We are both fans of a short book or a quick read that flies by!
A few years ago we posted this “Guide To: Catching Up on Your Goodreads Goal” where we shared a bunch of short book recommendations & then last year posted our Short Book Recommendations. We have read quite a few more short books since then and wanted to share them.
If you’re behind on any of your reading goals and want a quick away to catch up, take note!
Romance:
Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn (246 pages): This series follows three friends who win the lottery and split the winnings. This one follows Kit, who used the money to buy a house and wants to put down roots. But, an attractive recruiter is trying to get her to move. I was not obsessed with this story, but Kate Clayborn’s writing is so soft and I loved the characters so much.
Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn (246 pages): This is the second book in the series and this one follows Zoe who used her lottery winnings to quit her job and go on a trip. Basically all you need to know about this one is it is fake dating (engagement) and takes place at a summer camp. Major trigger warning for grief and death of a sibling (off page, but discussed in depth). I read this one in one sitting and it was amazing.
The Marriage Effect by Karla Sorensen (300 pages): This is a marriage of convenience story between a model and a football player. Someone on Twitter recommended this one and I read it in one sitting. I loved Paige and Logan’s dynamic and the addition of Logan’s younger sisters was so fun.
Float Plan by Trish Doller (272 pages) [review]: This is an emotional story about a woman who goes on a journey of self discovery after her fiancé died by suicide. She does not know how to drive the boat so she ends up hiring someone to help out.
Fiction:
Sourdough by Robin Sloan (272 pages) [review]: IDK why I like this book so much! It’s just such a fun mash up of science and baking culture, with weird interesting facts sprinkled all the way through. For being so short, this book definitely kept me hooked the entire time.
Novellas:
Wrapped Up In You by Talia Hibbert [Kobo Exclusive] [review](127 pages): This is a cute friends to lovers holiday novella. Talia Hibbert is one of my favorite writers and this one was just super cute. There is also a pregnant cat which was a fun addition to the plot.
Get it Right by Skye Kilaen (130 pages) [review]: This plot moved way to quick for me, I mean it’s a novella so I get it, but I really liked the characters. It’s a f/f romance between a recently released prisoner and the nurse who used to work at the prison.
Forever Wild by K.A. Tucker (136 pages): This is book two and a half of The Simple Wild series and it’s a fun addition. It really isn’t needed, but if you’ve read The Simple Wild (review)and Wild at Heart (review) and want more from Calla and Jonah it’s worth the read.
I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones (144 pages): What stood out to me the most in this novella is how funny it was. I don’t remember much of the plot (lol), but I remember LOLing and their is also a cat which is always a plus with me.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black (200 pages): If you’re a fan of any of Holly Black’s Faerie-land tales, let alone a fan of The Folk of the Air series, this is a great pick for you! It’s a novella from Cardan’s POV that covers events that happen before, during, and after The Folk of the Air series. It’s also beautifully illustrated!!
Middle Grade:
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Blocks by Jason Reynolds (204 pages): Look I adore anything Jason Reynolds writes and will recommend ALL of his books. He is able to take serious issues and write about them in a way that kids can relate to and understand. This is basically a collection of tiny stories, which did not always work for me, but I love Jason’s writing so I still enjoyed it.
The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins (<350 pages per book): As recently revisited reads, this middle grade series surprisingly holds up! They might be a little on the long side, but they absolutely fly by. The books follow Gregor on his multiple Underland adventures, where he confronts a different age-old prophecy each time. With companions like the frighteningly pale Underlanders and the 6ft tall creature of the Underland, these books are never a dull (or slow) time.
Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono (193 pages): A fun, fast read for anyone who enjoys the Studio Ghibli movie of the same name. Apparently it’s a whole books series that’s just never been translated??
Young Adult:
Wake Trilogy by Lisa McMann (<250 pages per book): These books are fast reads that follow the life of Janie, a girl who can enter people’s dreams, and the repercussions of what she finds in those dreams.
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert (293 pages) [review]: This is a novel that takes place over the course of 24 hours which always makes the read seem quicker. But, we follow two teens on their first Election Day. TW for death of a sibling, gun violence (both off page).
Graphic Novels:
Check Please Volume 1 (288 pages) & Volume 2 (336 pages) by Ngozi Ukazu [review]: If you want a graphic novel about sports that’s not really about sports I highly recommend these. I love Bitty as a narrator so much and the art is gorgeous. If you’re new to graphic novels, this series is a great place to start.
My Hero Academia, Vol. 1-28 (<200 pages per volume) by Kohei Horikoshi: These manga are fast, fun reads for anyone that loves reading graphic novels or visual media! The story follow a Quirkless boy born into a world where everyone has a Quirk (aka a superpower like mutation), as he strives down his path to become the world’s greatest superhero.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels (128 pages per book) by Robert Venditti & Rick Riordan: For fans of the original series, these graphic novel versions add a new layer of depth to the reading experience. Almost like watching a movie but like not a disastrous adaptation that will not be mentioned…
Heavy Vinyl, Vol 1 (112 pages) by Carly Usdin: This was a really cute graphic novel that follows a group of teen girls working in a record store in 1998. Very reminiscent of Empire Records.
Teen Titans: Raven (pages 192) & Teen Titans: Beast Boy (208 pages) by Kami Garcia: Bree follows the illustrator of these on Twitter and remembers when he used to draw fan art of Beast Boy & Raven. These reimagined origin graphic novels add new layers to the classic characters. Also, the art is gorgeous!!
Avatar: The Last Airbender comics (<250 pages per volume) by Gene Luen Yang: Great for fans of the TV show that want to follow up with the gang after the events of the show! I really enjoy these since the characters kind of get screwed over by the Korra TV show.
Literary Fiction:
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson (196 pages): This is short multi generational family story. I had a bit of a hard time following the audiobook, but it looks at the complex relationships between grandparents, parents, and child.
Nonfiction:
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (208 pages): This is a nonfiction book with memoir elements which is my favorite type of nonfiction. This book showed me so much about the reality of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Absolutely should be required reading for those who are unfamiliar with the stress and the reality of their situations.
The Mutli-Hyphen Life by Emma Gannon (208 pages) [mini review]: This is a fast read that details “multi-hyphen life” concept, where you diversify your time, take on multiple titles, and hustle to the end goal.
Audiobooks:
Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh (3 hours): This is a YA set in college and written in verse. I really liked the coming of age element that is in college rather than high school. I also really liked The Stacks Pod’s episode where they discuss the book with Nic Stone.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson (5 hours): This memoir is phenomenal. It is the type of book that I am glad that teens have access to, because I wish I had been exposed to something like this when I was younger. The author reads the audiobook and it was so well done. Highly recommend this one.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon (6 hours): This is a memoir that just made me think. I liked parts of it more than others, but it is a powerful read. The Stacks Pod always is mentioning it and I’m glad I finally read it.
Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness (6 hours): If you’re a fan of Queer Eye you have to read this one. JVN reads the audiobook so I really enjoyed it. If you’re not a fan of JVN I am not sure if you would like it as much as I did, but it still is worth checking out.
Shrill by Lindy West (6 hours): I love Lindy West’s book and her memoir was amazing. I had not idea who she was before reading this, but I loved learning about her. She used to be a comedian so it’s hilarious, but still hits an emotional punch. They also made a Hulu show about this memoir and I need to watch it because I loved this audio so much.
A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost (7 hours): Look I am not the biggest SNL fan and yet I still really enjoyed this one. The chapter about his mom was amazing and made me cry while some of the other essays were just okay. Jost does know how to write and if you’re an SNL or comedy fan I would recommend it.
MISC:
Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliot (208 pages): This is a poetry collection that describes the final hours of Joan of Arc’s life. The poems are all in different shapes (lol I forgot the technical term for that) and it is one of the most gorgeous books I own.
Thanks for reading!
xoxo, Bree & Tree
Words About Words 
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