Recs if you like A Month in the Country...

Short books that you can read in a sitting, to help you achieve your yearly reading goal 🤭🥳 Feel free to mention anything else from the list, I'm so glad to add & check them out 😁

For people who are interested in a long-term challenge to read all of the Booker Prize longlisted books, but before 2001 there were only shortlisted books so I am going to separate these into two different lists. Please see the pinned comment for the 2001+ companion list link and the winners for each year!

I tried to find the latest version (2026).

I list for when you need more moors; inspired by my absurd book haul on vacation

Books that often get overlooked next to big author names or better known works by those authors.

List of classics for those interested in the genre.

A list of plays, novellas, short stories, etc. when you need a quick read

Books that are 200 pages or less. A compelling story doesn’t need to be long. Short stories included too.

Books that were featured on an episode of Backlisted.

my home county!

slow-paced and cosy books for anxious-minded people.

Books on the reading list for Goalhanger's 'The Book Club' podcast, discussed by Tabitha Syrett and Dominic Sandbrook

Picked by all my closest people who have VASTLY different tastes to expand genre choice through their treasured favourites! See comment for wider context 👀

books to curl up in like a cat