I recently wrote a science fiction novel that I intentionally kept short (50,000 words - 200 pages- readable in a weekend). When reading, I don't finish most of what I start because it takes 80-100 pages to get to the hook. I understand that there is a joy in reading a long novel that builds up a character, but most of the time these novels are just tedious. I couldn't finish the 2020 Hugo Award winner because for the first 50 pages it was the protagonist moving into an apartment, unpacking stuff and walking around in a city. It kills me.