60 Short Books You Can Finish In Basically One Sitting

For your next weekend (or weekday) book binge!

Looking for your next great read? No matter what genre you're after, these short books — recommended by the BuzzFeed Community and Reddit— cover old classics, new releases, and everything in between.

1. The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

Crown, Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images

"I suggest The Grownup by Gillian Flynn, who wrote Gone Girl. Only 64 pages, and it's presented as a ghost story — but the twist ending will leave you either weirded out or totally mind-fucked." —Anna Kopsky

Get it from Amazon or from your local indie bookstore via Indiebound. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

2. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Clarion Books

"Loved it as a kid, love it even more as an adult. Beautifully simple, and so profound at the same time." —Amy Laurel, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Clarion Books

"I thought it was amazing, so clever and mesmerizing. I had to put it down occasionally, but believe me, it was not willingly." —Tatiana Kalmykova, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

4. Shopgirl by Steve Martin

Hyperion Books, Evan Agostini / Getty Images

"The prose is beautiful, and at less than 200 pages, you can easily finish it in an afternoon." —danielgreym

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

5. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

Viking Books for Young Readers

"It's a shorter novel, but it's so good. So full of honest conversation about classism and gang violence and the effects it has on teenagers and young adults. It's my all-time favorite novel!" —magncheese97

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

6. With Their Eyes by Annie Thoms

HarperCollins

"I have a newborn and a 4-year-old, so getting anything done the FIRST time is next to impossible! That being said, this was a quick and easy read with amazing insight from high school students at Ground Zero. Sad, heartbreaking, and hopeful, it’s hard to put down and can definitely be read in one sitting...barring tantrums, feedings, and pure exhaustion 😂." —Cindy Mitchell, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Indiebound to support local bookstores. 

7. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Signet, Hulton Archive / Getty Images

"It's written in such a simple way, but is one of the most powerful books I've ever read." —rebeccab34

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

8. Everyone's A Aliebn When Ur A Aliebn Too by Jomny Sun

Harper Perennial

"It was wonderfully human and tragic and uplifting. I needed some positive energy to start the new year, and this book gave me just that. It's a very quick read but is filled with so much more than others books I have read. I went through a whirlwind of emotions. Pick this book up if you're ever in need of a giggle or a new appreciation for the simple things." —Belem Destefani, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

9. Women & Power by Mary Beard

Liveright

"It was only 126 pages, but in this short book, Mary Beard describes the western images of powerful women from classic Greek and Roman mythology to modern-day politics and social media. I thought it was a great read. I wish it was longer and delved deeper into issues, but it was a well-written intro lecture." —Judy Ranalli, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

10. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Penguin Books

"I'm a very slow reader, so I was ecstatic when I managed to read Of Mice and Men in only one day! It's a true classic, and I always seem to come back to it." —lizzyw4961ae5c5

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

11. The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter

Penguin Classics

"It's a collection of short stories, some are only a few pages long! Her stories are based on traditional fairytales, such as Beauty and the Beast and Snow White, so be prepared for your favorite childhood stories to be twisted with a subversive, gothic spin. Carter is the master of short stories and one of my favorite writers, so these tales come highly recommended, especially for those feminist readers out there!" —georgiescott

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores.

12. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Candlewick, Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images

"There was a movie made based on the book, but the book isn't long and is a beautiful, heartbreaking read. So worth it." —meaaagan

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

13. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Balzer + Bray

"The writing flowed so easily for me. I really felt like I was in Simon’s head (a delightful place to be) the whole time, so it was a great choice for one sitting. Excited to see the movie now!" —Kelly Wilkes, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

14. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Penguin Books

"Although, I had to break it up in two sittings because I had plans in between. I'm a huge John Green fan, so I was excited to finally read a new book of his. I thoroughly loved it and connected to the main character's struggle with anxiety. John did a great job of accurately portraying her type of anxiety, in my opinion. I also loved the tiny inclusions of Star Wars. Plus, there's a bit of a mystery aspect (kind of like Paper Towns), which kept you wanting to read more. I can't wait for this one to be made into a movie!" —Nikki Francois, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

15. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Anchor Books, Leigh Vogel / Getty Images

"It's a long essay based on her TEDx talk, and it provides a wonderful, relatable, and contemporary perspective on how society can embrace the label of feminism." —ewtex

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

16. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Picador

"It's short and sweet and very quirky. I loved every minute of it and devoured it in one sitting. It's truly unlike anything you've ever read before, and you won't be able to put down this beautiful love story." —m4962867c2

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores.

17. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

Crown

"This book is one I couldn’t put down during the snowy day we had in Denver last weekend. It was a thought-provoking, escapist kind of read, which I recommend if you need something quick but substantive. One of my favorite quotes from the book came toward the end: 'For who are we if not the sum of our experiences, the things that we gather and collect in life? Once you strip those away, we become just a mass of flesh, bone, and blood vessels.'" —Mary Jean O'Malley, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

18. The Stranger by Albert Camus

Vintage Books, Afp / Getty Images

"I know it's a popular 'required reading' book so maybe you've: a) already read it or b) know you were supposed to have read it and resent me for suggesting it, but The Stranger by Albert Camus is a must-read for me. It's about a guy who kills another guy on a beach because it was too hot, or so he says. I've read it, like, five times because it's a readable, interesting existentialist book that's only about 120 pages." —taylorf4ced310f9

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

19. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Nancy Paulsen Books

"I read this over about two days. It had me silent sobbing in the first few pages. It’s told in poetry and is about the author’s childhood as an African American born in the '60s, growing up in the north and south. It was very poignant. It’s technically for middle grade I believe, but so beautiful and thought-provoking. I did a lot of contemplating while reading this." —Megan Ireland, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

20. Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

MTV Books

"It was harrowing, beautiful, scary, and victorious all at the same time. It's a tiny little book and has an ending well worth the few hours it may take to read." —Abigael India Wilds, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

21. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Clarion Books, Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

"Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is an amazing read. I remember I read it as a kid, and it made me think about the Holocaust and how it affected kids my age back then. Even now, it's still one of my favorite books." —chingparado

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

22. The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

Graywolf Press

"An incredibly thought-provoking and moving work of 'autocriticism' examining what it means to be a mother, a lover, and a critical observer of all the mundane events of our daily lives." —Zac Taylor, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

23. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Penguin Books

"Such a heartwarming book filled with stories of love despite racism. Super uplifting and a story of a young girl who runs away from home with her house help and tries to find somewhere that her late mother was. She ends up finding this bright pink home filled with three female beekeepers and this book just follows everyone's journey of faith, hope, and love. It's a short book, too. I highly recommend!" —karinar41d2125d0

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

24. Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King

Hodder & Stoughton, Eric Feferberg / AFP / Getty Images

"Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King is one of my new all-time favorites, and it was so short I read it in two hours. It also makes you think about what you would do with the power to destroy anything you'd like." —t403516055

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

25. Slade House by David Mitchell

Random House, Torsten Silz / AFP / Getty Images

"It's by the guy that wrote Cloud Atlas, and it's a creepy, always surprising take on classic haunted house novels. The story has a hypnotically rhythmic structure to it, which makes it hard to put down, and if you want to spend more time in the world, it takes place in the same universe as his much larger but AWESOME psychic thriller The Bone Clocks." —Derik Iverson via Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

26. Asylum by William Seabrook

Dover Publications

"I loved this book. A firsthand account, and funny and sad at the same time. Recommended for a quick read!" —Katy Keyston, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. 

27. The Lauras by Sara Taylor

Windmill

"I read this in one day. I love her writing style — it causes compulsive reading. The book is part road-trip, part coming-of-age. I enjoyed reading the stories of the mother and found that more engaging than the narrator (probably something to do with my age haha!). Would recommend this and her previous book, The Shore." —Laura Walker, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

28. November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Atria Books

"An incredibly interesting take on a romance and the collision of two strangers' pasts. The book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and suspense with a fairly fast-paced plot progression. Definitely readable in one sitting!" —Abbey Hauser, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

29. The 15:17 to Paris by Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone, and Jeffrey E. Stern

PublicAffairs

"The 15:17 to Paris was not even a book in my current TBR pile, but I finished it in four hours last night. It's a fascinating story that's back in the spotlight recently because of the movie coming out soon. I instantly connected with the characters/authors, and the writing style is laid back and casual and makes it very easy to get yourself lost in the story." —Elizabeth Bessette, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

30. The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

Penguin Books, Mehdi Fedouach / AFP / Getty Images

"This book is fantastic. It is about Japanese 'picture brides' coming to San Francisco. The story follows their experiences as wives, mothers, and immigrants in the United States." —elizabethg20

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

31. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

HarperOne

"Although it deserves time to sink in, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. The spiritualism and existentialism of his work absolutely floored me, and it still continues to challenge how I want to live my best life!" —nikig4cf7e0d38

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

32. One Cut by Eve Porinchak

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

"It's true crime novel about an accidental murder back from the 1990s in California. There was possible corruption involved, sentencing is still being questioned, and some believe some of the suspects were unfairly convicted and sentenced." —Ashley Carroll Soulos, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop.

33. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Scholastic Inc.

"It’s the first book of a four-part series that deals with magical realism. It’s a very well-written YA novel that weaves high school friendships, adventure, mystery, ghosts, and murder into a fascinating story. It’s an enthralling book and not too long!" —Anne Wickland, Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

34. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

MTV Books

"It’s super short, only 208 pages, written in journal style. The main character writes letters to an unknown person detailing his life during his freshman year of high school as he makes new friends and gains confidence while battling his illness." —klgraham

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

35. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

Grove Press, Tiziana Fabi / AFP / Getty Images

"It's beautifully written, and you can read it in one afternoon. Its story is about life and love (and not only romantic love) finding their way through death and loneliness. It's currently my favorite book!" —leire

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores.

36. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Hachette Books, David Livingston / Getty Images

"This is a thought-provoking page-turner! Very easy read." —katiej435607e41

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

37. Amazing Fantastic Incredible by Stan Lee

Gallery Books

"As a lifelong fan of Marvel, this is essential reading on the life of one Mr. Stan Lee." —deejayw2

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

38. No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay

Write Bloody Publishing

"It’s a beautiful collection of her poetry that has every subject imaginable." —jaclynf4a629967a

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

39. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

William Morrow & Company

"It's 181 easy-to-read pages of everything you expect from Gaiman: fun, fantasy, a little darkness, and magic. Gaiman's books are always enjoyable; he paints such a great picture it's impossible not to see the scenes he writes in your head. Highly recommend any of his books, but this one is a fast, one-sitting read." —mrsh810

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

40. Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini

Ballantine Books

"It's one of the most captivating books I've read, and the best one I read in 2017." —Brett Vergara

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

41. Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

Vintage Books, Jenkins / Getty Images

"I had heard about this book a lot before reading it. Unfortunately, most of what I heard painted a very inaccurate picture of what the book was about. It is heartbreaking, but also groundbreaking. I've heard many people describe it as a 'gay story,' but I think it would be more accurate to say 'bisexual story' or just 'LGBTQ+ story.' I didn't outwardly cry when I read this, but it definitely left my heart feeling heavy." —Aeryn La Mar via Facebook

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

42. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Random House UK

"I love how the story slowly reveals itself. It’s not a predictable young adult romance novel. It has depth and keeps you guessing the whole time." —ashleyadaobid

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

43. Binge by Tyler Oakley

Gallery Books

"This book is full of funny stories and life lessons. You seriously are going to have a binge reading it." —cesse

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

44. The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

Blue Rider Press

"It’s less than 300 pages, but I read it in two days. It’s mostly about her affair with Harrison Ford during the making of A New Hope, but what I loved about it was how relatable she made it all seem. The feelings she so perfectly captured and wrote down were feelings I’ve definitely had, as I’m sure most people have, too!" —paigea4bd9b3e8e

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

45. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Martino Fine Books, Hulton Archive / Getty Images

"And then watch the movie and bawl." —rachelsporyh

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

46. The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs

Simon & Schuster

"The chapters are super short, and I honestly finished it in one night." —Hannah Loewentheil

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

47. Ten Days in a Mad-House by Nellie Bly

Dover Publications

"What she went through to expose corrupt asylums will keep you riveted!" —laurenl4eff09964

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

48. Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih

NYRB Classics, Afp / AFP / Getty Images

"I did an English degree, and this is the only book (out of hundreds) that I openly recommend. Especially in the political climate, this offers an insight into orientalism and racism from a postcolonial perspective." —victoriar42355ff97

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores.

49. Adultolescence by Gabbie Hanna

Atria / Keywords Press

"It's one of my all-time favorite books. It’s a poetry book, so it’s short, but it’ll make you go on an emotional rollercoaster. One poem you’ll be laughing, the next you’ll be crying, and you’ll always want to know which will come next. The illustrations are another bonus. They’re so creative, thought-out, and you can really feel a connection to each one. Once you’ve read it, you’ll want to read it over and over again." —bracesglasses05

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

50. When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

Penguin Books

"It's a short, but engaging page-turner about a Japanese family that is put into an internment camp during WWII. I read it in college and finished it all in one day between a big break between two classes." —marzaally

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

51. The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente

Gallery / Saga Press

"It’s a book of short stories about the girlfriends of superheroes and their ultimate fates. It’s a great send-up of the 'girls in refrigerators' and superhero genres." —rachelc43

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

52. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

HarperCollins, Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

"It's technically a children's book, but it's well-written and deliciously creepy enough to be appreciated by all ages. If you've only seen the movie, read the book — it's much scarier, and short enough to finish in a matter of hours." —thesixthstation

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

53. Salt. by Nayyirah Waheed

CreateSpace

"Nayyirah Waheed’s poems are beautiful and high-quality while still being incredibly accessible and readable." —Rachel Wilkerson Miller

Get it from Amazon.

54. Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera

And Other Stories

"It’s a beautifully poignant coming-of-age novel that blends elements of magical realism with the reality of life on the US-Mexico border. It’s 114 pages, which was the perfect length for reading over a two-hour flight." —juliepatz

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores.

55. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

Gold Medal Books

"I am Legend! I have been singing the praises of this novella since I read it in the 80s. It introduced several ideas that have become standardized tropes. And that ending!!!" —u/Kruegeryyz2112

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

56. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Heinemann

"It helped me understand my mother's mental illness from a sufferer's POV."—u/Gatinha19

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

57. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Alfred A. Knopf

"When I read it, I was looking for something spiritual in my life. I ended up looking for hidden meaning in every sentence, and as a result, I really enjoyed the story more than I normally would have."—u/trippoint

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

58. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Doubleday

"It's narrated from the perspective of a kid with Asperger's, and it's a really great read." —u/rahlala

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

59. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Epstein & Carroll, distributed by Random House

"No question about it. It's a very intelligent and clever children's story. Easy to read yet thought-provoking. I could not recommend it more." —u/knowhatimsayin

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

60. The Machine Stops by E.M Foster

Archibald Constable

"It was written in 1928. It is said to have predicted the technology we use today. Possibly one of the earliest science fiction works ever written." —u/CurlyCubana

Get it from Amazon or from Bookshop or Indiebound to support local bookstores. You can also try the audiobook version through Libro.fm.

Now, get reading!

Getty Images

This post contains content from Terri Pous and Jasmin Nahar. It was compiled by Laura Frustaci.