13 Short Book Club Books That Are Seriously Worth Your Time

Looking for the best short book club books? I’ve got 13 amazing picks that are perfect for sparking fun discussions and will keep you hooked.
Short book club books scaled

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I don’t know if I’m the only one guilty of this, but oftentimes, I leave my book club books until a few days before the meeting, then swallow them down in one go. 

Sometimes, I’m not even able to finish reading.

Now, I don’t know how you choose books for your book club or what activities you have planned to make it more exciting, but I believe the books you select are the bread and butter of the club. 

If your book club has a lot of busy members, you definitely don’t want to assign very long books because that could lead to lower participation when your activities come around.

The books on this list are short, but all of them still pack a punch in the most amazing way. 

I’m not kidding when I say that if you’re looking for a fantastic book for your book club in 2025, you should check out one of the short book club books on this list. 

1. The Lost Wife by Susanna Moore (192 Pages)

The Lost Wife

This novel, inspired by a true story, follows Sarah Brinton, who leaves her husband and child in 1855 to start anew in Minnesota. 

She marries a doctor stationed at an Indian agency but finds solace in the Sioux community. 

When tensions rise, Sarah is caught in the middle of the Sioux Uprising of 1862, and her sympathy for the Sioux makes her an outcast. 

This tearjerker of a book is emotional, raw, and deeply explores Native American struggles, and it will make you think about history and identity. 

2. Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan (240 Pages)

Tell me more

In this heartwarming memoir, Kelly Corrigan explores the power of words in our lives. 

She shares stories about the phrases that shape relationships, from I don’t know to I was wrong

Kelly’s honest, funny storytelling style will make you reflect on how small phrases can bring us closer. 

You’ll feel like you’re chatting with an old friend. It’s definitely a cozy read, full of life lessons and laughs.

3. Spring by Karl Ove Knausgaard (192 Pages)

Spring by Karl Ove Knausgaard

This gentle novel is a quiet reflection on life’s everyday moments that focuses on a father and his newborn daughter as they spend a single day together. 

The book balances light moments with deep, emotional reflections about life’s struggles. 

It’s a soothing read that’ll make you think about the beauty of the simplest things, like a day spent with loved ones. 

I loved how it really slows things down and lets you appreciate what’s around you.

4. What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons (213 Pages)

What We Lose

This novel follows Thandi, a young woman of mixed race, as she manages identity, race, and loss. 

After her mother’s death, Thandi faces the tough task of finding herself amidst grief and a sense of displacement. 

The writing is beautifully raw, and it touched me deeply as Thandi tries to make sense of her world. 

It’s a story about growing up, letting go, and finding love after loss. It really makes you think about how loss changes us.

5. Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis (224 Pages)

Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge

This collection of essays by Helen Ellis is a funny, sexy, and sometimes surprising look at love and marriage. 

She writes about her relationship with her husband with warmth and humor, from pandemic life to funny party games. 

The stories are quirky and real and will remind you that love can be funny, imperfect, and full of surprises. 

I found myself smiling through the whole thing and I’ll always, always recommend it to everyone.

6. Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi (213 Pages)

Diary of a Void

This quirky and thought-provoking novel is about a woman in Japan who avoids harassment at work by pretending to be pregnant. 

As she maintains the ruse, her life starts to blur between reality and her lie. 

The story is funny yet serious and it sheds light on gender roles and the challenges women face in the workplace. 

I really admired how it showed the lengths we go to for peace and quiet in a world that often doesn’t listen.

7. Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan (300 Pages)

Brain on Fire

Brain on Fire tells the incredible story of Susannah Cahalan’s sudden descent into madness due to a rare neurological condition. 

One moment she was thriving in her career and relationships, and the next, she couldn’t even remember how she got sick. 

This powerful story of survival and recovery is both gripping and inspiring. 

You’ll be hooked from the first page and deeply moved by her journey to reclaim herself.

8. Thin Skin by Jenn Shapland (289 Pages)

Thin Skin

In this collection of essays, Jenn Shapland examines the fragile boundaries between ourselves and the world around us. 

From her own personal struggles to broader cultural critiques, this book invites you to think about how deeply we’re affected by everything. 

It’s an intelligent, introspective read that explores everything from body image to environmental destruction, and it’ll really make you question how connected we all are.

9. French Braid by Anne Tyler (244 Pages)

French Braid

This charming novel looks at the Garrett family across several decades, starting with a vacation in 1959. 

Each member of the family has their own struggles and dreams, but they can’t escape the ties that bind them together. 

The book has both humor and heart, and it made me reflect on family dynamics and how we shape each other. 

It’s a beautiful, comforting story about love, misunderstandings, and the ties that hold us.

10. Stray by Stephanie Danler (240 Pages)

Stray

In this memoir, Stephanie Danler dives deep into her past, from growing up in a family torn apart by addiction to finding herself in adulthood. 

This raw, heartbreaking story explores what it means to move beyond a difficult childhood and find peace with your past.

It’s a powerful read about trauma, survival, and finding hope in unexpected places. 

You’ll feel both devastated and uplifted by her journey.

11. Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman (240 Pages)

Acts of Service

This novel follows Eve, a young queer woman in Brooklyn who finds herself in a complex relationship involving a couple, Olivia and Nathan. 

As she explores her own desires, she starts questioning the dynamics of sex, power, and identity. 

It’s a thought-provoking and sensual book that really dives into the contradictions of modern relationships. 

And it’s a challenging read that will make you think deeply about what we’re willing to give up for love and freedom.

12. The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka (176 Pages)

The Swimmers

This story centers around Alice, an older woman losing her memory to dementia, and the bond she has with the swimming community she was part of. 

When a crack appears in the pool, it disrupts her sense of peace and forces her to confront the reality of her illness. 

Written beautifully, this is a tender and emotional exploration of memory, loss, and the passage of time. 

It’s a deeply moving read that will stay with you long after you finish.

13. The Sea by John Banville (195 Pages)

The Sea

This novel follows Max Morden, a middle-aged man dealing with grief after his wife’s death. 

He returns to a seaside town from his childhood, where he reflects on his past and the complicated relationships that shaped him.

The story is about love, loss, and the power of memory, told with gorgeous prose. 

This one is a slow, meditative read, and it really made me reflect on how we carry the past with us.


I hope this list helps you pick the perfect read for your next meeting!

If you’re looking for more book recommendations, be sure to check out my other posts on great book club picks for Spring. 

And if you have a favorite short book that worked well for your book club, I’d love to hear about it.

Drop a comment below and share your recommendations.

Preye

Hi! I'm Preye ("pre" as in "prepare" and "ye" as in "Kanye"), and I am a lifelong book lover who enjoys talking about books and sharing bits and pieces of all the fascinating things I come across. I love books so much that I decided to become a developmental editor, and right now, I work with authors to help them tell their stories better. On this blog, I share everything from book recommendations to book reviews and writing tips, so feel free to stop by anytime you like!

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