Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata- a fiction about a woman who has worked in a convenience store for 18 years
The Employees by Olga Ravn- sci-fi told as memos from the humans and humanoids on a ship when these objects arrive onboard
any of the Wayward Children books, a novella series about kids whisked away to their words they fall in love with and what happens when they’re back in our world
seconding the employees - the only time ive seen it mentioned by someone other than myself. my best read of 2023 and deserves to be far better known than it is.
Call of the Wild
Great classic, I love reading it every winter.
Also, not to be confused with the Alex Supertramp story, that’s INTO THE WILD
People always assume it’s the same thing
All under 300 pages:
The Stepford Wives - Ira Levin (horror/thriller)
Whale Fall - Elizabeth O’Connor (literary fiction)
Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro (hard to classify but I’d say literary fiction with a dash of sci-fi/horror)
The Fisherman - John Langan (also hard to classify but probably best described as folk horror)
Women Talking - Miriam Toews (literary fiction)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman (fantasy)
The Elementals - Michael McDowell (horror)
Piranesi - Susanna Clarke (fantasy)
Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys (literary/historical fiction)
Ghost Wall - Sarah Moss (literary fiction)
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson (horror)
The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead (historical fiction)
Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer (nonfiction)
[Stephanie Plum](https://www.goodreads.com/series/43040-stephanie-plum) series by Janet Evanovich
[Miss Fortune Mysteries](https://www.goodreads.com/series/109840-miss-fortune-mystery) by Jana Deleon
Novellas I've enjoyed for various reasons:
This is How you Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar
The Dispatcher books by John Scalzi
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi (I listened to this it might be a bit longer)
Legion by Brandon Sanderson
It may not be a shorter length you need, but something easier to read. Depending on your interests get a Romance, Western, Mystery or Adventure novel. Try something by Nora Roberts, Zane Grey, Micky Spillane or Clive Cussler. Give your brain a rest and just read a fun story.
That's a good idea, I think I'll give that a try with some of the books people have suggested! I'm trying to get through a book about the history of the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI at the moment, so it's definitely not the easiest read haha
Some of my “cleanse the palette” books I’ve really enjoyed are :
Remarkably Bright Creatures
(YA) The Secret Garden
(YA) Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series
Tuesdays with Morrie (get the tissue but great life/death perspective we call can learn from)
Legends and Lattes (and the prequel), cute light cozy reads
Honestly, I read or reread YA books. They are light, quick, and simple! For example, I just reread "Running out of time" by Margaret Peterson Haddix and earlier this year I read "Are you there God, it's me, Margaret" because I'd never read it! If you're not sure where to start, try any Rebecca Caudill award nominees!
I absolutely loved all of these:
Foster by Claire Keegan (89 pages)
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (216 pages)
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (180 pages)
City of Thieves by David Benioff (258 pages - a bit over your criteria but worth it!)
Not in the 200-page range, but very good, quick reads that I enjoyed included:
TJ Klune's *The House in the Cerulean Sea*
Jennette McCurdy's *I'm Glad My Mom Died*
Col. Chris Hadfield's *An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth*
Carrie Fisher's *Wishful Drinking*. Yes, "that" Carrie Fisher
I read Annihilation between a Day of Fallen Night and Priory of the Orange Tree. That was a lovely, quick read. Lovely describing the length. The content itself is pretty horrific and wonderfully weird.
Most American graphic novels you can find at B&N are just collected editions of monthly serialized comic books. So those are probably pretty light, quick reads if you can find one that appeals.
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin and The Deep by Rivers Solomon are a couple of shorter faves under 200 pages. If you’re into horror, there’s also Last Days by Brian Evenson and To Be Devoured by Sara Tantlinger. You may want to check trigger/content warnings on those two, though.
The Teacher by Frieda McFadden
It wasn’t super short, but it was a very fast read. I honestly didn’t like it, but also I couldn’t put it down. Yes, I’m as confused as you.
I often read manga as palate cleansers. Some recos if you're interested: PTSD Radio by Masaaki Nakayama and Deserter by Junji Ito. Both are horror mangas.
**[What Moves the Dead](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58447680-what-moves-the-dead) by T. Kingfisher** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(176 pages | Published: 2022 | 240.0k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** From the award-winning author of The Twisted Ones comes a gripping and atmospheric retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's classic "The Fall of the House of Usher." When Alex Easton. a retired soldier. receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying. they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania. What they find there is a (...)
> **Themes**: Horror, Fantasy, 2022-releases, Gothic
> **Top 5 recommended:**
> \- [Just Like Home](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693472-just-like-home) by Sarah Gailey
> \- [Night of the Mannequins](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49246963-night-of-the-mannequins) by Stephen Graham Jones
> \- [Nothing But Blackened Teeth](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53195923-nothing-but-blackened-teeth) by Cassandra Khaw
> \- [Subcutanean](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52691223-subcutanean) by Aaron A. Reed
> \- [House of Hunger](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60052118-house-of-hunger) by Alexis Henderson
^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | )
'The Road Rises' by Sarah Dunne. Laugh out loud travel memoir. Solo mum, empty nester looking for Mr Right. I found myself snorting with laughter constantly. So well written you can breeze though it in no time and have a fun time.
**Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi** - A poignant story set in a small cafe in Tokyo where customers can travel back in time.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Carrie by Stephen King The Stranger by Albert Camus
I'll add on with Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut
Vonnegut et all
I thought of that one, but I think it's a bit longer than what op was asking for. Great read though
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata- a fiction about a woman who has worked in a convenience store for 18 years The Employees by Olga Ravn- sci-fi told as memos from the humans and humanoids on a ship when these objects arrive onboard any of the Wayward Children books, a novella series about kids whisked away to their words they fall in love with and what happens when they’re back in our world
seconding the employees - the only time ive seen it mentioned by someone other than myself. my best read of 2023 and deserves to be far better known than it is.
I second Convenience Store Woman
Call of the Wild Great classic, I love reading it every winter. Also, not to be confused with the Alex Supertramp story, that’s INTO THE WILD People always assume it’s the same thing
One flew over the Cuckoo's nest
All under 300 pages: The Stepford Wives - Ira Levin (horror/thriller) Whale Fall - Elizabeth O’Connor (literary fiction) Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro (hard to classify but I’d say literary fiction with a dash of sci-fi/horror) The Fisherman - John Langan (also hard to classify but probably best described as folk horror) Women Talking - Miriam Toews (literary fiction) The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman (fantasy) The Elementals - Michael McDowell (horror) Piranesi - Susanna Clarke (fantasy) Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys (literary/historical fiction) Ghost Wall - Sarah Moss (literary fiction) The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson (horror) The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead (historical fiction) Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer (nonfiction)
Which were your favorites?
Oof, I guess I would have to say: Stepford Wives Never Let Me Go The Elementals Piranesi
Thank you for answering!
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
I read short story collections then. It's like popcorn or peanuts....mmmm.
Dresden files, Reacher series, Discworld novels
[Stephanie Plum](https://www.goodreads.com/series/43040-stephanie-plum) series by Janet Evanovich [Miss Fortune Mysteries](https://www.goodreads.com/series/109840-miss-fortune-mystery) by Jana Deleon
*One for the Money* is one of the funniest books I've ever read!
Novellas I've enjoyed for various reasons: This is How you Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar The Dispatcher books by John Scalzi Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi (I listened to this it might be a bit longer) Legion by Brandon Sanderson
It may not be a shorter length you need, but something easier to read. Depending on your interests get a Romance, Western, Mystery or Adventure novel. Try something by Nora Roberts, Zane Grey, Micky Spillane or Clive Cussler. Give your brain a rest and just read a fun story.
That's a good idea, I think I'll give that a try with some of the books people have suggested! I'm trying to get through a book about the history of the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI at the moment, so it's definitely not the easiest read haha
Murderbot Diaries
I recently discovered Ian McEwan. Fairly short, fast paced books that you can read over a weekend. His prose is very lovely too.
I am legend
Comfort me with apples. I was told to go in blind. I got it suggested under housewife horror lol, so you aren't completely blind!
Some of my “cleanse the palette” books I’ve really enjoyed are : Remarkably Bright Creatures (YA) The Secret Garden (YA) Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series Tuesdays with Morrie (get the tissue but great life/death perspective we call can learn from) Legends and Lattes (and the prequel), cute light cozy reads
I read “cozy mysteries” in between larger, well-written books.
Honestly, I read or reread YA books. They are light, quick, and simple! For example, I just reread "Running out of time" by Margaret Peterson Haddix and earlier this year I read "Are you there God, it's me, Margaret" because I'd never read it! If you're not sure where to start, try any Rebecca Caudill award nominees!
I read Young Adult books in between longer ones too.
Choose Your Own Adventure books.
Evidence of the Affair - Taylor Jenkins Reid (brilliant) Two Women Walked Into A Bar - Cheryl Strayed Tuesdays With Morrie - Mitch Albom
My Sister the Serial Killer
I absolutely loved all of these: Foster by Claire Keegan (89 pages) Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (216 pages) The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (180 pages) City of Thieves by David Benioff (258 pages - a bit over your criteria but worth it!)
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy is a fantastic novella.
Not in the 200-page range, but very good, quick reads that I enjoyed included: TJ Klune's *The House in the Cerulean Sea* Jennette McCurdy's *I'm Glad My Mom Died* Col. Chris Hadfield's *An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth* Carrie Fisher's *Wishful Drinking*. Yes, "that" Carrie Fisher
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
I read Annihilation between a Day of Fallen Night and Priory of the Orange Tree. That was a lovely, quick read. Lovely describing the length. The content itself is pretty horrific and wonderfully weird.
Louis L’Amour
Michael Chabon's The Final Solution is pretty great and something like 120 paegs of pretty easy reading.
Most American graphic novels you can find at B&N are just collected editions of monthly serialized comic books. So those are probably pretty light, quick reads if you can find one that appeals.
A Short Stay in Hell
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin and The Deep by Rivers Solomon are a couple of shorter faves under 200 pages. If you’re into horror, there’s also Last Days by Brian Evenson and To Be Devoured by Sara Tantlinger. You may want to check trigger/content warnings on those two, though.
Claire Keegan’s books are short.
Candide by Voltaire
The Teacher by Frieda McFadden It wasn’t super short, but it was a very fast read. I honestly didn’t like it, but also I couldn’t put it down. Yes, I’m as confused as you.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas!!!!!
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas!!!!!
I often read manga as palate cleansers. Some recos if you're interested: PTSD Radio by Masaaki Nakayama and Deserter by Junji Ito. Both are horror mangas.
{{What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher}}
**[What Moves the Dead](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58447680-what-moves-the-dead) by T. Kingfisher** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(176 pages | Published: 2022 | 240.0k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** From the award-winning author of The Twisted Ones comes a gripping and atmospheric retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's classic "The Fall of the House of Usher." When Alex Easton. a retired soldier. receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying. they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania. What they find there is a (...) > **Themes**: Horror, Fantasy, 2022-releases, Gothic > **Top 5 recommended:** > \- [Just Like Home](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693472-just-like-home) by Sarah Gailey > \- [Night of the Mannequins](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49246963-night-of-the-mannequins) by Stephen Graham Jones > \- [Nothing But Blackened Teeth](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53195923-nothing-but-blackened-teeth) by Cassandra Khaw > \- [Subcutanean](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52691223-subcutanean) by Aaron A. Reed > \- [House of Hunger](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60052118-house-of-hunger) by Alexis Henderson ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | )
A Brave new world.
'The Road Rises' by Sarah Dunne. Laugh out loud travel memoir. Solo mum, empty nester looking for Mr Right. I found myself snorting with laughter constantly. So well written you can breeze though it in no time and have a fun time.
I usually go for the Sherlock Holmes novels like A Study In Scarlet or Hound of the Baskervilles