9 Best Short Books of All Time

I’ve read many short books, but in this article, I’m going to list only 9 of them. These are the short books that I enjoyed reading, the ones I would consider rereading, and the ones I can confidently recommend to others, knowing they’ll enjoy them too. Some of these books are well-known, while others might be new to you. I wanted to include a variety of genres, from philosophical works to romance and crime, so you can choose the book that best suits your mood and interests. I made sure there are no spoilers for you!

What I love about these short books is that they all contain deep, thought-provoking ideas that you can learn from. In my opinion, these nine short books are brilliant because, even though they may be only 50 or 100 pages long, they manage to express meaningful ideas and touch your heart.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

This story is about an old fisherman who gets into an epic struggle to catch a giant marlin. Hemingway’s main focus was to show the strength of the human spirit, which pushes through hardship and suffering to succeed.
The fisherman, who hadn’t caught anything in 84 days, fights for several days in the wild sea, battling nature and sharks to achieve something that means so much to him. His deepest desire was to prove that, despite his age, he still possessed dignity, pride, and purpose.
For me, the main idea of this short book is that life without a purpose is a wasted life. To me, the fish symbolizes the reward we receive for our hard work, faith in ourselves, perseverance, and the refusal to give up. I read this book a few times and I am still going to. The Old Man and the Sea became one of the best short books of that time too and came to be regarded as one of Hemingway’s finest works. It was cited when he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. A hugely popular film adaptation starring Spencer Tracy was released in 1958.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This is the story of a pilot who meets a boy in the desert after an emergency landing with his plane. There isn’t much plot in this book, aside from the fact that the little boy tells the story of how he traveled to different planets and met different kinds of people. What matters here are the deep conversations with those people—how they live and what they think the meaning of their life is. It explores how people bury themselves in their own worlds and how they justify their lives. It’s also a beautiful story about how we become attached to people, how we play a role in their lives, and how responsible we are for the feelings of those people.
Exupéry was a pilot during the Second World War, and one day he didn’t return from a mission. The remains of his plane were discovered only in 2003. He never knew how successful his book, with his own handmade illustrations, would become.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

This book is not only on my list of the best short novels, but it is also one of my top three favorite books. Once you read this book, the political world will never be the same for you. It tells the story of a revolution led by animals who refuse to obey their human farmer. They begin reading revolutionary books, create the term “animalism,” organize liberty battles, and form political parties, eventually taking control of the farm. You don’t read this book just to see what happens next; every sentence of this book is amazing, as you start recognizing elements of your own history in its pages.

At its core, according to Orwell, Animal Farm reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Stalinist era in the Soviet Union, a time when Russia lived under Joseph Stalin’s communist ideology. The history of the Russian Revolution was very familiar to me, as I live in Armenia, but trust me, I found similarities with our modern history in the actions of these animals. So, don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with that part of history—you will still understand and appreciate the book. Take it, and nourish your soul with what I believe is one of the best short books of all time.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

I first heard about this book 10 years ago, but finding a copy in my country was difficult, so I ended up listening to the audiobook. It only took me 2 hours to finish, and by the end, I felt so proud of Jonathan, the seagull—you have no idea! This little fellow dreamt of soaring through the clouds and spent nearly all his time mastering the art of flight. He would go hungry, endure bullying from his fellow seagulls, and face scolding from his family. But nothing could stop him—not societal pressure, not time.

This book is a powerful motivation to get up and do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. If a seagull could soar like an eagle, then you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

Interestingly, Jonathan Livingston Seagull was a sleeper hit. The first edition in 1970 had only 3,000 copies, and it took two years before it reached number one on The New York Times Bestseller List. This book will definitely motivate you and hit your list of best short books of all time.

The Outsider by Albert Camus

I have to be honest—I picked up this book a couple of times before finally giving it a go. In my opinion, this book can only be fully digested when you’ve gone through something similar to what Meursault, the main character, experiences—a detached and emotionally indifferent man living in French Algeria.
After his mother’s death, Meursault seems not to take life seriously, forming shallow relationships and making seemingly random decisions. His life takes a turn when he impulsively kills an Arab man on a beach. During the trial, the focus shifts from the murder itself to Meursault’s cold, indifferent behavior, especially his lack of grief over his mother’s death.

Through Meursault, Camus explores existentialism, the absurd, and the meaning of life, as well as how society judges those who refuse to fit into its moral standards.  Even though I could only finish The Outsider after a couple of attempts, it left a lasting impact on me, which is why I consider it one of the best short books of all time.

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

According to The New York Times, The Alchemist is “more self-help than literature.” The Alchemist was the first book I read by Paulo Coelho. I was 18 when this short book became incredibly popular—so popular that it was even translated into Armenian, which led me to buy it. Honestly, I was thrilled to see whether Santiago would find the treasure. The story follows this boy as he leaves his life behind to pursue his dream in Egypt.

One moment I remember vividly is when he speaks to an Arab merchant; Santiago speaks his own language, and the merchant replies in Arabic, but they understand each other through what Coelho calls the “language of the universe.”Now, I don’t want to confuse you, but this is not a book filled with complex characters or a twisting plot. Instead, it’s full of emotions, offering motivation and pushing you closer to your own beliefs.

Theatre by Somerset Maugham

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Shakespeare said it, and Somerset Maugham beautifully brings this concept to life in Theatre. The novel revolves around the life of Julia Lambert, a talented, celebrated actress in London’s theater scene. Through Julia, Maugham explores the complexities of human emotions, the duality between personal identity and public persona, and the idea that life itself is a performance. 

Her affair with a younger man, her husband’s indifference and their son’t emotions are so well described in this book that I added it into my list of top 10 favorite books. The novel paints a powerful picture of selfishness. Julia’s husband is so wrapped up in himself that he doesn’t even notice her affair, and both of them continue to play their parts as though nothing is wrong. Even their son is emotionally pushed aside, left out while his parents focus on their own lives. Maugham captures the consequences of living behind masks, making Theatre a compelling and thought-provoking read.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

In my list of the best short books of all time, I wanted to give you a variety of choices, so I had to include a detective story I loved by Agatha Christie. You will never guess who murdered Mr. Ackroyd. When I discovered the murderer on the last two pages, I closed the book and just stared at the wall, thinking, How could I not see this coming?

All of Agatha’s books are short, and most people recommend classics like Ten Little Niggers (now retitled And Then There Were None), Murder on the Nile, or Murder on the Orient Express. They are also good, but in those books, you at least suspect the right characters. Here, you’re in for a real shock when you realize how wrong your guesses were. The clever misdirection and psychological twists make The Murder of Roger Ackroyd one of her best, a masterpiece that will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s a perfect pick for lovers of crime fiction and anyone looking for a quick but deeply satisfying read.

The Strange Journey of Mr Daldry by Marc Levi

Enough of books about the meaning of life or existentialism—my list of best short books of all time becomes complete with this Levy book, which reminded me of my favorite, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.The book tells the story of a journey made by Alice, from London to Istanbul, to uncover the truth behind the words of a fortune-teller who told her she had two lives. Her handsome neighbor, Mr. Daldry, generously pays for them both to travel. After spending some time in Istanbul, Mr. Daldry returns to London, but Alice remains behind, working in a restaurant and trying to create the perfect perfume, all while delving deeper into her mysterious past.

The story reveals fascinating historical facts, which may shed light on real events. French novelist Marc Levy touches on the Armenian Genocide during the period of 1888-1921, when 1.5 million innocent people were killed, and many others were forced to flee, losing connections with their families. I won’t spoil the ending, but I found myself reading this book in the evenings, enjoying its lack of urgency. It’s a beautiful story about love, family, and the past.