What’s the Fastest You’ve Finished a Book?

21 Aug

I saw a post on Instagram from a college friend who was raving about a book she read in 24 hours and I was utterly blown away. I was trying to think if I’ve ever accomplished something like that and I think the last I can remember was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling. I read that within 24 hours of it being released.

I tend to read 250-300 page books and for me, it’s hard to sit still long enough to read one that long in a 24 hour period. I think it’s doable, but it’s not something I really want to do or can see myself doing often. Maybe if I was sick or injured and needed to be on the couch a lot. But as is, that’s not something I particularly want to do.

Sorry for the short post, but I’m so curious to talk to you all about this in the comments. Do you read books in a day? How often and what books have driven you to complete that?

Until next time, write on.

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43 Responses to “What’s the Fastest You’ve Finished a Book?”

  1. thoughtsofthereader August 21, 2018 at 11:10 AM #

    I’ve read some books within about 4 hours when I’ve been unable to put them down (We Were Liars was one of these)!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:36 PM #

      Dang! I’m not sure I could turn pages that fast. Nice!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Deanna August 21, 2018 at 11:17 AM #

    I’ve read a couple books in a day. Most of them are on the sorter side, under 300 pages, but I read the 6th Harry Potter in like 10 hours in two sittings. It depends on the book.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:37 PM #

      Harry Potter is the exception to all rules lol.

      Liked by 2 people

  3. nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog August 21, 2018 at 11:30 AM #

    I’ve read a few books in 24 hours The ones I remember are Good Me Bad Me, A Very English Scandal, and The Psychology of Time Travel.

    Like

  4. Carolina @fictionologyst August 21, 2018 at 11:35 AM #

    I do that on the weekend. I try to finish at least one book in a day on Saturday! It has work for me for months and I’m proud of it!

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:38 PM #

      That’s incredible. Congratulations! I wish I could muster that focus. Happy reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Carolina @fictionologyst August 21, 2018 at 3:00 PM #

        I bet you could do that too. happy reading too love 💕

        Liked by 1 person

  5. beckylindroos August 21, 2018 at 11:37 AM #

    Oh yes – I read about 15 or 20 books a month – of all lengths and genres – so some of them are finished within a few hours. It often depends on what time I get up in the morning – what time I go to bed (retired). lol – but it’s usually a day plus a bit, sometimes 3 days – (that was recent – an 800-pager by Paul Auster – 4 3 2 1.

    I don’t want to read “a-book-a-day” on a really regular basis because nothing else would get done and I’d get really confused.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:39 PM #

      Sounds like you’re a frequent library patron! That’s awesome, I wish I could make time to read as much. Happy reading!

      Like

  6. Kelsey @ There's Something About KM August 21, 2018 at 11:39 AM #

    I can sit for 4-6 hours to finish a 300 or so page book no problem (with 10ish minute breaks every now and then to get up and stretch my legs). If the book is engrossing enough and I have a day free of plans (or work) it’s my favorite thing to do!

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:40 PM #

      I’m gathering that I’m not a fast reader haha. Maybe that’s where o need to start. Happy reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Kelly August 21, 2018 at 12:13 PM #

    I remember finishing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in less than 24 hours after it was first released (it was released on my birthday so I was pretty excited to read it!). Recently, I’ve managed Final Girls, One of Us is Lying, and Everything Everything in less than a day. I only tend to finish books in one sitting if I’ve got a day off and haven’t got any other commitments, but that happens very rarely.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:41 PM #

      Harry Potter is a great exception to rules. Sounds like a great stay-cation! Happy reading.

      Like

  8. Nandika_k7 August 21, 2018 at 12:27 PM #

    I’ve read a couple of books in less than 12 hours before. It’s quite easy for me if the book is really interesting and if it ranges from 300-400 pages. I’m a pretty quick reader.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 12:42 PM #

      Speedy! That’s incredible. Happy reading.

      Like

  9. harasnicole August 21, 2018 at 1:41 PM #

    I’ve read quite a few books within 24 hours. The first book that I remember doing this with was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as well as the last two books after that. I’ve also done it with the Twilight books, but the quickest book that I read in a handful amount of hours probably goes to A Monster Calls because it’s so short.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 5:24 PM #

      I didn’t realize that one was a quick read. Good to know! Happy reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. ashlynnvalana August 21, 2018 at 4:30 PM #

    Last year I remember figuring out in October that I was way behind on my Goodreads reading challenge for the year so I downloaded a bunch of 150ish word novels onto my ereader and just carried it around with me. Any time I would have looked at my phone/TV I read instead. Doing that I was able to blow through a book or two a day after getting home from work. I was shocked and also discovered a few great authors I’d never read before since I was only choosing what to read based on page count.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 5:24 PM #

      Dang, that’s awesome! I may have to pick some based on length soon, I’m quite behind! I hope I can catch up quick. Happy reading!

      Like

  11. Whimsically Meghan August 21, 2018 at 4:59 PM #

    I have done it, but it’s not very often. Usually short books, or books like poetry or plays I can do. I’ve read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in a day, but for the most part it takes me a few days to get a book finished. Even so, sometimes I feel guilty about finishing a book too soon because I feel like I didn’t spend enough time with it… if that makes any sense! 😛
    I get where you’re coming from, and just from your posts I can tell you are always on the go which makes it hard to read while doing all those activities (let’s be honest it’s hard to read and swim or ride a bike! 😛 ). I’ve been really into getting a treadmill so I can walk and read!

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 5:26 PM #

      I feel bad finishing some books fast, too. It’s like I didn’t enjoy them long enough! I listen to books while I run but it is hard to work it into other activities. I’ve been thinking about getting some underwater Bluetooth headphones so I can listen and swim, though! Happy reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Whimsically Meghan August 21, 2018 at 5:37 PM #

        Exactly! Ah, that would be pretty awesome waterproof bluetooth headphones! I hope they work out for you! 🙂

        Like

  12. Hunida August 21, 2018 at 6:01 PM #

    I usually don’t prefer to read books in one day but one time I forced myself to because I had been waiting for it sooo long & I only had one day with it left! I felt like a zombie afterwards lol.

    Like

    • Sam August 21, 2018 at 6:24 PM #

      Haha I can see that! I feel really groggy after marathon reading sessions to return a library book. Happy reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. The Broken Spine August 21, 2018 at 6:54 PM #

    I’m like you and cant sit still for that long. I have a relatively short attention span even if it’s something I’m interested in. I have to read in chunks. 1.5-2 hours a day. Anything longer than that and I just reading words.

    Like

    • Sam August 22, 2018 at 11:03 AM #

      There are exceptional times I’ve gone longer than that but I could count them on one hand. Happy reading!

      Like

  14. Jamie Gates August 21, 2018 at 8:33 PM #

    I’ve weirdly read a few books in a day, too–I kind of become absorbed in the story, and before I know it, the day is gone! It’s not just reading–if I’m doing research or working on a graphic design project, I’m completely focused for hours–but it’s usually fiction that captures my interest the most! I’ve read Wuthering Heights, The Handmaid’s Tale, Harry Potter and Atonement in a day a few times now.

    Like

    • Sam August 22, 2018 at 11:04 AM #

      Dang, I’m just not able to let go of reality like that. Happy reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Sharon Taylor August 22, 2018 at 8:07 AM #

    I set unabridged audiobooks at double speed. Good for the treadmill or housework! Haven’t read paper books in one sitting in many years. Maybe The Big Book of Horses when I was six? LOL

    Like

    • Sam August 22, 2018 at 11:10 AM #

      Oh yeah I forgot about song that as a kid, haha. I’m not sure o could process a book at double speed. I’d feel like I need to be speeding, too. Happy reading!

      Like

  16. bathandbooks August 22, 2018 at 9:14 AM #

    I also read Cursed Child in less than 24 hours and I do think I’d have enjoyed it more if I’d slowed down. While I’ve had books I’ve really enjoyed and read quite quickly, I don’t understand the race to finish books that took the authors a long time to write. I like to savour haha

    Like

    • Sam August 22, 2018 at 11:12 AM #

      I’ve considered rereading Cursed Child to savor it more. If I ever get tickets I’ll be sure to do it! Happy reading!

      Like

  17. Kelly | Kelly's Rambles August 22, 2018 at 10:31 AM #

    I’ve read quite a lot of books in one day. If a book really captures me I will happily sit for 3 hours and devour the entire thing! I don’t always have the time to do this, of course, but when I do I love to have a cosy reading afternoon.

    Like

    • Sam August 22, 2018 at 11:14 AM #

      I’m not sure o could finish a book in three hours, that seems really fast. Happy reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Kat @abookiesbooks August 22, 2018 at 2:56 PM #

    I’ve read a couple of books in two days. I don’t think one day is a normal occurrence because I always start reading at night and I fall asleep eventually. But same here with Cursed Child. Right when it came out I had it and was reading it and maybe finished in 24 hours or a little more.

    Like

    • Sam August 22, 2018 at 6:31 PM #

      I could see two days. I read a lot before bed, too. It’s a great way to fall asleep. Happy reading!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Ryan August 24, 2018 at 12:04 AM #

    I read The Old Man and the Sea within an 8 hour period, though it’s a rather short book. I’ll always remember my dedication to reading through Vanity Fair for my course on Victorian novels in University. It’s 898 pages long and I finished it in two weeks (felt like two months). I’m sure there are people that could blow that time out of the water for a similar page count, but I give myself some credit since it wasn’t exactly a page-turner.

    Like

    • Sam August 24, 2018 at 6:29 AM #

      That’s really impressive! I’m terrible at powering through big novels. I let them linger far longer than they should haha. Happy reading!

      Like

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