2023 is the year I will read more from my stack of BIG books (aka "chunksters"). I don't know why I avoid them; so many of my favorites fall into this category. The books in the photo are all over 500 pages, and while some may take weeks to read, I have a feeling that I'll zip through a few of them. I'm already on a roll, as I'm currently reading Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher (936 pages). I'm also rereading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (603 pages). Both stories are holding my interest and I know that I'll be sorry to say goodbye to the main characters once I finish. Now to decide which one to read next. I'm leaning toward Stones from the River since it's been in my bookcase the longest.
My motto is "one page at a time." Of course, I read more than a few pages of a big book once I settle down, with frequent breaks and pauses, lol.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good motto, Harvee. There's just something wonderful about immersing yourself in a big book. I'm almost finished with Coming Home and I'm really going to miss the characters!
DeleteI want to do the same. I've read one 500 pager so far this year, although that's not really 'that' long. Sadly, I didn't like the book but there you go, you can't have everything. The plan is to try and read a dozen or so really long books that have been on my tbr pile for yonks. The Count of Monte Cristo, Our Mutual Friend to name a couple.
ReplyDeleteCath, it's hard to quit a book that you've invested a lot of time in, isn't it? I'm hoping to read on big book each month, but we'll see how that goes. I have so many new books that are calling to me, as well. Maybe a more realistic goal would be to alternate months. Good luck with your reading and thanks for visiting!
DeleteHuh - I don’t recall Life After Life being a long book! Loved it. I also enjoyed The Nix and I recall it being fun. -Care Books & Pie
ReplyDeleteCare, the paperbook of Life After Life has 529 pages. Glad to know that you loved it!
DeleteI like fat books but in the last few years I prefer them on a Kindle format. Loved Billy Summers and Coming Home is one of my favorites of all time. Rose Code was good too, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteTiina, I read Stephen King's 11/22/63 on my Nook and was happy to have that format for reading in bed. I'm almost finished with Coming Home, which is my favorite by Pilcher, and will go on my all-time favorite list. It's such a great story and I'm going to miss Judith and all her friends and family. I really don't want it to end! Glad to know that Billy Summers and The Rose Code are good reads, too.
DeleteI used to not mind chunksters but in the past couple of years I've really been avoiding them which is ridiculous really. A Fine Balance is such an amazing book isn't it? I'm very curious about Barbara Kingsolver's latest that's for sure! I read Stones From the River ages ago and remember loving it back then but very hazy memories of it now. Always have been meaning to read more by Ursula Hegi! Enjoy the chunksters and look forward to hearing how your project is going.
ReplyDeleteIliana, I've avoided them for far too long. I may only read one every other month, but we'll see how it goes. I'm loving A Fine Balance again. I'm sorry I missed my book group discussion about it (which was the reason for the re-read), but I'm glad it gave me the nudge to pick it up again. I remember hearing such great things about Stones From the River, but know nothing about it. Nice to go into it blind.
DeleteI've read Rose Code, Billy Summer, and Stones from the River and all were excellent. You are in for a treat!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about all the books, Helen. I should check out my audiobook library, too, but maybe I'll go with short listens so I can have more to blog about. My posts are dwindling!
DeleteThat's an interesting Quote. When did Wolf say that? I think I read Stones From the River long ago as well as the Rose Code last year. But of these I'd particularly like to read Lincoln Highway and The Nix which I've had on my shelf for too long. But who knows when I'm going to get to these though. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI read Wolf's quote in an article about concentration tips (Concentration Tips: How to Focus Like It's 1990).
DeleteI just finished my two current "chunksters" and am moving on to a couple of lighter reads (or at least shorter), before I dive into the next big book. I think my first of the latter will be The Lincoln Highway. I was so eager to read it when it first came out, so I'm not sure why it's still on my TBR shelf. I need to read it before it comes out in paperback. I've bought far too many hardcovers only to have them languish...
As a book blogger it works better if I read shorter books that I can quickly review but I MUCH prefer to be immersed in a chunkster. I love to spend time with a book as long as the characters and plot work for me.
ReplyDeleteA Little Life is amazing but if you read it, save it for last because I was so affected by it that it derailed my reading for FOUR months.
Ti, I'm pretty good about reviewing books as soon as I finish, but with the longer books, my blog goes a little bit quiet. My Friday "Looking Back" posts help, and I'm hoping to start adding some travel posts again this year. I do so enjoy spending a long time with a good, long saga!
DeleteGlad to hear that A Life Life is worthwhile, but I'll have to plan accordingly. Definitely not one to read near the holidays, right?
I have several big books on my shelves (we both have A Little Life) and I, like you, tend to avoid them. I did make a promise to myself to read down my shelves this year, so we'll see if I read and review these big books or simply try them and pass them on.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I'm going to try to read one a month, but if it turns out that they take more than three weeks, I'll probably alternate months in order to read some of my shorter books. Like you, I'll try them and if they aren't working for me, I'll pass them on.
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