Picking up a piece of classic literature can be daunting; with the majority coming in at over 400 pages it’s not always easy to motivate yourself to make your way through one of history’s great works. If you need a quick little classic to read, these short classic books are all under 300 pages!
Each one is an easy read, while maintaining the allure classic books have. Merging artistic word play, great themes, and wonderful world building these books are a great addition to your collection. Perfect for any occasion to read, you will be captivated and intrigued by each of them.
*Disclosure: We only recommend books which we love and would read ourselves. This post contains affiliate links, as we are part of the Amazon Services LCC Associate Program, which may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
5. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis (183 pages)
This is … a very important story because it shows how all the coming and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began” — C.S. Lewis
While this book was originally released as the 6th book in the Chronicle of Narnia books, it’s really a prequel to the whole series. The reader follows the friendship between a young girl named Polly and a boy named Digory. As their friendship forms so does their love of adventure. Deciding to explore around their house the two get into some trouble. After finding stumbling across something forbidden, they are tricked and sent into a new realm.
Here the two get into quite some trouble. While Polly likes to adventure she would rather air on the side of caution and being smart, while Digory jumps head first into situations and asks questions later. Even though it is one of those short classic books that is just about 200 pages, its fascinating and creates a wonderful origin to a fictional realm we have all grown up with!
4. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (148 pages)
An American young adult novel, Tuck Everlasting was actually petitioned to be on the banned book list in America and had some of the more conservative folks riled up. It was ‘banned’ for the belief of promoting witchcraft and painting religion in a negative light. It’s hard to believe that a 148 novel could make people so mad, but it did!
The story follows a young 10 year girl named Winnie. After running away from home deep into her family woods she runs into a boy drinking from a spring. Upon questioning the boy, he reveals that he is 104 years old and has been 17 for decades. Winnie then is able to meet his family and learn their incredible story. But with incredible stories comes incredible danger. As Tuck is forced to leave Winnie, he leaves her a bit of his immortality and tells Winnie to wait till she is seventeen, but what 10 year old understands immortality?
3. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham (208 pages)
The Chrysalids centers around embracing change and not being afraid of what could happen. This science fiction classic is set in a post apocalyptic world that only has vague memories of the people and technology that existed before the tribulation.
Their new government follows a strict religion, and in order to keep things pure, they practice eugenics. Anything and anyone who does not match up to the strict rules of normalcy the church enforces are killed off or thrown to the radiation infected wasteland. So what happens when part of humanity is able to develop telekinesis, but the other half fears them? Nothing good, let me tell you.
2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (208 pages)
Another sci-fi classic, this novel has it all: aliens, space, and intergalactic travel. Throwing in comedy, this classic has a theme of absurdity in it, in the best possible way. Events seem to occur randomly and without any meaning. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is known for solving the age old question, “what is the meaning of life?”. While the answer has readers divided, it is truly a great work of fiction! (Fun fact: it was also banned in Canada and the US for “bad language” and the questioning of religion). You can check out the rest of the series and the publication order here!
1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (96 pages)
Even though this book is under 100 pages, it is a cult classic favorite. The Little Prince explores themes of loss, loneliness and friendship as it follows the Little Prince himself while he explores planets across space. Each planet he visits causes him to interact with others and explore different themes.
This book was written with children in mind, but the themes it explores are deep and thought provoking. They make you ask questions and think about your own life. The Little Price has been translated over 301 times, and is one of the best selling children classics of all time, having sold over 140 million copies worldwide. Netflix even made a super cute animation adaptation of it! It is one of those short classic books that you just must read at least once in your life.
These light, refreshing, classic reads are great for picking up the slack between books! Enjoy some short classic books which won’t weigh you down.
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