We all love the idea of beating a personal goal, but sometimes life gets in the way. Luckily, short novels are an excellent solution for busy readers who want an unforgettable read. Some of the most powerful stories are told with less than 100 pages, challenging authors to be precise but impactful. So, whether your 2025 reading goal is 10 or 100, take a look at this curated list of incredible short novels to help you push through your end goal if you’re in a slump.
The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow
If I ever get my memory erased, the first thing I am doing is rereading this story. Only 30 pages long, this spectacular novella will leave you wanting more as it follows our nameless protagonist, a young girl who becomes a weapon for the Prince. Trained to be ruthless and inhumane, she sacrifices everything for the Prince to succeed, even dying six times in his service. This story portrays devotion, destiny, and the possibility of breaking free from endless cycles of suffering as she meets someone who has been watching over her many lives, offering the protagonist a form of love beyond the violence she is trapped in. The Six Deaths of the Saint will have you staring at the wall afterwards, and perhaps have you read it two or three more times.
“That I have lived and killed and lived again in the name of a man who does not deserve it because I wanted so badly to be beloved. But only one person in all my lives has ever loved me, and he does not wear a crown.”
– The Six Deaths of the Saint
Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn
Yunjae was born with a brain condition where he is unable to feel intense emotions, such as fear or anger. So what happens when he meets a troubled teenager who only ever felt anger? The two characters are complete opposites, but in a way this allows them to feel a connection and find solace in one another as society deems them as abnormal. Almond portrays human emotion and friendship like no other, providing a heartfelt story that will stay with you for a long time.
“Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides”
– Almond
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
An intimate love story of Black art, this delightful book portrays two young artists who meet and find safety in their soft connection. Set in London, the two characters explore themes of vulnerability and love in a world that hardens against Black individuals, portraying the beauty of their relationship as they navigate through societal struggles and pressures. Written in second-person perspective, Open Water illustrates what it truly means to be seen by another person, and will have you reevaluate your depiction of love.
“To my queen, forever is a mighty long time, but I knew you before I met you, so now we’re free. You didn’t have a home coming into this world, but you’re home now. You’re home now.”
– Open Water
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
While this is a children’s book and may make you believe you should have little to no desire to read this, I highly recommend all ages to read this beautiful story at least once in your life. This beloved classic is cherished by children and adults, following the story of a pilot who has crashed on a strange planet and finds himself in the company of a young prince, who guides him through the planet and teaches him valuable life lessons he has never thought about before. This short story highlights the value of appreciating the little things in life and finding beauty in our world, as well as never forget our child-like curiosity, no matter how old we grow.
“Grown-ups love figures… When you tell them you’ve made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you ‘What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?’ Instead they demand ‘How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?’ Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”
– The Little Prince
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Set in 1950s Paris, this story explores guilt and self-acceptance as a young American man struggles with his sexual identity. David has just proposed to his girlfriend, Hella; however, while she is away on a trip, he encounters a peculiar, attractive man at a bar, and the two go back to his room together to spend the night. Experiencing crippling guilt as Hella returns to Paris, the story weaves through the mystery of loving and revealing the complexities of the human heart.
“You don’t have a home until you leave it and then, when you have left it, you never can go back.”
– Giovanni’s Room
Whether you feel behind on your yearly goal, or you need an impactful story that will quickly have you falling back in love with reading, these stories are sure to deliver that. Reading should never be pressured to meet a certain number, but sometimes short novels are a great way to make us feel complete and satisfied.
For more incredible short stories recommended by our team, click here.
If you’re interested in more classic reads, check out our list on bookshop.org here
