Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

This prompt is all about reading a short book, how short it is going to be is entirely left to your interpretation. You could read a picture book, a short story, a graphic novel, a book of 50, 100 or even 200 pages if you consider the number short.

-----------------------------------
Suggestions:
Short stories
Novellas
YA short stories and novellas
Indie Novellas, Novelettes, and Short Stories
Quick reads
Most influential books under 100 pages
Best Picture Books
Children's Picture Books with beautiful illustrations
Wordless Picture Books
Best Graphic Novels
Required Reading Graphic Novels
Best Graphic Novels for Children
Best Manga

-----------------------------------

Optional questions:
- What are you reading for this category?
- Why did you choose this book?
- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?

I chose Hotel du Lac ( only 182 pages). It's sitting on my shelf and it looked short. I feel like everything I read ( unless its mid grade) is 300+ pages, which I consider average length and can usually read in 2 -3 days. It will be nice to bang one out quick.

This is a fun one (and probably one I'll save for the end of the year, because the holidays...). I tried to stay below 200 pages for this one!

I'm choosing between:
The Awakening (195 pages)
Lord of the Flies (182 pages)
84, Charing Cross Road (112 pages)
The Little Prince (93 pages)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (144 pages)
Night (114 pages)

I’m reading one of these
Mrs. Dalloway
Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?
Grief is the Thing with Feathers

I think I'm gonna go for something under 100 pages, which probably means a smaller poetry book or a picture book. :) Some of my options:
Don't Call Us Dead
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
Exits, Desires, & Slow Fires
The Tea Dragon Society
The Storyteller
Not Quite Narwhal

Live or Die

I read "Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea", a fun graphic novel, to my daughter. It's hilarious and so cheerful!

I'm starting A Christmas Carol for this prompt. I'm trying to hold on to the last bit of Christmas and thought this would be the perfect book to read before Christmas slips away.

Although I'm not opposed to short stories, I very rarely read them and often seen to read longer works. I'm looking forward to this great read!

What length are you using to determine your short book? I looked for a book under 200 pages.

So many of the lists I found when looking for a book for this topic contained classic lit and/or picture books (which was NOT what I was looking for).

So I created a list - Contemporary Short Fiction - that will (hopefully) be only adult novels published within the last 25ish years that are around 200 pages or less.

Just wanted to share in case anyone is looking for books like this. And if you have books to add to the list, please do!

I’m definitely aiming for <200, but ideally around 125 pages.

I decided short book meant one of the shorter books on my TBR. I'll be reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

The Kindle version is 162 pages, that's only 35 pages longer than Chapter 3 of It, which I started on Friday and have just finished (the chapter, not the whole book!). I think being slightly longer than one chapter in another book on my list definitely qualifies as short.

Pre-ATY challenge I would usually alternate between shorter and longer books (also between lighter and harder books), but I read my challenge books in order, so that's not an option now.

These nebulous categories are a struggle for me, because I really wrestle with what it means and how to stay true to the category without feeling like I'm "cheating." I stuck to <200 pages when I made my list of ideas, but that's not really short, so I will probably go for something <100 pages, except part of me feels like that's cheating because it's so short! I have a bunch of romance novellas loaded on my Kindle and I can read one of them, or I can find one of those "prequel" or "in between series" books that are often released as promos, especially for YA and sci-fi series. So long as I can get it from the library or I already own it ...

Marie, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a wonderful choice for this category. I hope you enjoy it!

Nadine wrote: "These nebulous categories are a struggle for me, because I really wrestle with what it means and how to stay true to the category without feeling like I'm "cheating." I stuck to <200 pages when I m..." My lit professor always said a short book was less than 200 pages. Don't feel like you are cheating. Consider Animal Farm is 140 pages but it is so powerful.

Going with a classic Animal Farm

What are you reading for this category? The legendary, brilliant John Fowles' The Tree.

Why did you choose this book? I'm a big fan of John Fowles and I'd never read his novella.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books? Sometimes I like to change it up, as I do with reading varied genres. It's a refreshing change, like sorbet is between courses.

Thanks for the list dalex. Lots of good books on there and some I've marked to-read.

dalex wrote: "So many of the lists I found when looking for a book for this topic contained classic lit and/or picture books (which was NOT what I was looking for).

So I created a list - Contemporary Short Fic..."

I'm reading The Writing Life. 113 pages, it's been on my bookshelf at home for a couple years, and I'd really like to motivate myself to start writing again, so it seems like a good choice.

I don't really alternate between shorter and longer books on purpose, it usually depends on what holds come in at the library, because that's where I get most of my books. I do alternate between different genres by reading more than one book at a time.

I read 2 books for this prompt as my first choice was actually essays and the second was a book I had heard so much about.

I read Tarantula by Thierry Jonquet and Days of Reading by Marcel Proust. Tarantula was 124 pages long and Days of Reading was 119 pages long.

I don't tend to alternate books based on length. I will often choose a lighter read (emotional weight, not physical lol) afetr something dark or heavy, but length is not really a factor.

I read Irish Fairy and Folk Tales, it has 134 pages.

I ended up using The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier. (GR lists this as 176 pages) I REALLY did not like this. The writing was just so clunky!!! And the moral was so in your face! Ugh. Nothing subtle or complex about this book.

This was a book assigned to my 9th grade daughter's English class; I try to read any books assigned to my kids that I haven't read yet (or that I haven't read in a long time, then I re-read!). This makes my reading a little bit more diverse, and lets me understand my daughter when she talks about what they are doing in class. And they are (so far!) short books, so it worked for this category :-)

I haven’t picked a book for this prompt yet, but I just finished The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor and wanted to recommend it to anyone looking for ideas for this week. My edition is 106 pages do I think that counts as a short book. I really enjoyed it.

I found this list https://electricliterature.com/17-bri... towards the end of last year when I needed to find a few short novels in order to meet my reading goal for the year.

I think I will go with either The Loser or Housekeeping for this one.

It's only 149 pages, should be read quite quickly

H G Wells –

- What are you reading for this category?
Hunted by James Patterson & Andrew Holmes

- Why did you choose this book? I am a James Patterson fan plus I love the Bookshot format. The summary sounded pretty good too.

- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books? I do. I always try to have a Bookshot lying around too because they are easy to read, non stop action, and short!

- What are you reading for this category?
Home by Nnedi Okorafor

- Why did you choose this book?
I loved, loved, loved Binti when I read it not long after it came out. I wanted to read Home right when it came out and I didn't get around to it. I was stoked to slot it in here. And I plan to start the third book in the trilogy tomorrow!

- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Not necessarily, but if I feel like I haven't been reading I'll pick something short and engrossing just to get going again.

But I usually don't pick books based on length. Unless it is audio books. I always buy really, really long audio books because I want to get my credits worth.

What are you reading for this category?
Every Heart a Doorway!

Why did you choose this book?
Because I wanted to see if it really lived up to the hype, and the whole concept sounded amazing!

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Yes, it's part of my strategy to help balance my reading during the year. I don't necessarily pick books based on length, but I do find it helps to alternate between longer and shorter books whereever possible (as well as YA vs. non-YA, different themes, etc. Anything to keep the variety).

What are you reading for this category?
I just finished Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire as my short book, too!

Why did you choose this book?
I, too, was curious about the popularity of this series.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
The length of a book is really not a factor in my selection process as much as my mood is. :)

What are you reading for this category?
La tectonique des sentiments (The tectonics of feelings) - Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt


Why did you choose this book?
This had been on my TBR for a while and fitted nicely with the short read prompt

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
No, I don't usually pay attention to the page count of books.

I chose Carnival Confessions: A Mardi Gras Novella

What are you reading for this category?


Why did you choose this book?
I wanted to read it last year.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
I only try to insert short books at the end of the year to complete reading challenges.

What are you reading for this category?
I read Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag

Why did you choose this book?
Honestly, because this book was getting a lot of buzz and I was curious. Never has my curiosity been so well rewarded. it was an amazing read.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
All the time.

what are you reading for this category?
I read Secret History by Brandon Sanderson

It was around 150 pages, which is relatively short. I usually read 400 pages, I think.

why did you choose this book?
I am working my way through the Mistborn series and this was a novella in between novels.

do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Sometimes. It's not always about length, but content. I just finished reading the Mistborn series, books #1-3.5 and they were all quite intense and stressful (me stressing over the fate of characters, haha) and now I've chosen a fluffy, chick lit book to balance my mood. The book is 411 pages, so not short, but still light, if that makes sense :)

What are you reading for this category?
I read The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories

Why did you choose this book?
I thought it was a short book, duped by the audiobook. 19 hours later…I'm so glad I chose it. Beautifully written.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
YES, I need the break from being engrossed for so long. It cleanses my literary palate. :)

What are you reading for this category?

Why did you choose this book?
I bought it a while ago and have wanted to read it even longer
Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
There is no rhyme or reason to the way I read.

Completed 2/18

I read for class. It's only ten pages but it somehow managed to be absolutely awful anyway (although I hate the class, so that probably didn't help)

What are you reading for this category?
Just quickly read Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble by M.C. Beaton

Why did you choose this book?
I have enjoyed the books by this author and as this is a very short book (33 pages) it fitted in with my others

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Not really , as I am not keen on short stories . I prefer a longer novel

- What are you reading for this category?
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer

- Why did you choose this book?
I have been wanting to read this ever since I read A Man Called Ove. This seemed the perfect opportunity.

- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Not really

I am reading A Wrinkle in Time.

I chose this book because I was reading it for another challenge and it fit for this topic.

I read whatever whenever so no I do not typically read shorter books between longer books. I choose more by topic or what looks good at the time.

I finished this but did not enjoy this book. It was a slow start and when something finally happened, it wasn't a lot. By the time anything happened in the book, I was finished. Just came to a sudden end.

- What are you reading for this category?
The Wind off the Small Isles by Mary Stewart.

- Why did you choose this book?
I like the author.

- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
I don't usually, but this year AtY is always reminding me that I'm falling behind, and I use this trick to keep on track. :)

What are you reading for this category?
Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard

Why did you choose this book?
I saw a review and the book sounded like something I'd like to read.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Yes, if a book is really long (or just feels long, lol!), I usually like to read something quick or easy for my next book.

- What are you reading for this category?
I read The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor.
- Why did you choose this book?
I had ordered the book when I ordered the second novella in the trilogy. It just arrived recently and I wanted to read them one after the other - and this category fit for the novella format Okorofor has chosen for the Binti series.
- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
I don't really worry about it usually. I might pick up a shorter book if I know I have a weekend or short amount of time before I need to get into a project at work, or something that would draw me out of a larger novel. But I read several things at once, and don't need a short novel as a breather between longer texts.

- What are you reading for this category?
Poems of Love and the Sea
- Why did you choose this book?
It's on my Kindle since 2015. Plus I do not read enough poetry.
- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Yes

At only 149 pages in my Penguin 'Great Loves' edition. It's definately a short read but of huge literary importance.

- What are you reading for this category? I read iZombie, Vol. 1: Dead to the World
- Why did you choose this book? I like to read a graphic novel now and then and like to fit one in for read-a-thons. I had heard this one was good.
- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Not normally.

I read Mary Anne Saves the Day, which is a graphic novel version of book 3 in the Babysitter's Club series (which obviously I've read as well). It was super fun and a quick read and it made me want to re-read the original series.

I just finished 84, Charing Cross Road, which was only 97 pages!

I've been hearing so much about it, and I actually owned a copy for a long while, but I think it ended up getting donated. I checked it out from the library and read it in an hour and a half.

I typically don't read books that are this short... I like to get invested in my characters, and 97 pages just doesn't give you enough time to really care. But I'm glad I read this one, if only to cross it off of all of the lists.

What are you reading for this category?
I started to read You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life (256 pp), based on some good reviews and the fact that it was on sale, but I could not get through it. Just not for me. So I read New Year, Same Trash: Resolutions I Absolutely Did Not Keep (20 pp) by Samantha Irby.

Why did you choose this book?
The Irby book was my original choice for this category, it was (really) short, and I already had it.

Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
I do, sort of, especially when I'm doing a challenge. I like to be able to knock something out quickly when I'm falling behind. More than anything, I usually try to switch up the tone of the books I'm ready. Something light and humorous after something really challenging or long or sad.

What are you reading for this category?
I read Q's Legacy: A Delightful Account of a Lifelong Love Affair with Books by Helene Hanff. This edition was 138 pages.
- Why did you choose this book?
I already had it, having purchased firsts of both this book and Duchess of Bloomsbury Street from a bookshop in England, after reading 84, Charing Cross Road and falling in love with the whole scenario. I collect books about books or authors or bookshops!
- Do you usually try to insert shorter reads between big books?
Only if it is already on my reading list. I don't necessarily go looking for one.