As much as the next book lover, I find myself reading 300/400 pages books and then being a bit lost with what to do next. Since becoming a book blogger, I’ve found some absolute gems which are short books, so I thought I’d compile them all here in one handy place.
Short books: A) help you get out of a reading slump, B) fill in some time between reads, or C) bring enjoyment and themes in only a few pages (and that takes some skill!).
Without further ado, in length order (because I’m super organised like that), here are 7 short books you need to read…
Note: Whilst some of these books may appear longer than ‘short’ in terms of pages (*insert infamous quote* “how long is a piece of string?”), I’ve selected these based on the size of text, gaps in pages and other little characteristics.
Happier Thinking, Lana Grace Riva:
Starting with the shortest book – I absolutely loved it. It gives tips on a way of happier thinking, and it felt like I was just listening to my bestie give me some solid advice on changing my mindset slowly.
Riva doesn’t claim to be an expert, but Happier Thinking is a reminder of awareness and re-training your brain to turn negatives into positives. I even managed to do this with a scenario I was in a few days prior to reading. I’ll be thinking about this book now on numerous occasions.
50 pages
Non-fiction, Mental Health
The Uncommon Detectives, Mahijit Bhatt:
This one’s more of a book you’d read to a child and be fab when it comes to making all the voices but wanting it to be more detailed and without pictures. It follows the story of detectives unveiling the heist of gems and stones in London, but all the characters are animals! CUTE!
Also, it’s written by an 11-year-old kid. ELEVEN. Big congrats to Bhatt for this! Standing at only 62 pages, I am very impressed at this imaginative story, and will save it for when I have little ones!
62 pages
Fiction/ Children’s book
Five on Brexit Island, Bruno Vincent:
I actually wrote a full review for this one back in 2017, but A) I’m still hurting, B) It’s quite a short read, and did it justify a full review? And C) I’m still hurting.
Now, we’re not going to get into politics, and I love the fact that Vincent has created a chain of books with adults in mind, focusing on controversial issues, but I read this soon after Brexit and it hit too hard. It had the Enid Blyton nostalgia, but this should have been more light-hearted and less political.
Maybe I’ll try reading it again in 100 years, when I may (unlikely) be over Brexit.
103 pages
Fiction
Flighty, HDA Pratt:
Ready to enter a world of magical creatures? This one, despite being a short book, has lots of messages for the reader to take away. Being an outcast and the consequences of a decision makes Flighty a wonderful read.
Giving off the YA vibe, this one would be really great if you’re looking for a quick read which will make your imagination run wild. You can picture yourself following the magical creatures through their lands, and I’m excited to see where the second book in the series will take me.
Pages: 106
Fantasy Fiction/ Young Adult Fiction
On Tyranny, Timothy Synder:
A some-what scary but transforming read, On Tyranny has lots of facts and lessons, to help the reader understand tyranny, and when, how and why to notice it. Making it into this article due to its short chapters divided by lessons for the reader to take away, On Tyranny is a book which should be read by everyone.
This is aimed at an American audience, however with Brexit and politics in every country, we can all take away multiple lessons from this book. Debating buying thousands of copies and sending them to people for free, just to teach them a lesson.
I’ll read this time and time again.
Pages: 126
Non-fiction/ Politics
Elevation, Stephen King:
When I think of Stephen King, I think of all the horrors in the world, but this one definitely isn’t a horror. It’s actually a really sweet little book, which involves a man who loses weight without appearing thinner, and the scales registering the same figure with or without clothes (and other items).
It’s ‘sweet’ from the themes which arise, and makes the perfect addition to this blog post, as the text is quite big, but still raises some interesting points with a great ending.
If you’ve wanted to read some King, but you’re not a fan of the horror genre, or put off by the size of some of his books, try Elevation.
Pages: 132
Fiction
Marital Advice to my Grandson Joel, Peter Davidson:
You may have guessed from the title, but this one covers marital advice to the author’s grandson. Now, it’s obviously from a male’s point of view, so there’s two reasons why you should pick this up: A) to get some marital advice, B) to understand what goes on in a male’s mind.
Albeit a short book, it still makes for some very funny anecdotes and key advice everyone should take away. When I received the book, I shared some of the best quotes/advice over on my Insta story, but if you missed it, here’s my favourite: “every day of your married life will be an adventure, particularly on those days that the two of you never even leave the house.” Can I get an AWWWW?
A really heart-warming read.
Pages: 137
Non-fiction
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As always, thank you for reading! If you’re thinking of picking up any of these books, or already read them, let’s gossip! I love hearing from you – contact@bookmarkthat.co.uk
