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What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
Now that nearly all my time is leisure time, I need to structure my days to get certain things done. Yesterday, I spent the whole day reading. I finished a 589-page book! I haven’t read a book that long in years. “Great Circle” by Maggie Shipstead is an epic, multi-generational work of historical fiction with two main characters living in different times. My book group is discussing it soon, so I needed to finish it, and I did. (Patting myself on the back)
I used to read long books more often. I think everyone did. GenXers, remember “Evergreen” by Belva Plain? That was 698 pages long and we read it for fun – in high school. It was not unusual to have a huge bestseller in that page range.
Now, with the distraction of smart phones, I think it’s harder to get through a very long book. My diminished eye sight might be a factor too. Reading glasses get annoying after awhile.
I know many people like to listen to books now, which is a good option. My problem is that I fall asleep and have to rewind. If I turn actual pages, I know I won’t miss anything.
What do you think about 500+ page books? Do you still have the attention span to get through them? Are they even a thing for the TikTok generation?
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I enjoy some tomes as well, I read Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens last year, was dense at 875 pages, but a good book! I know some of the youth generation read some long fantasy books, and many are series, but I can never get into them.
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Wow! I’m impressed you read Dickens recently, Erica. True, I forget that some kids (not mine) loved those really long Harry Potter books. Thank for commenting.
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I have read many long epic type books. At the end of reading them, I usually want more . It is like parting ways with a friend. I still prefer actual physical books to the audio books.
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I remember that feeling of not wanting a really long book to end, but have not felt it recently. I’m with you on physical books vs audio, but I think the electronic versions might be a bit easier on my eyes. And wrists! Thanks for commenting!
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Ugh… reading glasses. I feel for you! I have 900 page book that I’ve stopped and started about three times. It can get a little bit intimidating. I will finish it someday, but I think I have to pick up on page 1 again.
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900 pages! I wouldn’t even attempt. Good for you for trying!
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It sits on my nightstand and taunts me to open it and give it another try!
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Lol, that’s funny. The Taunting Tome! Now I want to know the title. Is it a novel?
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After I spent my year living in Japan, I began reading Japanese authors (translated of course). I got hooked on Haruki Murakami. His storytelling is a little surreal but I’ve enjoyed it over the years. He’s developed a cult following and his books are translated in many languages. 1Q1984 is the monster book that’s waiting for me to read it. I should pick it up again now that I have a little time…
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I just read about him on Wikipedia. Looks interesting, thanks for sharing info.
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I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb – loved that long book!
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Oh yes, Sue, that was a good, long book! We read that for book club back in Canton – pre smart phone days. 😉
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