Short Wintery Reads to Help You Hit Your Year-End Reading Goal

There’s something magical about winter reading—early sunsets, warm blankets, and the quiet hush of snow outside the window. It’s the perfect season to curl up with a book… and if you’re also racing to meet your year-end reading goal, short books become your best friends.

Below is a collection of short, atmospheric, winter-themed (or winter-feeling) reads. Each is under 300 pages—and many are under 150—so you can savor the cozy vibes and stack up those finished titles before the year wraps up.

Small Things Like These — Claire Keegan (128 pages)

If you read one winter novella this year, make it this. Set in 1980s Ireland during the lead-up to Christmas, Keegan’s writing is spare and luminous. Through the eyes of a quiet coal merchant, she unravels a gentle yet powerful story about compassion and moral courage in a snow-dusted town. Perfect for one sitting, ideally with a cup of tea nearby.

The Builders — Maeve Binchy (~96 pages)

Maeve Binchy is always a comfort read, and The Builders is a warm, easily devoured novella about a quiet Irish neighborhood, unexpected generosity, and the small acts that weave a community together. It’s winter in tone if not in temperature—cozy, kind, and perfect when you need something both brief and uplifting.

The Winter Room — Gary Paulsen (128 pages)

A beautifully written tale of rural family life in the cold months. Paulsen captures the stillness and harsh beauty of winter in a way that feels both nostalgic and sharp. A short, poignant read with a deep sense of place.

The Snow Child — Eowyn Ivey (240 pages)

A bit longer than some on this list, but still a quick, immersive winter read. Set in 1920s Alaska, this novel blends magical realism with the stark realities of frontier life. Snow, loneliness, love, and mystery permeate every page.