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

LadyStardust · Post by **LadyStardust** » 22 Apr 2013, 13:11

For me, it depends. Sometimes I am looking for a quick read while in the midst of a heavy one, so I'll avoid anything longer than 300 pages.

But I do agree with you that a low page count can be a total turn-off; I often assume the book doesn't have enough content to be interesting.

bowie94 · Post by **bowie94** » 22 Apr 2013, 14:16

I'm not usually intimidated by page count - but if I am not "into" the story by page 50, I will stop reading the book. That's why the library rocks

--Angie

Pancra_cio · Post by **Pancra_cio** » 22 Apr 2013, 20:11

I can not discriminate a book by its size. I've read books like Victor Hugo's and Miguel De Cervantes' masterpieces, that are over and close to 1,000 pages, to short stories, to scientific papers. I've been able to appreciate them most. I consider content as a factor to look for in a book, but a good review is critical to determine the worthiness of the size. My slogan is, if you are going to start reading a book, finish it regardless of whether you are liking the story or not. Each and every book has a deeper story if it's read in between the lines. Reading a book will never be a waste of time.

booklvr62 · Post by **booklvr62** » 24 Apr 2013, 13:45

I never thought I would ever even consider reading a paranormal romance,and vampires,werewolves ect don't interest me in the least except for Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney in my favorite old horror film classics.

However, after seeing this book mentioned and reading the synopsis and reviews it just sounded waaay too much fun to resist[romance with a 'Genie!] and I immediately bought it for my Kindle! I am even breaking my own rule of avoiding a book of less than 288 pgs,since this one only has 280 pgs,and I paid for it! I hope I don't end up regretting it.
BTW the book is~Aladdin's Samovar [Kindle Edition] by Lauren Sweet

Happily Candied · Post by **Happily Candied** » 24 Apr 2013, 14:47

Hmm, I can't say I've ever let my page count affect my decision of whether to read a book or not in my personal time.

The only time page count has ever been considered was when I had to choose one of two books during my education. If I was having a difficult semester with a big workload, I may have chosen the book with fewer pages to help keep me in line for time management reasons.

kaileyky · Post by **kaileyky** » 25 Apr 2013, 15:59

I would rather get into a longer story but I have no difficulty reading short stories. As long as the story has substance I do not see the problem at all. The only thing I can not stand is a story that has errors. It distracts me when I come across typos and bad grammar especially when it is an ongoing issue. I have been reading books off Wattpad and you get a lot of that. You also get books that are written in first person. I just can not continue forward.

cgreen7090 · Post by **cgreen7090** » 26 Apr 2013, 07:59

I will read everything, no matter the length. But if I am going to invest very much money, I like thick books. That being said, Strunk&White's Elements of Style is one of the best little books out there and worth every penny. I just hate to say goodbye to good books, so I like them to last a long time when reading.

donniedarko · Post by **donniedarko** » 26 Apr 2013, 10:39

For the most part I read books with under 300 pages. I would still read books with more, but it's only if I have the time to do it. I own Leviathen (Hobbes) and that just seems like something I'll need to read when eventually I'll be on a hospital bed.

mkaynutty · Post by **mkaynutty** » 26 Apr 2013, 15:35

I'd say yes. If I'm really enjoying a book, it will completely consume me and I end up finishing it really fast. So I don't want a book with anything less than 300 pages because I'll be done in like a day and a half. Then I'll have to hunt for the next book to read.

kris281983 · Post by **kris281983** » 26 Apr 2013, 19:09

Myself personally the page count doesn't matter. It depends on the authors style of writing. As long as it keeps my interest I will read it. I don't care for short stories for the most part, however I have read some pretty good ones. I do see your point though, wanting to have something to look forward to sinking into.

yahr12 · Post by **yahr12** » 26 Apr 2013, 21:46

When I'm deciding on a book to read I generally don't care about their size, I'm a quick reader, ex. at five o'clock today I started a book from the Vampire Diaries series that was around 400 pgs. long and I finished it at around nine.

My only issue is like what some of you said about the character development, sometimes when it's a short novel the character won't be finely developed. Another issue I have is with some really long books, and I mean 500+ pgs., you'll get to the ending and then you find out that there's going to be a sequel, and I just get so annoyed with the whole thing, I read Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan and just couldn't but feel this overpowering sense of confusion, as I said to myself, "Third book in the series of all extremely thick novels and it leaves off with a giant cliffhanger, Why? Why couldn't there just be a happily ever after Rick?"

Anyway that's my take on the whole page numbers things, size doesn't turn me off, but bad writing and giant cliffhangers do, it's to bad you can't know about that before you start the book.

Mary El · Post by **Mary El** » 27 Apr 2013, 09:02

I agree I will read a novel with over 1000 pages but can't get in to short stuff.

lily-mack · Post by **lily-mack** » 27 Apr 2013, 22:08

I do not have any preference as to the number of pages...however, that being said, if a book is not interesting it doesn't matter the number of pages. One thing I do appreciate in a long book is that it has chapter or section breaks, so that I can always find a comfortable place to take a break from reading.

Cortney831 · Post by **Cortney831** » 28 Apr 2013, 22:09

Not at all. I take so much into consideration when choosing a book.

I do agree with you about short stories being a tease though!
If I feel like it looks like a good-long-plot, I expect all the pages to be there.

One the opposite note, if it looks interesting but not like it should include too much detail, I like it to be short and to the point. Nothing worse than a story that is ridiculously dragged out.

-- 28 Apr 2013, 23:10 --

lily-mack wrote:I do not have any preference as to the number of pages...however, that being said, if a book is not interesting it doesn't matter the number of pages. One thing I do appreciate in a long book is that it has chapter or section breaks, so that I can always find a comfortable place to take a break from reading.

Such a good point! I have to have those stopping points as well.

prettymuchbooks · Post by **prettymuchbooks** » 29 Apr 2013, 12:17

Yes, but only if a book is too short (let's say under 150 pages). That's because I worry about it not having enough story, but it depends because I real short books that were so much better than long ones. So, usually, if the book seems interesting to me I just read it.