Who does not like to read a book in one sitting? In this post, I am going to present you with a list of books that can be used for a calm weekend after a tiring week, while traveling or even Readathons! Readers who think are falling behind in their Goodreads Yearly Challenge or want to jumpstart can also use books mentioned in the list below.
I love shorter books. Sometimes it is better to tell a story in less amount of words and leave the rest for the reader to figure out. Novellas are still written by modern-day writers and sold by publishers. In the list below, I will try to diversify as much as I can. Let us prepare for our next Readathon!
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Page Count: 208
Winner of 2016’s Man Booker International Prize, Han Kang ’s subtle written book, The Vegetarian is a surprise package. It’s a long form of a novella and divided into three parts, first published in 2007. However, the concept of this novel originated in 1997 when Kang wrote a short story titled, ‘The Fruit of My Woman’. Set in modern-day Seoul, it tells the story of Yeong-hye, a homemaker, whose decision to stop eating meat after having a nightmare.
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
Page Count: 64
The author of the Gone Girl came out with a short story in 2015. about a fraudulent psychic who gets drawn into the life of one of her wealthy customers who is convinced her house is haunted. When the psychic checks out her tale, though, she realizes she might be able to sense a sinister supernatural power after all.
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
Page Count: 162
First Nonfiction book on this list. It is a collection of essays and is a reader’s delight, written by another reader who tributes her love for the books in her life by writing a book of essays herself.
The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
Page Count: 96
The Strange Library is an excellent introduction to the dreamy, magical world of Haruki Murakami. In this novella, an unlikely trio—a shy boy, a tortured sheep man, and a strange girl—work to escape a creepy library.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Page Count: 264
My favorite Christie book. Don’t go on the length of it. It is so intense that you will be shocked to read it in a lesser amount of time than you expect.
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
Page Count: 192
This slim novel about George, a professor grieving the loss of his younger male lover, caused outrage when it was first published in 1964. The story, which takes place over the course of a single day, shocked audiences with its bold and unapologetic grappling with society’s paralyzing stigma towards the gay community and advocating for LGBT rights.
The Misfit’s Manifesto by Lidia Yuknavitch
Page Count: 120
Another non-fiction book is an ode to nonconformity by weaving her misfit history and those of her writing students and notable artists, writers, and creatives. For anyone who has felt like they never fit in, The Misfit Manifesto is a searing manifesto that will inspire a rebel stirring in your weird little heart.
I am accepting books for reviews, email me for inquiries at amandeepmittal@live.com
Great list. I’m reading a rather short novel that should be on your list. “Sense of an Ending” by Julian Barnes. Read it in one day and it was excellent. -Robert
Love this!! Always looking for some short reads.
I’ve only read The Vegetarian – I need to find the others, clearly, because they sound fascinating!
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I think I did read The Strange Library in just one sitting, but I couldn’t read The Vegetarian in just one go…it was too intense and bizarre for a one day read.