Rather than bore everyone with an introduction of myself (check out the Bio page of my web site if you’re really interested) for my first blog post ever, I’m just going to move ahead to normal programming.  Or, at least, what I assume will be normal programming here on my blog. 

Today, the topic on my mind is sneaking a peek. And no, I’m not talking about peeking into your neighbor’s windows (though, if your neighbor is George Clooney, more power to you!).  

I’m referring to a completely different type of sneaking a peek.  Let me explain.

A few days ago, I stopped in at one of our local bookstores.  After grabbing a cup of coffee, I began to browse through the books.  I’d come for one specific book, but visiting a bookstore is sort of like stopping at the grocery store for a gallon of milk.  I always, and I mean always, walk away with more than I planned.  And even when I know what I’m looking for, it’s just too much fun immersing myself in the rows and rows of books.  

If you love to read, you know exactly what I’m talking about. 

As I ambled and perused, I watched several people pick up books and immediately flip to the back to read the end.  Not glance at the ending, but actually read the ending of the book.  Some of these titles were put back on the shelves and others were kept in hand.  Now, I know some people refuse to purchase a book without reading the ending first, so seeing this practice happen didn’t really surprise me.  But it made me wonder, yet again, WHY?

For me, part of the fun, mystery, and adventure in reading a book is finding out what happens.  Sure, I know in a romance there will be a happily ever after, we’ll know who did it in a who-dunnit, and the mystery will be solved in a mystery.  When you think about it, though, that’s not the same as really knowing the ending.  For example, when I pick up a romance and read the cover copy, I know the hero and heroine are going to end up together (or…well…they better, if it’s a romance), but I don’t know the process that will TAKE them there.  And without that process, how can knowing the ending ahead of time be fulfilling?

And I think that’s what puzzles me the most.  I mean, I can understand (sort of) wanting to know if the payoff is worth buying and reading the book, but (in my opinion) don’t you have to read the entire book to get the payoff the author intended when he/she wrote it?  

I sort of think of it like homemade salsa.  Go with me here for a second, as crazy as it sounds.  So, when you make homemade salsa, you have your tomatoes, peppers, garlic, salt, and other miscellaneous ingredients.  You chop and you dice and you mix everything up.  Do you eat it right away?  Of course not.  You have to let it sit so everything can combine to give you the full flavor of really good salsa.  If you grab that mouthful before it’s ready, you won’t be able to appreciate the complete nuance of the flavors–because it isn’t ready.

To me, the thought of reading an ending to a book before reading the entire story is exactly the same.  Well, not exactly, because I’ve never actually eaten a book–but the message is the same.  Think of the ingredients that go into a really great book, the ones you couldn’t set down.  Would the ending have been nearly as good if read out of context?  For me, the answer is no.  And actually, that’s pretty much how I write books too.  Often, I don’t even know the endings until I get there.  Oh, I might have a glimmer of an idea of what might happen, but the whole shebang doesn’t come into focus until I’m there.

So, I’m curious.  Do you sneak a peek before buying?  If so, why?  How does it help you make a decision?  If you don’t, how come? 

Tags: Books, George Clooney, Writing

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