Hour 20: "Extras"

[Alicia]

This will be my last hour moderating, but still going strong reading. I've taken my 30-minute power nap so I'll be going until the end. You? You can do this too!

My last question is: do you regularly read the dedications, author notes, and/or acknowledgements? Do you have an order that you read them regardless of where they're in the book?

Me? I love a good dedication, especially when it's an apt quote. I always read the author's note and sometimes find it more interesting than the story, but only if I have a connection with the author or was blown away with a book do I usually read the acknowledgements-- I know I probably should, but I don't. Someone make the case for why I should read each and every one!?

[Irene]

Oh I love the dedications. Sometimes, if I see a good dedication (like on Twitter or Instagram), it makes me want to pick up the book.
I don't read the about author-part, unless it's someone I haven't heard of beore. I do read the acknowledgements most of the time :)

[Larissa]

I feel a little bad about it but I don't read much of the extras unless it is less than a full page.

[Alicia]

Irene wrote: "Oh I love the dedications. Sometimes, if I see a good dedication (like on Twitter or Instagram), it makes me want to pick up the book.
I don't read the about author-part, unless it's someone I have..."

I agree that a fantastic dedication is another great way to get a book recommendation. I always think about the dedication I would write if I were to ever publish a book. You?

[Dannii]

I read EVERYTHING that is inside a book's covered. Dedications are my favourite as they often give the reader a further understanding about the author.

[Cynda]

I always look over everything. I love Penguin editions of classics I get an overview of writer, novel, timeline, sometimes maps and a glossary. I find at need ever word. I need the comfort of having the info to continue to refer to and better understand as I go along.

[Cynda]

I am fading quickly. I did not nap anywhere near enough. I have read plenty and will be (maybe) finishing a audiobook while coloring

Thanks Alicia for helping out
Best of Luck All

[Alix]

If I don't read all of it I feel (ridiculously) that I'm cheating. 😅

[Kate]

I don't like reading all the thank yous so normally skip them!
But I do read Author's notes. Particularly if they are historical notes because I like to see where the novel fits with actual events.

[Vicki Willis]

I read them all too. I am afraid I will "miss something" if I don't. I do especially like author's notes so I can see where an idea came from or how the journey went.

Author's Note: (I actually slept through this hour, but couldn't find the thread for hour 18 so posted here instead)

[Alicia]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I read them all too. I am afraid I will "miss something" if I don't. I do especially like author's notes so I can see where an idea came from or how the journey went.

Author's Note: (I actually s..."

I think the co-moderator for hour 18 didn't post, so you didn't miss anything.

[Leni]

I love a good dedication. Acknowledgements I skim to see if there's anything interesting in them. I tend to read the "about the author" part and then wish I hadn't. I often prefer not to know too much about the author or even what they look like! Can't really say why. I guess I like the author to be more of an invisible presence, someone I don't have to take much notice of and just relate to the book. Like, I'm not reading any of the speculations and the reveal about Elena Ferrante, let her stay anonymous. (But on the other hand I love it when authors interact with their readers on twitter, so I guess I'm not consistent.)

[Shelley]

I have learned not to read the Author's notes. Too many times they are 20th anniversary pats on the back that have spoilers for the book that I haven't read yet! It's just not worth the risk.

[[deleted user]]

Oh yes always.
Dedications cause they can be so fun,and sometimes so deep and relatable.
About the author can also be fun too, for example this one:
Derek Landy is an Irish writer and screenwriter. In addition to the bestselling children's/YA series of Skulduggery Pleasant books, a supernatural mystery series starring Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton detective, and Valkyrie Cain, a young female magician, he has written two screenplays that have been made into films: the IFTA award winning "Dead Bodies" and the IFTA nominated "Boy Eats Girl". Landy himself was nominated for an IFTA for Best Script.

He doesn’t like to brag about all the awards he’s won, such as the Irish Book of the Decade, or the Red House in the UK, or all the other awards that he humbly displays on his mantelpiece. He is also far too modest to mention things like the first book being a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year, but would like to extend an invitation to Oprah to pop around one day for tea, in thanks for selecting his book for the Oprah’s Book Club Kids Reading List.

Derek plays too many video games, reads too many comics, and watches too many movies. He lives in Ireland with too many cats. Occasionally he talks to real people, but only when he absolutely has to.
--
Is so funny. A great extra can make love a book even more.
Also I love when you buy a book online, or get in from the library, get it and SUPRISE there is extra things in the book, interview with the author, sneak peak of other books. Etc etc.

[Alicia]

Oda Renate wrote: "Oh yes always.
Dedications cause they can be so fun,and sometimes so deep and relatable.
About the author can also be fun too, for example this one:
Derek Landy is an Irish writer and screenwriter...."

I'd say!