Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is: Favorite Novellas/Short Stories

Apparently, I don’t read a ton of novellas/short stories? And it’s even rarer for me to be in love with them, as it turns out. So I only have nine instead of ten, and I chose some…. other formats. Because it’s my blog and I do what I want. But I liked this opportunity to highlight some of my favorite shorter works so… here we go! Covers link to Goodreads! 

The Lady in Blue by Kimberly G. Giarratano This is actually the only novella on my “all-time favorites” list, so that should say quite a bit about how much I loved it. My Thoughts

The Freeze Frame Revolution by Peter Watts   This was actually a recent acquisition, and one that I really enjoyed. And, apparently there are more novellas and short stories set in this world so we should all probably check those out too! | My Thoughts

Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells Wow, Murderbot is fun. If you like space at all, and you like snarky main characters, you’ll want to check this out. Also, news of a new, full length novel dropped today, so even more reason! | My Thoughts

Saga by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples Do graphic novels count? Well they DO NOW. I mean. They’re novella length, right? I feel like most people have heard of Saga, and I quite adore it, so if you’ve somehow missed it, you probably should remedy that.

Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna & Sarah Vaughn  Thanks to Greg @ Book Haven for this series being in my life! Such a fun (and shorter, if you don’t wish to invest Saga-length time) graphic novel series that was also really thought provoking and gave me the feels!

Morrighan (The Remnant Chronicles 0.5) by Mary E Pearson  Sometimes prequel novellas are decent. Sometimes they’re useless. And sometimes, like this one, they’re really good. I also loved the series, which obviously helps. 

Midnights(My True Love Gave to Me) by Rainbow Rowell  This is the first thing I ever read by Rainbow Rowell (and fine, still stands as the only thing, though I keep meaning to change that!) and starts this anthology of on the absolute perfect note!  My Thoughts

The Way We Love Here (Meet Cute) by Dhonielle Clayton   Gosh, I didn’t know I could have such feels from a short story! Dhonielle proved me wrong, clearly. I really wish this was a full-length story just so I could be immersed in it longer. Worth reading the whole anthology for this alone, tbh.  |My Thoughts

259 Million Miles (Meet Cute) by Kass Morgan   I mean, I was hesitant to read Kass Morgan’s stuff again after The 100, but wow, this one sucked me in! Keeping my fingers crossed for her new book! | My Thoughts

Do you have any beloved novellas and/or short stories? Do you read them in general? Have you read any of these? Let’s chat!

Posted July 17, 2018 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Top Ten Tuesday / 35 Comments

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35 responses to “Short But Sweet: Favorite Novellas

  1. I liked Midnights (and True Love Gave To Me in general)- I wish we would get more YA and/ or Christmas anthologies! Morrighan I know nothing about but I’m interested because that’s a damn fine cover. 🙂

    Alex and Ada *nods* glad you liked. 🙂 Saga I’m behind on but I’m not a super big fan? But I should continue… and Murderbot obviously. The news today of a NOVEL in that series might be the best news I’ve heard all week!

    • So you should read Morrighan-but first you have to read Kiss of Deception. It’s good. Fantasy has been hit or miss with me me lately, but that series was awesome from start to finish. There is a YA anthology out that I REALLY want to read- A Thousand Beginnings and Endings?? Sounds SO good. And I think I picked up an anthology at ALA but it’s like, women’s stories about being women so… maybe not *quite * what you’re looking for ? They should do a Part 2 Christmas one really.

      I’d continue Saga. It’s just fun, honestly. Though if you don’t love them, they are kind of pricey, so that makes sense. I wonder how many there will be? Seriously, I am SO happy there’s going to be more Murderbot!

      • I haven’t read fantasy in ages! Seriously I looked at all the books I have coming up and there’s like ONE fantasy. What even? A Thousand Beginnings has caught my eye lately too… and I’d love to see another Christmas one.

        Saga doesn’t really work for me, which seems weird since everyone loves it? I don’t know… but I have ComiXology so if/ when I can get em cheap , I will. As far as I know, it’s ongoing? And yes, more Murderbot *raises arms to sky and lights incense to celebrate*

  2. You know what, My True Love Gave to Me did leave me with an overall good impression. I think most of the stories worked for me, though anthologies are hit or miss for me every time. I especially remember being impressed by Rainbow Rowell’s story, because it was so short, yet seemed so complete.

  3. There’s a The Remnant Chronicles novella? OMG. Thank you for letting me know!! I especially like the novellas in the Iron Fey series.

  4. I have somehow missed Saga! I’ve wanted to read it for years, but finding a cheap used copy at a time when I have money has been impossible. I like owning books and don’t want to get it from the library. I have read My True Love Gave to Me. I liked that one.

    • Saga is SO expensive! And there’s like, 2937 volumes, so I feel you. I was lucky enough to trade for most of mine haha. And I DO think Saga is one worth owning- because of the graphic part, of course! Good luck finding them, I hope you can soon 😀

  5. I really do want to read the Murderbot diaries, and I’d totally count graphic novels. I love Saga but I really need to get updated on the most recent volumes!!

    I like anthologies, but I don’t always love every single story, which you know…is pretty typical. I don’t read a ton of them though.

    -Lauren

  6. Maybe you should check out the Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire. I love them. I have the Murderbot book on hold at the library already – just need to go pick it up. I heard someone rave about it last week on Booktube and then I’m seeing it on all kinds of lists today!

  7. All Systems Red has been on my list for a while. I need to get around to it! Who doesn’t love sassy space stories? 🙂

  8. I seriously never read short stories or novellas haha oops. OH well maybe SOMETIMES. And I really enjoyed the Half Bad one because it was from Gabriel’s perspective and GABRIEL. And I do want to read more anthologies! That Meet Cute one looks like so much fun and I’m also excited for the Unbroken anthology coming out. Aaand I think there’s one called All Out which I want to read.?I mean I want to read way too many things heLP ME I’M DROWNING THO.

  9. Eeep I’ve owned MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME for yeeeeears!!! I really need to start it! I’m not sure I’m ready to read more Rainbow Rowell though–I loved Eleanor & Park and Fangirl when I read them, but I have this strange feeling that her writing isn’t for me anymore? D:

  10. I don’t really read a lot of short stories either. I saw Summer Days and Summer Nights on a couple of people’s lists, and they had it at the library, so I’m reading that one now. I’ll probably have to check out My True Love Gave to me this winter (doesn’t feel like a summer read to me).

  11. Oh I loved Alex and Ada! And I mostly enjoy short graphic works like Soppy or Adulthood is a Myth. Although I did really like What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, which is a shorter work. But that’s more non-fiction than anything. Short fictional work don’t tend to be a hit for me (although of course I still have plans to read so many anthologies.)

  12. I don’t read a lot of short stories/novellas, but I do ADORE My True Love Gave to Me. Midnight is one of my favorites, but I also love It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown. I have read those short stories before Christmas for the past couple of years and they really get me in the holiday spirit. I also really like the short stories from Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. All of their stories are wonderfully intertwined and full of holiday spirit.

    If we aren’t talking about Christmas stories, then I also really liked Until Midnight, a short story in the Alienated series by Melissa Landers. It was cheesy and lovey-dovey, but I loved all 60 or so pages of it. I am also looking forward to reading The Freeze-Frame Revolution since I was just approved for a review copy (thanks for the heads up about it, I never would have learned about it without your mini-review!).

  13. Cam

    I don’t read much novellas, to be honest! Can I count in mangas because they are, in comparison, shorter haha I absolutely adore The Ancient Magus Bride by Kore Yamazaki 😀

  14. I don’t really do short story anthologies like My True Love Gave to Me and Meet Cute. I used to – those used to be the only short stories I would read but then I realised that I never enjoyed the collection and decided I didn’t like short stories because of them. But I actually finally read a collection of all one author’s stories and it turned out to be my favourite short story collection! So I think I need just one author. The Martha Wells collection and also Saga both sound so good! Saga is on my TBR 😀

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