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

FallenFaith · Post by **FallenFaith** » 25 Oct 2014, 03:26

No. If it sounds like something that I think that I would want to read, page count really isn't a factor. Back when I worked a night shift job, it actually did as I was locked in a building for 8 hours with no TV or radio and so I made sure I took a thick book as I couldn't chance finishing the book before my relief came in.

Post by **bookowlie** » 25 Oct 2014, 10:19

Sometimes. If a book is over 600 pages, I won't want to read it unless I have a recommendation that it's a Must-read based on my reading preferences.

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 02 Nov 2014, 10:16

Recently I feel like I have ADD and long books just aren't holding my attention, no matter how much I enjoy the story. I feel like I am just trying to read through as many books as I can or something, because there are so many out there, and I don't want to feel tied down to long books that take so much time I could be using to read many books.

MysteryReader95 · Post by **MysteryReader95** » 06 Nov 2014, 13:54

I don't care how many pages a book has. If it is one that I am interested in, I will read it.

bradybunch84 · Post by **bradybunch84** » 06 Nov 2014, 17:10

Yes it does. I see most readers don't want to read books with too few of pages. I have the other problem. I don't want to read any books over 500 pages. I just don't have the attention span nor the memory for it. I will do a book over 400 pages but I'm likely to pass it over and choose something in the 200 to 300's.

aishamary94 · Post by **aishamary94** » 06 Nov 2014, 22:14

Yes and no, I'm usually fine with the number count and I will probably still enjoy the book, but reading it after another huge book, I wouldn't be in the mood to read it.

Janiac02 · Post by **Janiac02** » 09 Nov 2014, 13:06

If I am selecting an e-book then page count is irrelevant, but if it is a printed book I am usually loathe to carry around something huge and heavy.

hareid03 · Post by **hareid03** » 09 Nov 2014, 16:14

I never realized it until I read this topic, but I don't like reading short books. If it has less than 200 pages I probably won't bother with it. I'm not really sure I have a reason for that other than because they just don't feel long enough. Also, if I'm reading a book that has a lot of pages I only get bothered if it's really boring.

aspen_janine · Post by **aspen_janine** » 09 Nov 2014, 16:21

Not really, if the book has had a good review, if it's something new I'm more likely to go with something that has a higher page count.

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 10 Nov 2014, 07:52

In one very particular incidence it does: when borrowing a newly published book from the library which is very long, and in great demand I usually defer reading it until all the hoopla dies down because I know I will not be able to finish it in the time allowed by the library, i.e. one cannot extend the time they wish to have the book if anyone else has reserved it during the time you have been given to read it. With a newly released book of any consequence there will be a long list of people waiting to borrow it; otherwise, the length of a book never deters me from reading it.

Aivlys · Post by **Aivlys** » 10 Nov 2014, 09:26

Page count alone doesn't mean much to me but I only have so much money that can go into e-books so if I'm debating a short book at a higher price or even the same price as a longer book, I will lean me towards choosing the longer one.

I've found a lot of kindle books that make me think of the Green Mile by Stephen King in how they're written - short books that are really all one story. I really dislike getting sucked into those unless they're already finished and I can get all of them at once. A low word or page count makes me immediately suspicious that the book is one of those. Callie Hart's Blood and Roses series is one that sucked me in before it was finished but a lot does happen in those books in a short length of time.

As someone above me mentioned, I'm more forgiving of slow parts in extra long novels. I don't necessarily think length should be a goal - more arriving at the end at a good pace without unnecessary delay or stretching. I sometimes get frustrated with long novels that have a lot of extra stuff that I can't see a reason for including. At the same time, for enough to happen in a short novel or short story for me to be happy with it, it has to keep moving and have been ruthlessly edited to take out the unnecessary parts. I'm much more interested in content and writing quality than length.

robind13 · Post by **robind13** » 10 Nov 2014, 15:00

Occasionally it will, but I try not to let it because I feel like it's judging the book by its cover in a way.

JessiAnne26 · Post by **JessiAnne26** » 10 Nov 2014, 16:42

I don't notice page count so much as how many hours I may devote to the book. When i read on my iPhone it gives me the percentage i've read through and how many hours/minutes will be left to go reading at the pace I usually do. I find that really helpful but I think a good story can be told in so many words. What is the shortest book you've ever read that was sufficiently told?

Dando · Post by **Dando** » 14 Dec 2014, 23:14

Length doesn't really affect my reading choices too often. However, if a book is REALLY long, I have to be well convinced that I want to read it. Le Mis is still in limbo for this reason...

3chicnP · Post by **3chicnP** » 23 Dec 2014, 17:47

At times. I like reading 200 page books better than 300 or 400. It just drags and I get really bored holding a big fat book. I enjoy short books better than long ones because after reading it so fast, I stop and think about the meaning.