Size Up Your Reading Habits (or Your Readers)

by Beth Erin

I’m starting to think there’s something in the Seekerville water because I always feel compelled to make some sort of confession or engage in deep introspection when I post here. What happens in Seekerville stays in… oh, wait, that’s an entirely different town’s motto. Okay, enough awkward beating around the bush already!

A few phrases which I often repeat in regard to my reading life are:

I’d rather be reading.
Variety is the spice of life.
I like big books... 

(and I cannot lie, I am a reformed secular 90s child, saved by grace! Praise the Lord!)

So, that last one got me thinking (about myself, cue introspection) … when it comes to books, does size matter? Like the dutiful overthinker I can often be, I reached the complex conclusion of yes and no. As I expound on just a few of the many points I have pondered, I want to encourage my fellow readers to examine why we gravitate towards certain sweet spots or shy away from others (and for my author friends, think about your writing habits or your readers). It's a thinking party and you're invited!

Photo by Maciej Ostrowski on Unsplash

Mass Market versus Trade 

Issues of physical thickness and height and width and story length are elementary considerations here. For those of us who dearly love ink and paper and the reading experience they create, this comparison is far from simple. Due to the difference in price/cost, these two sizes vary widely when it comes to paper and cover texture, spine integrity, and adhesive scent (yes, I am a book sniffer and no, I’m not trying to quit). Trade books look so pretty on my shelves but oh those mass markets fit so nicely in my purse!

Standalone Novellas versus Novella Collections 

How much can an author accomplish in less than a hundred pages?! Quite a lot when done right! Standalone novellas are a wonderful medium for series prequels, sequels, and spinoffs. There’s no denying, I love it when several of these quick reads are combined in collections by genre, troupe, setting, or as intricate pieces of a larger multi-author story. No matter where you find them, novellas are especially suited for seasons when life cuts into your reading time!

Standalone Novels versus Series 

(Duology vs Trilogy vs Four or more book series vs Interrelated series)

With the one-stop story shopping of standalone novels, you get the whole shebang in one fell swoop. No waiting for future installments, no cliffhanger endings, no wondering what happens next. The commitment required of series readers yields rich benefits in building a connection to the characters and setting. Most authors keep the overall series arc subtle enough to spark curiosity yet allow each individual installment to shine on its own. If you’re especially hardcore or find an author you adore, a series or four or more books or even a collection of interrelated series is a storied paradise!

Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

I hope I gave y’all a little food for thought and while my initial statement about big books will always be true (400+ pages of story thrills me!), the first and second reading life phrases always take priority! Our experiences and mood and season of life can greatly influence what size book we pick up but if you’re a reader who is stuck in a rut, step up and try something new!

Before we go, I asked a few of my book blogger friends, who each read a variety of book sizes, “What’s your book size sweet spot?”

Carrie: "300 or so is my sweet spot. Snack books (Love Inspired and novellas) also make me happy because I knock a few out in an evening but when I DO get a longer book, I curl up and get all cozy to read it. My sweet spot is really genre, no matter the size."

Annie: "I read any size. Depending on time, I would choose novellas."

Katie of Fiction Aficionado: "The bigger the better? In all seriousness, probably 350-400 pages is a good average."

Rachel of Bookworm Mama: "Honestly, size depends on my mood...and the time of year. I am a sucker for short and sweet novellas, especially around Christmas time. But novellas are great for when I'm in between books and just need a different direction/genre. However, bigger is definitely better. "

Giveaway!

contents may vary (pic compliments of Annie)

One commenter will win a Christian Fiction Readers Retreat swag bag full of books and all kinds of delightful bookish swag! (US only) 

Let us know if you'd like your name tossed in the hat!

Winner will be announced in next week's Weekend Edition so y'all have time to tell your friends! Maybe there's a little voice in your head saying not to tell anyone because there go your chances of winning... BUT we'll have more giveaway opportunities for CFRR swag bags on Just Commonly, Reading Is My SuperPower, and Faithfully Bookish in the near future. Sharing is caring and I'll even give you bonus entries in my future giveaway for sharing this post now!

Tell us, what is YOUR story sweet spot?

Readers, are you drawn to a certain story size or length? Do you find yourself reaching for a particular format in different situations?

Authors, are you more comfortable or popular in a specific book size or format? Is there a story size you've not yet tried but would like to?

I feel obligated to leave this here, just in case...

Beth Erin is a Christian fiction enthusiast, book reviewer, and blogger. She strives to edify and connect with readers and authors at Faithfully Bookish and on social media. 

Beth also contributes to the Seekerville, Hoarding Books, and Diversity Between the Pages blogs. She is passionate about promoting authors and their entertaining, encouraging, and redemptive stories.

Christian Fiction Readers Retreat: A Road Less Traveled

A thoughtful post by Seeker Ruth Logan Herne

Note that I used the word "thoughtful" because today I am not scolding anyone. I'm not lifting a brow, reminding them that writing is a job and they should just do it, nor am I exalting how much I love my job (but I do!!!! To the moon and back except that would be highly unlikely for a non-astronaut like me), nor am I waving pompoms to get your attention and cheer you on because honestly... you don't need that, darlings.

Nope, today is dedicated to Seeker Annie (of the Just Commonly blog) Seeker Carrie Booth Schmidt (of the Reading Is My Superpower blog) and Beth Erin (of the Faithfully Bookish blog) and posthumously to our dear friend Bonnie Roof, whose goal was to not only see Christian fiction get the love it deserved, but to hook up readers and authors, something that used to be done quite commonly by publishers before sales dipped and the world began buying online and Amazon developed the biggest, easiest (although don't be fooled, they are not the cheapest) shopping site ever... and those special moments that publishers had arranged for gatherings and get-togethers became economically unfeasible unless you were a New York Times selling author.

Bonnie saw this gap, recognized it, talked about it with several authors and bloggers, and her dream became reality when these three Seekers jumped on board to make it happen. With Annie shouldering the bulk of the heavy lifting with her to-die-for adorable husband "Darcy", they have hosted three amazingly wonderful events... events that brought such joy to Bonnie's heart as her body waged war against cancer, and events that brought joy to authors and readers and gave us a forum to laugh and talk and discuss all kinds of things in a prayer-filled, joyful atmosphere with absolutely no agenda other than celebrating authors, readers, faith, hope and love.

They set a precedent that made a difference, so I wanted to use today's post to say how grateful I am-- how grateful so many of us are-- for the opportunity they offered. They showed no favoritism, they worked hard to cross all lines of publishers and indie authors, they were unafraid to broach topics like diversity and sexuality in stories, the "how far is too far" question that varies in answer from publisher to publisher. But in the end, they always made sure that the glory and honor was God's as it should be.

So thank you my dear beloved friends. You are good and faithful servants and I am so appreciative of what you did! You amaze me.

I'm posting some pics of my trip down.... it was a beautiful day, filled with joy, and then to gather with writers and readers for two full days, to have the opportunity to help the gals get stuff ready, and to share time with them was priceless.

Beth Jamison (daughter and free-lance editor) and I had the very best time! No one could have done it better.

Seekerville Loved CFRR!!!!
Back row: Debby Giusti, Erica Vetsch, Mary Connealy and Carrie Schmidt
Front row: Ruth Logan Herne, Beth Erin, Annie "Just Commonly"

Beautiful grotto of the Women at the Cross here in Maryland at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine

We had a lovely trip down from New York, through Pennsylvania and Maryland... Look at that sky! And this beautiful statue grouping of the women at the foot of the cross touched our hearts. They walked the walk. They didn't run and hide like so many others.... they stayed by Christ's side although I can't even imagine how difficult that must have been. So much strength and honor in this visual.

And we found blossoming trees, so that brings us hope because we won't see them for a couple of weeks in northern New York, but we know that the spring roll-out is coming our way! 

And then this...

Beth took this picture after I climbed the steps. There was a spot for kneeling and/or a spot for sitting to pray. Think. Repose. And that's what Annie and the crew brought to this weekend retreat, a sincere love for prayer, faith and hope that wound its way through everything. The reminder that it's good to stop and pray.... 

And aren't we blessed to be in a country where we can do that? 

Yes! So let's celebrate with a giveaway.... I have some lovely books that Beth and I got duplicates of! One from Karen Barnett and a beautiful Love Inspired written by Lisa Carter ...

Lisa Carter is one of the cutest, funniest people on the planet, by the way. And she looks so innocent!!!! :)

Leave a comment below to be entered, my pretties and once again: Huge and hearty thanks to Annie, Carrie, Beth, Bonnie and all their posse for three of the best writerly weekends I've ever had. 

You Rocked It.

Multi-published, bestselling inspirational author Ruth Logan Herne loves chatting with readers and writers and loves writing beautiful stories that make readers smile... sigh... and sometimes cry.... but she professes that tears are quite therapeutic, thank you very much! Find her on facebook, email her at loganherne@gmail.com or stop by her website ruthloganherne.com. She'd love to chat with you!

LIVE (KIND OF!!!!) FROM CHRISTIAN FICTION READERS RETREAT 2019!!!!

A not-really-written blog by Seekers at the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat in Baltimore!

This is not a writing conference.

This...

THIS!!!!!

Is all about joining up authors with you guys... readers... the ones that read our books and love our stories and love us and want to hang out and find out more and, well... you get it... it's about books!

And readers...

And writers....

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE OF CHRISTIAN FICTION!!!!!

Beth Jamison (beloved daughter and my indie editor for all of my independently published work) and I drove down from Western New York.... many are flying in. Some are driving in. We're all here for a Friday night Meet-and-Greet and an all-day Saturday fun time of prayer, praise, laughter, joy, maybe a tear or two... and a chance to talk and laugh together over a favorite subject: Books! We'll post pics as we get them, but today we're in set-up phase.... and tonight is meet-and-greet.... and we wish every one of you could be here, writers and readers alike!

Maybe next year! Or the one after...

In the meantime, we'll share the fun with you via Seekerville!!!! Here are some pics from the trip down through Pennsylvania and through Maryland (where spring has arrived!!! WE FOUND SPRING!!!!)

A little gathering at Panera with Tina Marie Sinclair, Deb Marvin, Ruth Logan Herne, Beth Jamison and Winnie Thomas 

 

Here's a tree in full bloom!!!! (forgive me, this is Ruthy and you know spring is about two weeks off in the cold, cold north!!!  But I keep rotating this photo and the GOOGLE GREMLINS won't let it stay, so lie down and look at this one sideways... Oh Mylanta!!!!

Ruthy and Beth at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine outside of Gettysburg, PA.....

Grrr...... The rest of the pictures are all coming through upside down or sideways and it is too late at night to fight with Blogger.... today we'll hit up Starbucks and Krispy Kreme (health food conscious as always....

And then we're helping organize some things for tomorrow....

And then the Meet and Greet tomorrow evening...

And I have noticed that when I do selfies, my short arms keep me way too close to the camera and my nose looks big.

It is a distinct notation that when I start rambling about big noses, it is time for sleep... We'll pop in later with more pictures, friends!