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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Yesssss — we’re kindred spirits on the book blind issue. I just can’t settle down to read a book unless I have an idea of what it’s about and sometimes I recheck the book blurb mid read, just like you said. lol Yikes to reading the end first…I just can’t comprehend your friend. 🙂 Ohhh, if only we could think of a way to do this without defacing the book but it would be fun to hand her over the book minute the last chapter which you could hold hostage until it’s time to read them. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Rebecca!
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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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Oy -food, yes!!!! I cringe when I get a library book with suspicious splotches. Shudder. I know there is a huge trend to annotate books now and I can see that for non-fiction, text books etc. I do underline and make notes in the bible study books I know I’m going to keep But apparently lots of readers annotate their fiction as well, which I don’t quite understand. Mind you, sometimes I discover some wonderful truths in a story, quotes I’d love to keep, but then I write them down in a little fictional book quote notebook I have so…. Good luck, Kathleen!
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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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Ha, a mid-read book blurber, that’s an interesting take. I just have to know something about the hero and heroine before I dive in so I read the blurb first. Well, I read it initially before I make the purchase or check the book out of the library and then once again when I settle down to read the book.
Hmmm….I suppose a bit of a strategic flip through isn’t as nefarious as reading the last few pages of a book, you’d have to be awfully careful though, because it would be so easy to spot a spoilerish twist and you wouldn’t know it until you read and then it’s stuck in your mind for the rest of the book.
I am so glad to ear you are not a dog earer! Dog ears are cute, but only when they are fuzzy and found on an actual dog! And I love that you’ve actually ironed pages…that is true bibliophile commitment! Good luck, Bridget!
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I just have to know a bit about a book before starting to read it. I don’t want to have an outline showing every detail or the ending, but more of a general idea as to what kind of book and the writer’s ability to entice a reader without giving away too much. I want it to say “read me”.
Why would you read the end first? I mean that’s the purpose of having a can’t put down book so you read to the end, seeing how they got there and the whodunit or making it to the happily ever after. So my answer is NEVER!
Since I don’t listen to audios, I can’t really answer this one. I will say while reading a paperback, I have become a speed reading or had many a book that I just couldn’t lay down until I knew the answer to a question – whether that’s the next step, that someone remains safe or to get to the ending.
Dog ear pages – why would anyone do that? Again, NEVER! There are so many other ways to mark a page. Regardless of where you are, there’s always something you can find to mark a page without harming the book. I’ve used anything from a toothpick to a receipt. Shoot now days everyone has a phone. Just message yourself a page number.
One of my pet peeves is someone borrowing a book and not returning it months later until you ask if they enjoyed it, which kind of forces them to give it back. I’ve had one or two that I refuse to loan a book to after it happening repeatedly. If they ask, I’ll just say there’s a list of those wanting to read it. I’ll add your name.
Another is why would you write in a book – doodle, underline, etc. I know may be your book, but still.
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a gift card!
Have a relaxing, read and have a wonderful day! There’s always time to pack and work come Monday, the start of the working week.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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I like that — book blurbs that say ‘read me’ are the kind I like too. I know, I totally don’t get the read ending first concept. Would totally ruin the story for me! Yes, speed reading would be the equivalent of listening high speed to get through a particularly tense or intriguing plot point, but then we settle down to enjoy the story once we can breathe again! I love that so far no one has been a fan of dog earring pages. Phew! May the trend continue!
Your pet peeves are spot on — lending out a cherished book and not getting it back again for months or, gasp, ever! Heartless! I have a friend who buys two of her favourite books — one for her keeper shelf and one to lend to friends! Good luck, Kay!
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Aw, sorry about the heat and humidity but that kitchen cleanout is a must. I happen to be cleaning out my cabinets this week too, but I don’t have to box it all up, just the stuff I’m thinning out and donating. I’m also thinking about if I get rid of it will I need it, hmm… My husband wants to save everything, but not me, just because we bought it years ago doesn’t mean I want to make a lifetime commitment to it, lol. I have to bag stuff behind the scenes when he isn’t paying attention.
Back to book quirks 🙂 If a favorite author has a new book coming out, I don’t have to read a blurb to know I’ll want it, though eventually I get around to it. If it’s a new-to-me author I have to read the blurb and like the cover. Lastly, recommendations from other readers will make me take a second look at a book I had passed by. If I hear a lot of buzz about a book I don’t want to miss out but some blurbs make it clear the book probably isn’t going to be my kind of book. You are right about indie author blurbs, I think many want so find readers so much that they give the story away, so I am careful about how far I read in a blurb.
Which brings me to a question I’ve been wanting to ask. How much do reviews influence book choices? I used to not pay as much attention to them because of spoilers. Lately I’ve been skimming the reviews and watching the ratings more.
Case in point, I just read 2 books I had wanted to read (but decided not to) because they were too long. Love that Lasts by Valerie Bodden at 490 pages because she’s such a good author, and Alliance Bride by Jaye Knight at 435 pages because I couldn’t stop looking at that cover! After both books were holding at 4.8 rating and great reviews, I broke my own book length rule and read both. I’m glad I did. Great books and worth the longer page count. Reviews helped me make that choice. So that’s my new bookish quirk, if it’s too long do I pass or maybe reconsider?!
Happy reading Sunday to all and thanks for the book quirks discussion, Kav,
tracey14567 atgmail.com
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Woohoo — the heat broke last night with some wicked thunderstorms. It’s going to rain for the next book but is lovely and cool so I’ll take it. Good packing/cleaning weather. 🙂 I love that your sneaking approach to decluttering! There’s nothing like moving to make you second guess every item you own, that’s for sure.
I have a few autobuy authors too that I’ll even read love triangles and surprise baby trope stories so I might click preorder right away but then I’ll go back multiple times to scan the book blurb just for the joy of anticipation.
Reviews and book choices — a lovely question with a complicated answer (at least for me.) I find I’ve been using reviews as a tool to help in my book selection more lately, especially for indie books and unknown (to me) authors. I have enough GRs friends that it’s pretty much guaranteed I’ll find a review from someone I trust not to post spoilers. I’ll especially check the reviews if I think the blurb might be hinting at something I don’t like such as love triangles, secret baby tropes or if I’m finding it’s a slow start and want reassurance that things do pick up.
The other way I use reviews is when I’m considering dnfing and I want other readers to convince me that’s the right choice. This happens a lot with cozies I find on audible plus or a really good price on chirp. Initially I think ‘this is the book for me’ but then I start reading (or listening) and I’m just not getting into the story or I find the heroine irritating and I start to wonder if it’s me or if other readers have felt the same way. Then I’ll check GRs. 1 and 2 star reviews usually confirm my feelings and voila, I give myself permission to quite the book.And once I’m committed to that I start scouring for spoilery reviews so I get all the book gossip!
I’m the same way about page count — over 400 and I’m second and third guessing unless it’s a fave author and I can see how checking out GRs ratings could help in making that decision. Must remember to do that. I just checked and Alliance Bride is coming out July 14 on audible! Eeeep! It’s nearly 12 hours which is quite long (usually historicals are around 9 hours) so I might have skipped it by too (if I even knew about it!) You’ve introduced me to a new author and she writes contemporary romance under another name too. Will definitely be checking her out. Thanks for the recommendation! Good luck, Tracey!
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Depends on the author. Just finished a book by an author I’ve read her other 2 books and this 3rd book was just as amazing.
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Good luck, Kim!
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Good morning, Kav! Just look at it this way & you’ll feel a lot better. You could have SC’s heat & humidity. Ugh I don’t even wanna think about Jul or Aug yet.
I always read the blurb to determine whether or not I want to read the book, but nowadays the blurbs tell way too much in my opinion. If it’s 1 of my favorite authors I’ll read the blurb just to see what the book is about, even tho I know I’m going to read it.The only time I read the end of a book before I’m done is when I’ve read some of it & decide not to finish. I’ll skim to the end to see how it ends or whodunit.
Have a great week & thanks for the giveaway opportunity! dianalflowers at aol dot com
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You can keep your humidity right there, thank you very much, Diane! We finally got rid of ours and it looks to be blissfully cool for the next week.
I like when a book blurb has a catch tagline that tells some pertinent details, then if the rest of it looks spoilery I go with the tagline and at least have the gist of what the story is about. Some reveal waaaaayyyy too much information about the story…more like a book report. Good luck, Diane!
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It’s supposed to rain Tues & with it a drop in temps. Then they’ll be up, down, up, down til summer. So happy for you that your temps have finally cooled down. And just a wee bit jealous! 😜
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I have to have a book blurb, but I never read the ending first. I have a friend who always reads the last few pages first. My own quirk is that repetitive settings or time periods will eventually make me dislike that setting or time period. I can no longer read contemporary romances involving bakeries or WW2 fiction. I’ve read so many of those, I’m burnt out on those elements. 😦
Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com
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The whole read the ending first thing totally boggles my mind!!!! Interesting take on overused settings or time periods. That’s definitely happened with me and pioneer romances — the whole westward ho thing, mind you there’s always exceptions as well. Then there are other time periods that I never tire of – like WWII, so the complete opposite to you! And I do love a good bakery themed cozy mystery! Must be so hard for authors and publishers to determine what will be popular as they look ahead several years. Good luck, Jolene!
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Fun talk today…. I do read the blurb, reader page and any info about the book I am about to read….. NEVER go into a book blind! Thanks for your giveaway today, Kav.
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
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We are kindred reading spirits, Jackie. Yay for book blurbs! Good luck!
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I always read the blurb about a book I want to read. And I don’t mind a little mini spoiler if it’s included. I don’t read ahead and especially not the ending, although some suspense books make me tempted to do so. I have rapidly skimmed the last half of books that I knew I wasn’t enjoying just to get to the end, cause I just can’t make myself DNF once I’m reading. And I try to give it a good go, especially if it has good ratings and reviews, which I do look at also before starting a book, at least if it’s a new to me author. I can’t think of anything uniquely quirky about my reading😊
Best of luck in your moving and settling in to your new home!
Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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Oh, yes, the temptation to read ahead in a suspense book is very real. Just gotta know if I have the right suspect or I’ve solved the case before the hero and heroine, makes me want to rush ahead and verify my armchair sleuthing brilliance (snort) but so far I’ve managed to restrain myself. 🙂 Can totally see the benefit of skimming through to the end in a book you aren’t enjoying since you aren’t a DNFer. I think that’s the only occasion where I could bring myself to read the ending out of order. Good luck, Sandy!
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Interesting conversation! Going blindly into a book is not my typical practice, unless it is a very well known and favorite author. Even then, I usually do a few second scan of the summary. Never read the end first! It would be spoiled as I wouldn’t have the anticipation and gradual peeling back of story layers. Bookmarks are easily accessible, so no bent pages!! Tear off a piece of notepad, if nothing else. Also, I have always loved the library. There are sometimes problems which my librarian has chatted about after my returning an unpleasant book, be it strong smoke, mustiness, fragrance, etc. She mentioned having to put occasional returned books out on the courtyard table, fan the pages, spray with Lysol, and let the sun further try to work. Sometimes it isn’t enough. I guess some folks aren’t very aware or careful with library books.
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So many of us are book blurb gals! 🙂 I just can’t settle into a story without knowing something about it. I know, reading the ending first would spoil everyone — the anticipatory pleasure of the entire read would be, poof, gone! What’s the point of reading then? I know! dog eared pages are indefensible, especially on borrowed books! When I worked in my school libraries I used to have to give some of the books a ‘bath’ they’d come in so sticky. I used to bake the dubious ones in the sun too, even on cold days. Almost as satisfying as hanging your sheets on the line. 🙂 Good luck, CC!
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I’m kind of 50/50 when it comes to reading the synopsis. I always read it before buying a book, but if I don’t read the story right away I‘ll either remember enough and just start reading; however, sometimes when I get a few chapters in, I’ll start to wonder what the book is really about, so I’ll read it then. Or I re-read the synopsis before diving into the story so I don’t have to stop later to refresh my memory. My problem is that I can get stuck reading synopses for 30+ minutes trying to pick my next read. So if I just pick a book I own I can spend that time reading the story, and not the blurbs.
I detest reading the ending first! When I had just started a book once (literally on the first page) my brother walked in, grabbed it, and read the last paragraph out loud. I was so annoyed that I put the book back on the shelf and decided not to touch it again until I’d forgotten the ending. Now that I think about it, I really should pick it up and finally read it!
I’m thankful that I was raised right and don’t dog-ear my books!🤪
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Blurbs are one of the things that sell me on a book too and I’ve gotten stuck on the endless loop of synopsis reading instead of settling on one book and actually starting it! 🙂 Gah, your brother! I’d have made him walk the plank off my highest bookshelf into a pit of viciously snapping pages so he’d get a hundred paper cuts. And I’m glad that you were raised right and don’t dog ear your books (though your parents need to do some remedial work on your brother it seems. Bwahahaha!) Good luck, Sabrina!
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I don’t think I’ve ever read a book, at least not in recent history without reading the blurb first, or having read reviews online from my favorite book bloggers about it first.
And I’m definitely with you about flipping to the back of the book and reading the ending. I never in my life. have done that!
As for speeding up an audiobook, I don’t do that. I’ve heard people mention listening to a book at a higher speed than normal, and I tried it and just couldn’t do it. So a nine hour audiobook takes me nine hours!
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We seem to be like-minded readers, Patty. I do speed up my audio books depending on the narrator. Some sound too slow for me. But when I get to an angsty romantic part or a gripping action scene, I might just speed it up even more just until we get out of the excruciating part and then I go back to normal. I don’t do it a lot but occasionally the angst is just too much for me to bear. Bwahahaha. Good luck, Patty!
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This is fun! My daughter always reads the end of the book first for the same reason your friend mentioned. I’m with you about the spoilers thing.
I always use a bookmark. I worked in a library and was surprised what people did to books they borrowed. They were returned dog-eared, pages folded down, pages highlighted (even in a new book), and with smears of chocolate on many pages (how can you eat and read? (Especially chocolate)
Book Blurbs, sometimes I read them, sometimes I don’t. If it’s an author I know and like, I don’t care what it’s about because I know the author. Other times the cover of a book will grab me, and I’ll have to read the blurb and check out the publisher. I think it’s 50/50 in reading or skimming the book blurb.
Good questions. Hope your move is almost done.
Thanks for all you do. norafinding hope
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Gasp! Does it drive your crazy? Hopefully she doesn’t reveal the ending to you too. 🙂 I know, it seems like library users come in two camps, those who treasure the privilege of getting books for free and treat the books accordingly and those we think they don’t have to take care of the books because they don’t own them and the library can just buy another copy anyway! Ugh to the food — people don’t think about the insect/vermin issues a library can end up having to deal with because of that! Good luck, Nora!
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I go into a book blind. I’m not one to read the blurbs or synopsis. I never read the end of the book. Dog earing pages is just scandalous book abuse!
Kav, Have a blessed week.
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Ohhhh, you are our first book blind reader! I am fascinated by that, though, it kind of make sense since you love suspense and what bigger mystery is there than starting a book you know nothing about?! 🙂 Good luck, Caryl!
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I always read a synopsis initially, before adding a book to my want to read list. But then it may sit there for a long while before I get around to it and then if I’ve forgotten the synopsis by the time I do, all the better. I find I go into a book with less expectations of what I think the story is supposed to be and also get more of a surprise at events if I don’t know what it’s about before going in. At the same time, I have trope and storyline preferences. So it works out, since I know if it’s on my want to read list, then I apparently found the synopsis appealing enough to add it there at some point🤷♀️
Reading last pages before getting there in the story? Absolutely not.
Audio books, I don’t really listen to. I do usually watch my YouTube videos on double speed though, lol, if that counts.
And as for dog earing pages, nope.
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Ohhh, another book blind reader! I just can’t do, I need to know something about the story before jumping in! I’m the same way about choosing books through their synopsis but even though it’s on my TBR list and I know that I’ve already vetted it as a want to read book, I still absolutely have to read the synopsis again before I start reading. lol Ha, watching Youtube videos at double time would be interesting because you get the visual as well as the audio! And hooray that so far none of us hear at Best Reads are dog earers! Good luck, Elly!
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Yikes, I would never dog-ear the pages, Kav. And double yikes, I’d never ever read the ending first. Would a person dare to do both of these things? Oh the horror! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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Ohhhhh, horrors indeed contemplating the existence of an end reader, dog earer! I can’t even…..lol Good luck, Cheryl!
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If it’s an auto-read author, at most I skim the book blurb when it’s first announced; generally, I’ll even deliberately avoid it (I don’t what it is about whoever writes the blurbs for Laura Frantz’s books, but a couple have been egregiously spoilery, which has really put me off reading her blurbs). For authors I’ve been reading a long time, I don’t care so much what it’s about–I just trust it will be amazing.
Now, if it’s a new to me author, most often I will read the blurb, research reviews (especially seeking out the 3-star reviews to find what poeple complain about), pull up the free preview on Amazon, and then finally check it out from the library.
Regarding bent/creased pages – never bend the corners! (Or curl the cover, or crease the spine). On books I really care about, I have actually ironed the pages flat. Paper can take high heat safely (it doesn’t burn until 451 F), and it’s actually pretty effective.
rdalquist AT gmail DOT com
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Yes — there tends to be too much over sharing in book blurbs and you would think a publisher like Revell would know how to write a proper one by now, but a number of their historical novels have way too detailed book blurbs. Even though I know I will love the story by a fave author, I still need to read that blurb first…it’s not that I idon’thave faith in the author’s storytelling, it’s just that I need to know a wee bit about what I’m getting into. Does that make me a cautious reader?
I’ve heard other people say looking at 3 star reviews can be helpful. I love your organized way of sourcing out a new-to-you author book.
Ohhh, creased spines and curled cover — so painful. What are people thinking. I used to have a long bus commute to work back in the day and a lot of us regulars were readers. It was almost like a mobile book club, only we were all reading different books. But there was this one guy who used to read mammoth thriller type books and he would…hope you’re sitting down for this…rip out the pages of the book once he’d read them! I guess, the theory was that the book would get lighter the further along he got in the story? He’d leave the pages in the bus littler basket. But, oh my, I can still hear that harsh ripping sound and all the other readers on the bus would visibly flinch every single time. It was truly traumatizing.
And here’s another page ironer! That is going the extra mile! Good luck, Rachael!
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But . . but . . ripping out the pages will damage the structural integrity of the book, not to mention making it unreadable ever again. Once pages are falling out of a book in one place, they’re likely to fall out elsewhere. To deliberately pull out pages means you risk losing pages of the story you haven’t even read yet!
That is traumatizing.
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If the book is by an author I often read, I won’t read the book blurb. I know I will love the book since it’s by a trusted author. If it’s an author I’m not familiar with, I’ll usually read the blurb.
One of the former members of my book club always reads the last page first. She’s also one who only likes happily ever after. I never do that.
I would NEVER dog ear a page! I have many bookmarks and always use one.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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Love that you place so much trust in your fave authors. I trust them to deliver a great story too BUT I still need to know what I’m diving into so I still read the blurb. 🙂 Gasp! About the reading the end first friend….especially since she only reads happily ever afters so you kinda already know the ending anyway! Hooray for a good bookmark collection – a reader necessity! All my bookmarks are packed away. So sand. Good luck, Pam!
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There have been a few instances with a favorite author when I didn’t read the blurb first, but I usually read them. As a child, I treasured the books I owned, and I valued books from the library, so I would NEVER NEVER NEVER damage them in any way! No dog earing the pages, no writing on the pages, and being very careful about eating or drinking while reading them.
And, please don’t get me started on removing pages! When I was a librarian, we discovered that all of our Joanne Fluke books were missing multiple pages. These popular mysteries were full of recipes, and someone was apparently creating their own cookbook by checking out these books!
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
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I love your earnest childhood library habits! And you’ve reminded me that I’ve read book blurbs from the very start. Remembering those hardcover library books with the spectacular covers that had the book blurb on the inside flap! Happy sigh. Miss that with paperbacks.
And I love that the library loving girl grew up to be a librarian! But the gall of ripping out those recipe pages! I mean, just copy the ones you want. Gah! Good luck, Connie!
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I usually read the blurb–or at least skim it–unless it’s a favorite author. Then sometimes I won’t, although I sometimes know a few things about a favorite author’s book from social media or reading book reviews, etc. If the book of a new-to-me author catches my eye, I’ll read the blurb and check out reviews to make sure it’s a good fit for me before I take a chance on it. I rely a lot on reviews and recommendations from friends with similar tastes in books. Dog earing a book page is a crime. I always have plenty of bookmarks around.
Interesting discussion, Kav! Good luck on the moving!
whthomas13 at yahoo dot com
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I love the little blurbs we get on bookstagram when a book is coming out. That’s a fun way to find out about the story without giving too much away. Reviews are such a great way to check out a new-to-me author or a book I’m not sure about, in addition to the blurb. Especially helpfully if the blurb hints at a trope I’m iffy about. What would we do without bookish friend recommendations? Good luck, Winnie!
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I never go in blind. I am always hopeful. I do, however, if I’m half way through and it is dragging, skim through the next main chunk and then read the final chapter. That way I know the ending and can feel like I finished it. haha
dianemestrella at gmail dot com
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Like your shortcut for ‘draggy’ books and you still get closure for the story! Good luck, Diane!
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I always read the blurbs, even my most favorite authors. But when I come to read them, I often re read the blurbs while in the middle of reading the book as others have said.
I don’t read many reviews before I read a book and make it a point to not read reviews before I write my own review. I don’t want to copy. But I do read them to see if I agree with the majority of reviewers.
One thing I never do is dog ear a book page. I have scads of bookmarks, so no need but it is certainly sacrilegious to do so.
I almost never skip to the end. I would rather be surprised.
I don’t do audio books.
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paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom
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I wonder if publishers and authors grasp the importance we readers (well, a lot of us) place on book blurbs? I end up reading them multiple times throughout my reading too. I read some selective reviews if I’m trying to decide about a book — reviews from people I trust not to giveaway spoilers. Otherwise I wait until after I’ve posted my review as well. It’s fun to see other readers’ take on the story. Bwahahaha — yes dog earring is sacrilegious! We readers have strong feelings! Good luck, Paula!
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I almost always read the book blurb before I read the book because that’s how I decide if I actually want to read it. 😀 I never start with the last page first–unless it’s a book I know it’s a book I’ll probably never sit down and read. In that case, I’ll skim a little and read the last 2 or 3 chapters just to see if it ends well. And dog-earing pages? NOOOOOOO!!!!!! That’s what bookmarks are for! 😀
bookgurl60 at gmail dot com
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Unless it’s a must-read author, I have to read the synopsis to see if it’s something I’d be interested in. However, I have so many books on my list that I forget the details, so when I do read the book I don’t read the synopsis again and it’s kind of like reading blind, but vetted 😉
I used to skim the ending of books I’d be considering in the used book store. I don’t really do that anymore since I try new authors by reading their e-books now.
I used to dog ear pages as a teen, especially used books, but now that I read more e-books, I don’t have to always have a bookmark on me. When I do read a print book it’s one that I want to keep nice so I will use a bookmark.
One of my bookish quirks is to collect multiple editions of my favorite classics- Heidi, Little Women, and Pride & Prejudice.
Thanks for the fun giveaway!
colorvibrant at gmail dot com
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I like going into a book blind sometimes as I don’t like spoilers. Never ever ever read the end first or dog ear a page. I don’t listen to books as I’m a sight person so I can’t answer that one my book twin. Blessings leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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