Short Novels TBR List

If you’re not a fan of long novels or you need to get out of a reading slump, here is a short novels TBR list. Perfect for reading after work or relaxing at the weekend.

Short Novels TBR List

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

A classic, Louisanna novella. The story follows a woman who’s revisiting what she wants from her life after becoming a mother. Only 208 pages.

Passing by Nella Carson

A woman is in a dangerous marriage, married to a white man whilst she is African-American and hiding her heritage from him. If society were to find out things could be very bad for her. At the same time, there is a light-skinned woman who remains within the African-American community and experiences the everyday racism and terror of the time. Only 100 pages.

Elizabeth and her German Garden by Elizabeth Van Armin

A short memoir about Elizabeth Van Armin and her home and garden in Germany. Whilst her husband is traveling the world, Elizabeth is at home and hanging out in her garden with her many young kids. It’s more descriptive than plot-based. Only 218 pages.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron’s only novella is a classic for many. I’ve been meaning to read this for ages, but I feel like I need to wait a little longer as the characters are in a later stage of their life – marriage, babies, and established careers – so that it has more of an impact. Only 192 pages.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

This thriller is so unique, not only for its location and plotline but because of its humour. It’s a dark comedy, a thriller. How is that even a thing? And how does it work so well? So much fun. Only 242 pages.

A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

This is not an easy read, but it’s an important one. Joan Didion is a fantastic writer, and this was the first of her books I read. A Year of Magical Thinking is all about grief, and it’s visceral. Joan Didion lost her husband and her daughter in the space of a few months. And to make it worse her daughter almost died beforehand and was in a coma when her father died, and she survived only to fall and hit her head a few months later, shortly after getting married. Joan’s writing and reflection on that time were heartfelt and incredibly moving. Only 227 pages.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

This short novella is all about greed and morals. When a poor family goes to a doctor for help when their son is severely injured he refuses to see them, as they have no money. When the father later finds a beautiful pearl everything changes. But then everyone tries to get the pearl from them. Only 96 pages.

Do you have any recommendations to add to the Short Novels TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.

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