Long books are some of the most rewarding reading, but they can easily feel intimidating, especially when looking at hundreds (or thousands) of pages. Long books, a classic literary masterpiece, or epic fantasy series take patience, strategy, and the right mindset to tackle.
In this guide, you’ll find actionable tips for successfully tackling long books, a curated list of the best ones to read, and advice for overcoming the common hurdles that arise when reading large volumes of text.
So before we leap to the strategies for how to read long books, let’s take a moment to acknowledge why people pick up these hefty tomes in the first place. Shorter works certainly have their place, but long books offer something that nothing else does:
In-depth immersion: Long books lend themselves to more complex plot arcs that can introduce fully formed characters and immersive world-building. Spend time with a book. The more you’re immersed in that universe.
Deeper character development: In regards to character development, long books allow for longer character arcs and more exploration of backstories, which can create a more complete and satisfying reading experience.
Insights: Longer books often pay off more in insights. Be it a shock twist, a poignant ending, or the sense of achievement in completing something - the length allows for complex narratives, many of them visceral and rewarding.
Intellectual challenge: Reading a big book is always a workout for the mind. It keeps you mentally active for longer periods of time, takes you to other worlds, and fine-tunes your attention to detail.
Approaching long books is a different skill than plowing through shorter novels. Here are some strategies for successfully tackling long reads:
At first, reading hundreds of pages can be intimidating, but chunking the book into smaller sections can help. Read a few pages or chapters daily and set a target for it. For example, if you read 20-30 pages every day, then in a month, you can complete a 600-page book. By breaking it down into shorter stretches, the whole thing does not seem as daunting.
Consistency was one of the keys to finishing long books. Aim for a daily or weekly target of reading and trying a new recipe. Don’t be tempted to hurry through the book, but rather endeavor to read it slowly and progressively. Follow these little milestones as you progress through the book: Getting through a chapter, a part, a specific page count, etc.
Reading as part of your daily routine will also help with the big books. Whether you like to read at the crack of dawn, on your lunch break, or before bed, set aside time every day for just reading. Creating a routine will allow you to spend time on progress without half-assing things.
It can be easy to forget plotlines, character developments, or details as you read longer books. Jotting down your thoughts or marking passages of the story can help you remain engaged and retain moments from the plot. If you don’t want to mark up your book, create a notebook where you can write your summaries, reflections or questions while you read.
Long books also come with distractions that can distract you from what you are doing. This is your reading time and it deserves your full attention. Silence your phone, sign out of social media and immerse yourself fully into the book, allowing yourself to read without interruption.
Think about what format works best for you. Other readers report that e-books or audiobooks help them tackle the length of long books. Audiobooks especially, are a great way to get in good progress while driving, working out, or cleaning. Or, if you’re more visually inclined, a physical book might help because it’ll be easier to see how much you’ve accomplished as you flip to the next page.
If staying motivated is a problem for you, a way out could be joining a book club or talking about the book with one of your friends. Exchange your thoughts with other people while also reading the same long book to spark new insights, keep you committed, and make the act of reading more fun.
When reading long books, interest is the whole thing. If you have no idea what you want to read, find a book that excites you, whether that be in the genre you like to read most or in a subject that you feel passionate about. The more you care about the story the easier it will be to keep going.
If you’re prepared to dive into longer literature, these are some of the best long books to consider. Not only are these books fully immersive, but they are also well-read, beloved by readers for their compelling storylines and juxtaposition of worlds:
“War and Peace,” by Leo Tolstoy: Widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time, “War and Peace” is a textbook example of a heavyweight tome that’s worth the effort. Limber up for it. It’s more than 1,200 pages long, but it will take you through Russian history, Russian culture, Russian words, and the human experience of the Napoleonic Wars.
“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien: This epic fantasy series is a genre staple for the loves of adventure and world-building. More than 1,000 pages of Middle-earth combined in a masterful trilogy, played by epic characters and mythical landscapes.
Victor Hugo, “Les Misérables”: Another classic, Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” is a sweeping tale of justice, redemption and love in post-revolutionary France. It’s a long read, but each character and storyline hits hard and adds weight to the themes.
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace: With its elaborate narrative structure and intellectual complexities, “Infinite Jest” is an undertaking for even experienced readers. An exploration of addiction, entertainment, and the human condition in modern society, this novel is a multi-dimensional read spanning more than 1,000 pages.
"The Stand" by Stephen King: For fans of dystopian fiction and horror, Stephen King’s “The Stand” is a gripping and expansive book about a post-apocalyptic world. Spanning more than 1,100 pages, the novel charts a showdown between good and evil in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a deadly plague.
These are only a handful of good long books that are rewarding to read. So, no matter if you lean to classic literature, fantasy, or modern fiction, there’s a long book waiting for you in that area.
If there is bliss in reading long books, it is marred by certain common problems. Here's how to overcome them:
Halfway through a book, especially a long one where the pacing slows down, it’s easy to lose steam. If you’re in a slump, you can take a short break or read something else for a bit. Sometimes it helps to come back and see it with fresh eyes.
Most long books have multiple characters, complicated subplots, or time jumps. If you’re having a hard time following, go look back at your notes, summaries, or character lists. Just like re-reading a portion may help you clear a confusion.
Yet life is busy, and squeezing in time to read can be challenging. But the thing is if you can find little pockets of time throughout your day — on your commute or on your lunch breaks— you can make progress without requiring long, uninterrupted blocks of reading time.
So, if you’re gearing up to pick up some of the greatest long books in the canon or are just wondering how to read long books more efficiently, hang in there and don’t give up. Longer reads may involve more commitment, but the pleasure and fulfillment you will find at the end of everything will be worth it. Happy reading!
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