Book Talk: Do Pages Matter?

Friday 14 November 2014


I don't know about you, but I am an obsessive page checker when I read. How many pages are in this book? How long is this chapter? How many more pages until I finish? Those are all questions I find myself asking almost constantly when I read. My question to you is: do you do the same?

I have been told numerous times whilst reading that it's odd to constantly check page numbers, that it makes reading less enjoyable, and that I'm one of few who does it. I still continue to do it, and it seems it has become a habit that I can't break, because I just need to know how many pages I have left. It's become a bit obsessive, if I'm being totally honest, and I've found that I can't relax and properly enjoy a book unless I check. Some would argue that this defeats the point of reading for enjoyment, but it's something that's very important to me. Why, I don't know. It just is.

But what I want to know is: am I alone in this? Do other readers care about the number of pages in their books? If yes, do they become obsessive about it and constantly check, like I do? In short: do pages matter?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

10 comments:

  1. OH I thought I was alone in this, I tend to get pretty obsessive with the pages too and I can relate to you so much. Like, if I start a chapter I need to see how many pages I have left until the chapter finishes. I have to see how many pages are left! And it doesn't necessarily mean I'm not enjoying the book or anything. I really am. But like you said, it's become a sort of habit so it's heart to break. I'm so happy to know I'm not the only one!

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    1. That exactly how I feel! Except I also tend to get uncomfortable starting a chapter if I don't check the pages first, which I guess is really pathetic and obsessive. I just can't stop though. I'm glad I'm not alone though!

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  2. I check the number of pages constantly. It's borderline obsessive. I don't think it ruins the enjoyment of a book, I think it helps the reader set timely goals so one can read as much as possible.

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    1. I agree with you on setting goals. Especially if I've only got half an hour before I need to leave for college and the next chapter is over 40 pages long and the story isn't particularly fast to read.

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  3. I didn't even consider that my page checking was even weird until I read this. Wow I thought everyone did it. I always check page length, how many pages I've read how many until the next chapter etc It doesn't ruin the experience for me at all I like doing it.

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    1. Personally, I don't find checking weird at all, but most people I've spoken to/mentioned it to in real life think it is and say that they don't bother. I like doing it too because I like to see how much progress I've made with the book.

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  4. I also do it but it never occured to me that it's weird or something like that. It's just a habit I developed over the time ... I mostly check how long I have left in a chapter and it's a goal I'm working towards then. For example, how long it takes me to finish it - it's actually more fun then! :)

    Btw, I just discovered your blog because you commented at Prescription Fiction! Your blog is really lovely and I'm following you now! :D

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    1. I can't even remember when I started doing it, it's just always been something I do. I agree though, making goals of reading chapters was fun, and it helped me read in a timely manner (like I'd let myself read 2 chapters before bed so that I didnt stay up too late).

      Thank you! Do you have a blog at all? :)

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    2. Exactly! Although that mostly didn't work with me ... then I'll read another chapter and another one and before I even know it's already 2am. :D

      I have one, yes! It's also a book blog - A world between folded pages :)

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    3. Oh dear! But sometimes books are just too good to put down so reading until the early hours is something you have to do.

      Ooh, I'll definitely go check it out! :D

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