Book Talk: On Reading Big Books

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Do you like big books (which, in this instance, we’ll define as 500+ pages)? I occasionally enjoy them, but I typically gravitate toward those that are 350 pages or less. And while I firmly believe that a good book can never be long enough, I have to be honest and admit that chunky tomes come equipped with a natural intimidation factor: they’re lengthy, which means they require additional time, effort, and investment, which equates to more precious minutes, hours, and days devoted to one title as opposed to the many others haunting my TBR. My mind immediately shifts to the sheer number of titles I want to read and the limited time in which I have to read them and rationalizes that one 1,400-pager = four+ “normal-sized” books. **Cue distinct form of stress only readers understand.** On the flipside, embarking on a long book and savoring the reading experience offers inimitable calm and satisfaction in a world overrun with impatience and instant gratification. Taking your time on something rather than rushing and/or stressing about the number of books you’re reading is not only healthy, but a welcome change of pace and a huge relief.

And though I rarely discount a work purely based on size, shelf space and weight are also practical considerations: sizable volumes take up more room and higher page counts equate to heavier and pricier products that, for those of us who need pillow forts to support our weighty books and aging bodies, are difficult to handle for extended periods of time, especially in hardcover format. You might be screaming about eBooks at this point, and I hear you and often opt for and love this format. iPads and Kindles are lightweight and convenient, but they also equate to increased screentime, which, in this screen-saturated age, isn’t always ideal. There’s nothing quite like unplugging and curling up with a physical book, which offers escape from our digital-focused world, along with comforting tactile and sensory aspects like turning pages, using bookmarks and mark-it tabs, and, of course, enjoying that wonderful new (or old) book smell, along with stunning cover/jacket design.

Take deckled edge pages, for instance. I love them; they give books a unique, vintage aesthetic, something eBooks can’t begin to emulate. When comparing the two, physical books feel warm and welcoming, whereas eBooks feel colder and more spartan. And while I value the many benefits offered by eBooks (efficient searching, easy highlighting and note-taking, customizable accessibility features, ease/speed of access, price point, environmental friendliness, interactive content, and more), for me, nothing can or will ever surpass the grandeur of a physical book. Case in point: when I really enjoy an eBook, I will often purchase a physical copy for my shelves afterward, as only having the former and not the latter doesn’t feel real to me, if that makes sense. And though eReaders allow you to read in varying environments ranging from well-lit rooms to pitch-black caves, physical books never glitch or run out of battery power.

With all of that being said, it’s worth noting that I read It by Stephen King on my iPad and found it to be easier and more efficient than a physical copy (which I purchased for my shelves afterward), and two of my favorite big books, Blackwater by Michael McDowell and NOS4A2 by Joe Hill, never felt long or dragged; I sunk into those stories and could have kept reading forever, and I treasured the extended periods of respite and immersion they offered. In other words, it was nice to take my time and just enjoy the ride (despite my cinderblock-esque edition of Blackwater, which was challenging and, at times, a literal pain).

Audiobooks are another excellent option; I relied on them when I had a miserable daily commute, and they were a godsend. Back then, I could easily finish a 10–12 hour book in a week and regularly listened to books that were 30+ hours in length. I don’t listen to them much now because I no longer have to endure that routine torture, and I prefer reading books in my hands and listening to podcasts while multitasking so my brain can relax rather than having to focus on a storyline (personal preference, once again).

So, have I read and enjoyed big books? Yes. Do I plan to read more of them in the future? Absolutely. Will they likely linger on my TBR for longer periods than shorter titles? Almost always, as tackling them necessitates a specific mood and resolve. Do I inwardly cringe anytime I see a page count > 500? Yup. But are some of my all-time favorites over 500 pages? Yes! Have I opted for the eBook or skipped books altogether after handling them in libraries and bookstores and discovering they’re too hefty? Definitely. And will I make space on my limited library shelves for mega volumes I treasure? Always.

Now that I’ve talked myself in circles once again, let’s move onto some actual books! Below are five big horror books I’ve read and loved that were worth every moment, as well as the format in which I read them:

• It by Stephen King (1,168 pages; eBook)
• Blackwater by Michael McDowell (800 pages; physical book)
• NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (720 pages; physical book)
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (720 pages; physical book)
• Night Film by Marisha Pessl (640 pages; eBook)

And here are five titles currently occupying my TBR that I’m really looking forward to reading:

• The Stand by Stephen King (1,200 pages)
• King Sorrow by Joe Hill (896 pages)
• 11/22/63 by Stephen King (880 pages)
• The Reformatory by Tananarive Due (576 pages)
• Solace House by Will Maclean (512 pages)

What are your thoughts on big books, and what are some of your favorites?

🖤Amanda

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