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How Do You Read a Book?
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Having worked in a bookstore many years I have a fear of dust mites.....which don't exist in bookstores unless they never sell their books and let them gather dust on the shelves....and forget to return the unsold.
but you can detect their existence in used bookstores....some libraries and their old yellowed pages are a dead giveaway. I love the smell of a new book. The ink and page mingled together. But beware of the old musty basement smell of a yellowed old book...there is nothing elegant about it and it overcomes a library with it's tainted breath.
I am a very visual person (yay for getting into film studies!) so I am most likely to be intrigued by a book by its front cover. This is literally how I find most of my books, if they cover art looks interesting, I'll invest my money and time.When I read a new book I can't read the dust cover or the back. I just can't. It always gives away too much information. I will when I buy the book, after its art has caught my eye, but I never read it before I start the book.
The only ritual-type thing I do is stop reading by the hundredth page if I'm not into the book or the characters. Life is just too short.
One thing I do is own a purse big enough to fit an oversized paper back. I live in Boston and don't own a car so the only time I get to read for pleasure (usually) is on the bus or train. Thus, I have to carry around my book with me-everywhere I go. Of course, when the book I am currently reading is 976 pages, it makes my shoulder hurt a little, but it's all in the name of good literature! Because of this all my books are a little worn, which I'm a big fan of. If it's well worn, it's well loved.
I'm totally intrigued by this page folding. And the finishing of chapters before putting the book down. It's all about goal setting. I'm impressed!
When deciding to purchase a book I definitely read the back. But ....when I'm about to start the book - I purposefully avoid the back - then when I get done I read the back again - no idea why.I never try to "judge" how long it will take me to read - by counting pages etc - I find that interesting that some people do.
-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)
The one thing I would NEVER DO. Skip to the last line or page of a book before it is time to be on that page.
I have been so intrigued by this thread. I would love to hear how you all choose a book!!
I eat the outside of the book first - cover and back and flaps - until I get to the inside - I may read a paragraph inside if it is a new author to check for writing style and then I dig in.
Jodee wrote: "I eat the outside of the book first - cover and back and flaps - until I get to the inside - I may read a paragraph inside if it is a new author to check for writing style and then I dig in."Did you really mean eat, or read? :)
Yep if it's good on the outside and I taste the middle it's worth devouring!
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.I really and truly thought I was the only person who did this. I also re read the back or inside cover after I read the book. Not sure why I do this. I also have a huge number of books I haven't read yet. Probably 200, I don't look at what I'm going to pick. I go into the bookcase close my eyes and pull out a book. I've done this forever. It's sort of like a gift being surprised. Some of these books I purchased 10 years ago. So It really is a surprise.
Does anyone else but me re-read the back - and book flaps and all the other stuff after they finish the book? It's like I'm not ready to let it go so I take one last look around like checking for socks under the bed at a hotel before checking out.
I too like to read the back covers, inserts, copyright info and other books by the author but that's the extent of it, no other rituals. I do have a quirk though that is a must: silence. I like to read in a room where I am alone and there is no persons/noises to distract me. I visualize when I read and am not able to do so when distracted. My husband thinks I'm a little nuts :o)
This is so funny! I don't know that I have too many quirks like these, although I think they're GREAT! I get most of my books from the library, so I'll read the back cover (or inside flap) to decide if I'm interested. I usually get a whole stack-full and then only end up reading 1/2 to 3/4 of them. (I've checked out Stargirl probably 15 times, and still haven't read it.) When I go to start a book, I will generally re-read the back cover, and then flip through and read all the front pages one by one. I almost always read the acknowledgements, forward, introduction, dedication, random quote, etc. at the beginning before diving in.
When I'm getting close to the end (last 1/4 of the book), I'll usually flip to the back, and VERY CAREFULLY check the last page number. (My eyes like to wander and try to pick up clues from the last page, but my brain tries to stop them...) I do this because I've had issues with expecting the book to have another 15 pages, and then having it end "abruptly", because the last part of the book has previews of future books, ads for other books by the same publisher, etc. I hate that. So I always check, and sometimes put a marker at the last page so I'll know when it's coming. I do this on anthologies, too.
My biggest thing is that I'm a mood reader. I'll have this huge stack of books from the library and have no intention of going through all of them, so I read the book that sounds most intriguing to me at the time. So if that back cover isn't riveting, I may never get to it.
My biggest problem is that I have very little self-control. If a book is really good... I might just look at the clock and say, "Who cares? I'm finishing this book tonight! I don't care how long it takes me!" Many books that should be 3-4 day books are 1-2 day books because of this. I try to stop at chapter breaks, but then the author will end the chapter in a cliffhanger, and I'll just have to keep reading. If it's getting REALLY REALLY late (like 3 am), I just have to be realistic and stop midchapter. If you're falling asleep during the chapter, it's usually a good indication that it's too late. Trust me on this one.
Then, when I'm done with the book, I like to read the little blurb about the author. That's how I found out that Stephenie Meyer graduated from the same college as I did! It's a small world...
Kandice wrote: "Jodee wrote: "I eat the outside of the book first - cover and back and flaps - until I get to the inside - I may read a paragraph inside if it is a new author to check for writing style and then I ..."My mother told me that I was so good when iw a slittle because i didn't wanted any attention as she gave me dry bread and books and said I would be eating the bread and watch my books the whole afternoon in my box. And sometimes I would try to eat my books...
Sara wrote: "This is so funny! I don't know that I have too many quirks like these, although I think they're GREAT! I get most of my books from the library, so I'll read the back cover (or inside flap) to deci..."sara, you can bring back books to the library without having read them??? I have problems with that. Like now, I borrowed a book jsut for the winter challenge but will probably not be able to read it in time...but while I would want to bring it back, I think I will read it before bringing it back.
I find out about a lot of books I want to read through reading book reviews. I will cut out book reviews and keep them in folders. After having read a book for which I have a review, I will re-read the review to see what I think and then fold the review up and keep it in the book. Before starting a book I always read the back cover and/or inside jacket cover to remind myself what the book is about. I like to be surprised but I don't want to end up reading a book that I wasn't in the mood for. I then will read the book practically cover to cover whenever and where-ever I can. My favorite way to read is cuddled up on the couch under a blanket with either hot chocolate or a glass of wine; or lounging in the back yard on a nice day with a cold beverage.
Gee, sounds like I can learn a lot from you guys. I usually make my mind up about the genre (mystery, thriller, love, historical fiction or whatever) and then just take a book from that section and read it. I hardly ever read the back, only when I buy them :-)
Jeane wrote: "Sara, you can bring back books to the library without having read them??? I have problems with that. Like now, I borrowed a book jsut for the winter challenge but will probably not be able to read it in time...but while I would want to bring it back, I think I will read it before bringing it back. "
And pay the fines? No way! ... Okay, the truth is that I feel too bad about it! I said I would bring them back by a certain date, and I feel bad if I don't. What if someone else is waiting for the book, and I'm stopping them from being able to read it?
For me, it's like when I put too much food on my plate, and then can't finish it all. If I don't have time for the books, I'll either take them back or renew them online for an additional 3 weeks. Sometimes I just change my mind... decide I don't want to read the book after all. Like for the winter challenge--the candy/chocolate task--I checked out two books that fit the category, and didn't choose between the two until later. I took the other back unread.
it's funny to see such a divide over back covers/flaps/intro/etc. seems like most people either HAVE to read them or avoid them like the plague... not much in between. to each their own! :)personally i absolutely cannot read the back covers, i like knowing as little about the book as possible before i read so i can enjoy all the little surprises that come up.
i also have weird compulsions about reading - i can only read one book at a time and i always have to finish whatever i start or i won't feel right. this is somewhat unfortunate when i accidentally pick up a bad book (sometimes happens since i don't read the covers before starting), because it means that i have to force myself through it before i get to start something else. i guess i just always hope it'll get better?
luckily i am extremely easily amused so it all works out for the most part!
I too have to finish the read regardless. It's a qirk. I've been fortunate, I've only read a couple of books that were simply awful/boring and a waste of time. I must say you're brave by not reading the back covers. You live dangerously, LOL! :o)
I used to be the same way and could not leave a book unfinished, until I realized that everyone's time is numbered and I wasn't about to spend my time reading a book I wasn't interested in when there are so many good books to read and not enough time in the world to read them. Yes, it's a depressing thought, but now I'm okay with just putting a book down if I'm not enjoying it.
It's worse than quitting smoking. There should be a 10 step program, LOL!
I also can't put a book down partway through. I try to justify doing so by thinking of all the other books out there, but it just doesn't work for me. I keep thinking that there has to be some redeeming quality to all books and I have to keep reading until I find it. Plus, I don't feel I can really express an opinion about a book unless I finish it. Luckily, as with Paula, I have been lucky enough to not run into too many horrid, unredeemable books.
After about the first 50 pages, I go back to all the sites that reviewed the book and see if I am seeing what they saw. Does that sound a bit convoluted? Maybe not if you are me. And Ann, I actually used to go to the last page years back, but don't do that anymore since that was a time when I only read one book at a time and wanted to see if I guessed the ending before the author's revelation. Now, being in the middle of 4-5 most of the time, it's not as important, nor the big deal it was once.
glad to know i'm not the only one who feels a strange urge to finish a book. i actually haven't come across too many books that are just pure painful to get through either (knock on wood). for the moment, i generally try to rely on authors i like or recommendations to avoid bad books!
I never "not completed a book" until about a year ago but then my reading habits changed such that I read more and now there have been 3 - 4 that I 'quit on'
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Apparently these are fairly common quirks because a lot of people tend to do the same thing based on what I’ve just read in some earlier posts.
But I do have some less-than-common quirks as well…
1) I like to smell books, which only a couple other people have mentioned. I’m not offended by the smell of old, musty books, but because I do read a lot of used books and library books, if it smells like smoke, a boy’s dorm room or a dirty apartment, I won’t read that particular book. If it’s one a really want to read, it means I have to keep looking for a better-smelling copy.
2) I time myself. I like to know how many pages I can read/minute for that given book and then make a calculation for what date I can finish that book based on how many hours/day I average with my nose in a book. Occasionally I tend to do all other sorts of other mathematical equations, like a lot of others, but the whole “timing myself” is the only one I do consistently.
Other important things: I don’t dog ear, but am not picky about what kind of bookmark I use: post-it, sticky flag, old bill, a scrap of paper, whatever. I also like to find common threads between the last book I read and the current book I read, even if they’re incredibly silly. An example of this is Occam’s Razor. This is one of those concepts that isn’t mentioned constantly in books but I’ve found that if one character talked about it in the last book, the very next book I read will also have a one-line reference to it. Obviously this is just one example, but I am on the constant lookout for those bizarre commonalities between book A and book B, which otherwise have nothing else in common.
And if I have fewer than 100-150 pages left in my book, I can’t leave the house without a second book for “just in case” I finish. I rarely do, but one never knows…