Let me explain this better by sharing an situation which I have done this...meaning tonight. As I sit here on my couch once my sweet boy has gone to bed I pick up the third book in the Hush Hush Saga, Silence. There are a few things going on in this book and I found myself reading too fast in order to make sure everything will work out the way I want it to. Because I am reading too quickly I find myself missing important details and I am also too focused on if everything will work out to even enjoy the journey that these characters are taking. To avoid this from happening I have developed a small (bad) habit of skimming the last few pages in a book to pick up on small details that include the main characters and the topics of their conversation. Even if it is not the way I want it I be, though in this situation it is, I am able to read slower and focus on the words the book is giving me to paint the picture of the journey that takes me to the end of the book.
TYPICALLY I do not read the last page of the book. I go to the first page of the last chapter and I start there and go maybe 2 pages in, or until I can find out a tiny detail of how it will go and return to my spot and continue reading. Or I read the synopsis of the next book in the series if there is one. That is sometimes the best option because it gives enough detail without giving too much away.
I do not do this with all books. I am finding I do this more with series because I despise how the author torments the main characters so...yes again I know this is their job. (Doesn't change my feelings though.)
As a disclaimer I did not do that with Harry Potter. I stuck it out and was thrilled with the ending when I got there, So maybe it has to be an extremely amazing series for me not to indulge my habit...
Am I alone in this habit? Anyone else do this? Or do I have to hand in my Library card with my head down in shame?
TYPICALLY I do not read the last page of the book. I go to the first page of the last chapter and I start there and go maybe 2 pages in, or until I can find out a tiny detail of how it will go and return to my spot and continue reading. Or I read the synopsis of the next book in the series if there is one. That is sometimes the best option because it gives enough detail without giving too much away.
I do not do this with all books. I am finding I do this more with series because I despise how the author torments the main characters so...yes again I know this is their job. (Doesn't change my feelings though.)
As a disclaimer I did not do that with Harry Potter. I stuck it out and was thrilled with the ending when I got there, So maybe it has to be an extremely amazing series for me not to indulge my habit...
Am I alone in this habit? Anyone else do this? Or do I have to hand in my Library card with my head down in shame?
Ill let you keep your library card but I'm the exact opposite. I HATE knowing the ending before I get there. It feels like it ruins it for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing me to keep my card :) I seem to really do it with series, mainly because it takes a little more time for the characters to resolve the issues because they have the time and books to cover it in detail, where as books that are non-series don't have that much time so they get to the points rather efficiently.
DeleteI have more of a problem with guessing the ending. Mostly with mysteries, I'll get distracted with what I think will or should happen regardless of what does happen. Recently, I was reading Sarah's Key, a book I did not like nor could I even finish, but I was so positive I knew how it was going to end. I was completely wrong, as my mother filled me in on the real ending. Then I hated the book more for ending wrong, lol.
ReplyDeleteIs that by Sara Dessen? I think I read that and I agree with you, I was not a huge fan, My sister was and she is the reason I picked it up. But not really up my reading aisle. And I do that too, and I get too distracted with what I think may happen to enjoy what is happening in the book.
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