If you made a New Year's resolution to read more but have fallen behind, there is no need to abandon the goal. Instead of tackling lengthy texts like War and Peace, shorter novels can help you break free from a reading rut. Many literary fiction favourites come in at under 300 pages, making them ideal for finishing in a manageable timeframe.
Beartooth by Callan is a 241-page novel set in the Montana mountains near Yellowstone National Park. It follows brothers Thad and Hazen, who struggle to survive after their father's death. They become entangled in a dubious hunting arrangement that seems to offer a way out, but things are not straightforward. The book is praised for its vivid scenery and exquisite prose, making it an excellent starting point for those in a reading slump.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a classic horror novel at 246 pages. The story revolves around an academic experiment to determine if Hill House is haunted. Isolated Eleanor, artistic medium Theodora, and heir Luke are summoned by Dr John Montague to uncover the secrets within the ancient stately home. The novel is a masterclass in psychological tension, gripping readers from the opening sentences. The Netflix adaptation runs for nine hours and 36 minutes, but the book can be devoured in a single afternoon.
Wild Dark Shore by an unnamed author is the longest of the three at precisely 300 pages. Set on a deserted island being swallowed by rising waters, a mysterious woman washes ashore. She is welcomed by Dominic, the island's caretaker, and his three children as they prepare to leave. They face a critical decision about which seeds humanity will need to rebuild if the climate emergency worsens. The prose brings the natural landscape to life, and the book feels considerably shorter than its page count.
