6 Reasons I Love Reading Novellas (and You Will Too)

A few years ago I got into reading novellas. I read every single one I could lay my hands on and now I actively seek them out. What is it about these slim-spined books that maintains such an appeal?

1) They're short: A novella fits easily into a busy lifestyle - and into your handbag

2) They can be less self-indulgent than novels: The novella's brevity means there's fewer tangents or lengthy descriptive passages. The story and characters are distilled down to their bare essentials

3) They pack a punch: Like their smaller cousins, the short story, novellas are particularly memorable; they leave their mark long after you've turned the last page

4) They're an artform: There's something truly creative about novellas. The best ones are little gems that have been polished until each of its facets shine

5) They're a gateway: I've discovered sone phenomenal writers through novellas. They've led me to fantastic novels and short story collections I would otherwise never have found

6) They inspire me to write: This is huge. Anything that inspires me to write is good in my book

What do you love about novellas? Let me know your favourite ones.

Lucy Kaufman is an author and playwright. Her ebook Don't Forget the Crazy is available here. Her novella The Heart-Shaped Box: Book One of Carousel of Curiosities is available as an ebook here; in paperback on Amazon, Waterstones and all good book stores; and audiobook on Audible, Spotify and other audio platforms.