roonee At the start of 2025, I set myself the humble challenge of reading 50 books this year. Life, of course, got busy, and I found myself falling behind. To give myself a boost (and to broaden my literary horizons at the same time), I turned to short classics under 200 pages — quick, powerful reads that I could get through in an evening or two, or so I thought!
So far, this experiment has been a real mix. Some of the books I’m glad to have read, even if I can’t say I enjoyed them. Others I genuinely loved. Either way, these short classic books have helped me catch up on my reading challenge while giving me a taste of authors I might not otherwise have picked up.
Here are the short classics I’ve read so far this year:
The Napoleon of Notting Hill by G.K. Chesterton (1904)
This satirical novel imagines a near-future London where neighborhoods go to war over local pride. It’s clever, biting, and utterly bizarre. Honestly, it took effort to finish, and I can’t decide if I loved it or hated it — but it’s unique, and it stayed with me. I found the last few pages quite profound.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck (1947)
A poor pearl diver finds an enormous pearl, only to discover it brings tragedy rather than joy. It’s simple but powerful, and while I found it distressing, it’s a novella that really makes you think about greed and hope.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1915)
One of the most famous short classics of all time, this novella tells the story of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one day transformed into a giant insect. It’s surreal, unsettling, sad, and downright bizarre, but I genuinely enjoyed it. Kafka’s exploration of alienation and family duty is quite something.
The Rats in the Walls by H.P. Lovecraft (1923)
A short horror story where the narrator restores his ancestral home only to uncover its terrifying secrets. Dark, gothic, and atmospheric — I loved it, and it was much easier to read than I expected.
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1848)
Set in St. Petersburg, this story follows a lonely dreamer who falls in love over the course of four nights. It’s wistful and melancholic, but very beautiful. A much softer side to Dostoevsky than Crime and Punishment!
The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy (1886)
This novella confronts mortality head-on as Ivan Ilych faces the end of his life. It’s not cheerful, but it’s deeply thought-provoking and reminds me why Tolstoy is considered one of the greats.
How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy (1886)
A short parable about greed: a man is promised as much land as he can walk around in a day, with devastating results. Quick to read but powerful enough to stay with you.
Why Read Short Classics?
If you’re behind on your own reading challenge, or simply want to dip into the classics without committing to a 1,000-page novel, short classic books under 200 pages are a brilliant way to go. They’re manageable, often beautifully written, and give you a real sense of literary history in bite-sized form.
For me, this approach has been a life-saver. I’ve been able to catch up on my challenge while discovering new authors, styles, and ideas. Some were disturbing, some moving, and some I’m still not sure about — but every single one added something valuable.
I plan on reading more short classics before the end of the year, but would really like to tackle some that are written by more diverse authors. I am painfully aware that the authors I have covered so far are all white men! Please feel free to help me with suggestions.
