The Parts of A Book I Actually Read

            Some people don’t consider a book read unless you’ve read every single word written on it. From the reviews on the back cover to the list of names at the beginning of the book of all the people the author wants to thank, but you have no idea who they are. I am not one of those people. I only read certain parts of the book and largely it comes to two questions. Did the author write it? Does it help me understand the book better?

Introduction    

            The introduction to a book, especially a classic book, is often not written by the author. Instead it’s a hyper-fluffy overly-philosophical meditation of one semi-famous individual about the ramifications of the book.  I, personally, like to form my own opinions of the book and do not care what this other semi-known author thinks about this famous book. The only time I would read the introduction if it wasn’t by the author is when I am independently interested in the person who wrote the introduction, but even then I wouldn’t read it with the rest of the book. I would probably read it afterwards.

On the other hand if the introduction is by the author, then I read it. Clearly after writing this book, the author decided that some more information is relevant to the book, but doesn’t quite fit in as another chapter or subsection within the actual book. I decide to trust the author’s judgment in them thinking this information is at least somewhat relevant to the rest of what I’m about to be reading and take the time to read the introduction. Sometimes an editor of a classic book will include a letter about the book at the beginning as a sort of introduction. Again I follow the same system. Did the author write it? If yes, then I read it. They thought someone would benefit by this information about their book. If no, then I don’t read it, unless I am independently interested in the person, who wrote it, in which case I read it afterwards.

Afterwards and Epilogues

Another part of books that is often included in addition to the actual book is an afterward or an epilogue. Generally they fall into two categories. Talking about new information that has come out since the writing of the book or a continuation of the story that isn’t 100% necessary to the story, but often makes fans of the story really happy. As with introductions, I ask, “Did the author write it?”  Also I tend to find that epilogues in fiction books are a mixed bunch. Sometimes I will love the story, but the epilogue is disappointing and I understand why the author decided not to include it in the main book. Other times the story ended horribly, but the epilogue manages to turn it around and I wonder why the author didn’t include this in the main book and almost let me miss out on this information. My advice to readers is to beware the epilogues in fiction books you never know what they will do to your view of the story you just finished reading.

Indexes/Appendixes/Footnotes

            I threw these together, because even though they vary great on what’s in them and how long they are, my approach to them is the same. Whether I read them or not depends on the answer to three questions: Is the information presented crucial to my understanding of the book/concept? Am I really interested in the subject? How often do they interrupt the reading process? If the information weill help me understand the book better, then I am definitely going to read it. However, if there are five or more footnotes per page, stopping so frequently actually impedes my understanding of the book. So I start skipping the footnotes.

Back of Book/Inside Dust Cover

            The information on the back of a book or on the inside of a dust cover needs to actually tell me about the plot of the book and not just give random people’s opinions about the book and its author. Again if I am interested in the reviewer independently of the book, then I might go and read their review once I am done with it, but otherwise all I want is basic plot information. Some people are of the mind that it spoils the book, but studies have shown that spoilers actually increase enjoyment (1).

What about You?

            What parts of the book do you actually read? Why do you read those? Are there any you don’t read? Why do you avoid those parts? Do you agree or disagree with my system? Let me know!

Notes:

Sources:

(1) “Spoileraltert: spoilers make you enjoy stories more” by Andy Murdock. OnUniversityofCalifornia.edu 

Image Credit: "Spell bound?" by Bruce Guenter