As I started to compile my TBR for the week I went on vacation, I wanted to have a few shorter books that I could realistically finish in a couple of hours. I knew I had a lot of time to get reading done, so I COULD read something a bit longer, but I was determined to actually sit down and finish books quickly/easily.
I did some research to see some shorter books I read in a really short period of time and wanted to put together a recommendation list for you guys. If you’re in the mood to sit down and just blitz through a short and fairly easy and/or fluffy book, look no further! All of these are less than 300 pages (most closer to 200-250).
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket /// I recently reread this entire series as audiobooks and it was a game-changer. I loved it when I was a kid and a lot of it still held up for me in the reread. The first book is super short (and many others are just as short), so the audiobooks take anywhere between 2-8 hours at most. The first one had fun sound effects! It’s an easy series to binge quickly.
TTYL (Internet Girls series) by Lauren Myracle /// I read these books back in high school and loved them. They’re formatted in IM/chat conversations, so it’s SUPER quick to read. A new installment came out as a follow-up to the original series too. I just loved breezing through these stories back in the day. So fun!
Linny’s Sweet Dream List by Susan Schild /// Both books out in this series so far are nice and short. I enjoyed them overall but there are some flaws. I think if you like quick southern romances, give them a shot! The stories are cute and it’s hard not to fall in love with that small town.
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella /// I keep saying I need to get back into her books because it’s been so long since I’ve read one. I loved this one back when I read it a few years ago! The premise was really fun – a girl confesses her entire life story to a “stranger” on an airplane, who turns out to be the CEO at her new job.
Aspen by Rebekah Crane /// Can everyone please finally read this book? I mean, honestly, how many times do I have to mention it? I loved this one and read it probably in 2 sittings, just because life got in the way. I loved Aspen and her crew of friends so incredibly much. This book is super underrated and wonderful.
Class of ’98 by AL Player /// Another underrated gem I always talk about. This book has fun time travel elements. I’m pretty sure I read this on my Kindle app on the computer while I was supposed to be at work. I just loved the main characters and their journey back to high school.
Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath /// I didn’t love this one as much as I hoped, but it was a short and interesting read! I think it’s really underrated even though it personally didn’t resonate with me as much as I’d like. I may actually revisit this someday because I think it has potential to be better the second time around.
First & Then by Emma Mills /// I read her second book recently and couldn’t love it any more. Her debut, here, is absolutely wonderful too. If you like football and cute, easy stories, read this immediately. I’m fairly positive I read it in one day and was late coming back from lunch break because I wouldn’t stop. (Same thing happened with book #2 as well!)
I love short and sweet books at times!! I really want to read First & Then. I think some of my favorite shorter books have been the Swoon reads books from Sandy Hall and Karole Cozzo. Great post!!
Yess I hope you love First & Then! So cute!!
Sometimes shorter/quicker reads are just what the heart desires. 😀
Exactly!
Great list! I need short books. I feel like I can’t finish anything quickly lately. I need to read Class of ’98 since that was my HS graduating year. 🙂
Yes! I hope you enjoy that one. Super underrated but really fun for me. Definitely will be up your alley in terms of the 1998 references/pop culture things!! I think you’ll like it.
I loved Can You Keep a Secret. That was such a fun book and Jack was hot stuff! I’ve always wanted to get back into reading more Kinsella books but her Shopaholic series didn’t really do much for me so I stopped. One of these days…
I really like quick reads, they’re fun. Great post. I really need to read that Emma Mills.
I know I used to read Shopaholic too! I haven’t picked them up since I was way younger. I like a few of her other rom-com ones but I would love to get back into her soon.
I loved Can You Keep a Secret so much! It’s been so long since I’ve read it, maybe I should do that again. I also loved Twenties Girl and Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella! I read those in one sitting as well. Aspen sounds wonderful, I’d never heard of it before. Thanks for the recommendation 😀
Oh good to know – I’m not sure if I have Undomestic Goddress on my list or not.
I love how short, sweet reads make you feel so accomplished! I’ve only read Liars & Losers Like Us from your list but I’m one of the – seemingly rare – people who adored it. I had no idea that Can You Keep a Secret? and First & Then were that short so that’s good to know. I’ll have to keep that in mind. And if you’re looking for another really short read, I’m currently listening to the Every Heart a Doorway audiobook. It’s only four hours long.
Yes definitely! I wish I loved it more. I really think I would like it better a second time around.
Oooh I need to check that one out!
I love reading shorter books too because usually I can just read it in one sitting. I loved Can You Keep a Secret too! Both N and I are kinda obsessed with it. 🙂
First & Then was a quick read for me as well. The writing was just so easy to get into. I wished it was longer though and we had gotten an extra swoony scene or two!
I have got to pick up Aspen! It sounds amazing!
Yes definitely! I need to read more Kinsella again.
I hope you love Aspen!! I will never stop pushing that book.
I love this list! It seems like the new releases nowadays are getting bigger and longer and it’s just hard to find short books when we really want it. I really enjoy reading short book to escape reading slump, they’re just easy to get into and finish, but also leaves the happy feeling for us. Lovely list Lauren, I would definitely check them out!
I know! I need to go through my list and see what some shorter books are, because I want to beef up October’s reading activity! haha.
The whole TTYL book series is fun and awesome and definitely books you can read super fast. Can You Keep a Secret had me LOLing until I was practically in tears. I don’t read a lot of Adult anymore, but OMG I could totally use some more Sophie Kinsella in my life!!
Can You Keep A Secret is one of my favorite books, seriously that book is soooo much fun! I love short books 🙂
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