Today's Booking Through Thursday question is:
Which do you prefer? Short stories? Or full-length novels?
Ah, a question where I don't have to be waffle-y. While I enjoy reading short stories every once in awhile, I prefer full length novels. I enjoy losing myself in the world that a novel creates, and I like the fact that it takes me awhile to get through a novel.
Everything else in life these days seems to occur in short, staccato bursts--texting, emails, even the way movies and TV are edited has changed to accommodate those with short attention spans. I like the pace of a novel--maybe because it's a pace I dictate!
How about you?
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11 comments:
Good answer! I like the connection you make with modern technology attention grabbers.
Here is mine on Rose City Reader.
I prefer full novels, over short stories. I think you can fully immerse yourself in the characters of full novels more than in short stories.
It depends on my mood. I can read both!
BTT: long and short of it
That's so true. But I've noticed even many novels are now presenting the plot in short bursts, jumping back and forth in space and time, and changing viewpoints. Whatever happened to just telling a story from beginning to end?
Here's my long and short of it.
Rose City Reader--watching my teenage son text, IM, videochat, listen to music and try to do homework at the same time is exhausting! I tell him that focus on one thing, instead of multi-tasking, is ultimately more efficient. He doesn't listen, though. Reading is his only down time!
Spangle--I agree, and I like to really get to know my characters!
gautami--I like short fiction, too, but I more often turn to longer novels...
jlshall--I agree, novels have changed, too. Everything is getting faster!
I have to agree. Full-length novels, almost exclusively. About the only time I will venture into a book of short stories is if a favorite author publishes one.
I really like both forms. I usually have three books going at once, and a collection of short stories in my purse is always great...I don't feel lost if I get interrupted.
I really enjoy Tim Winton (Australia) short stories: they have an interconnectedness that makes them more novel-like...you meet recurring characters or even children or other relatives of another character, and it's kind of cool.
At the same time, I adore a long, unravelling novel that lets me move in and stay awhile.
It's all good!
Amy
www.theblacksheepdances.com
I definitely prefer novels and at one point I would have said I didn't enjoy short stories much. Over the years I've grown to love short stories too but I'd say most of the time I still reach out for a novel first.
I feel the same way! I like short stories but I love the pace of a good novel!
Momlarky--I hear you--I'll definitely dip into short stories if by a favorite author!
Amy--I've only read one Tim Winton novel (Dirt Music) and I really liked it, so I'll have to check out his short stories. I also like interconnected stories--like Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout--I loved that book!
iliana--I also really enjoy short stories, though I think I'm the opposite of you in that I used to like them more when I was younger, and now reach for them less...I wonder if it's just about the limited time I have to read...
Ashley--exactly, I love the pace of a good novel, too!
Awesome blog you have hhere
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