As the end of the year rapidly approaches, so does the deadline to accomplish your reading goal. Don’t fret! I still believe you can reach it, especially with the help of these quick reads. Dive in to discover some short yet impactful reads all under 150 pages!
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
This satirical novella by Alan Bennett perfectly and uniquely encapsulates what it means to fall in love with reading. After Elizabeth II’s corgis make a mad dash and find themselves at a traveling library outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen borrows a book on a whim. She quickly becomes an extremely voracious reader, and her royal duties take a back seat. The story will remind you about the delights of books and encourage you to read!
The Odd Couple by Neil Simon
A great way to quickly consume a story is to read a play! The Odd Couple is one of Neil Simon’s most beloved comedies about a pair of roommates. Despite being vastly dissimilar individuals, Oscar and Felix are the best of friends. But when a newly separated Felix moves into Oscar’s bachelor pad, their differences come to a head and hilarity ensues.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
It’s 1985 in this small Irish town and Christmas is a week away. It also happens to be coal merchant Bill Furlong’s busiest season. While making his routine delivery to the nearby convent, Bill becomes directly faced with the harsh reality of the religious institution and the town’s relationship with it. This short yet devastating novel is all about the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland.
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
In the depths of Greenhollow lives the Wild Man. Tobias lives in harmony among his cat and the dryads, enjoying living in the present in his humble cottage. But when Greenhollow Hall enters the possession of Henry Silver, Tobias learns he can’t live in the past forever. Silver in the Wood is a deliciously atmospheric fantasy romance novella that will have you hankering for a walk in the woods.
Galatea by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller, the author behind The Song of Achilles and Circe, has made a name for herself as THE author of emotional Greek mythology retellings. She continues her trademark mastery in her short story that reimagines the myth of Galatea and Pygmalion. After the Greek sculptor Pygmalion constructs his ideal woman in marble, a goddess brings the masterpiece to life. Galatea is supposed to embody Pygmalion’s perfect wife: beautiful, obedient, and humble. But when she starts to think and dream for herself, the controlling Pygmalion locks her away. For her daughter, Galatea must muster the strength to break free.
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Before Bram Stoker’s Dracula, there was Carmilla: a sapphic vampire story that is just as haunting. Laura lives in an ideal gothic setting, a remote castle in the depths of the Austrian forest. She lives a life of isolation, her only other companion being her sickly father. That all changes when a nearby carriage accident brings the arrival of the alluring Carmilla. Laura is enthused to at long last have some female friendship, but Carmilla isn’t what she seems and Laura becomes plagued by nightmares and illness.
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
If you’re in the mood for noir, James M. Cain’s suspenseful 1935 classic is a great one to pick up. It begins as many electrifying tales do: with an insurance salesman. When Walter Huff’s job brings him to the home of Mr. Nirdlinger, Walter becomes drawn to the client’s wife Phyllis. Walter’s desire drives him to action when Phyllis approaches him seeking to take out an accident policy for her husband. The novel is filled with murder, lust, and betrayal – it is the perfect quick and gripping read.
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
This long-anticipated recent release from the author of If We Were Villains continues to deliver on Rio’s trademark for spooky and mysterious academic atmosphere. The novella follows a group of five unlikely individuals working their respective late shifts around the college cemetery. There is a bartender, ride-share driver, hotel receptionist, church steward, and college paper editor. The five unearth a weird mystery in the ancient cemetery: the empty hole of a grave that shouldn’t be there. When they spot the peculiar gravedigger, they begin to follow him, connecting his presence to a series of bizarre occurrences across town.
Whether you’re looking for a shocking mystery, a devastating literary fiction, or an atmospheric fantasy, these short books will keep you engaged and reading! With these reads all under 150 pages, you’re sure to reach your book count goal. Happy reading!
To discover some of the Bookstr Team’s favorite short stories, click here!
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