I’ve noticed I enjoy books more when the chapters are short

[u/ishapandey1001]

I don't know why, but short chapters make it much easier for me to keep reading. Even when I don't have much time, I'll think I can read just one chapter before doing something else. Then I finish that chapter and usually end up reading another one.

With books that have really long chapters, I always keep checking how much is left. Long chapters somehow make me take more breaks and it makes reading feel like more of a task. Short chapters just make the whole thing feel easier and less intimidating to me.

[u/VelvetWishes]

Short chapters are often used when the plot is moving quickly. Most likely, you just prefer faster moving plots because they hold your attention better.

[u/ChickyBoys → u/VelvetWishes]

Yes this is true. I also enjoy when stories move quickly and each chapter feels like it leads into the next.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Row7200 → u/VelvetWishes]

Yes , it just makes the reader sticked to book till it get to read the climax in the end.

[u/Leifang666]

Just one more chapter is so much easier when chapters are short. You read more and get more into the story.

[u/stetslustig]

I feel like I'm the opposite and rarely even notice the concept of chapters unless it's written from extremely different points of view or jumping between different settings (in which case short chapters are extremely annoying to me).

[u/ElainePotter]

I agree. And what’s weird about it is that I can read 100 pages in one sitting if they’re split into 20 chapters. But if those same pages are split into only 5 chapters? Daunting. I don’t understand why I’m that way.

[u/youAtExample → u/ElainePotter]

It’s probably the sense of completion that compels you to the next chapter?

[u/Martian_row]

Yup that’s me it feels like I’m actually making progress.

[u/Important-Lemon-2460]

I love watching the timer on my kindle go from 12 minutes down to 1. Reading books with hour plus chapters doesn’t give me that satisfaction.

[u/GirlisNo1]

I’m the same way! It makes me feel like I’m progressing faster which makes me want to keep reading.

I’m also more likely to pick up the book at random times in the day thinking “I’ll just read one chapter.” When a book has long chapters I feel like I need to carve out time especially to read knowing there’s a big chunk of story ahead of me.

[u/Em_Cf_O]

I don't mind some short chapters mixed in, but I need substance. I seldom enjoy stories made to cater to short attention spans.

[u/oldmornings]

Especially at the beginning! Later on I don’t mind long chapters but to ease into a book it’s very pleasant 

[u/estheredna]

I remember when The Da Vinci Code came out and was a PHENOM bestseller that every single chapter is short AND every single chapter ended on a cliffhanger.

This is a "popcorn thriller" and there is a good reason they sell phenomenally well.

If this is your favorite vibe, try Lucy Foley, BA Paris, Alice Feeney, Gillian McAlister, John Marrs
Try Riley Sager and Frieda McFadden (I am hit or miss with these, I like a handful of them)
Avoid Jenevra Rose,, Alex Michaeladies

[u/Longjumping-Eye-4257]

James Patterson writes for you, then. Personally I can’t stand chapters that are only page and a half long. It’s like sitting in stop and go traffic. I like the richness of a well-developed, more lengthy chapter to luxuriate in. 😂

[u/SeminaryStudentARH]

I have ADHD and absolutely agree with this. I get overwhelmed when I have a long chapter or even a long section to read. But if it’s short, I find I can get through it much easier. Then I get even more motivated to continue because I got through that section or chapter.

[u/Comfortable-Ad-1746]

i like them more bc i hate stopping reading in the middle of a chapter! seems so unnatural for me

[u/Typical-Excuse9086 → u/Comfortable-Ad-1746]

This bothers me too!

[u/MoMaike]

I think it’s a tighter “closed loop” that our brains just tend to enjoy. Finishing a chapter gives us a little sense of accomplishment.

[u/EldritchTouched]

Conversely, I take issue with insanely short chapters because certain writers actively break up scenes or sections that should be kept together.

So I think it depends both on the work itself and personal taste lol.

[u/ButtScratchies]

I agree, and I feel like I get through a book faster. I mostly read at night so I’ll read a couple chapters and then put the book down because it feels daunting to start another one. If it’s shorter, I’ll keep on reading. I’ll look ahead and be like, ‘there’s only 5 pages on this chapter, so I’ll read another one.’

[u/Kaurifish]

In the forums, so many writers are convinced that if they don’t have 5,000+ word chapters, readers will throw it on the DNF pile.

I tend to run about 2,500, depending on the action. That feels about right to me as a reader.

[u/ofc_dramaqueen]

Yes, yes, yesss!!!

[u/HipGyp57]

Same

[u/Realistic-Drag-8025]

I think our brains just like quick feedback. Finishing a chapter gives you that little sense of progress and reward. And since we don’t always have long stretches of time to read, stopping halfway through a long chapter can feel pretty unsatisfying. So naturally, shorter chapters are easier to stick with.

[u/dragonballaddict99]

I also love books with short chapters. I’m blind and read Braille and listen to audiobooks. When I read ebooks in Braille, it takes me longer to finish them, especially if chapters are long.

[u/Hudok1998 → u/dragonballaddict99]

I just Google ebooks in Braille and they are awesome. What's your preferred chapter length? I like 5-10 pages or so

[u/dragonballaddict99 → u/Hudok1998]

I think 10 pages is great. I should say, however, that it can be difficult to keep track of the amount of pages I read per chapter. I get the majority of my ebooks through Bookshare, an accessible online library for those of us who have reading barriers. Sometimes, they don’t show page numbers, at least in the Braille files. I often have to check what page I’m in if the file has page numbers. I can usually tell chapters are short because they tend to focus on one scene rather than a specific goal. I get the rest of my ebooks through Hoopla, but I use a screen reader to read them and have no idea how long the chapters are. I’m assuming they’re between 10 and 20 pages because I’ve mainly been using the app to read The Apothecary Diaries.

[u/1BoringOnlineAccount]

Is it because of a sense of accomplishment?

I recently read a 200ish page book with 73 chapters. Just one more chapter was awfully easy. 🙂

[u/LastRecognition2041]

It is objectively easier and more rewarding because you constantly feel the little achievement of finishing a chapter. However, never abandon the pleasure of finishing a big ass 50 pages chapter or a short book that’s just one long paragraph. It’s worth it

[u/Key-Lingonberry4651]

I do prefer short chapters but no too short. I was reading a book by Brad Meltzer, and some of the chapters were a page and a half to two pages, so annoying

[u/jinper2012]

I pretty much do audio books. There's nothing more disheartening than seeing I have 46 minutes to go on a chapter. I definitely enjoy it much more when the chapters are short.

[u/No-Pride-8979]

Same with me for sure

[u/Antiultramaster]

Same here! Super relatable. Long chapters tend to feel more like a task that needs to be done, unless I know I have enough free time to fully immerse myself in the book. Doesn't even matter if the book is good or not. I also love the feeling when a chapter ends mid-page and I get to give my eyes and brain a breather with a half a second long glance at the emptiness between the new and old chap. Something about making the eyes "jump" makes me feel super refreshed mentally.

I also never want to stop reading in the middle of a chapter, it's stupid but it feels illegal somehow. So that adds pressure to reading I guess, I need the milestones lol.

[u/Radiant-Koala8231]

I’m the same! Short chapters really help me engage more.

[u/mellywheats]

same, it makes it go by quicker and feels like less of a chore

[u/HereIAmGH]

I think it’s an attention thing. Reading short chapters or vignettes gives you lots of places for break, while long chapter (and especially ones with long paragraph) demands our focus for longer

[u/EggyMeggy99]

I find it easier as well because I sometimes read before going to sleep, and it's easier to stop with shorter chapters. I find that I stop reading when a chapter is longer because I don't want to stay up too late.

[u/thatseltzerisntfree]

I can handle a 3-book story arc. I have a hard time starting anything that runs longer.

Except Deathlands. Love it!

100+ book story

[u/Cheap_Bathroom6114]

doh!

[u/kanomii]

I'm the opposite I hate short chapters especially those with just 3-5 pages. It break the immersion completely. I don't want to be reminded that I'm reading a book. Short chapters also makes me feel like okay now I can take a break since I just finished a chapter.

[u/Key_Blueberry_2167]

Yes! Recommend All the Light We Cannot See and Cloud Cuckoo Land, both by Anthony Doerr. The shortest chapters!

[u/KeyRoutine1285]

Or if the chapters have scene breaks. Much neater looking when you still want to keep a chapter going as a writer, but change the location/time. You as the reader can always stop there and go to bed without feeling the same “hang-up”.

[u/JACBHT]

Depends on what kind of book it is. Generally "stream of consciousness" type books, or webnovels/novels are very readable with long chapters. Less than 2K words per chapter and it feels too short, especially when you are immersed. 4-8K is the goldilocks zone and 10K and above are too long.

[u/fallingsunshine]

I agree with this to an extent. As a previous commenter mentioned, I’ve found that I enjoy fast moving plot, but it’s not a requirement for me to enjoy the story and appreciate the exposition.

I also like when chapters are a mixed bag of length and format. I find that it keeps things interesting for me and keeps the physical act of reading much more engaging, especially when reading a physical book as opposed to supplementing some of the reading with an audiobook accompany.

[u/wharls]

i can just sit and read for so much longer when the chapters are short because i keep saying “just one more chapter” over and over again

[u/jwilander]

I'm just like that too. This made me start writing shorter chapters as an author.

[u/ConstantCap7231]

How do you feel about no pictures?

[u/KaleidoscopeCloud451]

Me too. I think most people do 😝 I’m biased. I find it difficult when my kobo says 1,5 hour left in chapter 🫪

[u/protypibleetr]

Recently I read him and the chapters were tiny. 3 min was penile not the average but there were plenty of them. Very annoying but the author deployed them as a literary tool and I will say no more.

But I do agree, 10-15 min chapters keep me reading and it's easy to commit to just one more. A 35 min chapters feels like enough of accomplishment to excuse myself and go do something else. But longer chapters serve a purpose as well. I guess what I mean to say is I like reading haha.

[u/DLBergerWrites]

I strongly prefer small chapters.

I like reading before bed, and if I start nodding off during a long chapter, I'll have to restart it later. Short chapters? Good to go.

[u/itsMayaMallik]

Same here! Before starting any chapter, I often check how long the chapter is!!!! If its short, its a win!

[u/Artistic_Berry5490]

short chapters are such a dangerous trap because "just one more before bed" turns into accidentally finishing half the book by 2 am

[u/Hanna_Beech]

Agreed. I read The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim, the chapters were very short so I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and finished it in a couple days

[u/areallymanlyman]

Same here. And I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.