The Next Best Book Club discussion
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How Do You Read a Book?
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When I embark on a new book, I reread the blurb on the inside page (or back), and check the last page#. I skip all intros and forewars (I was horribly spoiled by one, and am still licking the wounds from it).
I dont divide myself by how many pages I need to read, or fold down pages (YIKES), but I have noticed unintentional links consecutive novels... I read a book that had taken place in Philly, and then the next book made a quick reference to that city. Something silly like that.
Wow Norabee, I do A LOT of things simillar. Read front cover or inside, read copyright date, see how many pages it is! (Except I don't dog ear the half way mark).
I notice similarities in the book just read and the one that's being reading now a lot of the time. Synchronicity! (or just a heightened awareness). I sometimes read the last two or so pages of a books after the first chapter. Yikes! Usually I do this to see if I recognize any names at then end....one of my pet peeves is books with so many characters I can't keep them all straight. And then, being a childrens' librarian, I'm stuck with the bad word flags that pop up in my head even when a book is an adult book. Not that I mind that many "bad" words, it's just that if the book gets into my library I'm going to want to defend it to anyone who is mortally wounded by the sight of a "bad" word.
I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one that has reading rituals! I read the front and back covers - not the flaps on a hardback. I read the copyright info and list of "Also by this author". I check to see how many pages there are and mentally divide it into fourths-not sure why.
I cannot stop reading mid chapter unless it's an intentional break point and this drives my husband crazy.
Once I reach the last few chapters I MUST finish in one sitting, this also drives my husband crazy.
I don't dog-ear or fold pages. I try not to lay a book down open but have done it from time to time. I'll use anything for a bookmark.
I have a different pile of books for different reading environments. Certain pile for at home in my chair, another pile for the pool, another for carrying around. If I've designated a book as 'pool', I cannot read it anywhere else, this drives me crazy.
I have to read the last page first...NOT!!!!!
Just kidding. I reread the backcover, the inside cover, make sure it is not #2 in a series that I have not read #1, and sit down, and enjoy.
I'm like you Lynlee, I have to finish the chapter or stop at the beginning of a sentence at the top of the page.
I always reread the back of the book before I start it and then look at the total number of pages. That's about it for me, though.
WOW--I don't do all that. But, I must finish a chapter before putting the book down. Just recently, when I get to a new chapter I check to see how many pages it is. I don't do that halfway mark thing though. Couldn't you use a bookmark for marking it instead of folding pages down? I think that would be nicer to do, eh?I do check the copyright too. Some books that were written in the 80's, I don't care for. and I do smell the book everytime I start reading it again.
I do not have a pre-reading ritual per se, but there are things I do while reading that might fit the category. I find that I am often overwhelmed by the number of characters in a novel, so I keep a piece of paper and a pen handy while reading and keep a list, with a few words about each. It minimizes teh number of times I come across a character and wonder to myself who, when where. When place, repeating imagery, color or some other aspect of the book craft seems significant, I keep a separate list of places, imagery, whatever, and their potential significance, very briefly. In non-fiction books, I often mark particular passages that explain specific ideas, then type in the passage later. For almost every book I have read over the last many years, I have written a brief, and sometimes not so brief, summary. My memory leaves much to be desired, always has, and I find writing information down helps me retain it. Sometimes writing it down helps me think further about the book.One tool I find very helpful for marking passages is Bookdarts. They let me leave the dog-ears on the dogs. A viable substitute is small post-its.
I also like to end a reading session at the end of a chapter because I find it difficult to get back into the story otherwise.My first novel is only 288 pages but there are 49 chapters. A number of people have said they either couldn't put it down or stayed up reading longer than they thought they would. I believe this is due in part to having short chapters.
While writing the book I read somewhere that it's a good idea to keep chapters around ten pages or so, because people will usually check how long the next chapter is before starting it. If the chapter is too long, they set it aside for later. If they do that too many times, they may lose interest and then the author has lost a reader.
When I start a new book I never read anything that the author or anyone else puts before the Prologue/1st Chapter but I always go back and read that stuff when I'm finished. Also, I always try to read at least 100 pages a day and when I go over/under 100 pages I usually try to get to a chapter that begins on a page that is a multiple of 10.
This is an interesting thread...When I chose a new book, I generally want it to be something far removed from the book I've just finished (different genre, different time frame, different setting, etc.)
I always read the cover blurb (or the front page) to get a "feel" of rather I'm in the mood for that storyline or not.
I also have a tendency to look at the number of pages, but I don't set myself a certain # to read per sitting. (I MUST, however, end each sitting at the end of the chapter or an intentional breaking point)
That about covers my rituals!
Isiah,That is interesting.
Have you ever kicked yourself for skipping any "Dear Reader" letters from the author, or "family trees" that are at the beginning of the book?
As an author whose editor has asked me to create "front matter", and then noticed from readers' comments that they obviously haven't read whatever vital facts the "Dear Reader" letter was supposed to communicate, I've often wondered how effective such things are.
I have to chuckle at your mathematical approach to reading!
Rowena
Rowena Cherry
David, and Maurean,Whole "How To..." books have been about page-turner tactics such as the use of Hooks and Grabbers.
Hours are spent by authors and their editors trying to thwart the orderly intentions of readers who want to stop at the end of a chapter, and seduce readers into turning one more page.
Are you never tempted to read on?
Rowena Cherry
(romantic facetiae)
Mod
I mentioned above that I was burned once by reading an Intro prior to reading the novel it was introducing. That book was The Third Policemen by Flann OBrien. The intro actually gave away the entire premise of the book, which was a HORRIBLE thing to do, since it ruins the way you now read it. Knowing the outcome of a book makes it hard to read it with that 'page turning' excitement....
I think all intros should be thrown to the back of the novel and called Afterwords.... so then, we have read the novel, may have some questions as to why it was written in such a fashion or where the author came up with the idea... and dont need to worry about being potentially spoiled anymore.
I have been burned reading the flaps so a lot of the time I don't read those. I do however look to see what the last page is and menatally think the number of the half book page. I for some reason need to know my half way point. I don't fold anything but I just know.I too like to end on chapters. That is one reason why I like James Patterson books so much.
I don't have to but I like to read at least 100 pages a day. I don't have kids and read on my lunch break daily.
I have much of the same requirements as other readers. I have to read the back cover and the flaps before picking a book. Usually if this doesn't grab me I won't even read the book. If information is given about the author then I read that too. I also look to see if it's part of a series. I hate reading a series out of order and I get annoyed when it's not specified in the book. I don't usually read forewords or prologues unless it's part of the story. I want to read it, formulate my own thoughts, and then seek the opinions of others. Finally, I can't stop mid-story either. I have to stop either at the end of the chapter or at an intentional break.
I always read the back otr inside blurb.The I too look at the last page to see how long it is and sneak a look at the last page to read.It's a habit I can't seem to break.I have done it since i was a kid.I alwys seem to look at the copyright too.
I usually read the back cover or inside summary first, then when I go to start the book, I look at how many pages it is and try to remember that. Usually, at some point, I get a little distracted while reading and I will flip back and read about the author and check to see when it was written -- usually, that is caused by when there is a word that I don't see around too often. Also, I usually skip the forewards and notes from the authors. I also skip any endnotes (like in my copy of Dracula) because I find that it's too distracting to go back and forth. When it comes to having to stop reading, I usually aim for the end of a chapter, or for a page that has a finished sentence or paragraph. I hate to stop, midway through a page. Normally, I would wait for the end of a chapter, but that's a little harder with a baby in the house.
I try not to read blurbs. I usually read the first paragraph first to see If I will like the book. When I was young, I used to read the last sentence. But I don't do that any more. I didn't used to break my books up into sections, but I do it now to ensure that I do read something (GR has done this to me). I break my books up into 3rds or 4ths depending how long they are, sometimes into 90 or 100 page chunks. I read the notes if I am completely lost about the reference or if I read the book for a class. I don't dog-ear much, I try to use sticky notes. But sometime for textbooks, I do dog-ear by chapter or class reading sections, or to indicate the notes. I almost always forget to look at the copy right page until I've started the book so a lot of the time I stop where I am and look at that whenever I remember to do it.
Oh Fiona, you're as bad as I am or maybe even a little worse (lol)! I like to sniff library books, I love that old book smell - it reminds me of my childhood - being in school or something.I also have to have a book in progress at all times. Even if I finish a book late one night, I have to begin the next one immediately, even if I only get a chapter in (of course, that can mess up my whole divide by 100 pages/number of days thing, but I can deal with it.
I bring my book with me wherever I go too! I may not actually read it but it's always there and if I'm not having a good time wherever I'm at, I'll glance longingly at the book - a few people have caught me doing this and have said to me, "you really want to read that book, don't you?" I usually just sigh (in a big sacrificing kind of way) and say "It's ok, I'll read it later."
I like to check out the type of paper in my books too! I also find it interesting to see how the pages are finished, what kind of edge it has, etc.
I don't read while actualy watching tv, but I will put the tv on mute and read during commercials - I find you can get a lot of extra reading done that way.
Thanks for all the posts, now I know I'm at the right website!
Jackie - I'm with you on reading a series in order and can't stand it when they don't make it easy to figure out the order.Fiona - you're too funny! Thanks for the giggles.
I have to pick out my next book before I finish my current. If I don't, I can't seem to pay attention to my current read.
Whenever I start a new book I have to look and see how many pages it is first. I also like to stop @ the end of a chapter and if that isnt possible then I stop when a sentence ends @ the end of the page. I also find myself taking what page I am @ and dividing it by the number of pages so I can see what percentage of the book I have completed.
Lynlee4 and Fiona, good points regarding series.I now research books using GR to make sure they are not part of a series. It's already happened to me a couple of times where I've read a book only to find out there was a Part 1. This annoys me to no end, especially if I enjoyed the book I read because I feel like I missed out. Particularly, if you are into romance (yes genre snobs, I like a good romance from time to time) the author will write spin-offs, but not mention anything in the inside or back covers indicating so.
It's about money. Since bookstores can return books that don't sell for different titles, any that don't move enough copies get shipped back. Unless the author is J.K.Rowling or Robert Jordan, bookstores stock only the last few books the author produced.
I do both of these:"And I carry it wherever I go even if I know I won't read it.
And occasionally if I get to a really exciting bit, and I'm a bit too excited to read on I'll close it. Look at the front cover and hug it. If I really like the book it'll even get a kiss."
I don't read the back or inside cover. I like to know as little about it as possible when I go to read it. I don't want any thing ruined for me.
Ok, I also have to immediately start a new book once I'm finished because, as Fiona said, I need to be "currently" reading something at all times.Unlike most of you who have to stop at the end of chapters, that doesn't really bother me. I can stop at the end of paragraphs, as long as the paragraph doesn't end with a line of dialogue.
My first and foremost thing with starting a new book is I always caress it first.Then I turn it over and read the back of the cover.I then return to the front of the cover and study the picture a little while caressing it some more, I then feel ready to gently open the book.I will look to the end to see how many pages there are and then do the mental math of dividing it into the half mark and into quarters although this is strictly mental,I like the book to remain pristine as possible.Like Lori,I skip the forward.I don't want any of the books secrets divulged.After a suitable time of
If the book has really moved me I always close it and hold it close
You may think I'm joking (I am a little)but I do like to caress the book first and study the picture and all the rest. It's my favorite part of the ritual.
I will not read back covers, flaps, forewards, intros, or any other thing that could in any way be able to tell me absolutely anything about the book. I don't read reviews either. I want to be surprised as I go along. I immediately check how many pages the book is. This relieves me from thinking that it is longer than it is. After I have checked the pages, I divide it into fourths. If it is a big book, I read the first fourth of the book. I then start another book. If it is shorter, I read half of it, if it is big, I read one fourth of it. I go through all of the above with the second book before I start reading it. I always have at least two books going at the same time. I also can't leave a chapter unfinished. That is my frantic routine.
When I was younger, I never read any of the "Dear Reader" letters in the front of the book. I always thought it was a waste of time to read when what I really wanted to read was the actual book.Now I have to read the "Dear Reader" letters...even the thought of skipping it feels like a sin! :)
before i start reading a book, i have to make sure that i have a bookmark, little post-its and a pencil close by. when i come across a passage that i like, i'll mark the page with a post-it so i can go back and write it down lately.i've also been noticing lately how book i've read are related in some ways. not the big huge way, like these two books take place in england, but in smaller ways. for instance, i'm reading the red leather diary, and it mentioned something about aphrodite's daemon. this immediately reminded me of the dark materials series, and i thought that was neat. so, i'll jot down the 2 books and similarity and stick that post-it in the front cover. i have a dream of someday doing like a family tree of books by related subject matter, but i'm sure it'll just end up being randoms post-its scattered about.
other than that, i don't have anything i must do before, or while reading. i like to stop at chapters, but i catch reading moments whenever i can, and sometimes i just can't.
Amazingly, I can't really think of anything I have to do when starting a book. It's become more what I don't do. I agree with Lori and whoever else said that they don't read any of the intros, book covers, whatever. I just jump right into the book because I've come across several spoilers by reading the intros (Barnes and Noble Classics books are absolutely terrible about giving out spoilers in the intro. I know it's a classic, but that doesn't mean I actually know anything about it.) I will almost always read the extra stuff after finishing though.I do like to stop reading at the end of the chapter, but if I'm falling asleep, I'll stop mid-sentence.
David, you're absolutely right about the short chapters. I rip through books with short chapters. It's always, "Well, the next chapter's short and I really want to see what happens next..." and next thing I know it's impossibly late and I've finished the book.
Fiona I am the same way. I curse the phone many times a day for interrupting my reading. Usually it's telemarketers or medical people which make it more irritating
I will see how many chapters a book has and divide by two and then I will see how many pages it has and sometimes I didivde it by two then I know when I reach the half way point. If the book has parts I will half that to. If there is a intro or prologue I will read that. And I have to have a bookmarker. I do not like to turn the corners of the page down that is a pet peeve!! anita :O)
I look at the cover, then check the copyright page. Then I do the the most horrible thing, I make notes in my book margins. I don't read library books because I never want to return them. So I figure if I own it then no one is going to care about the notes. My daughter actually thanked me for helping her get through her AP English class with all of my margin notes.
Maybe I have some without knowing but besides checking how many pages the book has (even if it doesn't change a thing if it is 200 or 800 pages) I can't think about any. Most of the time I don't have time to do any of the things that have been mentioned because I am already completely in my own world reading the story.
Wow, I didn't know there were so many rituals for starting a book. I do read the blurbs and reviews to get a feel for what to expect. Can't say that I've ever divided the number of pages/chapters when starting. All sounds a bit mathematical to me but you know what I bet now I will probably give it a go. I like to end at a convenient place but too often something else comes along which means I have to stop wherever I am.
Wow, this has been a fascinating thread. My DO's - I read flaps, reviews, everything. I always thought it was part of the book, and if there was any intro material, I figured it could be neccessary to the understanding of the book, so I've always read it.
It must pass the sniff and the font test, or it doesn't matter how intriguing, it goes away.
And lately - if the book speaks to me, I feel the NEED to pass it on. And I prefer if the person I passed it to returns it if it doesn't speak to them, and passes it on if it does. Gotta keep that good book karma going.
My DONT's - I NEVER dog ear. Used to when I was younger, NEVER do anymore. I just can't bear to abuse a book in any way.
I also never put a book face down opened up. Book abuse!
I do math for a living, but I've never done this halfway, quarter way division stuff. I'm thinking about doing it from now on though!
Is this how you guys read so quickly??? Maybe if I set page/chapter goals for myself, I'd read as fast as you guys do.
(And Fiona - your comments throughout were so funny. Have you ever thought about writing a book? I mean it!)
You should write Chris-Moore-type stuff. I think that is definitely your genre! Whatever that is, dark humor?? I don't know what they call his stuff, it sure is unique & funny!
Lori RE: post #17 : That is what Stephen Lawhead did with Hood, and while I found it quite odd to find out the reasons he did certain things the way he did,it actually added to the book having found out after reading the whole book so...I agree with ya!!
After cruising this thread, I feel more "normal" than I ever have! Strangely enough this is one area I don't have a pattern for! I do usually read the blurb on the back if I'm not familiar with the author or book. Otherwise, how would I ever read someone new? But I just pick up a book and get started most of the time!
Before: I read the back cover or inserts, copyright info, other books by. Then I have to check the number of pages and divide in half, to figure out how many days it should take me.During: I have to be either in my bed with Ella or Etta playing on my mp3 player or curled into the corner of the couch with the tv on. And I cannot read a book unless I am covered up with a blanket...I'm not sure why that is. I also take running notes; writing down page numbers that have passages I like or think are meaningful. I use a 5x7 ruled notecard as a bookmark, which I use to keep these notes on. (Granted it tends look funny when the bookmark is bigger than the book!) I too, have to stop at the end of a chapter, and I have to stop on an even page...which is really random, and incredibly hard to do!
After: I write a few more notes, and thoughts on the book onto my notecard. I wait a day or two, then type my notes up (ocd much...I actually have a folder on my desktop with a sub folder for each letter of the alphabet to keep titles straight!). After I've typed them up, the notecard goes into the front of the book, along with a printed typed version and then back on the bookshelf. I've even gotten to where I'm putting them into library books, with very little information, so as to not spoil the book for anyone. Also in library books I put a mini review in the front. I don't know if anyone ever reads them, or has commented on them, or just thrown them away. Maybe I should check into that...
i love this thread, i've never really thought about it but i do have reading habits.if the book has them i like to read to back or front flap, and i always look at the first few pages, copyright, the dedication, chapter list, whatever. but i never read introduction, those from other authors talking about the book, they always spoil it!
i also hate to stop reading before i get to the end of the chapter, when i have to i get anxiety about it, haha. i also look to see how many pages there are and flip to the half, noting what chapter its in so i know when i get there i'm halfway thru. occasionally i'll quarter it depending on how long the book is. i also stop reading when i get to an exciting/thrilling part of the book and sort of hug it almost. haha
the most important thing for me, the thing i HAVE do when i read a book: when i start a chapter i have to flip to the end of it and bookmark the end of the chapter/beginning of the new one. i have to do it, i can't start reading until i do. and its the last chapter i still have to bookmark the end of the book. i have no idea why i do it...
wow, i'm weird
I always read anything on the back cover/book flaps, depending on the book. Then I read all the also bys, copyright, dedication, whatever. Depending on the writer I may save any foreword until after in case of spoilers. Stephen King and Colleen McCullough I ALWAYS read the foreword first.
I love when a book has texture or the cover does, so I may "pet" it a bit first. Yeah, goofy. If it's a hardback, I remove the papercover and place it in my lingerie drawer. I replace that with one of those stretchy book covers unless it's too small.
I definitely check the number of pages and leaf through for chapters. I love when a novel is divided and has a table of contents.
If there are illustrations, I look at them before I begin reading. I know this is a bit of a cheat, but I can't help it!
I can't stop reading unless I am at least at a break in the narrative. It doesn't have to be a chapter, but some sort of break is pretty much neccesary!
I see other people do this, so I am not as embarassed as I should be to admit I sometimes hug books close if they really please me.
When I am all finished, even if I immediately start a new book, I leave it on my nightstand a few days before I replace the cover and put it away. Sometimes things occur to me and I like to look for them in the book.
I never fold down the corners, and if a book is pretty old or in bad shape, sometimes I will use a piece of toilet tissue (1 square) for a book mark!
when I read a book I always look at how many pages it is and then I set a goal of trying to read it in say 2 weeks to a month depending on how long it is. I think figure out how many pages I have to read in one day to accomplish that. As I progress through the book depending on how interested I am on the storyline I may amend how long I want to take to read it or how long it is going to take me to finish it. So if its a really good book and I originally decided on 2 weeks I may finish it in a week. Thats really my only quirk. Although I do like to read more than one book at a time too.
The only time I read the copyright is if I need to put a series in order when it is one of those that is not very clear about the whole thing. Other than that, I read the back cover blurb when I'm deciding what to read next, I read the dedication, (most of the books I read do not have "introductions" that would spoil anything) I read the book, the acknowledgements, and then I read the author bio/picture if provided (one of my favorite parts!). If I really liked the book, I may spend some time gazing at the cover, searching if a cover artist is named anywhere, flipping through and rereading bits, etc. before I finally...reluctantly...put it aside for the next in line.What are you all sniffing for when you are sniffing your books? As long as the odor of mildew doesn't waft up when I crack open the book, I'm good.
I like the smell of new books, or super old books! Especially books with illustrations, the old ones with the leaf of tissue paper between the picture and the page? They smell like heaven!
I don't really think that I have weird reading quirks. They're normal to me!I read 1/2 of the blurb on the back of the book. Only 1/2. I just want an idea of what the book is about, but not for the back cover to tell me everything. (I do the same with reviews if I haven't read the book. I'll read only part of it.)
I don't read any of the introductions or author time-lines (if it's a classic) or "Notes about the text" or anything before the official beginning of the book. I never, ever skip ahead, and would never dream of reading the last page first!
I do not dog-ear pages, and whenever I buy used books, this is the first thing I check for and correct. I do have a bad habit though: I like book-progress-spine-creases. *hangs my head in shame*
I try not to watch the movie before reading the book, if there is one, and if there are people on the cover, I try to avoid them. I don't like having someone else's idea of what the character looks like in my head.
If I'm reading a series, I have to start with book 1 and read until the last book, even when new books come out.
My bookshelves are organized by favorite author, then favorite book- aka individual book "loved-status", then genre, then series order, then binding, then size.
If I have 1/4 of the book left, I have to finish, even if it means missing sleep.
I use certain bookmarks for certain books depending on how much I am enjoying the book.
When I first open a book, I flip through the pages and smell them. If the book was used and smells like smoke, I will air it out for a few days before reading. (I hate being distracted by smelling smoke while I'm reading!) If it's a new book, I just enjoy the new book smell for a little while.
And then finally, I just read as much as possible!
I only read magazines from the back. It is a form of protest to the plethora of ads that pack the front of all magazines. I also think the editors hold all the good stuff towards the back. It's kinda like peaking through a fence ....For Books I always try to avoid reading book jackets unless the publishers have done a miserable job conveying what the book is about by choosing a vague and obtuse title or poorly designed the book jacket/cover, or if the bribes are too obvious as bribes to get famous authors to give their testimony of why they loved the few pages they read of this book before they wrote a recommendation.
A book made with really wonderful textural paper, with European folds if it's a paperback or the machine equivalent to hand cut pages....will demand a longer look. I'll know that this book must be special because so much time and care was put into the making of it. If that is there, I will look for clues that this
book is for a reader....just like me.
I prefer Hardcovers of course but if paperback is available I'll bend to the constraints of my pocketbook.
I can end anywhere I want when I am reading. Mid chapter, end, beginning....
If I find myself reading too fast for whatever reason...I sometimes will make myself stop because one can't possibly enjoy the book fully read too fast..
I have an endless pile of books to read at home but that never stops me from shopping, buying and adding to the pile.
The Next Best Book Club
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First, I have to re-read the back cover of the book or the inside pages, check out the copyright date, then I see how many pages the book has and immediately divide that in half to get to the mid-way point in the book - I always fold that page in, so that when I get to it, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm half-way there!
I try to read at least 100 pages a day (I don't have children) so depending on how many pages the book has, it might be a 3-dayer, 4-dayer, etc., so what I like to do is split it into the requisite number of days by turning the corner of those pages. I HAVE to do this whenever I start a book! I know this creates permanent ripples/folds in the pages, but otherwise, I'm pretty neat with them - plus they're just going to live on my book shelf so I don't see it as a big deal.
When taking a break from reading, I HAVE to stop at the end of the chapter - I just can't stop on some random misc. page - even if I have read 15 more pages, I will in order to stay organized and even though I do all that page folding & stuff, I ALWAYS use a book mark to hold my place and I don't fold over pages for that.
When I start a new book, I always think about the last book I've read and try to see if there are any similar phrases or words - anything that might tie the two together a little bit. Not something as simple as the word "the" - every book should have the word "the" in it, but something a little different, but yet the same. For instance, in the last book I read, one of the characters felt she was in danger of being impulsive and said something about being afraid of doing something "rash" and when a character in the book I'm currently reading actually had a "rash" - a lightbulb went off in my head! It was an "Ah-ha!" moment of the reading kind! It doesn't always happen and sometimes I forget to look for it, but it's cool when it does.
I don't have OCD in any other way, but doing this establishes a rhythm that I'm comfortable with - my husband thinks it's strange so OF COURSE I had to bring it to the forum!!
Does anyone else have a plan of attack when starting a new novel? Just curious to see if I'm the only one - I don't think I am, so please come out and show yourselves!!