Does Page Count Affect Your Decision To Read A Book Or Not?

secretbuke · Post by **secretbuke** » 16 Jul 2013, 13:21

It really depends on what situation I'm currently in. If I don't have much free time, I have to go for the shorter book. If I'm looking for an "adventure" and I have a lot of free time, I need a lot of substance (and, therefore, a bigger book).

fitzml · Post by **fitzml** » 16 Jul 2013, 16:02

I'm just beginning to tackle Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It's well over 1,000 pages, so I'm feeling pretty intimidated.

krogerwoman1954 · Post by **krogerwoman1954** » 25 Jul 2013, 14:32

I have a rule, though it might not seem fair. If I am not captivated by the first chapter, I put the book aside and choose another. Sometimes I return to it when I am in a different frame of mind, sometimes I don't. Page count per say has no bearing on whether or not I read a book. If you enter the world presented, a book should go on forever. If you are not simpatico with the story line, one chapter is enough,

kmc005 · Post by **kmc005** » 26 Jul 2013, 07:20

Yes, especially because I've gotten into an awful habit of reading more than one book at once, and this becomes much worse when I commit to a long book.

Oddly, I seem to get through a book faster on the Kindle. When I'm sitting holding an enormous book I think just the sense of so much left to read really kicks in.

Mariacopland · Post by **Mariacopland** » 27 Jul 2013, 07:44

I like to read short stories before going to bed, so that I am not tempted to stay up and finish a longer book. However, looking at my bookshelves their are undoubtedly a greater number of longer books that I find myself returning to again and again.

thebookagorra · Post by **thebookagorra** » 29 Jul 2013, 08:06

Yes, I think of my time with a book like an investment. A big book better be worth spending that big chunk of time. My motto is "life is too short for a bad book".

mcausor · Post by **mcausor** » 29 Jul 2013, 12:19

Depends.

Is the story compelling? Does the author do a good job keeping me intrigued with his/her story? If so, page numbers are irrelevant.

However, if I'm bored after reading the first chapter and the book is looong...I'm on to the next book.

Tai900 · Post by **Tai900** » 05 Aug 2013, 12:40

Excellent question! I have to say no. As long as the story is well written, gripping and easy to follow I don't mind how many pages it has. I enjoy all sorts of genres and have not found page count to be a major factor in my decision making process to read a book.

Jo Ledamun · Post by **Jo Ledamun** » 05 Aug 2013, 12:46

Yes, it does for me. Especially, if it is a genre or author that I am not familiar with or have been disappointed with in the past. Time versus page count is a influencing factor too!

-- 05 Aug 2013, 14:01 --

Mariacopland wrote:I like to read short stories before going to bed, so that I am not tempted to stay up and finish a longer book. However, looking at my bookshelves their are undoubtedly a greater number of longer books that I find myself returning to again and again.

I agree with your comment about short stories too. I do a similar thing when I go to the beach, I take a quick read book with me (100 pages) instead of a usual sized paperback (300+ pages), as it prevents me staying out in the sun too long & frazzling!

cjoybishop1 · Post by **cjoybishop1** » 05 Aug 2013, 13:25

Since I read constantly, page or word count are rarely an issue for me. I am comfortable moving on quickly or taking time to savor the storyline. I prefer a longer story most of the time so I can appreciate character and story development, but a great author can create some extraordinary characters and tales in a remarkably few words or pages and I can appreciate that. The only real issue I have with the count is when an author expects me to pay the same price for a short story or novella as for a full length novel.

bubblyupdates4 · Post by **bubblyupdates4** » 06 Aug 2013, 11:35

Usually it doesn't. It only does if I have a deadline, a very small one, and I don't have the time to complete a big book by then. For example, if I have to read a book for class in two weeks, I'm not going to pick a 700 page book because I also have other school work to complete.
But usually if the book seems interesting, I don't care about the page count at all.

I laugh at the people who do and say, "why would you read such a big book??" I read it because it looked good and it is good! You will never experience new things if you just stick to a 200 page book!

dream haven · Post by **dream haven** » 06 Aug 2013, 15:40

Yes sometimes it does. Depending on the title of the book or the time in which I have to read it page count does affects my decision.

Margo · Post by **Margo** » 10 Aug 2013, 17:53

It seems logical to me that thick books promise more adventures than thin ones. That said, often the 700 pages contain several thousand words of filler (as mentioned earlier). Tom Clancy is very good at this. I love his writing style but I am usually ready to quit at 350 pages, so I skip closer to the end and read to the finish. If I realize I have missed something, there is the knowledge that I will catch it the next read through.

I re-read the good stuff many times over the years. Sometimes I only wait long enough to forget most of the plot. At my age that could be a few months.

brittany_gillespie · Post by **brittany_gillespie** » 11 Aug 2013, 02:02

sometimes it does effect my decision to read a book or not. I am a single mom and a college student so at times reading a longer book isn't an option for me. I like being able to read a book within a week or two of starting it and sometimes with longer books that just doesn't happen. If i do have extra time on my hands the page count doesn't effect my decision at all. As long as the book sounds interesting I will put it on my shelve to either read now or later when I have some down time

some of the best books I have read have been 350 or more pages

Snehal19 · Post by **Snehal19** » 12 Aug 2013, 20:02

Not really, but yes, I do admit to downloading more of the meatier stuff in e-books...I.e. more number of pages. But I haven't been put off by a higher page count though!