Do you ever choose a book to read based on its length? - Page 2

Nawpkin · 05-06-2011, 12:47 PM

I do all the time, usually I pick shorter ones when I am working but when I am on vacation I'll pick a nice big lengthy book to sit back and enjoy.

Aladyleyna · 05-06-2011, 12:58 PM

Back when I was reading paperbacks I used to chose books based on length as well, because I tend to shy away from books that are thicker than my hand. Now that I do all my reading with ebooks, I can't because it's impossible to tell how long a book is because most sites don't specify how long the book is. Now I just base my decisions on synopsis and cover page and description.

CWatkinsNash · 05-06-2011, 01:20 PM

Sort of. I have separate genres for short fiction, which includes individual short stories and novellas. They are nice to use as palate cleansers between full-length books, or when I want to read something but don't want to start the next book just yet.

philandjan · 05-06-2011, 02:59 PM

I very rarely read anything less than 500 pages. It tends to give time for characters and plots to evolve.

Also, being an adopted Yorkshireman, I like to think that I am getting value for money (or at least quantity for money).

As for those of you who can read a book in one sitting, I take my hat off to you. For one, my eyes don't move that fast, even if I try speed reading techniques. For two, my eyes don't stay open long enough. And for three, if the author has spent months banging away at a keyboard after having spent time developing their ideas, it seems a shame to devour it in one sitting. After all, a barrel of good beer should last for more than one good session!

DiapDealer · 05-06-2011, 03:22 PM

I consider the length of the book all the time. I've read door-stoppers that were too short and short-stories that were too long. So I tend to look for a happy medium. I'm looking for books in the 400-600 page range--that have endings.

But I also go on the occasional short-story binge. I'm on one right now... I just can't bring myself to make that novel "commitment" at the moment.

GA Russell · 05-06-2011, 03:33 PM

One of these days I'm going to read a lengthy Russian novel. I'm sure that part of the reason I haven't yet is the length of those tomes.

queentess · 05-06-2011, 03:36 PM

I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately, so I chose a couple shortish books and I'm working my way through them. I tend to prefer Giant Books (or multi-book series), but sometimes I like short books or YA reads as palate cleansers.

SeaBookGuy · 05-06-2011, 04:43 PM

I find I read ebooks faster than print ones, so sometimes I'll pick a longer one so as not to feel I'm depleting my supply too quickly.

carld · 05-06-2011, 05:42 PM

Actually now that I think back, the bought my first chess book based solely on the number of pages. I figured more pages = more games. It's been through a flood and a bunch of moves, but I still have it around somewhere, slightly wrinkled from water and yellow with age, but I still have it.

Nyssa · 05-06-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I prefer long sagas and series. The story won't end that fast that way...

And reading a complete book in one sitting???? There are times where I can hardly read a few pages a day...

Quote:

Originally Posted by queentess

I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately, so I chose a couple shortish books and I'm working my way through them. I tend to prefer Giant Books (or multi-book series), but sometimes I like short books or YA reads as palate cleansers.

&

apbschmitz · 05-06-2011, 07:32 PM

I love shorter novels, where usually a single idea drives the narrative. There is a fairly recent string of Philip Roth novels/novellas in the 150-page range. Same for Saul Bellow. A lot of the zing without all the heft.

OtterBooks · 05-06-2011, 09:53 PM

Occasionally I'll put off reading something for the moment if it's unusually large and I'm just not in the mood to invest in it at the time (like a 900 pager). It's not always about the length of the novel, though; I'll consider density of the material as well. There's 700 page fluff novels, and short works that take a fair amount of mental investment.

Kiwiscott · 05-06-2011, 10:23 PM

Most, if not all, my reading decisions are based on book length. (especially as I'm trying to read 100 books this calendar year)
I tend to pick shorter books from unfamiliar authors, as I dont want to invest too much time in a book I may not enjoy, and will read longer books from 'trusted/liked' authors. I find it difficult to walk away from a book once started, even if its awfull, I will always try and finish it....stupidity, I know.
Since I started keeping track of what I have been reading (I started when I got my ereader) I have also found that I have been choosing shorter books than previously, mostly 200-300 pages, and I think its because I like to see my list of 'read' books growing, rather than stagnating as I plow thru a 1000 pager.
I think next year I wont publish my list anywhere, and start a few of the doorstop volumes I have gathering dust.

CWatkinsNash · 05-06-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwiscott

Most, if not all, my reading decisions are based on book length. (especially as I'm trying to read 100 books this calendar year)
(snip)
I think next year I wont publish my list anywhere, and start a few of the doorstop volumes I have gathering dust.

Same here. What I've decided to do is, using this year's totals as a guide, set a goal for total pages next year instead of book count. This year it's a lot of fun watching the list grow and, because I'm reading mostly 170-300pg books, I'm trying new things and finding some great authors I didn't know about before. But I have some rather large tomes from favorite authors I would like to read, so that's what next year will be for.

I'll probably still publish my list on Goodreads next year, just because I'm having so much fun in the MR challenge group over there.

Kiwiscott · 05-06-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Same here. What I've decided to do is, using this year's totals as a guide, set a goal for total pages next year instead of book count. .

Thats a good idea. Maybe something in the 30-40,000 area, but it doesnt quite have the same ring to it does it....

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05-06-2011, 12:47 PM	#16
Nawpkin Member Posts: 14 Karma: 137932 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Kindle	I do all the time, usually I pick shorter ones when I am working but when I am on vacation I'll pick a nice big lengthy book to sit back and enjoy.

05-06-2011, 12:58 PM	#17
Aladyleyna Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 24624 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Singapore Device: iPad 1	Back when I was reading paperbacks I used to chose books based on length as well, because I tend to shy away from books that are thicker than my hand. Now that I do all my reading with ebooks, I can't because it's impossible to tell how long a book is because most sites don't specify how long the book is. Now I just base my decisions on synopsis and cover page and description.

05-06-2011, 01:20 PM	#18
CWatkinsNash IOC Chief Archivist Posts: 3,950 Karma: 53868218 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL, USA Device: Meebook M7, Paperwhite 2021, Fire HD 8+, Fire HD 10+, Lenovo Tab P12	Sort of. I have separate genres for short fiction, which includes individual short stories and novellas. They are nice to use as palate cleansers between full-length books, or when I want to read something but don't want to start the next book just yet.

05-06-2011, 02:59 PM	#19
philandjan Trainee Old Git Posts: 78 Karma: 162 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dégagnac, France Device: Kindle	I very rarely read anything less than 500 pages. It tends to give time for characters and plots to evolve. Also, being an adopted Yorkshireman, I like to think that I am getting value for money (or at least quantity for money). As for those of you who can read a book in one sitting, I take my hat off to you. For one, my eyes don't move that fast, even if I try speed reading techniques. For two, my eyes don't stay open long enough. And for three, if the author has spent months banging away at a keyboard after having spent time developing their ideas, it seems a shame to devour it in one sitting. After all, a barrel of good beer should last for more than one good session!

05-06-2011, 03:22 PM	#20
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,549 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I consider the length of the book all the time. I've read door-stoppers that were too short and short-stories that were too long. So I tend to look for a happy medium. I'm looking for books in the 400-600 page range--that have endings. But I also go on the occasional short-story binge. I'm on one right now... I just can't bring myself to make that novel "commitment" at the moment.

05-06-2011, 03:33 PM	#21
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	One of these days I'm going to read a lengthy Russian novel. I'm sure that part of the reason I haven't yet is the length of those tomes.

05-06-2011, 03:36 PM	#22
queentess Reading is sexy Posts: 1,303 Karma: 544517 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately, so I chose a couple shortish books and I'm working my way through them. I tend to prefer Giant Books (or multi-book series), but sometimes I like short books or YA reads as palate cleansers.

05-06-2011, 04:43 PM	#23
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,015 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I find I read ebooks faster than print ones, so sometimes I'll pick a longer one so as not to feel I'm depleting my supply too quickly.

05-06-2011, 05:42 PM	#24
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Actually now that I think back, the bought my first chess book based solely on the number of pages. I figured more pages = more games. It's been through a flood and a bunch of moves, but I still have it around somewhere, slightly wrinkled from water and yellow with age, but I still have it.

05-06-2011, 07:32 PM	#26
apbschmitz Lord of Frogtown Posts: 149 Karma: 1154748 Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Paul MN Device: Kindle	I love shorter novels, where usually a single idea drives the narrative. There is a fairly recent string of Philip Roth novels/novellas in the 150-page range. Same for Saul Bellow. A lot of the zing without all the heft.

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05-06-2011, 09:53 PM	#27
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	Occasionally I'll put off reading something for the moment if it's unusually large and I'm just not in the mood to invest in it at the time (like a 900 pager). It's not always about the length of the novel, though; I'll consider density of the material as well. There's 700 page fluff novels, and short works that take a fair amount of mental investment.

05-06-2011, 10:23 PM	#28
Kiwiscott eReader Noob Posts: 30 Karma: 15298 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Auckland NZ Device: Sony PRS 300, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Kobo Mini	Most, if not all, my reading decisions are based on book length. (especially as I'm trying to read 100 books this calendar year) I tend to pick shorter books from unfamiliar authors, as I dont want to invest too much time in a book I may not enjoy, and will read longer books from 'trusted/liked' authors. I find it difficult to walk away from a book once started, even if its awfull, I will always try and finish it....stupidity, I know. Since I started keeping track of what I have been reading (I started when I got my ereader) I have also found that I have been choosing shorter books than previously, mostly 200-300 pages, and I think its because I like to see my list of 'read' books growing, rather than stagnating as I plow thru a 1000 pager. I think next year I wont publish my list anywhere, and start a few of the doorstop volumes I have gathering dust.