Unputdownable, short-ish, not trashy books

[Europeanbanana]

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'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).

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

Great thread, thank you

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

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

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

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

I also loved this!

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.)

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!!

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

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.

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

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

Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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

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

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

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

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

Deborah Levy
..everything she has written.

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.

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

Disgrace by J M Coetzee

Stranger in the family. A thriller