New thinking about books

But the most curious aspect to me about the book is its length. Actually I’ve become intrigued with the whole topic of book lengths.

In 2011, average book length was 467 pages. by 2017, that number had plummeted to 273. The average best-selling book length has dropped by 42% in the last 7 years.

I’m highlighting this aspect of books because I believe particularly for non-fiction, a long (200 page+) book can actually be less effective at conveying the material and at providing the reader with the full experience the author intended.

Speaking for myself, many non-fiction books I’ve read could convey their thesis in one third of the book’s pages. Some good stuff is probably further into the book but I’m already satiated. Think about the books you’ve bought that you haven’t finished. Be honest. More than 10? 20?

It’s not your fault. It’s the author’s. Well, actually it’s our culture that preaches more is more. The author bought into it perhaps by the prompting of her publisher. “Books need to be substantial to sell. Keep writing more.”

I think thickness and page-count matters less and less in books and eBooks in this hyper-distracted world. The stats above seem to point that out.

In 2011, average book length was 467 pages. by 2017, that number had fallen to 273. The average best-selling book length has dropped by 42% in the last 7 years.

Back to Richie’s book, A Framework for Jazz Mastery. It’s 40 pages and can probably be read over a weekend of chipping away at it. I hope that’s how it is read because you’ll enjoy your sense of completion and then turn to implementing some of the things you learned. And then return to the book to easily find the parts you wish to review.

I received a note today from a purchaser who complained that the book is thin. There’s not as much paper between the covers as he feels should warrant the price. I wrote him back that I respected his perception of value but asked if he had read it. He had not. So I suggested that he open it up and take a look, and if he still feels there’s not $30 worth of value to him, I’ll happily refund every penny it cost him. He has not yet asked.

Time will tell if buyers will value the book’s content over its heft. I want readers to digest Richie’s dense wisdom and teaching quickly so that they can apply it now.

Think about our ‘more is more culture’. Bigger portions of food at restaurants (“Supersize me.”), bigger homes (the average size has been growing steadily), access to news (care to watch for the entire 24 hours?). Sometimes bigger is better, like the size of your bank account!! But can we rethink the whole size thing in relationship to books that purport to teach?