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Original poster

Any ideas for short novel choice for book group?

87 replies

Clawdy · 19/03/2026 12:26

My book group choice next, and for various reasons, we've got less time to read it, so I need a shortish novel! Any ideas?

OP posts:
GetOffTheCounter · 19/03/2026 15:11

Ones I love

A Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich- not a fun read, to be fair, but amazingly powerful.

The Whale rider- also a GCSE text for anyone who might have children at this stage. I cried.

Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson- my favourite ever book. Just really funny.

A Man Called Ove- a 'novel' but seamless so a quick read.

BarqsHasBite · 19/03/2026 15:08

rumred · 19/03/2026 13:31

Small Things like These by Claire Keegan. Just superb.

This, 100 times over. She’s a remarkable writer.

Chemenger · 19/03/2026 15:04

onitlikeacarbonnet · 19/03/2026 13:29

I who have never known men by Jaqueline Harpman
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I was going to recommend I Who have Never Known Man too. One of the most memorable books I have ever read.

BauhausOfEliott · 19/03/2026 15:03

Arran2024 · 19/03/2026 14:00

Eurotrash by Christian Kracht or 3 Days in June by Anne Tyler

I loved Eurotrash! I’ve just finished reading it.

Westfacing · 19/03/2026 15:00

JennyChawleigh · 19/03/2026 14:18

Passing by Nella Larsen

Oh, yes this - it was a past book club choice of mine

Passing by Nella Larsen | Waterstones

I love social commentary novels that were written at the actual time so there is no 'contamination' with modern thinking!

This was written in 1929 about a mixed-race Black woman who passes as white

APatternGrammar · 19/03/2026 15:00

This is how you lose the time war
Goodbye Mr Chips
Death in Venice
The lost honour of Katharina Blum

wheresthesnowgone · 19/03/2026 14:58

Rizzio by Denise Mina

Timeforatincture · 19/03/2026 14:57

Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner

Arlanymor · 19/03/2026 14:57

Clawdy · 19/03/2026 14:51

A friend mentioned A Far Cry From Kensington by Muriel Spark, anyone read it ?

Yes - it's good, but not better than Miss Jean! I actually really love The Driver's Seat - I think it's her best.

Pallisers · 19/03/2026 14:53

Many of Elizabeth Taylor's novels are pretty short and excellent. Ditto Elizabeth Bowen. The Ante Room or The Land of Spices by Kate O Brien are wonderful.

Original poster
Clawdy · 19/03/2026 14:51

A friend mentioned A Far Cry From Kensington by Muriel Spark, anyone read it ?

OP posts:
Celiathebanshee · 19/03/2026 14:43

Hideous Kinky by Esther Freud
or my book group just read When the Cranes Fly South which doesn’t seem that short but is very quick to read

Original poster
Clawdy · 19/03/2026 14:22

Some great suggestions here, we have already read the Claire Keegan and Orbital, but will check out others.

OP posts:
JennyChawleigh · 19/03/2026 14:18

Passing by Nella Larsen

canisquaeso · 19/03/2026 14:16

Small things like these

or

Invisible cities

Arlanymor · 19/03/2026 14:15

I came here to say Orbital as well - I'm currently reading this and managed to snag a signed copy which is a bit of a boon.

Also love the suggestion of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

I'll also toss in McGlue by Ottessa Mosfegh - although more of a novella. It's a good but gruesome read.

Baconking · 19/03/2026 14:11

My sister the serial killer

Oyinkan Braithwaite

Farewelltothatid · 19/03/2026 14:09

Somebody recently described Muriel Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie as a Tardis of a novel . I thought that was a brilliant description for a short book with a lot of depth.

Arran2024 · 19/03/2026 14:00

Eurotrash by Christian Kracht or 3 Days in June by Anne Tyler

38thparallel · 19/03/2026 13:57

The English Understand Wool by Helen Dewitt.
It is very short, though.

Pashazade · 19/03/2026 13:53

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 19/03/2026 13:46

Westfacing · 19/03/2026 13:37

I highly recommend 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey

Orbital by Samantha Harvey | Waterstones

Currently reading this!

I'd recommend 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan as others have suggested too.

AlexRidersButt · 19/03/2026 13:46

The Enchanted April is pretty short and also seasonal.
It's by Elizabeth Von Arnim

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 19/03/2026 13:42

Foster by Claire Keegan!

PancakeCloud · 19/03/2026 13:40

The End We Start From by Megan Hunter

The Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds