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Original poster

Unputdownable, short-ish, not trashy books

184 replies

Europeanbanana · 16/09/2026 14:37

I need books that will grip me so much I won't look at my phone. I don't want anything trashy or too long. Let's under under 350 pages. Any suggestions for really wonderful books that fit the bill?

OP posts:
52inJan · 17/09/2026 18:38

I'm reading Transit by Rachel Cusk, it's short and a really easy read but so succinctly and beautifully written and just full of little truths. I've only just realised it's the 2nd in a trilogy apparently (the Outline trilogy, reading book 2 first hasn't stopped me really enjoying it. Can't wait to read the other two (& her other books).

MyOliveCritic · 17/09/2026 18:40

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

GlobalTravellerbutespeciallyBognor · 17/09/2026 18:40

Great thread, thank you

alloutofcareunits · 17/09/2026 18:41

John Boyne’s Elements series are excellent, 4 fairly short books that are interlinked and come together at the end. However, I’ve read some people find the themes difficult so you might want to check them out first

Stormontadvisor · 17/09/2026 18:43

GagaBinks · 16/09/2026 18:12

A Short Stay in Hell

A great little book, written by a Mormon, about a good Mormon who finds himself in hell and has to try to get out.

Comtesse · 17/09/2026 18:45

Sgtmajormummy · 16/09/2026 21:46

The English Understand Wool by Helen De Witt.
About 300 pages IIRC. You’ll finish it and go right back to the beginning to pick up what you missed. So call it 600 pages.

Very short (not even 100 pages) and very crafty and clever.

Criminetly · 17/09/2026 18:46

WildExpert · 17/09/2026 12:56

Mark birthday cod coke in my shopping bag for you to get to to see if I can Josh ball daddy mammy hannh car home Mark chis is to get to to

Is this a roundabout way of recommending Finnegan’s Wake?

Drealifegoals · 17/09/2026 18:48

TonTonMacoute · 16/09/2026 21:05

Non-fiction book I'm reading atm, and am gripped by, Free by Lea Ypi.

Its her account of growing up in Albania at about the time when their leader died. A fascinating insight into living in a dictatorship.

She is an academic at the LSE now, so there's quite a bit more interesting story to come. Real page turner

I also loved this!

Minasama · 17/09/2026 18:49

John Steinbeck - of Mice and Men or The Pearl. (East of Eden is an amazing book but too long.)
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.
Anything by Agatha Christie.
Demon Copperhead but again too long.
The Secret Barrister.
Unnatural Causes (this is the best book I have ever read.)

Vintique · 17/09/2026 18:51

My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite - loved it - it’s marketed as a thriller but it’s not really, it’s a dark and intelligent and very funny take on family ties, society, sexual politics, jealousy, violence, living in Lagos… it’s also brilliantly concise!!

Smokeywater · 17/09/2026 18:56

I second M S the serial killer
also Piranesi by Susanna Clarke - quirky

Ohmydears · 17/09/2026 18:59

What a load of lovely suggestions. I’m saving this thread for when I get through my current pile.

Glad someone else said Heartburn. A tiny book that really packs a punch.

Have we had Beloved by Toni Morrison? Less than 350 pages I think and will stay with you forever.

Dollymylove · 17/09/2026 19:29

20 minutes series. Daniel Hurst. You have to read them in order

Lisamac17 · 17/09/2026 19:33

I who have never known men. Just finished today, short, but thought provoking!

ShiraShira · 17/09/2026 19:36

Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

AIBU5 · 17/09/2026 20:09

Europeanbanana · 16/09/2026 14:37

I need books that will grip me so much I won't look at my phone. I don't want anything trashy or too long. Let's under under 350 pages. Any suggestions for really wonderful books that fit the bill?

I absolutely loved London falling. It's not short though

throwaway3749574 · 17/09/2026 20:13

Not sure how many pages as it was on my kindle but didn’t feel long - I recently really enjoyed the Henna Artist.

I did not enjoy “under the lemon tree”

dare I say it, I have found AI quite good at recommending books

OmegaAlpha · 17/09/2026 20:55

Highly recommend Tessa Hadley, all her books are beautifully written, short, and impossible to put down. The London Train, Late in the Day, The Party, are all good, as are her many short stories

Mauvish1 · 17/09/2026 21:00

The mermaid and Mrs Hancock --- Imogen Hermes Gowar

Piranesi - Susannah Clarke (you'll either love it or hate it but I adore it)

I second Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

VerbenaGirl · 17/09/2026 21:04

I just read 'Two Weeks in September' after Giles Coren mentioned it in a restaurant review. I really did enjoy it.

SereneGoose · 17/09/2026 21:32

Deborah Levy
..everything she has written.

Comtesse · 17/09/2026 21:33

Ohmydears · 17/09/2026 18:59

What a load of lovely suggestions. I’m saving this thread for when I get through my current pile.

Glad someone else said Heartburn. A tiny book that really packs a punch.

Have we had Beloved by Toni Morrison? Less than 350 pages I think and will stay with you forever.

Heartburn is brilliant, completely agree. The tone is perfect. Snappy and moving and v funny.

I loved Happy All The Time by Laurie Colwin. It’s beautifully written, nutty characters, so charming and true. Have read it several times, moves me to tears.

TwinklySquid · 17/09/2026 21:56

Maybe an unusual choice- Tender is the Flesh. Gripped me and the ending …

Tedsnan1 · 17/09/2026 21:58

Disgrace by J M Coetzee

hiddeneverythin · 17/09/2026 22:00

Stranger in the family. A thriller

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