It’s December, we only have one month left to reach our Goodreads goals, so which books can you put your faith in to be quick reads and help you hit the end of your reading goals? Well, I have a five to recommend you!
Convenience Store Woman, Sayaka Murata (author), Ginny Tapley Takemori (translator)
This book is only 176 pages and feels like having a conversation with a friend, so is a super quick read! It follows Keiko after many years of working in her job at a convenience store. It is an observational novel as we see life through her eyes and the pressures put on her from society and how she reacts to them. This book is truly fantastic and I think any reader would fall into its pages.
The Black Flamingo, Dean Atta
Okay hear me out – I know this book isn’t short – however it is written in prose which makes it a much quicker read. I could have easily read this in one afternoon if I didn’t break it up in between. It’s a fantastic story about a young mixed-race gay teen as he grows up in London and faces the various pressures being thrown at him. The format of this book makes it so gripping and interesting to read, combined with the face you can’t help but love Michael, the protagonist.
One of Us is Lying, Karen M McManus
This young adult thriller follows five students in detention… except only four will leave. This is a novel all about discovering what happened in that detention and how one of the attendees ended up dead, who did it, who killed them? This is gripping and thrilling and will make you want to read the whole thing in one sitting, which is why it’s perfect to hit your end of year reading goals! You won’t want to stop, and then you’ll want to pick up the second in the series as well!
The Prince of Mist, Carlos Ruiz Zafon
This is a short and creepy book following a young boy and his family who move to the coast during the war. This is crammed with spooky themes and is perfect for the colder month, it has eerie statues, twisted dreams and old films with some hidden secrets. I love Carlos Ruiz Zafon so much, he writes so brilliantly and this is no expectation. His style is so easy to fall into and read lots of in one sitting!
A Song Below Water, Bethany C. Morrow
This is a super short and fun contemporary setting fantasy book. It’s set in our world, but with the inclusion of creatures and beings such as sirens, sprites and gargoyles. This follows two girls who are both experiencing their own struggles and dangers within this world. We follow them closing, switching between them in each chapter. As far as fantasies go, this one felt a bit different because of the creatures I was reading about, which I enjoyed! It’s definitely a quick and fun read!
I hope these recommendations can help you find some quick reads to hit your reading goal!
I’m so happy to see A Song Below Water on this list! I haven’t heard much buzz about it in the book community but it was really cool.
I have been meaning to read Carlos Ruiz Zafon but I didn’t realize he writes shorter works too. I might have to catch that on up soon.