements, his mind unravels, leading to profound reflections on life, death, and the nature of existence. Golding’s intense psychological exploration reveals the fragility of the human mind in isolation.
Powerful Feminist Voices
8) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Page Count: 244
Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman struggling with mental illness and societal expectations. This poignant exploration of identity and depression remains a defining work of feminist literature.
9) We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Page Count: 52
Adapted from her TEDx talk, Adichie’s essay is a powerful call to action for gender equality. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding feminism and its relevance in today’s world.
10) The Awakening and Selected Stories by Kate Chopin
Page Count: 240
Chopin’s groundbreaking novel explores the struggles of Edna Pontellier, a woman caught between the demands of society and her desire for independence. It’s a pioneering work in feminist literature that still resonates today.
Short Mystery and Suspense Books
11) And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Page Count: 264
Christie’s masterful whodunit brings ten strangers to a remote island, where they are systematically killed off one by one. This gripping mystery keeps readers guessing until the final page.
12) The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
Page Count: 64
In this short story, Flynn delivers a chilling tale of psychological suspense. A con artist posing as a psychic gets more than she bargained for when she encounters a troubled client and a haunted house.
13) The Ghost Writer by Philip Roth
Page Count: 180
Roth’s novella introduces Nathan Zuckerman, a young writer who visits the secluded home of his literary idol. The story explores themes of identity, ambition, and the blurred line between fiction and reality.
Best Short Science Fiction and Fantasy
14) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Page Count: 208
Adams’ comedic science fiction classic follows Arthur Dent as he navigates the galaxy after Earth’s destruction. This witty, satirical romp through space is a must-read for sci-fi fans.
15) The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Page Count: 96
This beloved novella tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting curious characters along the way. It’s a philosophical tale about love, loss, and the innocence of childhood.
16) An Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Page Count: 181
Gaiman’s haunting tale of memory and childhood follows a man who returns to his hometown and recalls his encounters with a mysterious and magical family. It’s a dark, lyrical fantasy that lingers long after the final page.
17) "The Strange Library" by Haruki Murakami
Page Count: 96 pages
In this surreal and whimsical novella, a young boy is trapped in a bizarre library by an eccentric old man. As he tries to escape, the story blends elements of fantasy, horror, and absurdity, showcasing Murakami's signature style of magical realism.
Best Short Literary Fiction with a Twist
18) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Page Count: 208
Coelho’s enchanting novel follows Santiago, a shepherd boy on a quest to find a hidden treasure. Along the way, he learns profound life lessons about following one’s dreams and the nature of fate.
19) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Page Count: 110
Cisneros’ coming-of-age novel is a series of vignettes about Esperanza, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. It’s a poignant exploration of identity, culture, and the desire for a better life.
20) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Page Count: 224
Morrison’s debut novel tells the heartbreaking story of Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl who longs for blue eyes and the acceptance they represent. It’s a powerful exploration of race, beauty, and the effects of systemic racism.
Related: 15+ Classic Science Fiction Short Stories You Need To Read
Best Short Books With Profound Narratives
21) The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Page Count: 96
Steinbeck’s novella tells the story of Kino, a poor pearl diver whose life changes after finding a massive pearl. This parable about greed, ambition, and the corrupting influence of wealth is both timeless and tragic.
22) The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
Page Count: 86
Tolstoy’s novella is a profound meditation on death and the meaning of life. It follows the life of Ivan Ilyich, a high-ranking judge in 19th-century Russia, as he confronts his own mortality and the emptiness of his existence.
23) Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Page Count: 116
Set in a small Irish town in the 1980s, Keegan’s novella follows a coal merchant who uncovers a dark secret at a local convent. This beautifully written story is a poignant exploration of morality, community, and the power of silence.
24) Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe
Page Count: 209 pages
A landmark in African literature, Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of Okonkwo, a respected leader and warrior in a Nigerian Igbo village. The novel explores the clash between traditional African society and the forces of European colonialism, delving into themes of identity, cultural change, and the devastating impacts of colonization.
Related: 5 Bone-Chilling Horror Short Story Collections By Stephen King
Best Short Memoirs and Non-Fiction
25) I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
Page Count: 96
In this powerful memoir, Shraya discusses the impact of toxic masculinity and the fear it instills in both women and men. It’s a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of gender, identity, and the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
25) Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
Page Count: 130
Solnit’s collection of essays addresses the issues of gender inequality, misogyny, and the silencing of women’s voices. Her sharp and insightful writing is a rallying cry for feminist activism and social justice.
26) The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Page Count: 96
Gibran’s poetic prose offers spiritual and philosophical wisdom on various aspects of life, from love and marriage to work and freedom. This timeless classic continues to inspire readers with its profound reflections on the human experience.
Related: 40+ Spine-Tingling Horror Short Stories
Best Short Contemporary Books
27) Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Page Count: 192
In a small Tokyo café, patrons have the chance to travel back in time—but only for the duration of their coffee. Kawaguchi’s heartwarming and bittersweet novel explores love, regret, and the importance of living in the present.
28) The Maid by Nita Prose
Page Count: 304
Molly Gray, a hotel maid, becomes embroiled in a murder mystery when she discovers a dead guest in one of the rooms. This charming and clever debut is a twist on the classic whodunit, with a unique and endearing protagonist.
29) One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Page Count: 272
Serle’s novel follows Katy, a woman grieving the loss of her mother, as she takes a trip to Italy they had planned together. There, she meets a younger version of her mother, and the story unfolds in a magical exploration of love, loss, and the bonds that transcend time.
30) Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Page Count: 128 pages
Set in the early 20th century American West, Train Dreams follows the life of Robert Grainier, a day labourer who experiences profound personal loss and witnesses the transformation of the American landscape. Johnson’s novella blends history, myth, and the supernatural, capturing the essence of the American frontier spirit and the haunting solitude of life on the margins.
Related: 9 Incredible Fantasy Short Stories & Where You Can Read Them
Best Short Books Of Poetry and Short Stories
31) American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin by Terrance Hayes
Page Count: 88
Hayes’ collection of sonnets is a powerful exploration of race, identity, and the African American experience. Each poem is a meditation on history, politics, and the personal, making this a must-read for poetry lovers.
32) The Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson
Page Count: 160
Carson’s genre-defying work combines poetry, prose, and myth to tell the story of Geryon, a winged red monster, and his tumultuous relationship with Herakles. It’s a beautiful and haunting exploration of identity, desire, and the complexities of love, rendered in a lyrical and imaginative style that blurs the lines between reality and myth. Carson reimagines the ancient myth of Geryon with a modern sensibility, crafting a narrative that is both timeless and deeply personal.
Related: Read Sunset In The East - A collection of mind-bending science fiction short stories by Ben Luxon.
Final Words: Finding The Best Short Book
We don’t always have the time (or headspace) to dig into a masterpiece like War and Peace. But, sometimes you want to lay the easy fantasy aside, step away from yet another formulaic murder mystery and tackle something with a little more guts, something that’s going to give you a bit to chew on, but isn’t going to take six months of effort to get through (I say as I tuck Ulysses back under my bed to remain unread for yet another year).
This is why you’re here, looking for the best short book recommendations. And that’s what this list of 32 of the best short books aims to do—provide you with options to add to your TBR list without feeling like a lifelong commitment to the unravelling of dense Dickensian prose.
From the harrowing isolation in William Golding's Pincher Martin to the lyrical beauty of Anne Carson's The Autobiography of Red, each book here is a golden example of the power of brevity. Short reads that pack the punch of much longer works.
