Do you read short stories or do you prefer long novels?

I don't prefer one of the other but I do read many short stories. THey can be refreshing, and as interesting as a longer one. Actually I admire an author that can create a good short story since there is not much "space" to explain every thing:) SOme authors are very good at it, and I tend to look for them. BY the same token a long story doesn't have to be better or even good just because it's longer LOL

Hi P2W, I read both. Over the last few years I have read some good short stories: Paolo Coelho's The Alchemist; Mr. Abraham and The Flowers of the Koran; Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Morries & The Five People You Meet When you Get to Heaven. I have not read any true "short" short stories since I read Somerset Maugham. The longer novels I have read recently include: The Master & Margerita; The Kite Flyer; and Middlesex. Have a good weekend. UMart

I'd rather read novels than short stories. A lot of short stories that I have read were reading requirements for school. I couldn't figure out the "meaning" of the plot or the symbolisms. The last short story that I read was "The Mist" by Stephen King. It was interesting enough for me to completely read it. A lot of times, I don't finish reading a short story. I have read different kinds of novels: historical romance; settings in Amish country; science-fiction, etc. I also like to read biographical books. Pretty soon, I'll be reading textbooks and they are the least of my favorites.

If I were to be given the choice I would take the book every time...I often read the short stories in the mags etc..but they only keep me going for a couple of minutes..so I much prefer something to get my teeeth into...but nothing too heavt ..just a little bit of light reading here for me...Mum was once totally convinced that she had dementia setting in...so she went to the library and took a book out all about King henry the eighth and his six wives ..well she read it through and through and every chapter she read she kept me up to dAte with...but lol bless her heart it was so boring !!!..but at least it convinced her tat she didnt have dementia!!

Just like you, I buy only long novels. And I mostly read long ones. I rarely read short ones. But now I think I have to change a little bit since I don't want to miss any good writings. And I do want to write stories for children. I believe children should have as many good stories books as possible which paint their childhood so colorful and beautiful. But just as you mentioned, writing stories is not an easy task and I haven't finished one yet! Oh, MY! I hope there will be one in the near future!

I am like you - I only read short stories from authors that I have enjoyed previously. A perffect example is Jeffrey Archer. He has many excellent novels but also has two excellent collections of short stories.

I like longer novels better because they keep my attention longer. When I'm through within half an hour I don't feel like reading it in the first place, I'm not sure why but the forthsight that it will take me longer is somehow comforting to me. I like to lie down with a good book knowing there will be pages and pages of interesting, humourous or scary stories in there. Occasionaly I will get a book bundled with short stories but I do prefer the longer novels.

Like you, I don't generally care for short stories unless they're written by an author I really like. I enjoy full novels but usually not over 400 pages because I don't have enough time to read it.

During my college days i used to read novels and i am fan of Jeffery Archer.. but soon i learnt that his style of writing was beginning to get imprinted in my minds.. and so stopped reading novels from there on.. But now, if at all my mood seeks to read.. then i seek refuge in reading the shakespear plays, and poems by Wordsworth, Shelley and W.B yeats.. Reading the works of these Masters, gives some sort of relief to the mind when it is tantalised. Take care friend.

hey paid2write I like to read short stories instead of long stories or novel. Reading novel is boring. I prefer to read short stories pkc3000

i like stories that are not long and will be easy to read for an hour or two

I also have written some short stories in my time in the student publication. Of course, I would love reading other short stories written by my colleagues and writers from other school too. But like, I don't buy books of short stories. If I would buy a book, it would be a novel. I don't know that there is a site like that. Is that for free? Have a nice day!

I prefer mostly to read short stories rather than novels. As, novels consumes much time and it prolongs the matter which we want.

I read short stories and I also read long novels. As for a short stories, it's much easier to read as you can go cover to cover in a day or couple of hours.. but in novels it takes me some days to finished it all, sometimes I read until the morning if I am so engrossed by the novel. I don't mind not sleeping at all but to finish it as not to let my mind wondering.

Hi There, I really sish I had more time to read and write as I do love it. I get so busy however that I rearly get time to read for pleasure as much as I would like to. However, I still manage to get a little time each night before I drift off to sleep. I tend to like to read long novels and just chip away at them over time. I have never been a fan of short stories. cheers,

Dear friend, I do read books which are less to read, and rarely I do read, I do like comics and magazines that too good magazines like technology informations, styles, fashions, sports, news, entertainments, jokes mainly these kinds. Novels I just do not find any patience for complete reading hence I just want to know it in nutshell may be as a capsule mode. Short stories I rarely read. Mostly I like good novels knows its content breifly. I do read lot in the websites in internet. Mostly compared to novels I prefer short stories. But if it is not boring both I would like to know briefly.

I prefer to read novels, not sure what you classify as a "long" novel, but I prefer something that is around 300 to 500 pages long, but I will not stick to that religiously. I love the Harry Potter books and a few of them were longer than 500 pages. I must start reading again.

Both is okay for me. Short stories are good for my students, in which as a teacher I need to read it first. Novels are quiet long that sometimes, I forgot to finish because its too long. Hahahahah Take care =)

I enjoy both. A well written short story is as good as a novel .

Short stories are great. They don't eat up much time but offer quality content. Novels take a lot of time to finish but the feeling is very satisfying after reading it. I guess, for me, it depends on how much time I have. I enjoy reading. So far I finished a few novels by Nicolas Sparks and Paulo Coelho. I've read more novels than short stories. ^^