When Is a Book... Just Too Long?
By Hate2Iron
@Hate2Iron (15724)
Canada
March 2, 2019 2:01pm CST
I love trilogies, which is basically a really long novel, but I want them broken into individual books. I'm happy with about 400 pages at a time! If it's more than that, I start skimming and I don't know how much I have missed by trying to rush through the book. This was the case for the Outlander series. I don't think that there was a book less than 900 pages!
Now, there is two different ways to look at it. Maybe it could be due to the fact that I borrowed them from the library and I knew that there were only so many times I could renew them before they had to be returned.
Or... I really am an incredibly impatient person and I have other things to move on to...but 900 pages sounds like an awful lot to try to keep straight in your mind... so maybe that 400 page book is in my comfort zone!
So, what are your thoughts? Do you prefer a hefty 900 page book or do you prefer shorter books with no pressure??
13 people like this
14 responses
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
Wishing they would never end... yes, I have read books like that!!! You always hope that there will be a sequel!!!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Mar 19
There is pressure with a library due date. If you own the 900 page book, you can relax and enjoy.
3 people like this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
That just might be it... I could curl up and just read when it suits me!!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
2 Mar 19
If I didn't feel so lazy, I'd show you a couple of books I got that are voluminous. I think atleast 1000 pages. I just don't feel like taking pictures of them.
I haven't read those yet, but I want to. Here lately? Well, here lately the books I've been reading are no more than 468 pages. I think that's the longest book I've read this year, one that was 468 pages.
I think any book can be whatever length it needs to be, provided the story flows well and keeps the reader invested in it.
2 people like this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
1000 pages... wow, that sounds like one amazing book... especially if you fall in love with the characters!!
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Mar 19
@Hate2Iron Well, I havent' read any like it yet, but I do have one or two books with that many pages.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
3 Mar 19
@Hate2Iron
I do not prefer books that go on and on but get to the point and are very interesting.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
I like lots of dialogue and less description... Maybe that is part of the problem!!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
4 Mar 19
@Hate2Iron
There are some authoris that I feel are not that interesting with their writing and feel their books are very boring . I do not like Jonathan Kellerman but on the other hand I like his wife's writing.
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
I know what you mean about very short books... they still cost a lot of money and you are done is a day or so... I'm now wondering if I actually owned the book, I would enjoy it more??
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
4 Mar 19
@nela13 I hate to think of how much money I have spent on books... It all began when I was hired by About.com
1 person likes this
@nela13 (59367)
• Portugal
3 Mar 19
@Hate2Iron I stopped buying books, I work in a public library and I read the books from there.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
I'm starting to change how I think of longer books... It's all the library's fault lol!!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
I don't read books very often, I listen to them on audio while i paint at home. I do read while traveling and on vacation but at home its audio books...
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
I listen to a lot of Playaways, but not when I'm working on something... even my doodles. Doesn't the story interfere with the work?? I don't think that I could do both at the same time???
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
4 Mar 19
@Hate2Iron I listen when I'm doing the graphic on the top of the slate, it is easy to listen and paint on the same time. Once the graphic is done i need to use my head to finish the art so I do shut the book off when I need too.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
3 Mar 19
If the book holds your interest, it shouldn't matter how long or short it is. I've read long ones without wondering how many pages I had to go to the end yet. A book needs to keep an even pace of action and lull to keep you wondering if the hero/heroine will come out of the situation alive. If you're counting pages and skimming to the end, that's not a good sign for the author of that book.
I do my best to keep the action in the book exciting so people won't count pages or put it down and look for something else to read.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
You know... you are right!! If I'm skimming, it's because the story is not holding my attention!!
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
4 Mar 19
I'm rather odd when it comes to books lol. Once I start, something won't let me quit the book... just in case it get good lol! It's happened on several occasions!!
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
It must have for me too because I don't even remember Rachel... But it has been a few years since I read the books and I did have them out of the library where I had to hurry up because someone was always waiting for it!!!
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
2 Mar 19
I would rather have a 900 page book than a trilogy. I don't want a book to end on a cliff hanger forcing me to buy or borrow the next one to find out what happens.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
There's the difference right there lol... When I find a trilogy, I will buy the entire set so that I don't have to wait... that would drive me crazy too!!
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
3 Mar 19
@Hate2Iron I think the whole trilogy trend is pushed by publishers so that the consumer will buy more books.
I don't mind series, but I do NOT like books that end with a cliff hanger! If there is no real resolution it's just an installment and isn't worthy of being called a book.
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
3 Mar 19
I'm going to look at the Dollar Tree next time I'm out and look for the fattest book and then see if the story line interests me lol! I have found some duds there but also some really good ones that I have never given away!!!
1 person likes this
