How to Finish (and Actually Enjoy) Long Novels for your English Classes

By Lubna Abdallah

You’d think, as a fourth-year English student, I’d be totally unfazed by long novels. And yet, there I was again at the beginning of this school year, staring at the gigantic stack of books on my desk, intimidated by the sheer amount of reading (and text analysis) I’d have to do for my courses. Take Ellen Wood’s East Lynne, for example, which I have to read for my Nineteenth-Century Women Writers class—it’s over 600 pages long, and that’s not even

including the pages upon pages of scholarly commentary. Truly, for me, one of the biggest challenges of being an English student isn’t analyzing texts, it’s finding the time (and sometimes the motivation) to get through thousands of pages of readings each semester. 

However, I can personally attest that it is very doable! Throughout my journey as an English student and as an avid reader in my free time, I have developed my own tried-and-true strategies to not only finish but actively engage with big novels:  

1. Don’t overwhelm yourself all at once: break your reading into bite-sized chunks!

You might’ve already heard that in order to achieve a big goal, it helps to set smaller and more achievable goals along the way to reduce the anxiety of that seemingly daunting task. I believe this applies well to tackling a large book. For example, a 600-page novel may seem impossible to get through in one sitting, but if you divide your reading over a few days or weeks, taking it one chapter at a time, it becomes much easier to handle.

I take comfort in planning, so I find that making a concrete reading schedule for required novels always works best for me. Before diving into a lengthy novel (or really any book) I like to check the table of contents, or, if there isn’t one, flip to the end to see how many chapters there are. For example, I remarked that in East Lynne there are 62 chapters, which seems like a lot, but when I broke it down, it suddenly felt much more achievable. I decided to read four chapters a day (two in the morning and two in the evening), using a planner to assign specific chapters to each day. In this way, I was able to finish the novel in just over two weeks, right in time for class discussions. Obviously, this only works if you don’t leave your reading until the last minute, so refer to the syllabus ahead of time and plan your reading schedule accordingly!

In my experience, reading just a few chapters a day gives you the chance to slow down, notice the details, and really savour and engage with the story. This brings me to my next point: the benefit of annotating your books.

2. Annotate, annotate, annotate!

   
   

When tackling a long novel (especially one assigned for class rather than chosen for fun), it’s so easy to drift off. I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself staring at a page, only to realize I have no idea what I just read. The game changer for me? Annotation.

Annotating is one of the best ways to stay actively engaged with the text in order to absorb and retain what’s happening. Keep in mind that there’s no single “right” way to annotate. You can jot down thoughts and real-time reactions in the margins, underline or highlight passages that stand out, or mark pages with sticky notes and colourful tabs. Your reading and annotating experience is your own. 

Personally, I don’t believe in keeping my books pristine (unless they’re library copies, of course). Scribbles, notes, and pages with tabs are signs of a book that’s been lived in—a book you’ve had a real, lasting conversation with. After all, books are tools meant to be used and handled, not just objects you passively consume and then forget. Annotation also makes it so much easier to revisit important sections later, whether you’re writing an essay, prepping for a class discussion, or just reflecting on parts that moved you the most. Personally, I like to colour-code my sticky tabs by theme—it makes brainstorming for essays so much easier later on. For example, I’ll mark passages related to gender issues with pink, Orientalism with purple, and so on.

I should mention that if you’ve read my past blog, “An English Major’s Love Letter to Public, Community Libraries,” you’d know that I am a big fan of taking out library books to complete class readings. And yes, you can absolutely annotate them! Just don’t write directly on the pages. Instead, use clear sticky notes or tabs to jot down your thoughts without leaving a permanent mark.

Overall, annotating is an excellent way to stay focused during a long read, allowing you to engage in an active dialogue with the narrative and its characters. Moreover, annotating helps you put your thoughts and opinions into words as you read, and this habit alone can make you a stronger scholar.

3. Avoid Spoilers Like the Plague 

Personally, I can’t stand spoilers—once I know how a book ends, I instantly lose interest in continuing to read. That’s why, when I’m working through a long novel, I do my best to avoid spoilers so the suspense keeps me motivated to read. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Classics like Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or Jane Eyre are so well-known that their big twists are basically common knowledge. Still, I try to steer clear of podcasts covering the book, SparkNotes, and screen adaptations until after I’ve finished the book.

Also, when I can, I try to finish the book before in-class discussions since they basically guarantee spoilers (which, honestly, is extra motivation to get through the book faster!).

4. Listen to the Audiobook on 1.5-2X speed

I will admit, when I’m really pressed for time and need to finish a novel before class or an assignment, I like to listen to the audiobook while following along in the text, usually at 1.5–2X speed to get through it faster. It’s not my favourite method, since I enjoy taking my time reading (and annotating!), but it definitely works if you’re in a rush. You can usually find audiobooks on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and more.

5. Geek out a Little 

   
   

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to let yourself really love (or passionately despise) the story, as long as you engage with the narrative in some way! Believe me, this will make reading long novels so much more fun. Get excited about the characters, swoon over the romance (if there’s any), or even dive into the book’s inspiration or publication history (just try to avoid spoilers!) I personally find enjoyment in checking out other people’s reviews on Goodreads after finishing a book, and sharing my own thoughts either there or with my classmates. Not to mention, I am always excited to watch screen adaptations after reading (if there are any) and comparing them to the book. Overall, geeking out over a lengthy novel can be an excellent way to make the reading journey an unforgettable experience. 

Thank you for reading! Please note that while the methods listed above might not work for everyone, I hope they inspire you to discover your own go-to strategies for tackling big reads. Feel free to reach out or share in the comments if you have any other tips for getting through lengthy novels! :)