Short books to help you reach your reading goal

Remember that reading goal you set for yourself back in January?

Yeah, I forgot about it too.

It’s hard to find time in our busy days to read a book. I know that after a long day of classes, the last thing that I want to do is look at a page of text.

But just because you might get hives every time you see a novel longer than 400 pages doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy thought-provoking literature. Here are five book recommendations, each under 250 pages, that will keep you entertained and engaged while helping you stay on track with your reading goal.

‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ — Mitch Albom

After graduating from college, Mitch Albom lost touch with his professor and mentor, Morrie Schwartz. One night, Albom, randomly watching TV, stumbles across his old teacher giving an interview on Nightline. Schwartz had been recently diagnosed with ALS, a terminal neurodegenerative disease.

Albom instantly reached out to Schwartz, and over the course of 14 Tuesday meetings, Schwartz taught Albom his final lesson — what it means to live a good life.

“Tuesdays with Morrie” is one of the finest examples of memoir writing; It’s funny, heart wrenching and life-altering, all in 192 pages.

‘And Then There Were None’ — Agatha Christie

Mystery is having a bit of a moment right now, so why not read a classic from the “Queen of Crime” herself?

“And Then There Were None” follows a group of eight people as they receive a mysterious invitation to an island off the Devon coast in England. Once the group is assembled, they learn that they were invited by a mysterious Mr. Owens, who accuses everyone of committing a murder.

One by one, each person meets a gruesome end, forcing the remaining survivors to figure out the unfolding mystery.

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One of the best-selling books of all time, “And Then There Were None,” is a gripping story, packing a lot of mystery and suspense into a short page span.

‘The Ferryman and His Wife’ — Frode Grytten

Translated from the original Norwegian text, “The Ferryman and His Wife” follows Nils Vik, the aforementioned Ferryman, as he wakes up on the day he dies.

Throughout his final day, Nils’ life story is revealed through encounters with the ghosts of his past as they prepare to welcome him into the afterlife.

It’s a stunning translation that reads almost like poetry. Despite the heavy topic matter, the version of death Grytten wrote sounds almost wonderful. With short chapters and engaging writing, you’ll absolutely fly through this gem of a little novel.

‘Brooklyn’ — Colm Tóibín

Between “Sinners” and St. Patrick’s Day, I’m really feeling my Irish roots. So during spring break, I decided to lean into it and read “Brooklyn,” written by Irish author Colm Tóibín.

It follows Eilis Lacey, who, after being unable to find work in 1950’s Ireland, decides to immigrate to the United States. While living in the States, Eilis slowly becomes her own person, working at a department store and taking night classes in bookkeeping.

When she meets Tony Fiorello, an Italian plumber, the novel starts to pick up. Eilis and Tony quickly fall in love and decide to get married in secret. Eilis then learns that her older sister Rose, still living in Ireland, has died, and decides to return to her homeland to help her grieving mother.

Things quickly fall apart, as old history and the possibility of a new romance threaten Eilis’ carefully constructed life. “Brooklyn” is a beautiful piece of historical fiction that will keep you turning the pages to find out how Eilis’ story ends. (Also, if you can’t handle the book right now, the 2016 adaptation is also a fantastic movie.)

‘The Safekeep’ — Yael Van Der Wouden

If you watched “Heated Rivalry” and thought: If only it took place in the Netherlands in the 1960’s and was about lesbian lovers — do I have the book for you.

“The Safekeep” won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and was named a notable book by The New York Times in 2024. It’s the story of Isabel and Eva, as they come to terms with their love for each other and the past that could threaten to keep them apart.

Van Der Wouden’s writing is sexy and electric, and almost reads as something Emily Brontë would’ve written. But if this synopsis makes you a little hesitant, let me just say, you’re going to want to keep reading just for the intense side-plot about Nazi occupation in the Netherlands during World War II. The novel culminates in a stunning plot twist that completely changes the narrative and leaves you longing for more.

fahymm@miamioh.edu