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31 Incredible Short Books For Book Club Discussion
Admit it, sometimes you wish your book club had picked a short book rather than a 500-page long novel.
Occasionally we all want to indulge in quick short novels for book clubs just to have a chilled discussion. When you include fast-paced short books in the book club reading list not only members can read very fast, you can swiftly move on to the next book club read.
I love short novels, or brief memoirs or even short non fiction books which you can read in a day.
So in today’s post I have compiled the best short books for your book discussion groups. You can find these short books in three categories; Under 100 pages, 200 pages and 300 pages.
To make it even easier for YOU, I have mentioned the total pages of each novel. So if you’re looking for some great short books for book clubs in 2022, let’s get started with these books.
Short Novels for Book Club ( under 100 pages)
Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling (74 pages)
This is a commencement speech of J. K Rowling at Harvard University in 2008. Mostly encapsulates the benefits of failure & the importance of imagination. She borrows examples from her own life and delivers an inspiring talk. An uplifting short book for book club in 2022!
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (48 pages)
Short but intense read that defines the notion of feminism. As many people have misunderstood the definition of feminism, this book will give you the real definition. Drawing the experience from her own life, Adichie narrates this book extremely well! If your book club is looking for short reads that are inspiring and less preachy, you should pick up this book.
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The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (30 pages)
Published in 1948, this short story follows a village where the annual lottery is drawn. All the local residents are excited and anxious about the event. As it’s mandatory for all the families to participate in the lottery drawing but none of them wants to be the winner. So what will happen to the winner? Read the book to find out. This dark tale is a good short fiction book for your reading group.
The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (64 pages)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman short story discusses a woman’s role in the institution of marriage. The story follows a mother who has been taken to the countryside by her husband to cure an unknown illness. The rest cure, a treatment that her doctor husband has prescribed, seems to have no effect on her at all. Days after, her mental health begins to deteriorate. She begins to stare at the yellow paper, assuming that there is a trapped woman in it. This powerful classic book is a great short book to add in the book club reading list.
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Best Short Books for Book Club (under 200 pages)
Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami (176 pages)
This is the story of Omachi Tsukiko, a lonely woman in her late 30’s, and her high school teacher whom she calls “Sensei’’. From drinking at a sake bar to hiking mountains. They find solace in each other. This sweeping story of love and loneliness is one of the best short novels for book club books. You can easily finish this novel in one sitting but you wouldn’t be able to let go of the story of the characters.
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The Medusa Frequency by Russell Hoban(144 Pages)
If your book club is looking for a short read book with humor and charm, The Medusa Frequency is a perfect choice. The book is all about the uncanny combinations of characters from mythology and reality. A humorous tale with many Greek references. This might be a little complicated at first but you’re surely going to enjoy the themes along the way.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (120 Pages)
Utterly whimsical novel where the Queen of England discovers the joy of reading. Soon her reading habit starts to take over everything else in her life. The concerned staff begin to wonder about the future of the country. This beautiful novel has a lot of humorous and charming moments. Not only is this book a short and sweet novel for book clubs, but also a perfect gift for your book club members.
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The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (181 Pages)
Neil Gaiman’s immersive tale is a mix of fantasy, adventure, and a dark fairy. It tells the story of a middle-aged man who has returned to his childhood town to attend a funeral. Upon arrival the events from his childhood begin to replay in his mind. He is reminded of his friend Lettie from the Hempstock farmhouse. The young girl who used to describe her duck pond as her occean. This enchanting story is a remarkable short novel for the book club.
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Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson (196 Pages)
An emotional read that tells the grievous experiences of an African-American young woman. In alternating narratives we learn what it takes to live in a community. The book opens with the sixteen-year-old Melody’s coming-of-age ceremony. Later through her parents and parents the novel explores the themes of race, love, marriage and motherhood. If you’re looking for an inspiring book for your book club you should read this book. Red at the Bone is a great short book for book club under 200 pages.
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The Vegetarian by Han Kang (188 pages)
In this list of short book recommendations for the book club, next comes a short but extremely challenging novel. This is the story of Yeong-hye who decides to stop eating meat. Her meat-eating family is both baffled and furious to hear her decision. Later, her family becomes brutal towards her and tries to forcefully feed meat to her. Han Kang has penned a complex story that will get under your skin. The Vegetarian is a perfect allegory that illustrates modern lives in Korea.
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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (146 pages)
Years ago the members of the family were poised and some of the house members were killed. Now the survivors, The Blackwood sisters and their uncle are leading a secluded life in a big house. However, the local suspects that the murder is one of the survioors. The three of them are very much to themselves except the young sister who goes out twice a week for groceries and library books. And then comes a mysterious cousin with a secret motive. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a short but thrilling book club book to read in 2022.
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Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot (143 Pages)
Often reading groups want to read books that are short but require a slow-pace. Terese Marie Mailhot memoirs is one such book that takes you reader on a gut-wrenching journey. She sheds light on her abusive family on an Indian reservation.This brave memoir also features intimate accounts of motherhood, mental illness and suffering. Mailhot discusses the lives of Indigenous women both in the past and the present times. These poetic essays are worth discussing with your book club members.
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The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (150 pages)
British author Julia Banrnes’ philosophical novel explores the various ways our past comes back to us. Or how our memories are stored in such a way that sometimes, we do want to erase most of them. Tony Webster is a middle-aged man who has moved on with a tragedy from the past. He is on good terms with his ex-wife and leading a peaceful life. Until, a mysterious legacy forces him to reconsider his choices from the past. This brief but impactful novel is a short but intense book for your book club reading list.
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Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street ( 110 pages)
Internationally acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street is a short story collection inspired by the author’s own life in America. Cisneros’ parents moved to Chicago when she was 11 years old. She elucidates the struggles and hardships of children while growing in a poor working class family. As a young Latina girl, Cisneros’ struggled to find the sense of belonging in the neighbourhood. These lyrical stories are moving and beautiful and discuss the themes of oppression, shame, and friendship. A short read for book clubs that is told in a series of vignettes.
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The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaVa (149 pages)
Looking for discussion worthy short novels for the book group? This atmospheric novella is perfect to read. The Ballad of Black Tom is the story of a hustler named Charles Thomas Tester. After her mother’s death, Tom is doing all kinds of things to provide for his poor father. But life is not easy for a young black man in 1920s New York. So he takes up the unusual jobs that pay well. So when he meets a strange white man who promises something huge, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes. But does it come with a price?
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The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson (166 pages)
This fascinating fantasy novel is inspired by Lovecraft’s 1943 novella The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. In this story we follow the professor at Ulthar Women’s College Vellitt Boe who sets off to retrieve one of her students, who elopes with a man from the waking world. As this 55-year-old ex-traveller passes through other worldly places, with a mysterious black cat as companion, her journey is challenging and often dangerous. If your book club is into short and fast-paced fantasy novels you should read this book immediately.
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The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom ( 196 pages)
This is the story of Eddie, an old mechanic who is killed in an accident at a theme park on his 83d birthday. Once in heaven he meets five people who take him back to his life on Earth in flashbacks. All these five people have connected with Eddie in some way during their life on Earth. This is a through-provoking read that explores love, God, hate and forgiveness. Discuss this short but inspiring book with your book club members.
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Great Short Books for Book Clubs under 300 Pages
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle (268 pages)
Katy’s heartbroken after losing her mother. Carol was not only her mother but also her best friend and confidant. The grief is so unbearable that she begins to question everything in her life, from her career to her relationship with her husband. But then Katy decides to travel to Prosicano ; The magical town that seems to have a big influence on her mother. Katy hopes that this trip can help her find a new purpose in life. This atmospheric novel is a short book with just under 300 pages. But I am certain that your book club wouldn’t be able to stop talking about this Italian summer that will change everything.
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Sanibel Dreams by Hope Holloway (257 pages)
Eliza Whitney is going through a rough period in her life. Not only did she lose her darling husband, but also her high-powered job. Just as she was trying to get out of the grief, she gets an invite to travel to Sanibel Island, to help her estranged father’s widow, Teddy. Once on the island, Eliza learns a lot about her father’s life , whom she hadn’t seen since childhood. With the help of Teddy, who is also a natural healer, Eliza finds new life. A beautiful short book to read with your reading group.
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All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung (240 pages)
In a thought-provoking memoir, Nicole Chung discusses transracial adoption along with her confused and disturbed state of mind and the attempts she made to discover the roots of her life. A heart-touching book that explores a woman’s journey to make peace with identity. Chung speaks with honesty about her personal struggles , her birth family, abuse and separation. This short memoir will be a perfect book group book for 2022.
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Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde (292 pages)
A short novel that is set in the background of the Vietnam war. The book narrates the story of a fourteen-year-old boy who fights for his life and runs away from all his problems. As a result, he ends up in the woods where he meets Zoe, who lives isolated from society. There grows their unexpected friendship. A beautiful story that conveys the significance of peace, happiness, and compassionate friendships. A wonderful short book recommendation for our book club
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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (288 pages)
The protagonist in the novel is completely lost and it is through her thoughts that the author throws the light on us by providing a possibility to change our life into a better one. The author claims that there is a midnight library in between our life and death, fraught with lots of books and shelves which urges us to go through to realise what truly fulfils our life and what makes our life worth living. Matt Haig’s uplifting novel is an epic page-turner and should definitely be included in the list of best short book club novels.
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My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (226 pages)
This debut novel of Braithwaite tells the story of two sisters, Korede and Ayoola. The firstborn is being neglected by everyone whereas the younger Ayoola, through her charms, gains everyone’s attention. Apart from her external beauty, she is a serial killer. And it is Korede who is supposed to bear all the responsibilities of her sister’s crime. An unputdownable thriller which is right under 250 pages and great to read in your book reading group.
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Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (288 Pages)
Lillian and Madison were best friends at school. When her wealthy friend Madison gets into trouble, Lillian is forced to take the blame and leave the school. Years later the same friend is back, begging Lilian to save her life yet again. Her new request is to look after her two inflammable step-children. And the thing is Lillian desperately needs a job so even though she has no clue how to take care of children, she agrees to take up the task. This wonderful novel with dark humor is another highly recommended short novel for book clubs.
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Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (264 pages)
From the author of Homegoing comes an unforgettable tale about a woman’s pursuit to solve the mysteries that have broken her family. The protagonist Gifty is a student of neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine. When her brother dies of a heroin overdose, her family is broken and she loses hope in religion and god. Now she is adamant to find out the reason behind all the miseries around her through science. Transcendent Kingdom is a quick book to read with your book group.
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The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (290 pages)
This modern Jane Eyre is a thrilling page-turner. We meet Jane who secretly dreams of becoming wealthy and living in a mansion with a husband. However, right now she is just a dog-walker for the rich families in Thornfield Estates. But then she runs into Eddie Rochester, a widower. As their friendship quickly takes a romance turn, Jane is thrilled to have found the perfect man. But then things don’t always go as planned! This delicious mystery is a short novel that you can enjoy reading and discussing in your book clubs
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Looking for Alaska by John Green ( 221 pages)
New York Times bestselling author John Green’s debut novel is a short and intense novel that will make you laugh and cry at once. The story follows the life of a teenage boy Miles Halter from Florida. When he decided to attend Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama, he had never expected to meet and fell in love with the moody and unpredictable Alaska Young. As Miles , Alaska and their common friend Chip get involved in pranks, the unexpected happens and Miles’ life is changed forever.
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Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan (268 pages)
Nora is a single mom and a professional screenwriter. She has been writing the sweet and fluffy rom-coms with more or less the same plots and characters. But then when she writes a new story about her own life, about her failed marriage and her dreams. And then it gets picked up by a major Hollywood studio. And all of a sudden her house is transformed into a movie set. Within a few days, the lead actor of the movie approaches Nora with a strange request. He offers to pay money to stay at her place for a week. Money is huge but more than that Nora might say yes just to have him around. This short rom-com is a delightful book club book.
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The Enemy by Sarah Adams (256 pages)
Ryan and June were sworn enemies in high school. Now Ryan is a chef and June is a business woman. But when they bumped into each other at their best friend’s wedding their old connection began to resurface again. But this time both are not sure about the nature of their interaction. So are they ready to forgive each other and move on? This enemies to lovers short romance novel is a fun book club book for 2022.
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Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
From the bestselling author of Station Eleven comes yet another sci-fi novel which tells the interconnected stories from different timelines. We meet young Edwin St. Andrew who has been exiled from England to Canadian Wilderness. Next there is Olive Llewellyn who is an author from the second moon colony. And then there is a detective, hired to investigate an anomaly in the North American wilderness. This deeply moving tale about finding oneself and being part of a community. An imaginative book which is short , intense and great to read in the book club.
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There you have it, awesome short books for book clubs
What’s the best book your book club has ever discussed? How did you feel about that book? Let me know in the comments!
Always curious to hear from you,
Stephy
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