Notable Novellas!
Back in the day, I always felt that novellas and short stories were a waste of my time. They always left me wanting more. But, in recent years, I have read some incredible novellas that have changed the way I view these little books. Most of the stories below made this list because they earned high ratings from me, they made me feel A LOT, and they felt complete.
Better Than the Prom and Happy Again were two that continued the stories, and I was happy to be back in those worlds. The others were new tales that were done so well. Grossman, Hoffman, Backman, and Palacio elicited tears, as Christina Lauren and Jill Shalvis had me smiling my face off. I really enjoyed each and every one of these books.
- The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
- Better Than the Prom by Lynn Painter
- The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman
- The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman
- The Julian Chapter by R.J. Palacio
- Happy Again by Jennifer E. Smith
- The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
- Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis
- And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
What are your notable novellas?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
Most of the times, novellas and short stories leave me wanting more as well. But like you, I've grown to appreciate the novella format better lately, thanks to Seanan McGuire (the Wayward Children series, which feels like cheating to include since the novellas form a larger universe, but also a number of standalones).
ReplyDeleteI remember reading novellas for series I was reading, and they felt like outtakes. So, I wouldn't shortchange McGuire's skill with making those novellas feel complete.
DeleteI just listened to The Exception to the Rule and it was good! Maybe a little weird listening to emails being read, but the second half was great. Evidence of the Affair was absolutely fantastic.
ReplyDeleteRight? The emails and all those years. I live for stuff like that. And that Evidence. So good. Glad you liked them too
DeleteI loved Evidence of the Affair. And The Julian Chapter was unexpectedly good.
ReplyDeleteEvidence really surprised me, and grandmother's story left me a mess
DeleteI loved Better than the Prom. It was so fun to see more of that world. I haven't read any of the others, so I will have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteThat's a world I will forever love revisiting. Can't wait for that new book!
DeleteI like a novella when I don't have a lot of time to read. I especially like them if they are a part of a series I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteI think they do work really well when they are part of a series, though most of the ones on my list were stand alones.
DeleteI used to think I was being short changed with a novella but I’ve read so many good ones the past few years I now know I’m a fool. Sometimes I finish wishing they were longer but the good ones leave me just as happy after finishing as a full length novel does. I do love the little novellas which are part of a series as well. I know I really enjoyed the ones part of Psy Changeling world when I was reading that as it feels like you’re getting more of a world you love.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a matter of finding the right ones. I read a bunch that were for YA series I was reading, and they seemed like outtakes. These were complete stories for me. I wish a few of the ones up there were full-length books, so I understand what you were feeling.
DeleteI want to read Exception to the Rule. I enjoyed The Bookstore Sisters and Mistletoe in Paradise, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a super quick read as it's mostly emails, and just so good. I hope you get to read it.
DeleteI've read and enjoyed 4 of these, as well! I think writing a novella or short story that feels complete must be one of the hardest things. For me, it's a sign of a great author. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I keep seeing these 500+ page contemporary romances, and then I see authors accomplishing so much in 100 pages. It is definitely a skill
DeleteI've read two of these and loved them. Evidence of the Affair made me cry and you know how I recently adored Exception to the Rule! 😍 I haven't read anything by Backman yet but the last one looks like it'd be an interesting read. I'll have to check it out. Great list!
ReplyDeleteTJR makes me cry, but the thing about that story was the dual meaning of the title. I was floored at the end. If you want to start with something short by Backman, his novellas are amazing.
DeleteOh, I didn't know Better Than the Prom was a thing! I'm hoping to read Better Than the Movies soon.
ReplyDeleteIt was a short story that was online at Riveted (I think?) I can never get enough of Liz and Wes
DeleteI should totally read Backman's novellas even if I don't read that many of these!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend. They were both amazing for me.
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