On short books (to finish up that Goodreads challenge)

It’s getting close to the end of the year and you’re still 20 books off your Goodreads goal. Not to worry because I am here to save the day! Here are a bunch of short books that can definitely count for your Goodreads challenge and get you to finish with lots of time to spare.

• Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Formatted as a letter to a friend, this essay details how to raise a feminist child. While it contains excellent advice and is written beautifully, it’s still a very short book. Originally posted on Facebook, it’s easy to find online and takes up to a half hour to read.

• Portuguese Irregular Verbs by Alexander McCall Smith - At 153 pages, this is a quick read chronicling the misadventures of Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld and his friends. There is no clear plot - only a series of funny situations that the good doctor finds himself in. It’s a funny and quick read by a fantastic author.

• Letters to a Young Mormon by Adam S. Miller - With only 78 pages, this book can be read in one sitting. It contains a series of essays regarding Miller’s religious views and things to consider when looking at religion. Some of the essays are specific to LDS beliefs and theology, but several pertain to a general belief in God. In addition to being a fast read, this book is a good one for your religious questions and concerns.

• Angels Among Us by The Arbinger Institute - This short book looks at a woman’s difficult life on the streets and how help from others brought her to a better place. It’s fast, it’s uplifting, and it’s interesting.

• This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley - Full of 111 pages of advice for writers, this is an easy read to inspire, motivate, and help authors everywhere write better.

• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown - Everyone could do with reading this 138 page book to better assist and inspire you to look past your flaws and appreciate your talents. It’s helpful and is read in many therapy settings. Also, it’s very short and easy to devour.

• Zombie Haiku: Good Poetry for Your...Brains by Ryan Mecum - A 160 books of zombie haikus is strange, quick, and memorable. The haikus tell a story of a zombie apocalypse and the fallout from that - and a narrator’s regarding the events he witnesses. Each page only contains one haiku, so you should be able to read it ridiculously quickly.

• The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key - A boy falls through a door into Earth and in 140 pages, we see how he deals with this and how it affects the people around him. This old children’s book is extremely easy to read and has interesting implications about what humans will and won’t accept from those around us.

• The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron - Two boys build a spaceship to Mushroom planet. With only 195 pages, this children’s book is quick and easy and a delightful introduction to science fiction.

• The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger - Strange sixth grader Dwight handles difficult situations with the help of his Origami Yoda. Only 145 pages long, this children’s book is both hilarious and bizarre and leaves the reader wondering what sort of powers Origami Yoda really has.

• The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke - With 61 pages, this quick story gives a good message about becoming a better human being. It’s somewhat similar to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

• Zombicorns by John Green - This is not the greatest zombie story, but it’s fun, it’s only 72 pages, it’s available online, and it’s by the fabulous John Green, so it’s definitely worth the small amount of time it’ll take to read.

• The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories by Tim Burton - The master of creepy tales has a 115 page book of dark stories for anyone to enjoy.

• The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten. by Steve Martin - This collection of tweets by famous comedian Steve Martin is only 105 pages long and is a laugh out loud ride the entire way.

• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry -This classic book is only 83 pages and is a must-read for anyone and everyone. If you haven’t read it yet, this is the perfect chance to.

• Lies I Told My Children (And Other Stories) by Karen McQuestion - Parenting is not for sissies. In this 102 page book, McQuestion opens up about her parenting strategies - and the ridiculous things that happen when you’re in charge of tiny humans.

• Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak: by Writers Famous and Obscure by Larry Smith and Francis DiClemente - This collection of six word stories is only 144 pages long - a quick and easy read for anyone looking to finish their Goodreads challenge.

• The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby - In this 143 page book, Hornby examines the books he’s been purchasing and the books he’s been reading (and how rarely those overlap). He discusses many different types of books, so this is the perfect book for any fellow bibliotaphs.

• White Sand by Brandon Sanderson - This graphic novel of Sanderson's novella is fun, action-packed, and clever - and perfect for an end-of-the-year read at only 160 pages.

If I haven’t presented enough short books to you here, I apologize. Goodreads has several lists of short books here and here and here and here and here and here.

What short books have you been reading? How do you finish your Goodreads challenges when you’re falling behind? Ar there any other fantastic lists of short books to read?