I Hate Long Books, But I Really Want to Read These | Top Ten Tuesday

Ok, “hate” might be a strong word to use. I just prefer books that are shorter because they’re way less intimidating and I’m able to move on to a new book fairly quickly. Anything that’s over 500 pages, I consider loooong. However when I do muster up the time and courage to read a very long book, I’m always left extremely satisfied, and weirdly enough, wanting more. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt has to do with the longest books we’ve read but since I honestly don’t have enough of those to share, I though I’d break down the longest books on my TBR instead. Sound good? Let’s start.

Longest Books on My TBR

1. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

No matter how much I adored Outlander, I still get intimidated when I look over and see Dragonfly in Amber on my shelf. I’ve been wanting to pick it up for a while now, but since I didn’t read it this summer when I had a lot of free time I don’t think I’ll be picking it up until winter or next summer. I’m really looking forward to reading it though because I’ll finally be able to watch Season 2 of the TV show adaption (it’s the best thing ever, go watch it!).

2. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

It is in moments like these that I question my sanity when I chose to study English Literature at university. I have to read this almost-1000-page book by Friday next week. The audiobook is around 36 hours long but if I read it on triple speed it’s only 12 hours, right??? I did buy a really pretty edition that has illustrations to help distract me from the fact it’s 1000 PAGES LONG.

3. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

I began this book years ago but for some reason I just never finished it? I completely forgot what it is about but if I was once interested in it I’m sure it’s worth to try and read it again. This is going to be a 7 book series so I feel like I have pretty good odds of catching up before they’re all published (probably not but I can dream).

4. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

I mean doesn’t everyone need to read this at least once before they die? It’s such a big classic but even so I cannot begin to imagine what it’s about. Like does anyone really know the plot because I’ve never heard the synopsis anywhere (conspiracy theory: War and Peace is just 1300 pages of blank space).

5. The Diviners by Libba Bray

I’ve been hearing about this series again after such a long time. I don’t have the clearest idea of what it’s about but I do know it’s set in the 1920s in New York and has great representation + supernatural elements and what more could I want? The only thing that drives me crazy is that they changed the covers so many times! The UK covers were absolutely atrocious but now we’ve got slightly better ones. I’d just like a word with the person who decided to throw the beautiful cover above out the window :)))

6.Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Tolstoy makes a reappearance! This is actually the book I’m more likely to read by him. I’ve watched the trailer for the movie adaptation with Keira Knightley years ago but it made me want to read the book really badly. Can Keira Knightley just star in all classic adaptations please? But I seriously want to try and read more classic Russian authors like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky because I’ve heard they’re some of the best.

7. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I was never interested in reading this book until one day I just was? I’ve been hearing good things about this series non-stop lately and I’m just intrigued by the unique storytelling method.  I’ve read a book by Amie Kaufman before and I just recently bought Nevernight by Jay Kristoff so I have no doubt I’ll enjoy Illuminae no matter how daunting it currently seems.

8. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

I love historical fiction novels that merge politics with literature and this family epic of a South Korean family living in Japan seems like something I would immediately devour. I actually met the author today and hearing her talk about the book made me want to read it even more. I have a feeling it might become a new favourite of mine once I get to it and I am so excited.

9. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

I don’t think I’ve ever picked up an adult fantasy series but if I ever chose to, the Mistborn series will be my first choice. I think this might be one of the more “mainstream” fantasy series that even non-fans like me would know and enjoy. My sister is currently reading this one so she’ll probably be able to tell me if this 7 book series is worth the commitment.

10. Middlemarch by George Eliot

Again, why did I do this to myself? Kids, don’t do English Lit at university. I’m excited to finally read something by George Eliot but I’ve heard this book is quite overwhelming and pretentious so I’m a bit apprehensive. However, I’ll be discussing and dissecting it in class so I think I’ll be able to get the hang of it…otherwise I don’t know how I hope to graduate lol.

What’s the longest book you’ve read? What’s the longest book on your TBR? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? Do you prefer shorter or longer books? Let’s chat in the comments ♥ 

As always, if you did this week’s prompt, feel free to link it and I’ll check it out!

P.S- Sorry if this post is kind of incoherent, I wrote it at 4am when I was a complete discombobulated mess. #unilife