i am a huge reader. i read first chapter, then end of book, then finish book. husband says

[seabeyond]

Poll question: i am a huge reader. i read first chapter, then end of book, then finish book. husband says

few people do that. meh... i think more do it than one would think. so we made a bet and he suggested i do a poll on du.

so

[blogslut]

1. blogslut Jr. goes directly to the end of a book

It used to drive me nuts that she did/does that but we all have our style. The important thing is the reading.

[seabeyond]

2. it is so funny. i ask about end of movie and would bother hubby so. now he just accepts it enhances

my enjoyment of movie or book.

i have to get to know the characters and stories a bet first though

[blogslut]

6. My sister is a notorious spoiler

She always suckers me in because she's so good at telling the story of a film or book or television show. She'll always stop and warn me:

HER: "Are you sure you want me to give away the ending?"

ME: "Yes please!"

:hi:

[seabeyond]

9. ha ha ha. my hubby is one of those the hate SPOILERS. totally opposite. 15 yrs in marriage before

i realized he was one of those. he is so mellow.... didnt make it clear. so funny. didnt even think people are bothered about knowing the end. i am a bet atisocial. i dont get out much.

[seabeyond]

3. btw... tell jr to vote. hubby and i have a bet going and i am losing, lol. nt

[blogslut]

7. Sorry

Junior lives on her own. She doesn't do DU. Sorry you're losing but I had to vote according to what I do. :)

[seabeyond]

10. lol. nt

[Bucky]

58. No, your child is wrong. You should punish her.

According to Leviticus, "Yea, for if a child readeth the end of the scroll first and spoileth the ending, and proceedeth thence unto the middle of the tablet, having already made an abomination of the narrative flow, thou shalt take her beyond the city gates and stone her."

Of course if you're a biblical revisionist, a simple flogging will suffice.

 

[calimary]

67. So does calimary.

I START there. Then I go back to the front and re-start. Life's got enough twists and turns. I appreciate those opportunities when I can find out what happens straight away rather than have to wait for it. I usually don't like surprises anyway.

[seabeyond]

75. me too. exactly. nt

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Depends on the book.

If it's a novel, I'm a straight-through reader. If it's a technical or professional book, I read the parts that most pertain to my concerns. If it's a nonfiction book, it depends on how captivated I am. I often read the first third or half and then, having gotten the author's drift,, skim the next bunch and then read the end more carefully.

[seabeyond]

5. i do it once i get the drift too. and i never read the last couple pages. and never the epilogue.

the story is already concluded before that and i get the idea who the bad guy is or resolution before the end end.... so i still have a bet of a surprise.

[JackintheGreen]

23. I agree

I'm an academic and I have to get through a LOT of books. Intro and Conclusion to get the gist then spot read the rest for the parts pertinent to my own work.

Novel -> front to back

[Zephie]

8. I always read the last word of the last page first

then go back to start the book. Nothing but the last word mind you! I've always been such a strange ducky.

[seabeyond]

11. you are right. that is odd. end. lol. as in the end. bah hahahah. nt

[bigwillq]

12. My neighbor does that

I never do.

[seabeyond]

14. then VOTE for your neighbor. all you people telling me of others, but none of you

oh no

leave me hanging with my measely little one vote

[bigwillq]

18. I already voted

"Never"

Sorry.

:hi:

[seabeyond]

19. lol..... thanks. nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. It's a great way to read non-fiction, but sucks for reading novels.

I do find with non-fiction, especially more academic/learning-style stuff, that reading first the final chapter (which has the final results of the argument/theory/whatever being presented) really helps to make sense of the other chapters because then one knows what the author's ultimate point is.

I read a book called "How to read a book" a few decades ago, and it suggested doing just that - and I've done it since.

But not for fiction. I don't like having the ending ruined.

[seabeyond]

16. it does not suck. it enhances, it allows me to get more out of the story as i read

what is it you said

"really helps to make sense of the other chapters because then one knows what the author's ultimate point is."

that

:toast:

[Rabrrrrrr]

21. well, it sucks for me - I enjoy the ride of the novel too much

to want to know where it ends. :-)

[seabeyond]

22. thumbs up.... it is all good. nt

[Sal Minella]

24. "Ruined" seems like such an odd concept to me here --

i.e. it doesn't "ruin" a car trip for me if I travel with a map showing the destination!

[Shandris]

37. A car trip is the journey TO entertainment...

...not the entertainment itself, along with the author/writer/director's intended subtexts, twists, and character revelation (as opposed to strict character development). Yes...RUIN is the only appropriate word (to me). :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. I always read the last chapter...That way I know I will never die

without knowing how the last book I read ended.

[seabeyond]

17. bah hahahah. that filtered thru my head once, when i was reading end. lol. cute. nt

[Javaman]

20. Billy Crystal from "when harry met sally".

Harry: I always read the end first.

Sally: Why?

Harry: because if I die halfway through, at least I'll know how it ends.

[seabeyond]

33. someone said that above. and i have had that reasoning before. it all works for me. nt

[cally]

25. I read the end of novels

because I don't want to read the book if I don't like the ending. I read fiction for pleasure and I generally only read books that I know I like the story. I read plenty of non-fiction and more intellectual books and articles but I read fiction for fun and to escape.

I also want to know the end of movies.

[seabeyond]

26. i am with you cally. and i have put book down when ending is bad.... lol

and thankful that i didnt waste my time to get....

bummed, for a waste of time.

[Toucano]

61. But how do you know you "don't like the ending" when you get it out of context?

Should I infer you only like happy endings?

LOL!

What if someone dies halfway through?

[cally]

64. Yep...only happy endings when I read for fun

I figure real life has enough sad endings.

[seabeyond]

65. me too. shhhh. dont tell anyone. wont watch old yeller either. nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

27. If I get an hour in, and it's still boring, I'll skip to the end.

If the end is boring, I've saved myself 5 hours. If it's not, I'll circle back.

[seabeyond]

32. i have done that too. see, there are so many reasons to do what i do, lol.

people dont know what they are missing.

[truth2power]

28. I frequently read the end of a novel before I start it....

If I'm at the library I'll check out the last few pages (skim them) to see if I'm going to like the book. My daughter thinks I'm crazy. I think the process is as important as what actually happens, so it's not really a spoiler for me.

[seabeyond]

30. "not really a spoiler for me. " ... me either... nt

[elocs]

29. I'm a huge non-reader, of books that is, although I used to be.

I read so much online where I can enlarge the print as I like, so I'm just not up to reading books. Besides, when I try and read a book I find myself falling asleep in 15 minutes. I still have a book I received as a birthday present a year and a half ago about the 2008 presidential campaign that I have not finished and likely never will.

[seabeyond]

31. 2.75 granny glasses now, lol. i read a book every couple days, or every day

have even read a couple books in one day if they are short enough, lol.

then i read du

a lot

i spend most my days reading, one way or another. it has always been

[Rowdyboy]

34. My mom did that...I always thought it was weird but whatever the reader prefers I suppose....

As long as you're reading something

[seabeyond]

39. ya. and did you vote for your mom. or you. i am dyin here. hubby is close to winnin

all i have to be is over 10%, lol. he said no more than 10%. i believe i am at 11%

[Rowdyboy]

40. I'll vote for mom....

just to pad your numbers (up to 14% now!)

[seabeyond]

41. lol lol

oh rowdy... lol

thanks.

[yawnmaster]

35. I read books backwards. I start at the last page and read back to the start.

With a book that has a really good ending, I say to myself, I just can't wait to see how this story starts!

j/k

[seabeyond]

38. ha ha, i have done that. if the end isnt enough i go further. i have skipped thru some books enough

i pretty much have the whole story down. so much fun....

[bemildred]

36. Other: depends on the book.

Sometimes straight through, sometimes hop around, sometimes all the "supporting material" first, or last.

[derby378]

42. I hope he didn't give the Harry Potter series that treatment

"Honey, I've got a spoiler for Deathly Hallows! The last word of the book is well! You owe me five bucks!" :rofl:

[Capitalocracy]

43. I don't do that, but I've known plenty of people who do.

Seems fairly normal. It's your book, read it how you like.

[seabeyond]

44. thank you. i will

did you vote for the plenty of people? or you, lol.

teasin

hey

it is a bet. and i am competitive.

[Capitalocracy]

46. I actually hadn't voted

buuuut since it's a bet... I'll channel one of those plenty of people for this one

[seabeyond]

48. bah hahaha, lol

funny. hopefully hubby will just look at poll numbers and not read my posts. lol. all is fair in ... well, a bet.

[a la izquierda]

45. it depends on the book...

for me, when i read leisure material, it's front to back. for my academic stuff, intro-conclusion-body is the most fruitful.

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. I'll have to quality it

fiction front \back

Non Fiction... depends.

[seabeyond]

49. you know, there is a consistency to this thinking, i see. doesnt make sense to me. would be the

opposite.

[nadinbrzezinski]

52. As a historian I may need only one chapter from

a book for whatever I am researching. And the chapter will be mostly self contained.

[seabeyond]

55. thanks.

wasnt getting it. but your explanation makes sense. didnt think of that. but tis true. i would do the same.

[JackRiddler]

50. Depends. Fiction or non-fiction? Academic or popular? For reference, research, or enjoyment?

[seabeyond]

51. really hubby and i are talking my fiction reading. though i see a pattern that

non fiction people tend to read the end more and fiction straight thru. i would do the opposite. i am not curious about the end of a non made up story. it is the imaginative story i want to know where the author is going.

[JackRiddler]

53. Fiction? I like to live in it and give the author a chance to play me.

A memoir or biography or a chronological, narrative history I'd be likely to treat the same way.

Non-fiction, I may be looking for something specific and not need to read the whole thing. All depends.

If you're doing social science, meaning if you're writing something yourself and need to get through a whole bunch of books, it's typical to read an intro, then the last chapter, then parts of the rest, or to use the Index as needed. You might read a whole bunch of abstracts and intro/conclusions before picking something that will get more thorough attention.

Right now I'm re-reading The Power Elite in order, because it's frackin' brilliant.

[seabeyond]

54. i am getting it now. i understand why people are leaning the way they are.

me? i dont like disappointment. if i start thinking it is going to go here and it goes there, well...

nah

maybe i dont like the unknown.

i dont know, lol lol

but i do like knowing where and why a story goes before traveling it.

thanks

[Raine]

56. No I don't do that. The only time I do is when the book is horribly boring

or written in some way that is almost impossible to read. I will then skip to the end to see if it ever gets better, usually it doesn't. Books I have to do that with I usually never read more than the first chapter, the last two pages and nothing inbetween.

Doing that for me would ruin the book. Whatever makes the reading more enjoyable for you though I say keep doing it! :hi:

[seabeyond]

66. what is really bad. if i am reading a bad book anymore.... i have to read the whole thing

then i gripe to hubby all while i am reading how poorly written it is and what a bad book. he tells me, ... stop. i cant.

i hear ya

:hi:

[Uzybone]

57. whatever works for you. I read beginning to end.

Don't see a reason for reading the end first.

[seabeyond]

68. i dont read end first. then i wouldnt know characters. i have to read at least the first chapter

before end. wink.

[MilesColtrane]

59. I read books in their intended sequence.

(on edit)

I figure a fiction writer has put things in a certain sequence for a reason, and I am willing to get lost in the story and emotionally invested in the characters.

Even if a novel doesn't turn out how i expect or want, if the story is well told enough, that won't bother me.

Heck, after reading enough fiction, I WANT the author to take me some place I don't expect.

[Electric Monk]

60. Try starting in the middle then working your way word by word to both covers at once..

You get a whole new story :bounce:

[seabeyond]

70. actually

i have jumped only a handful of pages at a time, when i knew an answer to something immediate was not the end but 50 pgs ahead. not a bad way to read. or start from the back and work my way to front occassionally

[Very_Boring_Name]

62. I hate having the endings ruined. I still remember buying the 6'th harry potter book...

flipping open to a random page, and reading the words [SPOILER ALERT!}"Snape had just killed Dumbledore". Totally ruined the book for me.

[seabeyond]

71. ha ha. that is funny. i have read a series of four books. moning. she has a final book

that came out the other day. i am so excited. waited a month. i went in and read all the spoilers adn savoring it before i buy the book.

just something i need.

so funny.... differences.

[Liberal_in_LA]

74. You just spoiled the book for me!

Just kidding :hi:

[seabeyond]

76. bah hahaha. nt

[Codeine]

63. Never.

You crazy. ;)

[seabeyond]

72. but fun... you people are so funny. have to follow the line everyone tells you to follow

just cause a book goes 1 2 3 4 doesnt mean you have to go 1 2 3 4 ....


just sayin

[shanti]

69. front to back, no cheating here

however....if i have recorded an athletic event such as a basketball game, i immediately start watching from the 4th quarter! go figure.

[seabeyond]

73. wow. i use to tell hubby who won games when he had to record. didnt realize people dont like

that. go figure.

[Codeine]

79. when I DVR a soccer game I watch it at double speed.

Mostly so I can avoid the inane banter of the clueless ESPN folks.

[shanti]

85. that's the best thing

about having a dvr, imo, NO MORE COMMERCIALS.

[Codeine]

77. I'm a normal-sized reader, so I start at the front.

;)

[seabeyond]

78. you are calling me fat. i heard you. geeeesh

d*mn good thing i dont take things personally.

[Codeine]

81. LOL!

I just love the phrase "huge reader." Makes me think of giants or dinosaurs.

[MrSlayer]

80. Why would you want to ruin the story like that?

This is flat out insanity.

[seabeyond]

82. it ENHANCES not ruins. it makes it better. more enjoyable. excitement to get to

what i KNOW will happen. think outside the box. lol

[riderinthestorm]

83. I do it. I like to watch how the writer structured the story while I'm reading it.

I read the first chapter, and then skip to the last and read that.

Then I read it straight through but the whole time I'm also thinking about why the writer structured the plot this way or that. It doesn't matter one whit to me that I "know" the ending, I enjoy the book every bit as much. I love to see the way the writer's mind works and how they figured out getting from beginning to end.

And seabeyond, my husband also finds this absolutely crazy and we've been married 25 years!!!!

I'll also add that it actually does save time: if the first chapter and last chapter haven't captured my interest, I don't read the book. I move on. As a voracious reader with a very limited time for reading, I hate to waste time on drivel. This works for me but I know it doesn't work for many others.

We're a rare crew - seabeyond and the 14 others who've 'fessed up. We need to meet at a bar and have a " DU Spoilers Meet-Up".

[seabeyond]

84. bah hahah. hugs. if i am going to be in a group

of oddballs, happy you are there with me. so funny. excellent.