Just a fun little Q&A about bookish quirks to spark a conversation or two because my brain is fried from heat, humidity and packing up my kitchen! (And why is it that when you pack something you are sure you won’t need it until after you move, the very next day you absolutely do need it… desperately?!)
Going into a book Blind
Do you read the book burb before you start reading or do you like to jump into a book blind? I am in the ‘must read the synopsis first’ camp. I have only gone in blind once and it was excruciating! An interesting experiment but I think I got hives from anxiety. 🙂 Of course, the flip side of not going into a read blind is that sometimes the book blurb gives away too many details to the point of being spoilery. I find that happens most often with indie books so I’ve learned to read only so far when a book blurb is especially wordy.
Read the ending first (or when things get too exciting not to)
I was shocked and appalled to discover that a favourite author always reads the last page first! I just…can’t…even…breathe…thinking about that. Oh, the disillusionment! I’m am most assuredly not in the ‘read the ending before I start the book’ camp. I mean, really, talk about spoilers! And once you know the ending, why do you need to read the book? I have a friend who does this too – she says it’s because she doesn’t have to worry about how things will turn out so she can enjoy the rest of the story but…but…but….I mean, isn’t part of the joy of reading being able to experience the journey right along with the characters? Yes, sometimes a story can nearly push you over the edge of anticipation into anxiety but that’s what reading faster is for, to get you over the gnarly bumps along the way to the happily ever after at break neck speed or, in the case of an audio book listener…see next point:
Speed up the audio to get through an action packed scene (and then listen to it again on your normal listening speed)
I have been known to do this a time or two especially with anxiety inducing romantical angst or frantic suspenseful action scenes but I never jump all the way to the end! Scandalous. I’ll listen to a part of the story at 3x the speed just so I can stop hyperventilating over the characters’ predicament, but then I always backtrack and listen again at my usual speed before continuing on with the story. I have audio standards, people! 🙂
Dog ear pages (gasp!)
I don’t want to hear anything but “No, of course not, I would never deface a book that way!” lol I want to weep when I check out a book from the library and notice the edges all askew, like the pages are ruffled up in indignation over their harsh treatment. Then I have to painstakingly unfold every corner and carefully set the book under a pile of other books (big, thick, heavy ones) to try and press the creases out. It’s an arduous experience for both the book and myself.
Care to share an opinion or two (or more?) Can you think of other bookish quirks? Maybe ones that belong to you? Or those you abhor? Do tell! Share in a comment and you’ll be entered in a draw for:
Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 20 2026
Kav's Best Reads 
I never go into a book blind. And some times I go back and reread the back to see where the story is headed – especially if I’m getting confused with characters or something like that. But I will never read the end first. My best friend does this and I literally make her promise not to before lending her a book. She says “but what if the ending is horrible?” And then I say, “I’m giving you this book to read because the ending is awesome.” I’ve joked that the last sentence of the book I’m writing will be – ”Thought you could read ahead, hmmm?”
I don’t listen to audio books and I also don’t dog ear my pages! Just awful!
I hope moving is a smooth process for you!
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I never go into a book blind. And some times I go back and reread the back to see where the story is headed – especially if I’m getting confused with characters or something like that. But I will never read the end first. My best friend does this and I literally make her promise not to before lending her a book. She says “but what if the ending is horrible?” And then I say, “I’m giving you this book to read because the ending is awesome.” I’ve joked that the last sentence of the book I’m writing will be – ”Thought you could read ahead, hmmm?”
I don’t listen to audio books and I also don’t dog ear my pages! Just awful!
I hope moving is a smooth process for you!
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Or food on pages, yikes! No to bent down page corners, underlining, or any such disrespect. Alas, I am a book snob. I wouldn’t read the last page ~ I would struggle along with the characters and bravo them on. No need to read content synopsis of proven authors. I do read ones for genres I don’t go to automatically. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com
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I always read the blurb at least once, but not always right before I choose to start reading the book. I usually know it’s a book I want to read and get too excited to start reading that I forget to read the back to remember what it’s about! I occasionally have to pause mid story to read the back of the book as a reminder!😂
While I never read the end of a book first, I have been known to sometimes flip through the book to see if someone’s name is still being mentioned to make sure the author didn’t kill them off! Not enough to spoil anything for me though.
I’ve not gotten into audio books yet, but I can imagine I’d probably speed it up!
No, I have never dog eared a book! That is such a pet peeve of mine! In fact, my mom, sister and I have actually ironed book pages before when we’ve bought used books with dog ears. On the lowest setting of course! Don’t want to end up with a burnt page! 😜
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