This week on Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, we’re sharing our ten longest reads. As part of my 2018 Reading Challenge, I’ve tried to tackle my fear of the long novel by reading 5 books over 700 pages, and by George they’ve all made today’s list! Some I loathed, but more often than not, most became new favorites. It’s kind of like being trapped in an elevator with strangers – you either become best friends, or, you leave with a semi-weird feeling of kinship having gone through it together. Either way, the experience leaves a lasting impression that you’ll never forget, and almost always mention at fancy dinner parties (because let’s be real – you finally read the book instead of lying about reading said book).

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: It’s perfect that this list should come out in the fall time, because The Count of Monte Cristo may be the best fall read there is! Despair, revenge, sword fights… it’s really no surprise that I’ve read it three different times. (1,276 Pages)

It by Stephen King: I finally read a Stephen King novel, and It was amazing! I couldn’t help but feel a part of the Losers’ Club. But, readers beware, there is a disturbing scene towards the end of the novel that offers absolutely nothing to the plot or advance of the characters and is deeply upsetting. I’d love to meet Stephen King one day just to ask him about the scene – surely there could have been another way to affect hope amongst the Losers? (1,116 Pages)

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra: If this hadn’t been required reading for class, I don’t think I’d have finished. Being more of a reader these days, and a little older, I can’t help but wonder how I’d rate it now… (1,023 Pages)

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: I loved the experience of reading Anna Karenina, but ultimately, was not a fan. The writing is impeccable, the story amazing, but Anna, detestable. (964 Pages)

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami: I still can’t find the words to describe 1Q84, other than it’s worth every single page. (925 Pages)

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray: Speaking of detestable characters, Becky Sharp is the worst! But, I still couldn’t help but hang on every word, waiting to see what she’d do next. (912 Pages)

City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg: An atmospheric read, City on Fire brings the 70s punk rock scene to life as New York City takes center stage, almost reading as a character itself.(911 Pages)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling: Oh, the good old days… Did anyone else go to the midnight release parties, only to read the book all the next day? (870 Pages)

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: I highly recommend the audiobook – Davina Porter is hands down the queen of all narrators. (850 Pages)

Winter by Marissa Meyer: Honestly, Winter could have been even longer, I wasn’t anywhere near ready to let go of The Lunar Chronicles. (827 Pages)

What are your longest reads?