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I'm intimidated by chonky books. They tend to sit on my to-be-read shelf for months because I'm a slow reader. It takes me weeks to finish a fat book. Dedicating so much time to one book is a big commitment.
Here are 10 giant books that I'm working up the motivation to read. *
* Obviously, different editions of books will have different page counts. I assure you that all of these are chonks.
The Longest Books On My TBR(Convince Me To Read Them)
The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins
Adult Classic Horror
672 Pages
The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright's eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. Engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie, Walter is drawn into the sinister intrigues of Sir Percival Glyde and his 'charming' friend Count Fosco, who has a taste for white mice, vanilla bonbons and poison.
Why I want to read it: I love horror, and this one is a classic that made a huge impact on the genre. I should probably read it and see why so many people have enjoyed it over the years.
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A Royal Experiment: The Private Life Of King George III by Janice Hadlow
Biography Nonfiction
682 Pages
He was the first of Britain’s three Hanoverian kings to be born in England, the first to identify as native of the nation he ruled. But this was far from the only difference between him and his predecessors. Neither of the previous Georges was faithful to his wife, nor to his mistresses. Both hated their own sons. And, overall, their children were angry, jealous, and disaffected schemers, whose palace shenanigans kick off Hadlow's juicy narrative and also made their lives unhappy ones.
Pained by his childhood amid this cruel and feuding family, George came to the throne aspiring to be a new kind of king—a force for moral good. And to be that new kind of king, he had to be a new kind of man. Against his irresistibly awful family background—of brutal royal intrigue, infidelity, and betrayal—George fervently pursued a radical domestic dream: he would have a faithful marriage and raise loving, educated, and resilient children.
The struggle of King George—along with his wife, Queen Charlotte, and their 15 children—to pursue a passion for family will surprise history buffs and delight a broad swath of biography readers and royal watchers.
Why I want to read it: I want to be the type of person who reads biographies. It seems like an activity for smart people. I like learning about history, and this biography gets great reviews.
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Helter Skelter: The True Story Of The Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi & Curt Gentry
True Crime Nonfiction
687 Pages
Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the twentieth century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Here is the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime.
Why I want to read it: I've read a lot of cult books. It's a subject that will always fascinate me. I haven't gotten to this one, even though it's the #1 True Crime Bestseller of All Time. It says so right on the cover.
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NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
Adult Horror
692 Pages
Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.
Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing—and terrifying—playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”
Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.
Why I want to read it: When this book first came out (way back in 2013), it was everywhere. I want to know what the hype is about. All my horror friends love it.
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The Worst Journey In The World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
Memoir
693 Pages
In his introduction to the harrowing story of the Scott expedition to the South Pole, Apsley Cherry-Garrard states that “Polar Exploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time which has been devised.” This is his gripping account of an expedition gone disastrously wrong.
One of the youngest members of Scott’s team, the author was later part of the rescue party that eventually found the frozen bodies of Scott and three men who had accompanied him on the final push to the Pole. Prior to this sad denouement, Cherry-Garrard’s account is filled with details of scientific discovery and anecdotes of human resilience in a harsh environment, supported by diary excerpts and accounts from other explorers.
Why I want to read it: I've had a lifelong obsession with Polar exploration. Somehow, I missed this book, even though it was first published in 1922. I didn't know it existed until recently.
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The Lies Of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Adult Fantasy
752 Pages
An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges death and slavery, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentleman Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.
Why I want to read it: People have been recommending this book to me for years because I love stories about villains. I promise I'll read it eventually! It's just so big!
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11/22/63 by Stephen King
Adult Science Fiction
849 Pages
On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. Unless . . .
In 2011, Jake Epping, an English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, sets out on an insane—and insanely possible—mission to prevent the Kennedy assassination.
Leaving behind a world of computers and mobile phones, he goes back to a time of big American cars and diners, of Lindy Hopping, the sound of Elvis, and the taste of root beer.
In this haunting world, Jake falls in love with Sadie, a beautiful high school librarian. And, as the ominous date of 11/22/63 approaches, he encounters a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald.
Why I want to read it: Time-travel books always grab my attention. Also, it's my lifelong mission to read all of Stephen King's books. I've been procrastinating this one (and several others) because they're massive.
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Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
Adult Horror Novellas
930 Pages
At midnight comes the point of balance. Of danger. The instant of utter stillness when between two beats of the heart, an alternative reality can slip through, like a blade between the ribs, and switch you into a new and terrifying world.
Why I want to read it: One of my favorite Stephen King books is Different Seasons, a collection of novellas. I hope this collection is just as memorable.
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Under The Dome by Stephen King
Adult Horror
1074 Pages
Under the Dome is the story of the small town of Chester's Mill, Maine which is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. No one can get in and no one can get out.
When food, electricity and water run short, the normal rules of society are changed. A new and more sinister social order develops, Dale Barbara, a young Iraq veteran, teams up with a handful of intrepid citizens to fight against the corruption that is sweeping through the town and to try to discover the source of the Dome before it is too late.
Why I want to read it: Well, it has the same premise as The Simpsons movie, and I enjoyed that. The premise actually sounds pretty terrifying. I wouldn't want to be trapped in my town.
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The Complete Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson
Fairy Tale Collection
1140 Pages
From Ugly Ducklings to Emperors without clothes, the tales collected here have timeless resonance and surprising depth, reflecting both the childlike joy and adult melancholy of Andersen's troubled life.
Why I want to read it: Fairy tales weren't a huge part of my childhood. I only know the most popular ones. I want to learn more of them.
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Which chonky book have you been avoiding?
I haven't read any of them, and I would say: Goodwill-bound!
ReplyDeleteI really liked Hans Christian Anderson’s fair tales, so consider this a vote for that one.
ReplyDeleteI've got The Woman In White around somewhere unread!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT this week is Natural World
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2025/08/26/%f0%9f%93%9atoptentuesday-freebie-natural-world-tuesdaybookblog-booktwitter-booktwt/
I haven’t read any of these, but Nos4a2 and Woman in White are on my TBR. With big books, it helps if you assign yourself sections at a time so you steadily work through it instead of rushing and then feeling overwhelmed by the length.
ReplyDeleteI have been avoiding the Priory of the Orange Tree
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of these, although I used to read and enjoy Stephen King back in the day. Since you have several of his on your list, I would say start with one of them and see if you like his style of writing, then decide on the others.
ReplyDeleteI can't convince you to pick up any, because most aren't on my TBR. Except for 11/22/63, but I keep putting that one off as well.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/08/26/top-ten-tuesday-lets-be-a-tourist-in-the-netherlands/
The Woman in White was originally serialized by Wilkie Collins. That means that the end of each chapter ends on a cliff hanger or some excitement. I found the book compelling.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Grimm's Fairy Tales last week. I found reading fairy tales one after the other to be VERY tedious. I wouldn't recommend reading the complete let of fairy tales in one fell swoop. Maybe read one tale a month until you are done.
These all look good and even though I don't read non-fiction I might try that book on King George.
ReplyDeleteI was going through this list thinking I would not have read any of these books, and then, I got to the last one. I had a beautiful illustrated copy of all Hans Christian Andersen's works that I read and reread as a child. I like fairytales, so it was good for me.
ReplyDeleteI have read The Woman in White and lots of Anderson fairy tales, maybe even all, but the collections are different all the time.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, different editions have different page counts. Also different languages. I had someone who mentioned that her edition of a book was far shorter than mine. Probably happens all the time with German books.
Here is my list:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/top-ten-tuesday-high-page-count.html
I tend to shy away from giant books, too, so I'm no help! I started UNDER THE DOME when it came out, but I got bored with it and never got past the first chapter or so. I'll be interested to see if you actually pick any of these up or not...
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Oh wow…yeah, those books would be too chonky for me too. LOL. I believe the longest book I’ve ever read was about 400 pages. Happy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteI saw Helter Skelter on your list and skipped to the comments without reading the rest of your list. Lol. I met Bugliosi and listened to give a presentation. It was really cool. Definitely read that book. It is so well written.
ReplyDeleteI remember The Lies of Locke Lamora just flyyyying by, I had to hurry out to the library for the second book way sooner than I'd expected!
ReplyDeleteI read very few chunky books, so would not convince you to read any of these. I know a lot of people read Stephen King's bricks, but I'm not a fan. I hope you find one that tempts you.
ReplyDeleteI also have The Woman in White and The Lies of Locke Lamora on my TBR, *and* I also am doing a personal challenge of reading all of Stephen King's books!! Buddy read?? 😂
ReplyDeleteThe Stephen King, Joe Hill, and Scott Lynch books are all brilliant! I hope you enjoy them if you decide to read them. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read these, but the Stephen King books always grab my interest. I've been wanting to read 11/22/63.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading longer works. Last year I read all of Augustine's "City of God," which at 1200 small print pages was a monster. I'm about ready to dig into the final volume of Taylor Branch's trilogy, "America in the King Years." I read the first volume 20 years ago. I read the second earlier this year. The final volume, "At Canaan's Edge" deal with the years 1965-68, weighs in at 1000 pages, although 200+ pages are notes.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time but I did read Under the Dome. Reading my review, I see it took me six weeks to complete! (review here) I also read Helter Skelter a very long time ago (maybe in the late 70s) and it really scared me. I don't think I could read it today. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read the Stephen King books too, especially 11/22/63. So I definitely vote for reading those! And the Manson one sounds endlessly fascinating, so I bet that one is pretty good. NOS4A2 always sounded pretty interesting, but I feel like maybe horror doesn't need to be that long? Idkk. Those are the ones that would get my vote, anyway!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these so can't comment. When the books are really long I sometimes opt for the audio version. The longest book I have read was 1000 pages and it was one of the Game of Throne books.. Anna Karenina was also close to 1000 but I DNF'ed that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible at reading long books - I also avoid them and as such I have not read any of these yet, so I'm not a big help in convincing you to read them... I do feel like the fall and winter seasons are a little more suited for longer books, maybe because it feels cozy to settle in with a big book?
ReplyDeleteI love a good doorstopper of a book, but I'm such a wimp about scary books that I've stayed away from horror for the most part. Helter Skelter is something I want to read at some point. Hope you love these all!
ReplyDelete