11 Must-Read Novellas

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
The Swallowed Man by Edward Carey
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
Boulder by Eva Baltasar (tr. Julia Sanchez)
Finger Bone by Hiroki Hakahashi (tr. Takami Nieda)
Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami (tr. Louise Heal Kawai)
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval (tr. Marjam Idriss)
The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf (tr. Susan Bernofsky)

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[kiczcock]

As an ADHDer I ADORE novellas lol They're easier to read than full-length novels and I tend to be really impressed by authors who are able to compress complex ideas into a short form

[rachel]

I'm so very happy you enjoyed The Salt Grows Heavy. Cassandra Khaw is one of my most favorite writers. 🖤❤

[jng]

Hello from a 57 yo Australian gal who has followed a lot of booktubers over the years but never have I came across one like you. I absolutely love how you summarise every book you talk about, not to mention how many of those I have read (translated Japanese especially) which reinforces my love of those books. I look forward to many more of your reviews of books/genres I'm yet to discover.

[perturbedpoet]

I've been looking for novella recs so I'm thrilled for these recs as your taste has never steered me wrong yet ✨

[cosmicfox]

Morning Willow, I had no idea about Novella November! So far my reads this month have been The Outsider, Fall of the House of Usher, Legend of Sleepy Hollow and currently reading a lil creature feature called Below.

Thank you for this glorious selection. The Black Spider definitely has my attention.

[uokfsxo]

Does anyone else not really vibe with short stories apart from those by a select few authors but absolutely adore novellas?

[ChaoticBibliophile]

Okay you finally made me add This is How you Lose the Time War to my TBR. I love novellas so much, but sometimes struggle to find genre novellas that feel complete/not rushed

[benreadsgood]

Some great picks here. To Be Taught If Fortunate is a banger, and I really need to get into more Becky Chambers.

I didn't get on massively with Small Things Like These, but I absolutely loved Foster.

[kawaiikitty]

This is a great way to read more books, shorter books are great as I feel I can fit more reading in and achieve something when I can finish the book!

[tirarosaurioreads]

As a Catalan person (and a passionate defender of Catalan) I am so glad to see you speaking so highly about Boulder <3 I cant even think of anything else in Catalan that has been translated into English to recommend you, but I will keep searching, because there is some amazing Catalan literature out there.

[mansvanisharma]

I picked up black spider on a book buying budget at blossom's in 2019. I was surprised that i not only liked it but, thought about it for a while.. i am glad u mentioned about it. I have never heard anyone talk about it, until today ❤

[seanh]

I can't wait to try some of these reads! Ty so much!

[sylviakanel]

I've already ordered Thornhedge. Your review of it was so charming.💜🧚‍♀️💜

[maartjedegroot]

A lot of them I loved, a couple I have and still have to read. So maybe I should read the leftovers as well.

[PaigeEscapes]

Thank you so much! Several of these are going straight on my trb list-love those dark fantasy novellas!

[Maryjane]

November novella... Love that word play 😊❤️

[leadupont]

Claire Keegan is one of my favourite authors. I loved Small Things like These and also Foster. Have you read Foster?

[angelaarcher]

I love good novellas, usually a huge impact in a short read. Recently read Thornhedge and loved it. I’ve become a huge fan of both T. Kingfisher and Claire Keegan.

[jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

I'm looking to hit my target of 100 books read in the year and I'm lagging a few books behind so novellas are very tempting... Thornhenge sounds intriguing, This is How you lose the Time War has been on my radar for a while, Small Things Like These sounds a suitable Christmas read about the hypocrisies of organised religion... interesting selection of novellas.

[nikamitchell]

i dont often leave comments, although i am a comment dweller, but i needed to comment on this video. i just wanted to take a moment to admire how wonderfully you explain, summarize, and pitch these books! i added many books that i otherwise from cover, or genre, to my goodreads that i would not have wanted to add if it werent for your pitches. your voice is beautiful, you have so much passion when talking about the books, and you give so much detail but just enough to keep you hanging and wanting to actually read the book. thank you so so much willow and im so excited to read some of these books!!!