Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic

secretromancejunkie
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 11:05:49 GMT -7 Banana Boat and fangfan like this

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Post by secretromancejunkie on Nov 17, 2017 11:05:49 GMT -7

How do you like your romance? Do you prefer short stories, novella's, novels or epics?

I prefer the story to be at least 200 pages (of a printed book) but I find that anything over 500 generally starts to drag on.

My ideal is around 350 pages - 400 pages. Long enough to have some real substance but not so long that I've lost interest.

So .... what does everyone one else like?

tealadytoo
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 11:57:47 GMT -7 via mobile Banana Boat, secretromancejunkie, and 1 more like this

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Post by tealadytoo on Nov 17, 2017 11:57:47 GMT -7

It's generally mood driven, for me. 350 or so pages is what I usually gravitate towards. But if I'm tired or blue, I'll grab a Harlequin at around the 200 page mark, or a novella. (Especially holiday novellas, or those by authors who have mastered the novella length, like Courtney Milan, Carla Kelly, Mary Balogh, Jen Turano and Elizabeth Camden.)

The older I get, the less patience I have for the massive epic, unless it's something really special. Which is why I'm currently reading the 1248 page "Oathbringer".

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.

C. S. Lewis

agreads
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 12:38:56 GMT -7 Banana Boat and secretromancejunkie like this

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Post by agreads on Nov 17, 2017 12:38:56 GMT -7

I prefer novel or epic. I have read very few novellas that manage to impart enough character sketch for my tastes. I don't even bogther with anything under about 150 pages.

secretromancejunkie
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 13:18:59 GMT -7 Banana Boat likes this

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Post by secretromancejunkie on Nov 17, 2017 13:18:59 GMT -7

agreads & tealadytoo - yes agreed, the novella is something that not everyone can do right. I generally won't bother with anything less than 150-200 pages unless I know the author.

As to the epic though, I find that a story about just one couple is too much at epic length (say, longer than 600 pages). There has to be a whole lot going on other than their romance to hold up for that many pages.

I do like epic novels in other genres though (Pillars of the Earth for instance, or Lord of the Rings).

tealadytoo - if I remember correctly, you posted about Oathbringer under the thread about what you read when not reading romance, is that correct? Oathbringer is not a romance is it?

Banana Boat
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 13:19:08 GMT -7 secretromancejunkie likes this

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Post by Banana Boat on Nov 17, 2017 13:19:08 GMT -7

I prefer epic. For me there is nothing better than a really good epic story. One that is so good that even after 700-900 pages I want it to keep going. I'm another one who won't bother with anything under 150 pages. I want to sink my teeth into a good book and keep going.

"So many books, so little time"

Frank Zappa

secretromancejunkie Moderator Reading Promises Linger - Promises 1 - Sarah McCarty Posts: 2,184	Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 13:30:28 GMT -7 Banana Boat likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by secretromancejunkie on Nov 17, 2017 13:30:28 GMT -7 Hey Banana Boat, can you recommend a few of your very favourite epic romances. I'm very curious about them.

Banana Boat
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 13:56:34 GMT -7

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Post by Banana Boat on Nov 17, 2017 13:56:34 GMT -7

SRJ, The problem with epics is that there really aren't very many. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon is abut 850 pages and the rest in her series are about the same. I consider Fearless: The Complete Novel (Dartmoor Book 1) - Lauren Gilley to be an epic novel. James Michener wrote several of what I consider epic novels. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me - Mariana Zapata another epic. I know there most be more but I'm drawing a blank on the authors.

ETA -

Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell

The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough

The Winds of War - Herman Wouk

Shogun ( Asian Saga Book 1) - James Clavell

Roots: The Saga of an American Family - Alex Haley

Last Edit: Nov 17, 2017 14:09:31 GMT -7 by Banana Boat: eta

"So many books, so little time"

Frank Zappa

agreads Global Moderator Administrator Posts: 1,862	Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 14:07:25 GMT -7 Banana Boat likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by agreads on Nov 17, 2017 14:07:25 GMT -7 I love James Michener. I've read a bunch of his stuff.

Banana Boat Moderator Posts: 45,241 Member is Online	Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 14:11:10 GMT -7 agreads likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Banana Boat on Nov 17, 2017 14:11:10 GMT -7 I think Hawaii was my favorite.
	"So many books, so little time" Frank Zappa

tealadytoo
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 14:45:36 GMT -7 Banana Boat likes this

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Post by tealadytoo on Nov 17, 2017 14:45:36 GMT -7

Nov 17, 2017 13:18:59 GMT -7 secretromancejunkie said:

tealadytoo - if I remember correctly, you posted about Oathbringer under the thread about what you read when not reading romance, is that correct? Oathbringer is not a romance is it?

Correct. It's the third book in a projected 10 book epic fantasy series, "The Stormlight Archive". There is some romance in them, but it is not the focus

The Way of Kings (Volume 1)
Words of Radiance (Volume 2)
Oathbringer (Volume 3)

Volume 1 and 2 do go on sale occasionally. I got volume 1 for free, and volume 2 for $4.

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.

C. S. Lewis

kareni
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 17, 2017 22:48:21 GMT -7 Banana Boat likes this

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Post by kareni on Nov 17, 2017 22:48:21 GMT -7

I read and enjoy all lengths from short story to epics. I'm an avid re-reader, and I will admit that books such as those by R. Lee Smith books that require a huge commitment in time give me pause. I've read one and hope to read more (which I already own) but thirteen hours ....

Regards,
Kareni

bonnieg
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 19, 2017 10:06:59 GMT -7 Banana Boat and secretromancejunkie like this

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Post by bonnieg on Nov 19, 2017 10:06:59 GMT -7

I have read a few epic books that I enjoyed, like "Gone With the Wind, " for instance, that cover a lot of changes for the characters due to what's happening in the world around them. It's a great to experience what it must have been like to have lived during those times. Mostly just for pleasure reading, the novels I read seem to have around 300 pages or so. But I also like the shorter novella if done right like Mary Balogh often does. And even the short story like Sheri Cobb South wrote for the John Picket Mysteries like The Pickpocket Apprentice , that fill in info about the characters. I agree with kareni, though, reading something really long takes some thought. Although I did read all 3 books in "Lord of the Rings" and really enjoyed that.

Last Edit: Nov 19, 2017 10:09:55 GMT -7 by bonnieg

tealadytoo
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 19, 2017 14:05:18 GMT -7 secretromancejunkie likes this

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Post by tealadytoo on Nov 19, 2017 14:05:18 GMT -7

Just thought of another massive multi-generational saga I adored. And Ladies of the Club by Helen Hooven Santmyer. I've even reread it a time or two. I wish it would come out in a kindle edition. My paperback is getting pretty ratty.

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.

C. S. Lewis

Banana Boat Moderator Posts: 45,241 Member is Online	Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 19, 2017 16:05:40 GMT -7 secretromancejunkie likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Banana Boat on Nov 19, 2017 16:05:40 GMT -7 And Ladies of the Club - I loved that book and bought it in hardback when it first came out. Still have it on my keeper shelf.
	"So many books, so little time" Frank Zappa

fangfan
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic Nov 20, 2017 19:17:44 GMT -7 agreads and secretromancejunkie like this

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Post by fangfan on Nov 20, 2017 19:17:44 GMT -7

Very few authors can write a novella length story and do both the plot and the characters justice. The average category romance, such as a Harlequin Presents, is about the shortest length book I'm willing to read. On the other hand, I don't really care for romances that fall into the long, sweeping epic category, but I love those kind of books when it comes to science fiction and fantasy.

I also don't usually care for romance series, especially if the individual books end in real cliffhangers, but I'll happily dive right into well written fantasy or science fiction series. I'm more tolerant of cliffhangers in those kind of books as well, but I really prefer that each book tell a complete story, even if the overall story arc is continued throughout the series.

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
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Story Length - Short & Sweet or Sweeping Epic

Post by secretromancejunkie on Nov 17, 2017 11:05:49 GMT -7

Post by tealadytoo on Nov 17, 2017 11:57:47 GMT -7

Post by agreads on Nov 17, 2017 12:38:56 GMT -7

Post by secretromancejunkie on Nov 17, 2017 13:18:59 GMT -7

Post by Banana Boat on Nov 17, 2017 13:19:08 GMT -7

Post by secretromancejunkie on Nov 17, 2017 13:30:28 GMT -7

Post by Banana Boat on Nov 17, 2017 13:56:34 GMT -7

Post by agreads on Nov 17, 2017 14:07:25 GMT -7

Post by Banana Boat on Nov 17, 2017 14:11:10 GMT -7

Post by tealadytoo on Nov 17, 2017 14:45:36 GMT -7

Post by kareni on Nov 17, 2017 22:48:21 GMT -7

Post by bonnieg on Nov 19, 2017 10:06:59 GMT -7

Post by tealadytoo on Nov 19, 2017 14:05:18 GMT -7

Post by Banana Boat on Nov 19, 2017 16:05:40 GMT -7

Post by fangfan on Nov 20, 2017 19:17:44 GMT -7