32 Incredible Short Books (Under 100 Pages) That You Can Read in One Sitting

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Best short books under 100 pages to read in 2023

It’s no wonder that people want to read shorter books. Reading a 400-page book is not always easy.

Books with 100 pages or less are perfect if you are looking for a quick read. And with shorter books, we can be more focused and spend less time skimming through boring parts.

These short reads with 100 pages or less work especially well when you’re on a long flight or just want to relax with a book. This list is compiled of the most enjoyable books for what’s typically considered a “quick read”.

These short books under 100 pages are chosen from a variety of genres such as short stories, non-fiction, children’s classics, self-help, poetry.

However, keep in mind that some short books, especially non-fiction, may seem a lot more time-consuming to read than others.

Why should you read short books?

The best part of reading books with short pages is that you don’t need any time commitment to read a short book. You can read on your commute, before bed or on your lunch break and they will provide you with the perfect pick-me-up. These short and quick reads also make great holiday gifts for people who like reading but don’t have much time on their hands.

Now that you know why short books are worth your time, let’s get started!

Below you can find a compilation of short books under 100 pages, 50 pages and some even with 30 pages; best books to help you find the most interesting read one in no time.

Short books under 50 pages

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 32

First published in 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit is a well-known classic book written by British author Margery Williams. It narrates the story of a stuffed rabbit that came to life. A touching story about friendship and love.

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The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Genre: Short story
Pages: 32

Popular American author Shirley Jackson’s short novel is centred around a small American town and their annual ritual known as “the Lottery”. A powerful short novel filled with suspense and anxiety!

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Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Poetry
Pages: 48

A book with beautiful illustrations and very few lines. It’s written in the form of a letter by a refugee father to his son on the evening of their escape through the sea. Hosseini wrote the book as a homage to the death of Alan Kurdi the three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed up on the beach in Turkey in September 2015.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Genre: Children’s picture books
Pages: 26

A beautiful and timeless story to share with children. The caterpillar is very hungry, ALWAYS. He loves to make a hole in each and everything thing under the sun. From apples and pears to ice cream and cake!

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The Library by Sarah Stewart

Genre: Children’s picture book
Pages: 34

This short and charming sweet story is a must-read for all book lovers. Elizabeth Brown loves reading since childhood. As she grows older her book collections are getting bigger. Now it has become so massive that they’re about to collapse. But she has a genius idea to save it.

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I Am Enough by Grace Byers

Genre: Children’s picture book
Pages: 32

Actor and activist Grace Byers novel is about self-empowerment. A beautifully illustrated read-aloud story about accepting one’s self and others despite the differences. Filled with poetic and enjoyable words.

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The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 40

A meaningful fairytale about embracing oneself. Everyone including his brothers and sisters teased the little duckling who was born a little different from others. But soon the truth is revealed.

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Corduroy by Don Freeman

Genre: Children’s picture books
Pages: 32

Reading stories of toys that come to life is always fun. Corduroy starts his searching game once all the shoppers have gone. He wants to find his missing button. Although he didn’t succeed in his search, he finds a new home in a little girl’s room.

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The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming

Genre: Children’s picture books
Pages: 32

A funny picture book that tells the story of a little squirrel. The little guy loves the bright and colourful leaves on his tree. But when all go missing all of a sudden he is suspicious. He is very sure that someone has stolen his beloved leaves.

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Short Books Between 50 & 100 pages

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 64

Feminism is probably one of the most commonly misjudged terms. So this book is a perfect way to learn to understand the term. In this short but sharp essay, the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores feminism through her life experiences. A compelling essay worth reading.

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The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

Genre: Classics
Pages: 96

The Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale The Snow Queen was first published in 1844. The story follows two friends, Greda and Kai, who were neighbours and best friends. When Kai is abducted by the snow queen, furious Greda crosses mountains and hills to save him. The main theme of the story is good and evil.

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The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin

Genre: Classics
Pages: 88

This short Christmas story follows Carol Bird, a little girl who was born on a Christmas day. She is the youngest member of the family. However, she is suffering from a serious illness since birth. At the age of 10 she is bedridden yet she remains kind and generous to all the people.

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The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Genre: Children’s picture book
Pages: 64

This beautifully illustrated picture book is an unforgettable tale of an apple tree and a boy. Readers of all age would be able to enjoy this meaningful story with the theme of giving and accepting.

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A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid

Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 81

Antiguan-American author Jamaica Kincaid takes you on a journey to her childhood days on the island of Antigua. Primary she addresses the tourists who regularly visit the island without any idea of its corrupt political system. An evocative essay about the struggles of the Caribbean.

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Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 96

Beloved children’s author Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox is about a clever fox and his family. As Mr Fox continues to steal chickens and geese from farmers, they all are determined to catch him. But they first need to make a genius plan to catch him…

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The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol

Genre: Short stories
Pages: 57

The Overcoat tells the story of Akaky Akakievich, an impoverished clerk. He loves his job as a copying clerk and leads a rather simple life and is often a laughing stock among his colleagues. When he is finally able to get a new overcoat after a long time, unexpected events occur.

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Ten Days in a Mad-House by Nellie Bly

Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 92

Ten Days in a Mad-House was first published as a series of articles before being compiled into a book. The story centres around 19th-century journalist Elizabeth Cochrane’s undercover life in an asylum. She investigated the insane horrors and brutalities at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.

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The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity by Carlo M Cipolla

Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 96

Italian historian Carlo M. Cipolla’s book elucidates why stupid people are a threat to human beings. He delves deep into the types of individuals we meet in our lives and how we often underestimate the power of stupid people.

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As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

Genre: Self-help
Pages: 46

Published in 1902, As a Man Thinketh is a classic self-help book by James Allen. This short book is filled with inspirational life lessons. The author describes how to train your mind to achieve your goals.

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Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

Genre: Self-help
Pages: 96

This is a parable that will help you deal with the change in your work and life. The main characters of the story are two little people and two mice. They’re faced with unexpected changes in their life. While one pair embarks on a journey for a new environment, others stay put to mull over the change.

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The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 72

This is the first book from Beatrix Potter’s well-known charming series featuring the mischievous little Peter and his family along with other little animals. Vivid illustrations and a lovely story make this a must-read book for both kids and adults.

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The Adventures of Buster Bear by Thornton W. Burgess

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 96

Buster Bear is the new dweller in the Green forest. But he finds it difficult to settle in this new place, especially because he constantly gets in arguments with other inhabitants of the forests; Little Joe Otter, Chatterer the Red Squirrel. But things are getting worse when Buster bear irritates a farmer’s boy .

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The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk by Thornton W. Burgess

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 96

When Jimmy Skunk decided to take a nap in an old barrel, he had no clue about what the naughty Peter rabbit had in his mind. Soon Jimmy rolls down the hill and blames it on Reddy Fox.

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The Adventures of Johnny Chuck by Thornton W. Burgess

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 96

In this series of woodland creatures, Burgess narrates the life of a feisty groundhog who sets on an adventure in the spring. Along the way, he meets the love of his life.

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And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

Genre: Contemporary fiction
Pages: 97

From the bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman comes up with a short story about an elderly man who is fighting hard to hold on to his most precious memories. Now he tries to explain his memories to his grandson.

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The Tale Of Ferdinand Frog by Mark Hughes

Genre: Children’s classics
Pages: 58

The story follows Ferdinand Frog and his pursuit of winning Felicity Frogmore-Frog’s heart. But it’s not so easy as the evil snake, Samuel is determined to take Felicity for his own. Thankfully, there are a few friends to help Ferdinand win this love battle.

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Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Genre: Children’s picture books
Pages: 64

A classic feel-good tale about love and care. Essentially this novel narrates the life of two mallards who are looking for a serene place to raise a family. They chose a place by the Charles River…

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Spring Water by John Fitzgerald

Genre: Poetry
Pages: 83

Poet John M. FitzGerald’s ingeniously crafted a humorous thriller in the form of poetry. Spring Water follows an ordinary man who is a serial killer.

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Evidence of Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Contemporary fiction
Pages: 86

New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Evidence of Affair is a short story written in a form of a letter between two strangers about the affair between their spouses. Their genuine communication reveals everything about their marriage and personal suffering.

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Sex, Snow & Mistletoe by Laura Barnard

Genre: Romance
Pages: 56

Melinda is forced to attend a wedding, on her way, due to heavy snowfall, she crashes her car. But luckily she is saved by a handsome stranger. However, Melinda thinks all of a sudden things are getting too dreamy.

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The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Genre: Children’s picture books
Pages: 72

A classic tale of beloved bull-Ferdinand. He is not like any other bull. he doesn’t want to do involve in any kind of dangerous fight. He just wants peace and to smell flowers in the field.

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Conclusion:

There you’ve the list of quick reads under 100 pages or less. If you are not sure which book to read first, let me give you my top three suggestions

  1. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco
  2. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  3. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

More short books to read

Short Books for Book Clubs

32 Easy Short Classics You Can Actually Read in One Sitting

27 Best Long Books Over 500 Pages that Are Worth Your Time

Stephy George
Stephy George

Hi I am Stephy ! I became a bookworm in my late twenties. So I created this little corner of books online to share my love of reading with YOU! I want to help you find the best books to read so you won’t ever have to worry about your next read!

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