Still in need of ideas for what to read in November? Here are our novella-friendly lists of authors and publishers that fit the bill!
Authors who tend(ed) to write short books:
- James Baldwin
- J.L. Carr
- Barbara Comyns
- Alice Thomas Ellis
- Penelope Fitzgerald
- Paul Gallico
- Kaye Gibbons
- Susan Hill
- Denis Johnson – Train Dreams was one of our most-reviewed books last year
- Gabriel Josipovici
- Claire Keegan
- Shena Mackay
- Ian McEwan
- Sarah Moss’s three latest
- Jean Rhys
- Georges Simenon
- Muriel Spark
- John Steinbeck
- Nathanael West
- Jacqueline Woodson
In nonfiction – nature books:
- Jim Crumley
- John Lewis-Stempel
In nonfiction – animal/pet books:
- Derek Tangye
- Doreen Tovey
UK publishers that specialize in novellas:
Fitzcarraldo Editions (especially their early releases)
Penguin’s Little Black Classics series
Worldwide publishers that specialize in novellas:
Fish Gotta Swim Editions (Canada)
Melville House – “The Art of the Novella” series (USA)
Nouvella (USA) – Take a look at the last couple of rows on their merchandise page!
Quattro Books (Canada)
UK publishers that specialize in novellas in translation:
Charco Press – contemporary Latin American literature
Fitzcarraldo Editions
Holland Park Press
Les Fugitives – translations from the French
Lolli Editions (thanks to Annabel for this one)
Peirene Press – Cathy will be hosting an interview with them during translation week!
Pushkin Press
UK sources of short nonfiction:
Bloomsbury’s Object Lessons series
Fitzcarraldo Editions – some of their longform essays are under 200 pages
Penguin’s Great Ideas series
Little Toller Books – mostly nature and travel monographs
The School of Life – most of the ones in this particular series are under 200 pages
Oxford University Press’s Very Short Introductions series
Wellcome Collection Books – a number of their recent releases are under 200 pages
You could also check out some of last year’s Novellas in November content: 89 posts from 30 bloggers, including single reviews, multi-reviews and favourites lists.
Still stumped? Try these articles:
(Note: not all of the suggestions stick to our definition of a novella.)
- Brona’s list of Australian novellas
- “20 of the Best Short Classic Books” (Book Riot)
- Novellas: A Life List (Fish Gotta Swim)
- “10 Best Books Shorter than 150 Pages” (Publishers Weekly)
- “50 Must-Read Short Books in Translation” (Book Riot)
- “50 Must-Read Short Books under 250 Pages” (Book Riot)
- “50 Short Nonfiction Books You Can Read in a Day (or Two)” (Book Riot)
And, if you’re looking for a bit of context, the other year Laura F. put together a history of the Novellas in November challenge.
Bookish Beck = Rebecca Foster. American transplant to England. Freelance proofreader and book reviewer.
Bookish Beck 
As if I needed more temptation ! Seriously though, thank for this superb resource.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! I hope it will be useful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can I add Lolli to the UK publishers specialising in translation. I have 3 Danish novellas in my pile from them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Never heard of them — thanks for the idea! I’ll add them in right away.
LikeLike
Thanks – some great ideas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me know if I forgot anyone — you read more from indie publishers than I do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Book Riot is a great source of all kinds of book lists! I consulted them when picking my possible Novella choices.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know some people are snooty about clickbait, but I actually love Book Riot and regularly read 2-3 of their articles per week. Their lists are terrific.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve the odd author and publisher from your excellent list, Beck, and even some nonfiction novellas in hand, so I’m very much looking forward to this month, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant! It will be great to have you join in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently discovered And Other Stories, when I downloaded from Edelweiss a novella by an Indian (as in, from India) woman who lives in the UK. I’m reading it now and it is very good. It is called “Somebody Loves You” by Mona Arshi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I reviewed that one (pre-release) for Foreword Reviews.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can you send me the link to that review, please?
LikeLike
https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/somebody-loves-you/
LikeLike
A great resource list! I have one Pushkin Press book but am still reeling from managing to find 15 novellas on my TBR. And I’ve finished one already!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you! I’m currently reading seven and feel like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. But I’m sure I’ll make progress and be able to start some more soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I’m sure you’re already done all seven by now…just four days later! 🙂
LikeLike
Au contraire: I’ve finished a couple, but I’m now enmeshed in another 16. ARGH!
LikeLike
[…] of possible titles. Look out for Cathy’s today, too. If you’re struggling for ideas, here’s a long list of suitable authors and publishers I put together last year, or you might like to browse through […]
LikeLike
[…] on this list I wrote in 2021 (all the recommendations stand, but I’d update it by adding Weatherglass Books to […]
LikeLike