My Year in Novellas #NovNov25

Novellas in November 2025

Novellas in November is an annual reading event hosted by Cathy at 746 Books and Rebecca at Bookish Beck designed to celebrate the art of the short book. When it comes to what classifies as a novella, our hosts suggest books should be less than 200 pages, and ideally under 150 pages. There are also two buddy reads including one of the books – Seascraper by Benjamin Wood – on my reading list.

We’re invited to begin the event by posting a review of the novellas we’ve read in the past twelve months. I was a bit disappointed to find so few novellas – four to be precise – amongst the list of books I’ve read since 1st December 2024. They’re listed below with links to my reviews.

For thy great pain have mercy on my little pain by Victoria MacKenzie – In the year of 1413, two female mystics – Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich – meet for the first time in the city of Norwich.

Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid – Exploring the truth behind the story of the woman we know as Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare;s play but whose real name was Gruoch and herself possessed royal blood.

Woman in Blue by Douglas Bruton – Each day a man visits the Rijksmuseum to gaze at the painting Woman in Blue Reading a Letter by Vermeer. Only that painting, and for hours on end. 

Orbital by Samantha Harvey – Six astronauts rotate in their spacecraft above the earth. Together they watch our silent blue planet: endless shows of spectacular beauty witnessed in a single day.

I’ve scoured my shelves and my Kindle for any novellas I’ve not yet read and have come up with four, including one conveniently recently sent to me by the author.

Seascraper by Benjamin Wood – ‘A mesmerising portrait of a young man confined in by his class and the ghosts of his family’s past, dreaming of artistic fulfilment.’

Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet – ‘A dark, psychological thriller, leavened by moments of black humour and absurdity.’

The Forgotten Daughter by Anirudh Joshi – ‘In the rain-slick alleys of Kamathipura, truth is a luxury few can afford. When Meher disappears, the city shrugs—but one man refuses to forget.’

The Shooting Party by Isobel Colegate – ‘A quiet, elegant meditation on class frustration and the transience of human concern.’