Every once in a while, I pick up a book that’s so compelling I just can’t put it down until I reach the last page. Sometimes it’s because the book is flat-out amazing; sometimes it’s because the book is good enough and the plot is amazing.

Un-put-down-able books, for me, have certain qualities: great characters, strong narrative drive, a premise that hooks me. The writing is often strong (though “serviceable” will suffice, if you know what I mean), and it can’t be so dense or challenging that I can’t read it while I’m sleepy, or mentally exhausted.

The second category for the 2017 Reading Challenge—for those of you who want to put the “oomph” back in your reading life—is “a book with a reputation for being un-put-down-able.” Why? Because it’s fun.

(Update: while this was a category from 2017 we have a new reading challenge for this year and it’s not too late to join–just be sure to look back at your reading journal and see what categories you’ve already read.)

Need ideas for this category? I polished off each of these 17 books in 24 hours or less, because I couldn’t put them down:

Some links (including all Amazon links) are affiliate links. More details here.

What books did YOU find completely un-put-down-able? What are you reading for this category for the 2017 Reading Challenge?

P.S. Why it’s so hard to put down the book and go to bed already.