Do you take the time to read the stuff BEFORE the 1st chapter?

[Tara]

I also agree!

[Michael]

I don't like a lot of material before chapter 1. I almost never read any foreword or afterword, and hate long prologues (with the exception of that in Nick Cave's "And the Ass Saw the Angel")

A prologue is often misused by new writers, who use it to do a lot of "world building," and to otherwise lay out a lot of background information and setup that should be woven into the story.

Why not just get on with the story? That's what I like about SK. There's not a lot of gibberish at the beginning. He just dives into the story.

Michael E. Henderson

[Debra]

Michael wrote: "I don't like a lot of material before chapter 1. I almost never read any foreword or afterword, and hate long prologues (with the exception of that in Nick Cave's "And the Ass Saw the Angel")

A p..."

Long prologues can certainly be annoying, and you are right about King not being one to indulge in them.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I read prologues. Sometimes I read forewords. If I particularly like the book sometimes I read it afterwards. Occasionally I'll read inside reviews beforehand but I generally don't pay much attention to them.

[Debra]

Erin (Paperback Stash) wrote: "I read prologues. Sometimes I read forewords. If I particularly like the book sometimes I read it afterwards. Occasionally I'll read inside reviews beforehand but I generally don't pay much attent..."

Yep, sometimes I just skim the reviews. It depends on my mood, I guess... or how many reviews there are.

[Kristi]

I read prologues. Like someone else said, I worry that I'll miss something crucial. I think in addition to SK,
Lisa Unger does a fantastic job with her prologues.

Kristi Belcamino
www.kristibelcamino.com
author of Blessed are the Dead

[Debra]

Yeah, Kristi, those prologues are important. I always try to keep them in the back of my mind while reading the book to see where they finally connect to the story.

[Kristi]

Exactly!
My second book in my series has a prologue. I just sent it to my agent and editor yesterday for them to read for the first time and will be curious to see if they let me keep it. Prologues are supposedly such a "no-no" But sometimes I really like them. We'll see in this case. : )

[Janice]

I had to laugh at my hairdresser who said the other day that she never reads the prologue or the epilogue. I told her she was missing important parts of the story.

[Debra]

Yeah, your hairdresser needs to get a clue!

[Kristi]

I must admit I DO usually skip the prologues in nonfiction. Fiction? Never.

[Michelle T.]

If I tell you the truth, I first look at the cover of the book, and see how the cover and the name calls my attention.
Then, I read the inside of the jacket... and 75% of the time I read the end of the book to see how it finish, and if it call my attention I get it!!! :D

[Janice]

Michelle T. wrote: "If I tell you the truth, I first look at the cover of the book, and see how the cover and the name calls my attention.
Then, I read the inside of the jacket... and 75% of the time I read the end of..."

That reminds me of the movie "When Harry Met Sally". He said he was so dark that he always read the last chapter first.

I read scattered paragraphs here and there when I'm reading a paperback or hardcover. It's a little harder to do with audiobook or ebooks. :)

[Debra]

Oh horrors! Reading the end of a book first first!? lol

[Michelle T.]

I know Debra, I'm bad @$s... :)

[Debra]

lol

[Ann]

It it a pet peeve that the start page when you "crack open" a Kindle book the first time is after the prologue and any liner pages that offer a small set-up; usually they are set to open at the beginning of chapter one. I always have to back track past them to the cover page and proceed.

[Debra]

I didn't know that, Ann. I will have to see if I notice that with my Nook. VERY frustrating, for sure.

[Amberle]

I'm one of those who enjoys the plot of a novel on one hand, and has a totally separate but equal scale for judging the physical book itself, in the other. I recently started reading The Warsaw Conspiracy, and found myself really disturbed by the lack of front material. No copyright info, credit for the cover art, or anything. I won the book through a Goodreads giveaway, so I thought it might have been an ARC or a proof copy, but there's nothing designating it as one... The abnormality of it actually did put me off from starting the book for a whole two days... I love good front matter.

[Debra]

That's strange, Amberle. I can see why you were a bit put off the book. Maybe it IS an unmarked ARC. I hope you enjoy it!

[Pat]

Ann wrote: "It it a pet peeve that the start page when you "crack open" a Kindle book the first time is after the prologue and any liner pages that offer a small set-up; usually they are set to open at the beg..."

Dear Ann, I feel the same way about the Kindle books! It's funny, but before publishing I never read anything before Chapter One. Now I read everything, figuring the author put it there for a reason.

[[deleted user]]

With Stephen Kings books I ALWAYS read the stuff before and after the actual story. Sometimes my favorite quotes from the book actually come from those sections. I love his sarcasm. That's probably why I've read On Writing at least two or three times already.

[Debra]

I have also read On Writing 2 times. Even his non-fiction is fascinating. I love reading about his life and foibles. He's so honest about himself, and seems such a down-to-earth guy.

[Doseofbella]

I read it all...
I adore any type of introduction by the authors. Unique prospectives and opinions are usually found. It all adds to the journey your about to take once you turn that first page.
Happy Reading!

[Debra]

I couldn't agree with you more, Doseofbella!

[Tim]

I ingest everything available concerning the books I read. I don't want to miss anything.

[Debra]

Ditto, Tim!

[Doreen]

I also read everything when I read a book.

[Daniel]

I only read enough of the dust jacket to decide, yes I am reading this, then start the story. But before I am done with the book, I will have read the entirety of it. I read anything after the end of the story as I finish the story. I have been known to skip introductions on reprint/new editions that only seem to be talking about what has been added or a retrospective, and like the 2nd half of the dust jacket, I will circle back and read that before I am done with a book.

[Debra]

Good to hear from you Doreen and Daniel.

[Doreen]

Debra wrote: "Good to hear from you Doreen and Daniel."

Thank you Debra. That's very kind of you.

[Erin]

If it's not horribly long I will read the information before the first chapter. It's nice to know a little background information about the author or a bit of the inspiration behind the story before digging in. But I'm only good for a few pages at most of this type of information before I get impatient and skip to the story. I don't want a full analysis of characters I haven't met yet or an a full break down of the writer's life prior to getting into the book.

[Debra]

Good points, Erin. Although I rarely skip long introductions, I do sometimes because they can be quite boring!

[Dustin]

Debra wrote: "For me, whenever I pick up a book to read I examine the jacket or cover, read all the blurbs inside and out, revel in that unique smell of paper and ink, and carefully read each page before startin..."

You and I share the exact ritual!:)

[Debra]

It's an awesome ritual, too!

[Dustin]

Debra wrote: "It's an awesome ritual, too!"

It can become somewhat tiring and compulsive, but it is pretty cool.

[Debbie]

Usually I read it after I have read the book because too many times especially if the book is considered a classic there are spoilers. So usually I will read it after I am done the book.

[Debra]

Good point, Debbie.