Big Books
Quality versus Quantity
Book 16 in the 26-Books-in-52-Weeks Challenge has to be a book that is over 500 pages long.
Now, in the world of books size shouldn’t matter. Quality isn’t necessarily linked to quantity. If it’s a big book but it’s also a page-turner, I’ll read it more quickly and with more enjoyment than a short, tedious one.
For example, Books 4 to 7 in the Harry Potter series were whoppers. I loved them. And I think it’s safe to say, so did plenty other people.
I haven’t read more recent bedside-table-busters such as Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, or George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, but it’s evident their popularity hasn’t suffered because of their length. Similarly with Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight books which I also haven’t read, but isn’t it great that so many young folks have – because hey, they’re reading!
So what book would I highlight in this category? Well, in keeping with the outsize theme, I’ve gone for more than one book.
Favourite Books Over 500 Pages:
- Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
To-Be-Read Book Over 500 Pages:
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Couldn’t finish Book Over 500 Pages:
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
And that’s it. Yes, more than one book named in this ‘big book’ category, but balanced by the fact it’s a relatively short post.
Over to you – Do you judge a book by its size? What bicep challengers have you read and enjoyed – or not?
A great list. I read Gone with the Wind in 3 days at age 13. I have never thought of it as a big book!! I read most of the Outlander books. Now those are very big but so exciting. These days my reading time is limited so I don´t pick up many big books. I think the last big book was A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I just couldn´t put it down. I actually woke up 30 minutes early in the morning so I could read a bit before I went to work, that´s how good it is.
Wow, wakening especially early to read says a lot about how good the book must have been. As always, Darlene thanks for visiting and taking the trouble to comment.
My book club chose Catherine the Great this spring just as I launched my own book. I started it, got immersed in the palace intrigue among all the great powers along with all their oddities and craziness. But life intervened and I never even got half way through it. I put it aside and hope to get back to it some time, but I’ve lost the thread, and now the motto on a t-shirt comes to mind—”so many books, so little time.”
You’re right, Paula. It’s frustrating to know we’ll never have enough time to read everything we’d like to. At least you know Catherine’s waiting for you if you do get a bit of spare time. Thanks so much for visiting and for responding to my questions.