The thing about reading is that you can physically feel the approach of the story's ending. With a fixed number of pages, even without knowing how it will end, that it will end and soon is evident. I guess I sort of like that. The anticipation and sensing the loops closing, and recognizing that some will be left open. When the ending is partially on the cover there are fewer surprises.
On campus today, across from Denny, there were swings in a giant tree.