Howdy folks, and welcome to the end of November!
*jeering and booing from the crowd*
These short months go by too fast, especially when we’re sharing this lovely sunset at… *checks watch* ...3 p.m.
But what better way to fill short days and shorter months than with some short books? A pal over on Bluesky kicked off #Novellavember and I love a good bandwagon so here are a few of my favorites! (Note: I didn’t read all of these in November because I’m a busy little lad! But time is made up anyway and the best time to read a good novella is anytime)
I mostly read fantasy, scifi, and weird fiction so let’s goooooo
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Eerie, creepy, deeply unsettling exploration of toxic relationships. Fun fact: this was the first book recommendation I wrote for the first Boston indie I worked at.
Galatea by Madeline Miller
Miller knows how to pack a big punch in a small package. This is basically a short story, but the publisher jacketed it with its own cover which makes it a novella for the purposes of this list.
The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown
Aliens, but gayer. Yeah, I’m pretty sure that sells it.
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin
Does what it says on the box. This bit of environmental weird fic truly is a fever dream through and through.
Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
A spooky ghost story set in a Japanese haunted house. Queer MC, lots of Japanese folklore, and a must-read if you like horror.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Lesbians! In! Space! Travel! Time! Literal star-crossed lovers, always poetic and beautiful, and the cooperative narrative is seamless.
Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
A fungal-fueled queer awakening.
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo
If you like fables, the distortion of history bleeding into mythology and vice versa, and thinking about the nature of storytelling you will love this series. Plus you can read them in any order!
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
I’ve only just started this series, but so far am very much enjoying the murderbot POV.
The Binti Series by Nnedi Okorafor
Another series that is mostly on this list to remind me to finish it! I really enjoyed the first book, and if you like Africanfuturist scifi you will too!
The Tensorate Series by Neon Yang
A longtime favorite of mine. Each novella is told in a different style, but they merge together so well. Read for the intersection of magic and tech in a fantasy setting.
The Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire
Answers all the questions about what happens to Alice/Wendy/every other portal fantasy survivor when they get back home.
Read these books! Enjoy them! Tell me if you liked them, and spare my feelings if you don't! As always, thanks for reading!
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