Does this make me a bad reader?
Confession the First: I always read the ending of books first. Always.
The reason for this? I want to know that the ending will make it all worthwhile when I close the book. I don't want someone pulling a 'City of Angels' on me at the last minute. Spoilers? You can't spoil me - I'm along for the ride.
Problem is, if the ending isn't what I want, I dump the book then and there. I don't read any further. That book will never be read.
Confession the Second: I don't read anything but the back blurb when I buy a book. Yes, I know, I should read the first chapter to figure out what's going on (or the last, ha!) and to make sure that I like the writing. But I never do.
And then I end up tossing the book halfway through, never to finish. Nobody's fault but mine for being a picky reader.
Confession the Third: I am terrible to my books. I dog-ear pages, break the spine quite happily, and totally eschew bookmarks. I write all over my non-fiction books and fill them with sticky notes. I toss books everywhere without regard to the fragility of paper covers.
Now, personally, I'm used to reading like this. I've been devouring books since I learned how to read, and this is normal stuff for me. However, it completely baffles my husband and some of my friends. How can I, as a voracious reader and writer, have such bad habits when it comes to books?
I have no idea. But I'm sure I'm not alone. Is anyone else out there in the same boat as me? Confess your book crimes!
- Jill Myles
The reason for this? I want to know that the ending will make it all worthwhile when I close the book. I don't want someone pulling a 'City of Angels' on me at the last minute. Spoilers? You can't spoil me - I'm along for the ride.
Problem is, if the ending isn't what I want, I dump the book then and there. I don't read any further. That book will never be read.
Confession the Second: I don't read anything but the back blurb when I buy a book. Yes, I know, I should read the first chapter to figure out what's going on (or the last, ha!) and to make sure that I like the writing. But I never do.
And then I end up tossing the book halfway through, never to finish. Nobody's fault but mine for being a picky reader.
Confession the Third: I am terrible to my books. I dog-ear pages, break the spine quite happily, and totally eschew bookmarks. I write all over my non-fiction books and fill them with sticky notes. I toss books everywhere without regard to the fragility of paper covers.
Now, personally, I'm used to reading like this. I've been devouring books since I learned how to read, and this is normal stuff for me. However, it completely baffles my husband and some of my friends. How can I, as a voracious reader and writer, have such bad habits when it comes to books?
I have no idea. But I'm sure I'm not alone. Is anyone else out there in the same boat as me? Confess your book crimes!
- Jill Myles