A week ago I walked through the new books section in my local library and pulled out a few titles that interested me. Before I moved on to
the check-out desk it occurred to me that the two books I held in my hand and
the last two I’d borrowed all had one thing in common—they were approximately
200 pages or less.
It’s not uncommon for mystery readers to finish a book and
think it should be at least a hundred pages shorter, perhaps two hundred. This
comment shows up in reviews official and unofficial, and in general
conversation. The same comment less often but predictably shows up in reviews
of other forms of fiction and nonfiction. But apparently no one is listening.
Editors and publishers have embraced the idea that readers buy their books by
the pound, and therefore, the more pages, the better. I disagree. Length has
nothing to do with a good story. My reading choices at the moment are an
eclectic mix that underscores how much quality can be packed into two hundred
pages.
I spent an enjoyable evening with The Cellar by Minette Walters. I haven’t read anything by her in a
while, and was glad to find she hasn’t lost her touch. A well-to-do African
family immigrates to England, bringing with them an orphan girl as their daughter.
Only she’s not their daughter, and she lives the life of a slave—until the
younger son in the family goes missing.
Next up I learned I could change my life (in two hundred and
six pages), according to The
Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I believe in taking good
advice when I encounter it, so I went to my closet and kept only those things
that truly sparked joy. I now have three pairs of khakis, four pairs of black
pants and two black skirts and numerous blue tops and black turtlenecks. I have
one black-and-white jacket and three blue jackets/sweaters. Fortunately, I have
six months to make it through the entire process, by which time I will be
wearing nothing but khakis and turtlenecks.
Less of a contrast than you might think because of the personal
tone is my current read, Essays after
Eighty by Donald Hall. To my great delight, the author offers writing and
editing advice that is as pure and as succinct as any I have ever come across.
The essays are leisurely, thoughtful, and captivating.
Next is Hemingway in
Love: His Own Story, A Memoir by A.E. Hotchner. I haven’t begun this yet,
but I’ve read the blurbs and cover copy a number of times and I suspect I’ll
enjoy this book immensely.
Four books. Each two hundred pages.
I could add to this list, but it’s not necessary. Anyone who
reads widely can name any number of books that come in at two hundred pages or
less. My point is only that sometimes, and oftentimes, less is more.
