Books
9 Long-Ass Books Worth Finishing
There's nothing than can beat that feeling of finishing an 800-page book. It's like you just finished a literary marathon of emotions, and it was worth every single stride. The bigger the book, the bigger the plot — and that's just the beginning. There are more characters to follow, more revealing events, more drama, more conflict, more everything. And soon enough you'll find yourself flipping through the pages way more quickly than you imagined.
If you can relate to the phrase, "I like big books and I cannot lie," then chances are you are not easily scared off by a challenging read. Moby-Dick didn't intimidate you, nor did Cloud Atlas. And while you love collecting and reading massive books, there's also a chance that there's a few out there that you started, but never finished. And that's OK! There are so many books I have yet to finish (or even start), that my list continuously grows.
So if you've been in need to cross some big books off of your TBR list, now is the moment to pick those back up. Schedule a couple free nights on your calendar and get ready for a long night in with a glass of wine. These 10 books are all well over 500 pages are more than worthy of finishing.
1. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Page count: 601
Set on a rich Californian farmland and built on larger-than-life themes, this novel follows two families, the Trasks and the Hamiltons. Over the course of three generations, both families reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the biblical story of Cain and Abel. These family stories become an epic American mythology, while focusing on the daily, lifelong journey of the working man. Steinbeck has a way of bringing a story together unlike any other author I know, and the ending of East of Eden is truly one of his most remarkable.
2. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Page count: 925
Set in the year 1984, and taking place in Tokyo, Japan, this is one massive book with a dystopian world so compelling, its rival could only be George Orwell's. Upon entering a parallel existence, young Aomame meets an aspiring writer named Tango where their worlds begin to merge as one. Over the course of a year, the two narratives come together through connecting characters that bind them closer together. It's a love story, a fascinating mystery, a new type of fantasy world, and most of all, a story of self-discovery.
3. Middlemarch by George Elliot
Page count: 904
This remarkable novel, written by one of England's finest novelists, is as sobering as it is inspirational. With the backdrop of England's society and culture, this is the story of Dorothea Brooke, a woman who means well but over time realizes the world will not stop for her, no matter what good she does. You will go deep into the politics of a community and be given incredible details of each and every character.
4. The Stand by Stephen King
Page count: 1153
If you want the complete, uncut edition of King's The Stand, you're looking at 1,153 pages of pure genius. This is the only end-of-the-world story that you'll ever need to read, because it's that intense. The world, newly stripped of everything it once was and almost everyone that stood on it, is now dotted with panic-stricken survivors who feel the need to choose sides. With a supernatural twist, this is one of King's best, and as always, will leave with you an ending to die for.
5. The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Page count: 880
This one is a bit of cheat since it's made up of multiple fairytales, but being close to 900 pages, it's one that takes a while to finish. The first and somewhat haunting tales of Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Snow-White, Sleeping Beauty, and many more are just waiting to re-discovered. Plus, there's a ton of illustration, so if you need to dive into a big book with little ease, this is your best bet.
6. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Page count: 637
This massive story is a novel within a novel. It's a thousand-piece puzzle that's put together from the inside out. The Blind Assassin is the story of two sisters, Iris and Laura, born during a time where women struggled to keep their independence and were expected to be kept happy with shiny objects. Iris, throughout different points of her life, thinks back to the mysterious and tragic day her sister drove off of a bridge and killed herself. This is the kind of novel that won't spoon-feed you answers, but instead keeps you on your toes throughout 600 pages.
7. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Page count: 1,474
Leta and her mother, Rupa Mehra, are both on a similar mission to find Leta a suitable boy to marry. Set in the 1950s against a newly independent India, this is a complex story of ordinary people during an extraordinary time. While you must read to the end to find out what Leta's future holds, it's an engaging book that keeps you interested throughout its 1,474 pages with rich backstory and cultural events.
8. The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
Page count: 801
Picking only one Dickens novel to finish reading is near impossible because all of them are worthy. But his first novel, The Pickwick Papers, established him as one thoroughly entertaining and talented author. This large book is based on a set of unique and strange characters like the poet Snodgrass, the sportsman Winkle, and the English dreamer, Mr. Pickwick, who are all researching the curious phenomena of life along the English countryside. Witty, charming, and hilarious, this is one huge book you'll adore.
9. Look at Me by Jennifer Egan
Page count: 544
If you read Egan's A Visit from the Good Squad, then you're aware of her creativity and unique writing abilities. Look at Me is the story of a fashion model named Charlotte Swenson who survives a horrible car accident, but her face is left unrecognizable. Upon returning to New York, still beautiful, she's having to adapt to a new life, a stranger even to herself. Among other captivating characters and a story line so emotionally powerful, you'll love every minute of Egan's second novel.
