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29 Incredible Short Books For Book Club Discussion
Find best short books for book club discussion 2023
Admit it, sometimes you wish your book club had picked a short book rather than a long book over 500-pages
Occasionally we all want to indulge in quick short novels for book clubs.
I love short novels, 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.
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 2023!
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 We Should All Be Feminists
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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 short 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.
Strange Weather in Tokyo is a 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.
The Uncommon Reader is a beautiful novel has a lot of humorous and charming moments. This funny and lighthearted book also describes the life of the modern English court and the late queen.
I think this would also be a budget friendly book club 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 is a great storyteller. His books are whimsical, funny and absolutely immersive.
And I am really excited to see that he has actually written a short book that narrates a tale brimming with fantasy, adventure, and a dark fairy. Don’t you think this would a great discussion-worthy book for your book club?
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is about a middle-aged man who has returned to his childhood town to attend a funeral. Once there he is reminded of his friend Lettie from the Hempstock farmhouse.
The young girl who used to describe her duck pond as her occean. I already love the plot. And I am sure you can have a great time talking about this in your reading group.
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Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson (196 Pages)
Another example for a short book with profoundly moving narrative.
Red at the Bone 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.
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)
So are you ready fora short but extremely challenging book club book.
The Vegetarian 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.
This book is also the right novel with universal themes about isolation and obsession.
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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. And then comes a mysterious cousin with a secret motive.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a classic about a possibly murderous family. There are so many topics to discuss, things like dark neurosis and macabre humor. If your book club is into dark, atmospheric gothic short classics, this book is the best choice.
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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. The Sense of an Ending is an engaging narrative to discuss in your book group.
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The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaVa (149 pages)
The Ballad of Black Tom is an atmospheric novella following a hustler named Charles Thomas Tester.
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?
There are so many layers to the character Charles Thomas Tester. We also learn about marginalized individuals and people who struggle almost everyday to survive.
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The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson (166 pages)
The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe is a fantasy novel 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.
With worldbuilding and gorgeous writing, this book promises a great book club discussion as a fantsy book club pick.
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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.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven is really through-provoking read that explores love, God, hate and forgiveness. So many things to discuss in this short book club book.
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Great Short Books for Book Clubs under 300 Pages
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle (268 pages)
One Italian Summer is a charming novel set in charming Positano.
The main character, Katy, is grieving her mother’s sudden death and decides to take their planned trip to Positano all by herself.
Katy hopes that this trip can help her find a new purpose in life.
This book would make a good summer book club read. There is o much description of places and food, that it’s definitely going to inspire you and book club members to start planning a trip to Italy.
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Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde (292 pages)
Stay 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. It is a feel-good book to discuss in the book club.
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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (288 pages)
If you have read Matt Haig‘s book, you know there is much to talk about. His books are often short BUT there are so many layers to it. So I want you to be mindful of the fact that, this short book is not really a light book for the book club.
The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed who choosing her perfect life at Midnight Library. She can become whatever she wants in her life. But what exactly is the perfect life.
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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.
My Sister, the Serial Killer is just above 200 pages.
It’s a fun and enjoyable story that playfully challenges typical serial killer and sisterhood themes.
It guarantees to give you a fun time in the reading group. Read my review of My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
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Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (288 Pages)
Nothing to See Here was somewhat quirky and funny story.
It follows Lillian, who gets a new job as a nanny to two inflammable children.
Their step-mother, Madison, and Lillian were best friends in school. Plus, Lillian is desperate, so this seems like a good deal. But is it really easy to look after these small kids who spontaneously combust?
Nothing to See Here was really enjoyable book. Although, it’s a rather short novels, there is so much discussion themes here.
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Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (264 pages)
I loved Yaa Gyasi‘s debut novel Homegoing.
So was really excited to read her second book. It’s completely different to her first novel, as Transcendent Kingdom focuses on the story of 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.
What I really admire about Gyasi’s stories is that they are well-researched and handles so many thought-provoking themes.
Transcendent Kingdom in particular chronicles the fragile landscape where the mysteries of God and the certainties of science collide
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The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (290 pages)
Up next is a atmospheric domestic suspense.
The Wife Upstairs is a modern Jane Eyre for your book club, if you want a thriller book with a shocking twist.
We meet the protagonist Jane is a dog-walker who secretly dreams of and living in a mansion with a husband.
Then she becomes friends with Eddie Rochester, a widower As their friendship quickly takes a romance turn, Jane is increasingly haunted haunted by his late wife.
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Looking for Alaska by John Green ( 221 pages)
Looking for Alaska one of my favorite young adult books.
I come across John Green’s books as a beginner to ya fiction. Untill that point, I haven’t read any young adult books and I didn’t know what to expect.
But pleasantly surprised by Green’s books They were simple, fresh, and meaningful stories that anybody can relate to and Looking for Alaska is one such book.
The story follows the life of a teenage boy Miles Halter from Florida who falls 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.
This is a great short book for teen book club as well as adult book club.
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Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan (268 pages)
Now, if your book club really need a good chick lit book under 300 pages, I would suggest Nora Goes Off Script.
It’s the story of a romance channel screenwriter trying to get her life back when her husband leaves. Everything changes when she writes about her failed marriage and her dreams.
the story gets picked up by a major Hollywood studio and before she knows it the lead actor and the whole crew are at her place to start shooting. This is such a joyful book.
It’s warm, funny, and sweet.
I think reading a romance story featuring a single parent really gives you a sense of hope and the possibility of finding love and happiness in unexpected places.
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The Enemy by Sarah Adams (256 pages)
If you want a slow-burn romance with enemies-to-lovers trope, The Enemy is a good choice for your book club.
The main characters are Ryan and June, who 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.
This is also a small-town romance, so promises many sweet, feel-good vibes.
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Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (255 pages)
If you are looking for a short sci-fi book club books you will love Sea of Tranquility. Its from the best selling author of Station Eleven.
There are many interconnected stories from different timelines in this book.
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.
It’s a true sci-fi adventure about finding oneself and being part of a community. There is going to be lots of heated discussions of survival, and human nature
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Normal People by Sally Rooney (273 pages)
Normal People by Sally Rooney is all about these two characters, Connell and Marianne, who have a secret connection in high school. They end up at college together, and their relationship is like a rollercoaster, full of love, class differences, and personal growth.
It would be an excellent choice as a short book club book because Sally Rooney’s writing is so on point. There are many themes such as first love, family, and friendship.
Your book club members will definitely have many things to discuss . Find the complete list of Sally Rooney’s books here
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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (290 pages)
Infinite Country is a beautifully written novel that tells the story of a Colombian family torn apart by deportation.
This book is really relevant to what so many people are facing right now.
If your book club members want to talk about a moving story that explores the past, the future, family bonds. This book is a good choice.
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Melissa by Alex Gino (224 pages)
This book is all about George, who’s actually a girl, but people see her as a boy. The story is all about her journey to be herself, and it’s so relatable and makes you think.
Plus, there’s this part where she really wants to play Charlotte in the class play, but her teacher says no because she’s seen as a boy. So, she and her buddy Kelly come up with this plan to change that.
It’s a light but impactful book club read. There is a lot to talk about like friendship, identity, and all kinds of topics.
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There you have it, awesome short books for book clubs
Conclusion :
I hope your book club can find the best discussion-worthy book club picks from this list. If you are still unable to choose the top three, let me help.
my top three best short books for book clubs are
- We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi discussions on contemporary gender-equality issues
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig– discussions about regrets and choice in our lives
- Infinite Country by Patricia Engel – complex themes of immigration, family, and identity.
More books for your book clubs
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Specific book club questions
31 Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Book Club Questions & Snack Ideas
Stephy George
