Friday, March 10, 2017

Book Recommendations: Great Books Under 200 Pages!


Sometimes picking up a hefty book can be a bit daunting if you're not in the mood for something that requires such a commitment. Or, sometimes you get stuck in a reading slump and just need something quick to try to pull you out of it. It's also possible that you might have an empty weekend afternoon that is begging for a book to plow through. No matter what the reason, shorter books are often a great solution for any reading need, so I have decided to list some of the many great books that I have read and would recommend that are under 200 pages!

*Note: exact page count often differ according to the edition of a book, but all page numbers are close.


The Prime of Miss Jean BrodieThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Sparks
Pages: 137
As the description on Goodreads briefly states, this is an "elegantly styled classic story of a young, unorthodox teacher and her special - and ultimately dangerous - relationship with six of her students." Just how does one fit all of that into only 137 pages? You might just have to read it to find out.






The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps (The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps, #1)

The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps
by Kai Ashante Wilson

Pages: 190-212 (?)
Okay, so my edition shows this one at 192 pages, but all the editions on Goodreads and bookstores show just over 200... so I'm sticking with my copy. Whether it's just under or just over 200 pages, this is a fantastic fantasy novella from an incredible author, and I implore you to try it out. Wilson is such a fresh, much-needed voice to add to the fantasy genre, and I loved the strong characters he created.





The Turn of the ScrewThe Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Pages: 128
Who doesn't love a good scary story? A young governess arrives to care for two young children... only to find that the estate she is now living in seems a bit, well, ghostly. Surprisingly, the children don't seem too bothered. This was originally published in 1898, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story - definitely check this one out!






Gilded Ashes (Cruel Beauty Universe, #1.5)Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodges
Pages: 111
This is a short retelling of Cinderella, and boy did I love it. It's beautifully dark and somewhat creepy, and I just absolutely enjoyed this to the fullest extent. I haven't cared much for Rosamund Hodges' other retellings (Cruel Beauty, Crimson Bound), but this one definitely hit the spot.
(Review)






The Vegetarian

The Vegetarian
by Han Kang

Pages: 192
This was a super quick read for me - I'm pretty sure I read it in two separate sittings, though I could have easily read it in one if I had had the time. This is about a woman who, after a disturbing dream, turns to a vegetarian diet, much to the dismay and chagrin of her family. What ensues is absolutely chaotic, and although the content itself is not exactly a light read, this book is impossible to put down.
(Review)




The Giver (The Giver, #1)

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Pages: 180
I first read this in my seventh grade English class, completely unaware of the fact that it was such a popular book in its genre. I thought the concept and themes explored in this novel were fascinating, and I definitely think this would be a book could be easily devoured.





The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Pages: 128
I love this story so much! I'm not even sure why, I just do. My first memory (or one of my first memories) of this story was from an episode of Arthur where they talk about this book and sing this somewhat creepy-yet-awesome song about it... does anybody else remember that? Just me? Regardless, read this one!






Mortality
Mortality by Christopher Hitchens
Pages: 104
If you're feeling serious and contemplating life - you know, the usual - then you might want to check out this book by Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens wrote this while dying from esophageal cancer, which definitely adds a sobering effect to the book. As the summary explains, "In this account of his affliction, he describes the torments of illness, discusses its taboos, and explores how disease transforms experience and changes our relationship to the world around us." Definitely worth the read.




The Death of Ivan Ilyich
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
Pages: 134
Want to read Tolstoy but aren't quite ready to tackle the behemoth that is War and Peace? The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a great place to start! This novella features, quite literally, the slow and eventual death of a man named Ivan Ilyich. Just trust me on this one, it's pretty good. (You should consider War and Peace, too - it's long, but really entertaining!)






The Reluctant Fundamentalist
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Pages: 184
Many, many years ago I sat i my room one day and just read this entire book. I had absolutely no idea who Mohsin Hamid was or what this book was about, but I dove in and had a great time. The entire story is told between the conversation of an American visitor in Pakistan and a Pakistani man in Lahore.
(Review)





Between the World and Me


Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Pages: 152
This is an incredibly important book, and I cannot recommend it enough. For more about this one, check out my review.









8 comments:

  1. I do not remember that Arthur episode lol, but I did read Jekyll & Hyde... last year I think it was? I'm not a big classics person, but I was surprised by how kind of relatable and modern the characters seemed. And it's a definitely a book that can be read quickly! And yeah, sometimes you just need a quick read when you're feeling kind of burnt out, so these are great suggestions!

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    1. I was also surprised by how modern the Jekyll & Hyde seemed when I read! I was so pleased with how engaging it was, definitely a great quick read - glad you enjoy it!

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  2. I never read The Giver in high school, but I borrowed the series from my brother-in-law a couple years ago, and I loved it. The books were short and quick but so beautiful!

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    1. They really are! I've actually only read the first one, but I've heard that the rest are just as wonderful, so I think I'll have to pick them up sometime soon. :)

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  3. The Giver is such a great choice. Loved it.

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed it! It is definitely a well-loved classic. :)

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  4. I love The Giver so much. It will always be one of my favorites.

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