Comments on: Tales of a Reformed End-Peeker

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 04:34:29 +0000

I can’t believe how many people are peekers! I agree that peeking at the end of the book is like knowing what you’re getting for Christmas early, (and I wonder how many of the end-peekers here also went snooping through their parents’ closets as kids…) I hate being spoiled (for Christmas or for a book,) and I never peek at the end. In fact, sometimes if there’s a book in a series that I’ve really been anticipating, I won’t even let myself read the back cover or any of the reviews. I’ve even found myself grabbing a piece of paper to cover up the bottom of the page I’m on if I’m in the middle of a really good suspenseful book, so that my eyes don’t accidentally drift down and spoil something…. On the other hand, if my impression of a book is that the ending is likely to be sad I usually won’t even start it. I’m probably missing out on some good books that way.

By: Lori Johnson

Lori Johnson — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 03:23:59 +0000

I’m an unapologetic end-peeker on non- romance novels. I guess I like the “craft” of writing. I like reading a story, while “watching” the author work their magic in the background. To me it’s not important to be surprised. I actually hate the suspense. If I don’t peek I find that I almost have to run back through it and re-read key parts to see the clues the author left. Romance stories I don’t usually feel compelled to peek. I know there will be a HEA. Great comments

By: maggie j

maggie j — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:01:50 +0000

I didn’t realize how much of an end-peeker I was until I started using an ereader. I find myself itching to peek at the ending. It’s probably kept me much more interested in mysteries … having to pay more attention to clues in the story.
I find patience for most things in life, but not the slow bits in novels. I end-peek when a story starts dragging. I’ve read the end of books, then simply skimmed for high points once I know the outcome.
Bottom line is that well paced, absorbing stories aren’t as common as they should be?

maggie

By: LinnieGayl

LinnieGayl — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:11:37 +0000

Xina, a lot of the people in my book group were pretty surprised by the last chapter or two of Before I Go to Sleep. I hope you enjoy it. I was surprised at how the author made the book work for me, despite being spoiled.

By: elaine s

elaine s — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:09:58 +0000

Compulsive end-peeker here and I don’t mind spoilers in reviews although try hard not to give them when reviewing myself. My idea of hell is to be the victim of a surprise birthday party so it’s not surprising I am an end-peeker.

By: xina

xina — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:33:08 +0000

Jodi Picoult wrote a book where she comepletely switched it up in the last 2 paragraphs. After I read it and put the book down, I couldn’t decide whether it was brilliant, or just a mean trick to pull on the reader.

By: xina

xina — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:27:30 +0000

Now that I read digitally, I am not an end peeker. Before that, I was all the time and never really regretted it. With a book like Gone Girl, a book I loved, the book wouldn’t have been nearly as fun if I would have peeked. You mention, Before I Go To Sleep, a book I have been hearing good things about. I’m hoping for just as much of a suprprise as Gone Girl.

By: Nikki H

Nikki H — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:36:27 +0000

I’m with Kay. I peek at the paperback or hardback books, but on the Kindle, it’s just too much trouble.

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:22:34 +0000

End peeker here! And proud of it. Although I find it harder to do with electronic books

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:45:26 +0000

When considering buying a book, I read the back, the first chapter, and the last chapter. Regardless of genre. Always have, always will. It hasn’t ever spoiled a book for me (I like to laugh at everyone believing the villain is the hero, or vice-versa).

And I agree with farmwifetwo above: the review must address enough of the book to let me know if it’s a big mis, amnesia, secret baby, or nonconsensual. I dislike those plots, and don’t want to be surprised half way through the book.