Why you should never be afraid of big books

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 27 янв 2025

Комментарии • 136

  • @NerdishlyActive
    @NerdishlyActive 2 месяца назад +28

    In my experience, the longest books I’ve read have usually been the most memorable and most rewarding.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +4

      I agree! More to chew on. More to immerse myself in. More depth!

  • @sirbenticles8952
    @sirbenticles8952 2 месяца назад +13

    The way I see it, I'll be reading for the rest of my life. Because I've got nothing but time, it doesn't really matter how long a book is.

  • @Twiceborn_by_grace
    @Twiceborn_by_grace 2 месяца назад +15

    I never thought I’d see/hear you look into your coffee cup and say “Ugh!” I hope you get well soon, my friend.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +3

      There are coffee shops where I have had truly some of the worst coffee. And sometimes at home if I don't make it right...
      However the beans I used were from like July... Super old roast. Tasted bland.
      Getting better! Back to work finally. Taste and smell is barley there. Hope you are well!

    • @Twiceborn_by_grace
      @Twiceborn_by_grace 2 месяца назад +2

      @@Thomas.R.Howell I’m liking this video. Since im a slower reader, I actually like bigger books more. When I read a bigger book, it’s easier into cut myself some slack if it takes me a month or more to finish.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +3

      @@Twiceborn_by_grace Exactly! And sometimes a small book is just too short for me. Leaves me wanting more. With big books I can sit in it. Just relax and get immersed.

  • @BarryPLAYz
    @BarryPLAYz 2 месяца назад +3

    Book lengths don’t scare me, but I do pay attention to the chapter length before sitting down to read. I want to make sure I can get through that chunk of the book.
    Talking about long series, I’m on book 23 of the Saga of Recluce. The author is still pumping out books. I took a break to binge the murderbot diaries earlier this year. I’m on another break to read red rising. Long series are great but I’ve spent the past 2 years reading only that series and I needed to mix it up.

  • @markymarkeaton
    @markymarkeaton 2 месяца назад +4

    I’m just trying to get into the Malazan series and needed a video like this. I’ve read 1000+ page books but never a series where most of the books are over 1000-1200 pages 😅

  • @asiangsus
    @asiangsus 2 месяца назад +2

    currently reading the first book of the mistborn era 1 trilogy and i am really enjoying it! i’m only 200 pages in but i get excited every time i pick the book up. i’ve heard a lot of good things about this series and ‘the cosmere’ in general so i can’t wait to get into the rest of the books.

  • @Omnidragon00
    @Omnidragon00 2 месяца назад +1

    While some people prefer phyiscal books over eReaders, one thing I love about my Kindle is that it tells me how many minutes it may take to finish a chapter. I know the point of reading isn't to speedrun a story but it helps motivate me to build a daily reading habit. If a chapter only takes 20 minutes to finish, I just need to dedicate 20 minutes a day to read! Often, this hooks me because suddenly I see the next chapter also has 20 minutes so I think "eh, I can spare 20 more minutes"

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Love this perspective. I rarely use my E reader. Usually when I want to read at night and not wake my wife up with my light. Or when I travel because its so easy to put in my bag. Big books can seem like a breeze on an e reader especially with that time tracking ability it has. VERY useful.
      I still prefer physical books big time!

  • @jesamavi
    @jesamavi 2 месяца назад +3

    Aaaah yes, perfect time for my morning coffe

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      This makes me smile. So happy to be a part of your morning routine!

  • @steffikreis2030
    @steffikreis2030 2 месяца назад +1

    My number one reading goal for 2025 is tackling some of those long books i’ve been wanting to read for years. I know I’ll love at least some of them. The past few years I have been focusing on reading as many books/stories as possible because life feels so short compared to all the good stories out there (and as a result I mostly read books under 400 pages). But finding a new favourite is always worth the time.

  • @AOTSismyhero
    @AOTSismyhero 4 дня назад

    It was the weirdest thing when I got first round Covid in 2020. Made my coffee taste like hot chocolate! Lasted about a week of that

  • @marnieholdsworthgreen8449
    @marnieholdsworthgreen8449 2 месяца назад

    I’m currently reading a book that is about 330 pages long. The last book I read was almost 600. However, I read that previous book within September, and I have been reading my current 330-page book since the start of October. I’ve been reading it for longer, even though it is significantly shorter than the long book I read in September. And that’s because the book I read in September was a new fantasy novel, with incredibly fast plot-pacing and that meant I got through more pages in a sitting. Whereas this current book is a classic (it’s one of Thomas Hardy’s), which by nature takes longer to digest and I only usually read about 10-15 pages per sitting, max. Sometimes I read two.
    So the length of a book is almost null, one could say, if you don’t consider the content. So I completely agree than long books shouldn’t scare you off. Especially not if they are plot-driven and fast-paced, as is often the case with huge fantasy novels. Granted, big classics like War and Peace or Anna Karenina do take some consideration, but when the time is right these things have a way of not feeling so daunting to read. I loved Anna Karenina, and I also have loved numerous little 80-page books and short plays. I think variety is important, and choosing books with a variety of lengths is a fun way to train yourself in digesting different styles of writing and novel-construction 😊
    P.S. I probably speak for a good few people when I say that the quality and tone of your videos is excellent - take as much time between them as you need to create what feels right for you; don’t feel any pressure to be churning out videos upon videos if it takes the heart, creativity and enjoyment out of it!!

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      I lobe your points! And totally agree with you. A book like Name of the Wind for example (my favorite book) is like 750 pages. It flows like a hot knife through butter. I know I could read it in week but I took my time with it because I didn't want it to end!
      Thank you so much for your encouragement. it means a lot. I get hard on myself when it comes to my work. Same goes with this channel. Your words help so much. Thank you thank you!

  • @Shubham-hk6yf
    @Shubham-hk6yf 2 месяца назад

    5:43 currently reading golden son and pierce brown and Piranesi by Susana Clarke

  • @andrewmichel7773
    @andrewmichel7773 2 месяца назад

    Man, trilogies are so awesome. Which is absolutely what the stormlight archives should have been.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Trilogies are so nice. I think its pretty crazy that I haven't really read a trilogy yet. Either stand alone or series.

  • @saipraneeth739
    @saipraneeth739 2 месяца назад +2

    I actually have the exact opposite problem. I always buy big books, I don't know whether it's because I get more story for almost the same money or because I want to keep attached to a story for as long as I can but yeah I'm starting to read shorter ones too these days. Lol. Great vid btw.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      YES! Same! I love big books because shorter books just make me want more.

  • @virginiajb
    @virginiajb 2 месяца назад

    I'm currently rereading Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson in preparation for the next book in the series that will be published next month. For me a book that is 1.000 + pages is just a normal length now. I know that most people is afraid of these long books but for me they are the best and most rewarding!

  • @jaylytical2271
    @jaylytical2271 2 месяца назад +1

    Currently on a break from fiction right now and reading atomic habits and sapiens during my breaks between study sessions. Hope you get better soon bro, taking care of yourself is super important. Something that I myself have been trying to improve on

  • @Rickdegraaf
    @Rickdegraaf 2 месяца назад

    Always a pleasure watching you talk, Thomas. Sometimes it is the looking back that made reading the book worthwhile. For me, a big book just means I get to live in that world a little longer. Yesterday I started with the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake. I have this feeling that I get to go on another journey. Apparently Mervyn Peake demented quickly and died early causing him to never finish the series. This is going to be something special.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm honored to have people who genuinely enjoy watching me talk. I love that point. Living in that world a little longer. I hold to that as well. Makes me appreciate the Wheel of Time that much more.

  • @mrwhale7351
    @mrwhale7351 2 месяца назад

    For some reason I'll fly through a huge book and struggle with shorter ones at times. I think Wheel of Time changed my perspective on long books, everything else seems like light read lol (except malazan). I spent a week reading a 257 page book recently and it felt a lot longer than when I read Red Rising in two weeks. Usually I'll remember books that are longer and that I take longer with better.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      exactly! Same! WoT has just changed how I look at other books.

  • @davidpaterson1203
    @davidpaterson1203 2 месяца назад

    Watched a couple of your videos now mate and they have resonated with me. I have been reading books constantly since Roald Dahl when i was maybe 7, and I'm 43 now. In recent years though i do feel I've gotten into a bit of a rut of shortish easy books and then onto the next. Part of me wonders if this is because we often look for the next dopamine hit or new thing these days. My first love was always fantasy and i reckon your videos are going to inspire me to just relax and commit to a couple of journeys - LOTR and Wheel of Time. I reckon it would be quite a cathartic reading exercise for me and I've never actually read past book 4 of WOT and that was 20 years ago. Bit of a ramble but thanks for the video and hope the channel grows mate 👍

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      David! Wow so happy our paths have crossed! Love hearing your reading journey. I totally get it. We all hit those reading ruts in life. And I think it is always a healthy idea to shift to a bit more of a slower pace when it comes to reading. And why NOT start with Wheel of Time?! A grand epic journey of 14 books well worth reading if you love slow and natural storytelling and world building and some of the most dynamic characters/development. You will learn to appreciate the little things in this series. It'll make the big things that much more impactful.
      Excited for you!

  • @tachycardic3445
    @tachycardic3445 2 месяца назад +2

    loving the vids man! channel is growing fast

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Thank you so much! I'm happy where it's at. Got a nice intimate community to talk books with! Scared if it gets any bigger haha

  • @no.one.to.be.
    @no.one.to.be. 5 дней назад

    Just started wizard and glass. I have read the first three dark tower novels and really liked them. The 840 pages of wizard and glass scared me a little at first. I think it's just fomo/fear of missing out. Imagine how many books you don't get to read while you are reading this thick monster of a book. But then again, why hurry? If I enjoy the book, it should't matter if it takes a month or two to finish.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  5 дней назад +1

      @@no.one.to.be. what a great point! Seriously. After wheel of time I know I’ll be reading shorter books but I’m excited to read those massive stand alone books like the Stand or IT. Knowing it’s a self contained story. But also enjoying the journey within not rushing to get to the next book or feel like I’m missing out of other books!

  • @booksbeerhorror753
    @booksbeerhorror753 2 месяца назад

    I love long books. Most of my favorites are 600+ pages. I am currently finishing book 3 in the First Law series, the Last Argument of Kings.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      me too! Ugh I hear amazing things about that trilogy!

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Very much like Michael Scott would say "Read it? I own it! But no I have not read it." My first law trilogy sits somewhere in my closet lol

  • @strizy
    @strizy 2 месяца назад

    I don't think it's so much that I'm "scared" of a long book, but I just feel like there are other books I want to read that are shorter first so I don't feel overwhelmed when I do pick up a 700-1000 page book and feel like I need to get to my other books asap

  • @SamReadsAndWatches
    @SamReadsAndWatches 2 месяца назад

    I am currently reading the 9th and final book in The Expanse series. It's been quite a journey and I am excited to get some answers on questions that started from the first book. I'm also going to be sad having to say goodbye to the characters in the book. I've followed their lives for decades, in story. It's been so good. Amazing hard sci-fi with massive events which doesn't lose track of the humans experiencing the events. I think it's really great that, the massive events happen, but every step towards a resolution in it is small and has to build up to the result.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      I've heard of this series. Though I am not a sci-fi fan I can relate to reading a big series and feeling sad that I am at the end! You get so attached to the characters and world that you never want it to end. Excited for you to finish that journey!

    • @SamReadsAndWatches
      @SamReadsAndWatches 2 месяца назад

      @@Thomas.R.Howell Yes! It honestly feels like I've been through an entire different life with these characters. I feel connected to them and I'm invested in their well-being. Such an amazing experience!

  • @Chloe__Andrew05
    @Chloe__Andrew05 2 месяца назад

    I hope you and your wife feel better soon Thomas. I agree coffee taste wrong when you are ill. Get a nice peppermint or camomile tea will be so much better or better yet a hot chocolate! I have been an avid reader for 15 years but in the last 2 years I find myself avoiding reading books more than 400 pages long and yet the biggest books I’ve read still live with me. It’s so stupid, i have two weeks until I give birth, I might just pick up a long one and give myself grace to finish it rather than rushing it. Wonderful video, very well worded. Keep them coming 😊

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Oh thank you so much for the kind words. I have been drinking lots of tea! It's hit the spot.
      Congratulations on this amazing chapter of life. Giving birth. Whatever book you choose I hope you enjoy the journey!

  • @huntercooper6273
    @huntercooper6273 2 месяца назад

    @ your videos really help me thank you I’m in the middle of misery and after I want to read IT Which has like 3 times the pages you really give me the motivation to read it you’re right about counting the pages will ruin the book, reading should be about not wanting the pages to end because you’re so lost in the story. Thank you again for your videos they help a lot more people than just me

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      So happy that I can provide any bit of encouragement! How are you liking misery? It's probably my favorite King book so far.

    • @huntercooper6273
      @huntercooper6273 2 месяца назад

      @ sorry for the late reply. I finished misery!! It was so good the feeling of putting it on my shelf once I’m done reading is such a good feeling like I completed a project. Annie Wilkes is really something different than any other villain type person I see she feels so scarily real. Since then my Stephen king collection has expanded I’ve been going to thrift stores and local book shops and picking up any I can see and now I am starting to read The Shining I’m so excited!

  • @bastiphantasti1485
    @bastiphantasti1485 2 месяца назад

    Now reading the green mile stephen King. I found it at my dads bookshelf. Its very old and its split up in 6 small books (each 100 pages). I am currently at book 4 and i really like this format and book

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      That's awesome! is this the short story collection within Different Seasons?

  • @Yorkshire.Caviar
    @Yorkshire.Caviar 2 месяца назад

    I definitely feel wary before starting a long book, possibly because I’m scared of taking on a big commitment. I also hate starting a book only to discover - at the very end - that it’s part of a series that hasn’t been finished yet. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy a long read or series, it’s more that I have to be mentally prepared ready for the undertaking!

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      I totally get that! Wheel of Time was a big commitment but I am so grateful to be where I am at today in the series!

  • @thegreatwaugh
    @thegreatwaugh 2 месяца назад

    Great video! I can't wait to start the Wheel of Time. I'm reading through several series, but at a good pace. Essentially, just cycling through books in a series, so I don't get burnt out.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Dude cannot wait to hear your thoughts!

  • @ice5010
    @ice5010 2 месяца назад

    I literally finished Salem's Lot 20 minutes ago. And this video came up. Cool coincidence

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Love the timing! I am actually posting my review of it tomorrow. What did you think of it?

    • @ice5010
      @ice5010 2 месяца назад

      @Thomas.R.Howell without writing spoilers for people reading comments - i loved it as much as I was told I would. The last 30 pages leading up to the epilogue were actually some of my favorite pages I've read by King. The part with Jimmy and the stairs threw me (IYKYK), I dont think im in a minority here, but I loved Mark as a character. King always hits the young characters so well. And the way he developed Ben was amazing to me. I wasn't a fan of him at first but the more we learn about his past, the more empathy we get for him as he is continually surrounded by more and more loss.
      All around i loved it

  • @sethtopper700
    @sethtopper700 2 месяца назад

    My nigthstand usually has a stack of books instead of single one. Currently reading Ruin book 3 of the Faithful and the Fallen and slowly taking bites from Montaigne's Complete Essays.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Love it! I usually have one book which is the current one I am reading. Just so I don't potentially book hop. But I also sometimes have a more practical/non-fiction book there too.

  • @kaylapagan1802
    @kaylapagan1802 2 месяца назад

    I’m rereading Words of Radiance, getting a lot more out of it , I just love this world Brandon Sanderson has created in the Stormlight Archive series. I’m not a huge Cosmere fan, I read Mistborn and didn’t continue bc I didn’t like it. I loved Elantris, his first book that he wrote, which many people don’t care for. But I keep coming back to Stormlight.
    Big books to scare me.. I have several on my bookshelf that I haven’t started yet. Stormlight really was the biggest book I picked up and I picked it up because I want the challenge. So I’m sure other longs books are great but idk if I’ll ever get to any others lol , Mom of a toddler doesn’t have much time to read, that’s why I go back to the worlds I already know and love😊
    Thank you for your videos, I truly appreciate the slower pacing of your videos and the topics you choose.
    I tend to skip the “why you need to read this”, “monthly end books review”, blah blah. So when RUclips brought up your videos in my feed I was thankful for the conversation type videos. Thank you. Hope you and your wife feel better soon

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      This is awesome. Thank you for sharing this! I can totally relate to coming back to something that is familiar and cozy. I haven't tried his Stormlight yet, but it is on my radar.
      I think that is another reason I decided to dive into wheel of time 2 years ago. The CHALLENGE. To say I did it and read it. But more than that. To get lost in such a deep deep world and story.
      I'm really happy you found my channel. That means a lot. I really just like to have conversations. And invite a conversation in the comments. We can all be calm and relaxed with a nice cup of coffee. No hyper yelling and jump cuts from me. I do want to do book reviews but It's hard to decide if it's a book that people will resonate with or have already read, or would want to watch it and read it? It's tough. Still pondering on that.
      Thank you again for hanging out! Hope to see you again!

  • @monisshraj5586
    @monisshraj5586 2 месяца назад

    Thanks man 🥰

  • @carb5074
    @carb5074 2 месяца назад

    I’m reading A Court of Thorns and Roses for the third time (yes I know a lot of people don’t like that book, but I do) because my TBR is currently overwhelming me.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      I love going back to a comfort read. Something you're familiar with. Maybe start with a smaller book when tackling your TBR?
      Or better yet, throw the TBR away. Just pick 5 books from it that interest you and start from there! Baby steps. Makes it less intimidating.

    • @carb5074
      @carb5074 2 месяца назад

      @ I started “What Moves the Dead” this morning! Hopefully, it’s exactly what I need to get back into the swing of things.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      @@carb5074 I'm in a littler reading slump myself. Hopefully you get out of yours soon!

  • @unnaturalevolution5936
    @unnaturalevolution5936 2 месяца назад

    Loved the video, and hope you get better soon! Right now I'm reading Beren and Lúthien and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I'm enjoying some more simple, lighthearted fantasy after reading Mistborn and some George R.R. Martin.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Lighthearted fantasy is so nice especially after some heavy or gritty reads like G.R.R.M!

  • @SuperStrangSshadow
    @SuperStrangSshadow 2 месяца назад

    It's already been snow here. I'm a bit opposite when it comes to books. I'm scared of the small ones. I do read them but I prefer big books because I am terrible at visulising what I read. And therefor I need lots of details and I think big books has a better flow.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      I would love to read while surrounded by snow. Every time I visit family in Utah we bring the cali weather there... so never got a chance to cozy up with a nice book watching snow gently tap the windows.
      I love that. I think I can relate to that. I might not be scared of small books but I am more sad after I finish a small book. I WANT MORE

  • @bighos98
    @bighos98 2 месяца назад

    I've just finished my 3rd book and its been such a refreshing book to read. It's called Starling House by Alix E Harrow. Flew through 400 pages in 4 days
    Excited for the next book im reading starting tomorrow :)

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      That is so cool! Isn't it fun to just blow through a book? Especially when you're enjoying it! Excited for you to dive into the next book tomorrow.

    • @bighos98
      @bighos98 2 месяца назад

      @Thomas.R.Howell thank you 😊
      It is amazing especially after the last book I read i ended halfway through as it wasnt for me

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      @@bighos98 That's even better! Knowing when something isn't for you! Use that freedom to move on and read something you actually like!

  • @TooFarWest1
    @TooFarWest1 2 месяца назад

    Length shouldn't matter but the density of the prose can determine how long it takes you to finish a book. I usually read two books at a time; a daytime book and a nightstand book. I started Faulkner's Light in August (300 pages) a couple weeks before starting War and Peace (1300 pages) and I finished War and Peace before Light in August. I didn't read Light and August every night, to be honest, because I frequently considered ditching it due to Faulkner's style...which is not for everyone. By the time I finished it I felt like I had read the book three times due to the incessant need to re-read almost every passage, paragraph, page to fully comprehend, not only the writing itself, but the story. Tolstoy was a breeze. Also, I see you have Salem's Lot on your stack. I read that three weeks ago for Halloween. It took six days -- a fun, easy-to-read 600 pages.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Love your perspective. That is so true. Prose can really effect how enjoyable/breezy a read can be. Name of the Wind for example, the best prose I have ever read. I could breeze through it but I didn't. I wanted to marinate in every word. Every sentence. Took my sweet time with it. Never wanted it to end.
      Salem's Lot was breezy. Found myself blowing through page after page. Didn't even worry about the page count. Great book for Halloween.

  • @mopfel
    @mopfel 2 месяца назад

    I enjoy both long and short books and when I have the time long series as well. But at the moment I am quite busy with uni, so I am reading mostly standalones. There is one book that I am actually afraid of reading and that is „Berlin Alexanderplatz“ by Alfred Döblin. It was written in the early 20th century which is why its prose and the writing style is not easy to read. When I eventually have a break from uni, I‘ll probably attempt reading it.

  • @stephenmorton8017
    @stephenmorton8017 2 месяца назад

    I hold the countervailing view, a big book is a good deal.
    I think the first big book I ever read was Don Quixote and I was amazed how easy it was to get through. Chuckling the whole way.

  • @CC_Reads
    @CC_Reads 2 месяца назад

    Currently reading outlander which is 9 books around 900 pages each

  • @Netflixtmoney
    @Netflixtmoney 2 месяца назад

    I'm still reading stormlight almost in the middle of the 4th book

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Let's go! Hope you are enjoying the journey!

  • @Justin_Rose
    @Justin_Rose 2 месяца назад

    Love your takes. And I totally agree about Sanderson. I read Mistborn and really... Did not care for it. There were a lot of things I found weak. But I enjoyed his books in WoT so much that I decided to give him another shot.
    After reading the Stormlight Archives, he is now one of my all time favorite authors. I would highly recommend giving him another chance. He grows so much as an author after Mistborn. Fixes so many issues. Polishes his work so much more.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Thank you Justin! Happy to see you around. Ya Mistborn just wasn't my thing. Wheel of Time he has delivered so far and I have heard AMAZING things about how he closes it up.
      Really looking forward to Stormlight eventually. To see Sanderson with his OWN world and in his own spotlight.

  • @bearonionlol
    @bearonionlol 2 месяца назад

    Currently reading Red Rising book 1 and Berserk volume 1. Loving both!

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      I've heard amazing things about both series!

  • @jacobmdot6534
    @jacobmdot6534 2 месяца назад

    I just finished Way of Kings about an hour ago. My wife and I are heavily budgeting to get her through grad school so I initially picked up Way of Kings because it felt like a good “bang for my buck.”
    My logic was that if I could only buy one book right now, I’ll get the one that will last the longest.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      That is another thing I didn't even think to bring up. Price. Bang for the buck. Books cost usually the same regardless of page count. Why not buy a bigger book if you're going to spend the same amount of money?
      How was Way of Kings? Still haven't dove in yet.

    • @jacobmdot6534
      @jacobmdot6534 2 месяца назад +1

      @ I really enjoyed it! I avoided it for about a WHILE because of the length. I ended up reading 3-4 other books before I got to it. I felt it looming over me every time I looked at my book shelf. I heard too many people talk about how it was a difficult read or hard to get into, but I did not struggle with that. There was no single point that hooked me I just slowly realized that I deeply cared for the characters and couldn’t put the book down.

    • @mordaeu1411
      @mordaeu1411 2 месяца назад +2

      I'm currently try to power through Way of Kings. Also avoided it because of the length but I am so glad I started. It's taken some time, between reading it physically, on a Kindle and listening to audio but it's pretty good. I'm about 75% of the way through. Hopefully I'll get to the next book by the holidays.

  • @hw3345
    @hw3345 2 месяца назад

    Currently reading Jurassic park for the first time and it’s fantastic. Can’t wait for Stormlight 5!

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Let's go! Love it! Can't believe Stormlight is coming out next month. I need to hide from spoilers.

  • @sloane4464
    @sloane4464 2 месяца назад

    The length of a book doesn’t really scare me as much because I read this biography of the life of Stan Lee a while back and that was at least 300 something pages and then I wanted to read dune and it’s taking a while but i much rather enjoy a book slowly than just scam through it and not have an after thought of it after,
    Plus I often like a books big size because I feel like it gives me something to read while I’m either at somewhere or on a trip, gives me something to do

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Yes to all of this! Totally feel the same. How is Dune going?

    • @sloane4464
      @sloane4464 2 месяца назад

      @ it’s actually really good, it probably has my favorite depiction of the idea of a messiah of the idea of there being a chosen one, I love its depiction of space travel and interplanetary politics and rules. It’s every bit of what I like to think about when it comes to the genre of science fiction

  • @megancoetzee3758
    @megancoetzee3758 2 месяца назад

    Hope you and your wife gets well soon.
    I love reading big books, most of my favorite books are big. 1Q84 by Murakami, a Suitable boy by Vikram Seth, Gone with the wind. Also currently reading Lonesome Dove that is also a big book. I'm taking my time with it, I am more than halfway through.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Thank you! We are on the up and up! Love to hear it. Big books are just nice. It's more the chew on. Get immersed and lost in it all. Short books are nice but they leave me wanting more. Cannot wait to get to Lonesome Dove whenever that may be.

  • @patrickwalsh948
    @patrickwalsh948 2 месяца назад

    I just finished salems lot on your recommendation. Really enjoyed it.fantastic and not too horrific compared to IT😂.get well soon

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      That is awesome! I was hoping for a more scary read in Salem's Lot. So far...nothing of Stephen King's work has legit scared me. I am hoping for IT to do the trick! Thank you!

    • @patrickwalsh948
      @patrickwalsh948 2 месяца назад

      I read IT when I was 13.too young😅still traumatised ​@@Thomas.R.Howell

  • @Whoisjohn.D
    @Whoisjohn.D 2 месяца назад

    I'll be reading Fountainhead over Christmas, I know the author I know their style.. I can commit to it. I might be more hesitant if it's an author I haven't read before

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Totally understand that! I like to do a lot of spoiler free research. Gather broad strokes before I dive in. If the writing style isn't my thing, Thankfully I can drop it.

    • @Whoisjohn.D
      @Whoisjohn.D 2 месяца назад

      Also, get well soon my dude. Currently reading Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf. I just come out of an 18month reading slump. So glad to have an appetite @@Thomas.R.Howell

  • @roryhansen7697
    @roryhansen7697 2 месяца назад

    Currently reading Cannery Row by Steinbeck, terrible timing considering the title of the video as it’s one of his shortest works haha

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Short or long it doesn't matter. As long as you enjoy it!

  • @CampbellNotTheSoup
    @CampbellNotTheSoup 2 месяца назад

    Speaking from a viewer's perspective, I would much rather watch you make something you enjoy / feel genuine about.
    As for what I am reading, I just finished Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan!

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Thank you for the encouragement! I would hate to make something I am not excited about! Just wouldn't feel like myself.

    • @CampbellNotTheSoup
      @CampbellNotTheSoup 2 месяца назад

      @@Thomas.R.Howell Yes! since the more you're into something the more you show your emotions towards it. and as an avid listener to friends, I love hearing them talk about the hobbies they enjoy :D

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      @@CampbellNotTheSoup YES!

  • @DasUberMoose
    @DasUberMoose 2 месяца назад

    Thanks for this video, I used to be so afraid of thick books, and the one I’m currently eying is IT by Steven King which is 1200ish pages. It will be an investment and may take 6 months for me to finish, but I’m definitely stoked to get at it.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      That is amazing! It'll be rewarding when you finish such a long book. Excited for you to dive into it.

  • @DarkWoods100
    @DarkWoods100 2 месяца назад

    Currently reading The Pillars of The Earth.

  • @moritzhafften3458
    @moritzhafften3458 2 месяца назад

    I think you shouldn't be afraid of long books, but you should keep your life, work and plans in mind, while choosing a book. I wouldn`t recommend to start a long series like wheel of time, when you know, that you won't be able to get fully invested in the world and the story, because you have some deadline, or important tasks, which will take up a lit of space in your mind. There aren't any books, which are too long, but there is a wrong time for long books.
    Generally speaking, i wouldn't recommend to start reading some special author with one of their bigger books. Maybe you don't like the writing style, or maybe the story isn't imteressting enough. And that would be perfectly fine! But it would be a shame, if the book ended up unfinished in one corner of your bookshelve, because you thought ist has to be a perfect book for you and you were going all in right at the beginning

  • @coooozfs
    @coooozfs 2 месяца назад

    I recently got Black Ops 6 too recently. How do you balance reading and gaming? Whenever I start gaming I just feel guilty that I should be reading instead. In then when I’m reading sometimes I’m like I would rather play a game or something else. Have you ever come across something similar to this? And how do you balance different hobbies with reading?

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      That is a very good question. Well... having multiple hobbies is more of a blessing than a curse. Because you won't be able to do em all all at once. And why would you do that any ways? That's no fun! I just stop certain hobbies when I do other hobbies. So right now I just don't watch tv or movies. Pretty much all year I just haven't done that. So That time now is used for gaming or reading! Sometimes I will stop gaming to write as well as reading.
      If I ever feel guilty for something then my attitude is not in the right place. That's never good to feel guilty having fun with a game. It's not a bad thing to game over reading ya know? You just gotta balance things. Push things to the side sometimes to leave room for your other hobbies. But most of all its about priorities first THEN balance hobbies.
      Right now I am writing and reading. With little sprinkles of black ops and Fortnite. Both of which I can only handle in 30 minute intervals. Since they are so dang sweaty!
      Sorry for the rambling hope this helps?? How are you liking Black ops? And what is your favorite game of all time?

    • @coooozfs
      @coooozfs 2 месяца назад

      @@Thomas.R.Howell Thank you for the advice and your thoughts on this. I appreciate it. I'm really enjoying the new Black Ops, and my favorite game of all time is Black Ops 2.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      @@coooozfs BO 2 is a classic!

  • @DynaMike89
    @DynaMike89 2 месяца назад

    I am not afraid of big books if it is one book. But i fear book series like: The Dark Tower series or books from Brandon Sanderson. I dont know why but it is some kind of wall before my inner eye if I know there are multiple Books to read in order to have a complete Story.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      Exactly! It is a lot to commit to with a series. There's a different mentality when it comes to approaching multiple books that are 1,000 pages each rather than a single self contained experience that is 1,000 pages!

  • @sierrangomo4686
    @sierrangomo4686 2 месяца назад

    I'm not necessarily SCARED of big books. My issue is that I've gotten too far into BookTube and now I feel like I have a numerical goal I have to reach. So big books (while they're my favorite) seem like a waste of reading because I can add more small books to hit my numbers. I KNOW this is a problem, but now I don't know how to fix it. I'm in a permanent slump because the books I WANT to read are 500+ pages, but now my brain is broken and it feels like these are too long lol.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      Forget the numbers. Throw it out the window. At least for now. And maybe the rest of the year. Just pick a book you are feeling in the mood for. Start with that. It doesn't matter the size. Just enjoy it. Enjoy the wonderful season of fall and winter. With this book!

    • @unpretentious_book_talk
      @unpretentious_book_talk 2 месяца назад

      If you’re a numbers-driven person (like I am) then ditch the annual Goodreads Challenge for number of books and instead set a page count goal. If it helps to have something to update, The StoryGraph has an option to track a reading goal based on page count. This way it doesn’t matter whether you’re reading a 100-page novella or a 1300-page epic doorstopper of a book - they both progress your reading goal equally.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      @@unpretentious_book_talk Very cool! I like that different perspective and approach. Hope you are well!
      I still don't think I replied to your original comment on my other video about audio books. I will get to it!

  • @Dragonmoon1598
    @Dragonmoon1598 2 месяца назад

    Afraid of big books no. But, I read Steven Kings, Under the Dome. The 1000 page plus book. The one with it's cop out ending (in my opinion).
    It broke something in me, I think. Because I've yet to pick up another book numbering that amount.
    Also, my former job was a slow paced call center where I could read for about 5 to 10 minutes between calls. 😁
    Currently readin a MlM "romance" novel. The Nightmare Before Chrismas, by Sara Rassch. Only 100 pages in, but it's a bit slow and can't really call it a romance. It is more like a political intrigue, but with major holidays.
    She's basically trying to recreate Red, White, and Royal Blue (general comparison).
    There's humor, and it's not bad, but she's very redundant with some of her points.
    I'm still giving it a chance to let it pick up, but ya, there's some flaws.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад +1

      I can totally see how an ending to a long book could ruin your joy out of that or even wipe away any trust you put into the author!
      Getting back into reading with smaller books is a great approach! Nice pallet cleansers.

  • @Netflixtmoney
    @Netflixtmoney 2 месяца назад

    Hope you can get better and rest if you push it you're gonna get worse

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      I'm doing a lot better. Can barley taste or smell but hopefully that passes eventually. Congestion is clearing up! Thank you!

  • @ignask14
    @ignask14 2 месяца назад

    Currently reading The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith(or wizarding word know like J.K.Rowling) book have 1184 pages, but really page turning and i like it. This is 7 book, on internet i found information that will be more 3 books and series end with 10 books.
    Question not about book, do you use another social media platform? I like your video and i wondering if i missing something like example from instagram? Because i don't have that account for now.

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      That is another thing I didn't even bring up. Starting a series that isn't complete... now that can make anyone cautious going in.
      I do have instagram but it is for my other brand. My wedding brand. Not my book brand. So I don't give it out. RUclips right now is in a way, my social media. As I take LONG breaks from instagram.

  • @c.lstrife
    @c.lstrife 2 месяца назад

    So is the coffee a symbolism that we shouldnt force ourselves to read long books or books we dont like but yet we keep on doing it or is it because you're sick or both? 😂 Also I do hope you and your partner are feeling better soon. 💜

    • @Thomas.R.Howell
      @Thomas.R.Howell  2 месяца назад

      hahaha it's all of it. Nah the coffee beans were from July so...quite old. Thank you for hanging out !

  • @brunokieszkowski347
    @brunokieszkowski347 2 месяца назад

    Reading Hyperion