While writing my last review I realized something about myself… I don’t like to guess the ending of the book I’m reading while I’m reading it. That being said, I like to read books front to back all at once. If I have to put a book down, my mind will wonder and I’ll end up thinking ahead. After posting the book summary for Brightly Woven, I realized how simple one of the “mysteries” was if I’d known that info… but I was in the dark for much longer than other readers might have been… and I’m glad I was! I love to reread books, but I feel like until I’ve forgotten most of the story, I can’t recapture that “OMG!!!” moment and really (for me) that’s a big part of the magic of reading.
What do you think?
Do you guess at what will/won’t happen or do you like to just sit back and enjoy the story?
What books have completely surprised you with their twists/endings?
I think a good story is one that has me SO SUCKED IN that I can do nothing but read it. Somehow the ability to think ahead and attempt to figure out the ending of the book means it hasn’t captured my complete attention.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo really surprised me. In a totally good way.
Oh I am a read the first chapter then last chapter and then the book front to back, if I can. I have been doing this less since I bought my kindle since switching to the back is not as easy.I am not good with too much suspense. Honestly it causes me to freak out a bit. Though I have been shocked in the middle of books when I know how things are going to end but then something happens that makes me question what I read.
If a book is really good I’m just into it. But if it’s only ok then I usually spend the time trying to figure out what’s going to happen. I do the same things with movies, it satisfies my inner detective I guess
.
I like being surprised – whether by the ending, or by certain twists within the tale. (The movie DAYBREAKERS, for instance, was excellent in this regard). However, I do not like being played for a fool (Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter, for example).
In general while reading I do cast my mind forward and wonder how things will unfold; in that case, I of course would look forward to seeing whether my theory/ies were in line with the author’s vision, or not. But there’s nothing wrong with just sitting back and letting the author’s words work their magic.
Check out George R R Martin’s A Game of Thrones, book 1 of an as yet unfinished series (but will be appearing on HBO next year!!): a very ‘real’ fantasy book, so real in fact that the wrong people die. You know how cookie cutter fantasy tales will have characters you know are red shirts? Not here. I was blown away. THAT unexpected twist still stuns me, even today!
I try like mad to guess what is going to happen. I can’t help it, my mind races, wanting to know. Also I hate it when I’m right if the story was too predictable. LOL!
The latest mystery that is driving me insane is the cliffy at the end of the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, book 4. GRRRRRRRRRR
For the love of a Viking God! What the heck is Barrons and who is the beast???????? Is it bad to say she makes me want to punch a baby? As you can tell, I totally get sucked into books, esp if I have a love/HATE relationship with them.
@lynne I already have all of the Thrones books by George R R Martin, so I’m hoping to finish them before the show starts, but dang, they are massive books! Just looking at them makes me exhausted, but I’ve heard so many great things about the series!
I agree! I hate being able to guess the ending. It kind of makes me like the book less if I feel it’s too predictable.
On one hand, I kind of like being able to guess what’s going to happen. When something is finally revealed, I like that ‘aha I knew it!’ feeling.
On the other hand, though, I love it when something happens that complete takes me by surprise. Even if it means getting odd looks from fellow commuters when I audibly gasp on the train.
@ Amanda : I agree (shocking!). I think the best stories make sure you’re so wrapped up in everything that you don’t have a chance to think ahead.
@ Felicia : Part of me wants to do this and sometimes I give in and read the book blurbs for future books (like with the VA series), however, I try my best to hold back and let the story unfold without spoilers
@ Stacey (Say Something Stacey) : You’re right! I do the same thing with movies too
Although I think I’m more likely to try to guess the ending of movies rather than books.
@ *lynne* : Oooh I need to see Daybreakers again…
I saw a preview for A Game of Thrones and thought it looked good, but I didn’t know it was based on books! I’m definitely checking these out! Thanks!!
@ Missie : I don’t mind being right lol. Sometimes I like being wrong and surprised while other times I get pissed because it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to
I HATE cliffhangers in series when I can’t read them all at once. I’m waiting to start the Fever books until the next one is out
@ Natalie : Very true! Although sometimes I think it’s funny when an ending is so simple that you just overlooked it trying to think of all the complicated ways the book could have ended
@ Alita : Hahaha I’ve scared my cat a couple times from yelling (or cursing…) when a book takes a turn I did not see coming
*GASP* Tara and I agree? NO WAY.
Oh, I love trying to figure out who dun it or why. Our family are die hard “Clue” players (you know the board game) so it’s a natural instinct to try to figure out the mystery. I love seeing how the writers mind works as long as the twists are logical and acceptable. I don’t like a contrived ending that there was no possible way you could have predicted it. Oh, and my friends that will go to the end of the book and see who did it before finishing the book, just take that book away from them. They aren’t readers just voyeurs.
@ Lisa Richards : I really hate contrived endings! They leave me feeling cheated.
I’ve never played Clue… Maybe it’s time for a game night soon…
I am terrible at that. I hate surprises and I can’t wait to know what happens. I almost always end up reading the end of the book after I read the first couple of chapters. It’s terrible, I know but I can’t help myself. Even with mysteries, I skip to the end and then go back.
@ Grace : I really have to hold off the temptation to do that. I actually end up having to reread the end of some books because I start reading so fast to find out how it ends