Pacing

I've read quite a few books over the past few weeks. With most television programs in hiatus, I find myself reading even more than usual. And lately I've been thinking a lot about the pacing of a book. When does a book move too quickly? When does it move too slow? And, in truth, I'm not sure there's a set answer.

There are some books where the plot moves quickly (such as the recently adored A Vintage Affair), and it works well for the book. The main character still gets properly developed, and I never wonder exactly how we got from point A to point B. Even as the plot moves, I'm inside the character's head.

In others, such as the one I'm reading now, each chapter moves the plot along at almost an alarming speed. In one chapter we learn that the character suffers from bipolar disorder, within thirty pages he's checked into a mental hospital, and is out again two short chapters later. And I'm not even at the 100 page mark! It's too soon to judge if this is a flaw in the book, but based on previous experiences, I believe that it is.

One of the worst books I've read in recent history suffered from a rapidly moving plot. Within the twenty pages (of a 300+ page book) the main character broke off her engagement, and never thought about it again. Instead she met new characters, started a new life, and didn't seem to remember that she broke up with someone the day of her wedding. A reader who came into the book at chapter fifteen couldn't even talk with someone who was on chapter three. Too much happened on each page, with little characterization to accompany the plot.

On the flip side, sometimes plots just drag on forever. Another book I read recently, a very well written book, suffered from this issue. Each chapter felt like a chore, because in the end nothing happened other than the character thinking deep thoughts while pouring a glass of juice. In the next chapter, they'd think the same thoughts, while putting up their curtains. It was tiring to read.

In short, I'm not sure what exactly is my pace preference. I like the plot to move at a steady rate, but I also like the characters to stop and think every once and a while. I like my characters to be introspective, and taking action.

What do you prefer? Do you like books where the plot is changing on every page? Do you prefer introspective books where little happens, but the character study is remarkable? Or, like me, are you a fan of something in the middle, making it difficult at times to find the right book?