The Beginning of the End
I have a very shameful secret: I am an end reader. Did you know that about me?
I know, I know, as a writer I should be absolutely ashamed of myself. But I can’t help it. Even though I am a very fast reader, I simply cannot make it through a book without reading the end. I think it’s because I am always “solving” plots and am therefore very anxious to see if I’m right in my suppositions about what’s going to happen with the story.
I’m a pain in the butt to watch movies with (ask Bruce or my kids!) because I’m always speculating on what’s really going on.
Anyway, there was a reason I brought this up today. You see, because I am an end reader, I have almost NO patience with waiting for the whole story. I remember when Stephen King released The Green Mile in six monthly (or was it bi-weekly?) segments. I absolutely went crazy waiting for the next segment and would be racing off to the store on release day to gobble up the next installment. I remember telling myself at the time that I should never have started the first section until after all six had been released so I could read them one after the other. But it was too late…I was hooked from the start and had to wait like everyone else.
I did not make the same mistake with the Harry Potter books.
My family–Bruce and the girls–have been Potter fanatics for years.
They were always in line at the bookstore at midnight on release day and nearly chewed their lips off waiting between installments.
I never read a word.
Oh, I saw the movies–for some reason, movies don’t affect me quite the way books do. So I kept up on the movies and was just fine waiting a couple of years between each. There was never any mania to know NOW what was going on with Harry’s epic
struggle against you-know-whoo.
I told myself, and them, that it was because it was “their” thing. Something special that the kids shared with their Dad, that I wasn’t a part of. And you know, in some ways, that’s very true. I like that they had something special just with him.
But I also know myself well enough to know it would drive me utterly INSANE to be reading the books like the rest of the world, in bits and pieces, waiting years between each. So I have been telling them that when the 7th book came out, I’d read them all right in a row.
I meant it. The last book came out, I lined up alllllll seven volumes, prepared to pluck them off one-by-one.
I’m sure you can guess where I started.
Ahem…go back to sentence # 1 and you’ll get it.
Yes I read the end first. Felt satisfied with the way it all came out–satisfied enough to give over my time and energy to wading through all the books, THEN I started book 1.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I’m now in the middle of book 6…and this is the first one that’s completely new to me. Haven’t read it, haven’t seen a corresponding movie, so it’s very fresh. Yes, I know how it ends (duh!) Even if I didn’t read it, I won’t soon forget the sobs and whimpers of my daughters when they read the book and told me who dies in this one.
Still, knowing that I am okay with the ending is making the trip through the stories thoroughly enjoyable. And maybe this time when I read book 7–after reading all those that came before it–I’ll catch new things, nuances, themes, etc., that I didn’t notice before. Or maybe not…maybe I’ll just like it again. Either way is okay with me…I’ve enjoyed the ride, because I already know I like the destination.
How about you? Any other end readers–or even just “end knowers”– out there? (By end knowers: when my hubby told me how the original movie “The Wicker Man” ended, I HAD to know if the remake with Nicolas Cage ended the same way before I would even think about watching it. So I researched, checked out IMDB…and then managed to sit through bits & pieces of the movie. It still ticked me off…but not as much as it would have if I hadn’t known how it ended!)
So come on, fess up…am I the only complete cheat in the room?
PS: I suppose I’m J.K. Rowling’s worst nightmare. I hear she hates end readers. Sorry…what can I say? I’m a weakling!
I think you know I’m an end-reader, too. With HP7, I tried to hold off…but I kept peeking and reading bits and pieces of the ending each time it was too emotionally tense for me to just read in order. Once I was sure certain characters were okay, then I could read with calm.
I’m so excited that you’re reading the books!
By the way, I do the same things with movies. My daughter is still young enough to think it’s amazing how I figure stuff out. Hubby just thinks it’s annoying.
I had Sixth Sense figured out in, oh, five minutes. 
I love it when I’m wrong, though. I also love books that can make me forget to cheat. Few and far between, those.
But I think that’s why romance readers love romance so much…you may not know all the particulars, but you know the book will end happily. I can read romances without peeking! Usually.
Comment by Julie Leto — August 5, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
Never, never, never have I read an end of a book! I DO need to know if a book or a movie is a happy ending before I’ll go see it … but not the HOW it gets to the end.
Comment by Carly — August 6, 2007 @ 5:44 am
Nope, I just can’t do it. I need to start at the beginning and work my way through. I’m anal that way. Though I did wait to get all the parts of “The Green Mile” as well as all the Harry Potter books before I started them. Currently I’m only on HP2, but that’s cuz I need my romance fix on a regular basis.
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 6, 2007 @ 6:22 am
Only on a very rare occassion do I read the end, and it’s usually just to see if i was right, and usually a mystery.
I refused to read the end of any of the HP books, no matter how much it killed me. Daughter did. Then she cried. Serves her right!
Comment by ev — August 6, 2007 @ 7:46 am
I’m an occasional end-reader. Usually I have (yes, HAVE!, lol) to go beginning to end, but there have been times when I’m compelled to sneak a peek.
I do the same thing with the movies. It’s fun for me to see if I’ve figured it out correctly.
Ugh, I need more coffee…
On a happy note, school starts in two weeks!
Comment by Becca — August 6, 2007 @ 8:23 am
Nope. Not an end reader AT ALL. While waiting in line for HP7 some little girls behind me started reading out the chapter headings and I about freaked. “Could you please read that to yourself? I’ve managed to avoid spoilers and I don’t want to have it ruined for me in the check-out lane.”
I said this very sweet. Really. I did. :mrgreen:
Glad you’re reading Harry, Les! I find something new every time.
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — August 6, 2007 @ 8:29 am
I never read the end of the book first. I almost read the end of HP7, but just couldn’t make myself. I just went on a media boycott until I was finished. I ususally figure mysteries out before the end, so I like to read through to make sure I’m right(missed it a few times but not many). Glad you are enjoying Harry. My brother is doing close to the same thing. He is waiting until all the movies come out and then reading all the books to compare.
Comment by Liza — August 6, 2007 @ 9:23 am
I read half of HP7 before I glanced at the end. I just HAD to know who was among the living. I rarely read the end of books - it’s only been the Harry Potter books that I have felt compelled to know the end before I could read my way there.
Comment by Shari — August 6, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I can’t stand knowing the end of a book with out reading it first. I love the tension and excitment of guessing what might happen as I read. When HP7 was released I waited in line because I was afraid that someone would spill the ending for me before I got a chance to read it.
Comment by Corinne Davies — August 6, 2007 @ 10:30 am
I confess, I am an end reader also. I have tried to change, but just can’t. I will read about the first 100 pages or so and then just have to know what happens. Then I can happily go back and finishing reading all the pages I skipped. I certainly feel better knowing there are others like me out there…ha,ha.
Comment by Shari C — August 6, 2007 @ 10:42 am
I’ve been an end reader all my life …
Comment by Jill — August 6, 2007 @ 10:53 am
nope… nope .. nope.. gotta read from page one to the end.. no peeking.. cant even join in on a tv show if i cant see it from the very first moment… just cant do it…hubby drives me nuts because he is a remote control surfer.. every five minutes or so..
he trys to watch 2 or 3 or more shows at once.:cursing:. commercials means turn the channel.. i have taken to reading more books and computer time while hes surfing…
Comment by Jolene — August 6, 2007 @ 10:55 am
I could never bring myself to read the end of a book, not even if my life depended on it!
Comment by Susan — August 6, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Leslie, I’m with you. I always read the end, but, then, go back & read the rest of the story. However, I’m probably the ONLY one who has bypassed HPs.
BTW, OT, has anyone read Suzanne Enoch’s Contemp series starting with FLIRTING WITH DANGER, ending with her newest release, TWICE THE TEMPTATION, a 2-1 book encompassing both her Historicals & her Contemps? As you may remember, for the most part, I don’t like RS. I don’t like being scared. However, I love Enoch’s Contemp which is more of a “romantic mystery”. Because of my disinterest in that genre, I’m amazed how much I like this series. It’s sexy, intelligent, fun, clever & smart. I highly recommend it.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 6, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I’m not an end reader. I have to read from beginning to end and I never peek ahead. If I know the ending, why read the book?
Comment by Janelle — August 6, 2007 @ 11:47 am
No I havent’ read them Patricia, but may go find them. I love mysteries too and there are a lot of the cozy types out there that aren’t the scarry parts. many are amusing. I could give you a whole list if you wanted to try one sometime.
Comment by ev — August 6, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Oh dear. I’m an end reader. I hate that about myself, but I can’t help it. I HAVE TO TAKE A PEEK.
(Even if it’s just a quick glance.)
Comment by Jennifer Shirk — August 6, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
I must confess, I do glance at the last page just to make sure everything ends well. I can’t help myself. If I invest my time and emotional energy in reading a book I need to know that it will be well spent. Especially if there is not going to be a happy or emotionally satisfying ending. I can remember watching an old classic WWII movie with William Holden. For the life of me I can’t recall the title right off hand but I sat through this entire movie, invested emotional energy in it only to watch Holden get killed in the end. I was so mad!
So, yes, I do need to know the ending first. :-)
Cher
Comment by Cher — August 6, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I had to peek at the last couple of pages of
HP7 because if it wasn’t going to end happy, I wasn’t going to read it! Knowing the end of books and movies doesn’t bother me at all. I’ll still read and watch. I don’t do it a lot - never with romance novels because I know I’ll get my HEA. But certain novels just have me clamoring for a peek at how things end. My husband and fourteen-year-old son are both voracious readers and they are appalled that I sometimes read endings so thanks for making me not feel so bad!
Comment by Robin — August 6, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Leslie
Strikes me that kind of living could take all the fun out of somethings.
Ahem!
My grand daughter has me check the last page and divide
the book into readable segments. She’s 13 ugh.
I never read the end, although I sometimes am tempted.
I still haven’t read the last Harry Potter and
don’t want to know the ending.
I am currently reading some books by Lora Leigh.
She weaves a great story and very erotic so not for the
light romance reader. Melted my book light &
Scorched my eye brows she did.
The puppy “Zoey” is doing very well she was
paper trained in nothing flat. She has more toys
than most kids and is eating well.
She is settling into her new family. She liked the
Maine camp, her new RI home and my office at work.
She is now the Local bank mascot and the store mascot.
Pictures will be coming later this week. She now weights almost 2 lbs.
Hugs to all
jeannie
Comment by jeannie — August 6, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
ev, Thanks for the offer, but, no thank you. That’s what is so surprising about me liking this series–I don’t LIKE mysteries. I don’t hate them, but, Romance is where it is for me. But, Enoch’s series has ALL of it for me–sexy Romance, clever, smart dialogue & great H/H. I think you’ll enjoy it, but, suggest you start with FLIRTING WITH DANGER, the first & the best. After that, there’s 2 sequels, the 2-1 & the 3rd sequel due out in 10/07.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 6, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
I am not an end readed so that probably explains why I get in a mood :biteme:when the ending doesn’t turn out like I want. And as for movies, I tend to over analize but thank heavens I have a brother-in-law who does the same thing so we usually watch together because no one else will.
Comment by Carol R — August 6, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
I always do that too
It can’t be helped - I want to know how it ends - doesn’t matter who I’m reading if the ending is good then I know I’ll have fun reading the book and get done with it that much sooner.
If the ending sucks I don’t want it at all
Comment by Qua — August 6, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
HEY, ALL: Just found out Vicki Lane is giving away a copy of CROSS MY HEART on her blog: http://www.vickilane.blogspot.com/
To sweeten the deal, whoever wins, I’ll send an autographed bookplate!
Comment by Carly — August 6, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Oh yeah, I’m an end reader, and for the reason Cher mentioned. I read a book one time and I thought it was a romance - WRONG! The main hero was driven over a cliff by a crazy ex-lover on the last page and his last word was yelling the name of his wife. I was traumatized for weeks.
And hubby laughs at me because I was really, really traumatized by Titanic. OK, yeah, I knew thousands died. But I didn’t know the main man was going to die! Everytime the radio station played that stupid Celene Dion song with the soundbites from the movie, I’d cry again!
That’s why I never watch a movie now until I know how it ends and I guess now I’m just in the habit of self-preservation and I always read the end of books. Even romance when I know all is going to end well.
Comment by Jodie — August 6, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
You know, I’m a BIG end reader when it comes to romance, but not other genres. Maybe it’s because in my murder mysteries and horror stories, it would seriously ruin it for me to find out how it ends. With romance, I already know there’s a HEA and who it’s with and I swear, I can’t get through the first half without, at some point, breaking down and reading those last few pages. I get anxious. I start fidgeting and breaking out in a sweat. I don’t enjoying myself until I go see what happens, and only when I do can I come back and relax through the story.
This TOTALLY threw me when reading Susan Eliazabeth Phillips’ “Honey Moon”, when the ending was HEA with someone NOT the hero. It was a total WTF moment for me.
Comment by Lori Borrill — August 6, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
I’m a read from the front to the end type of reader. Not that I’m not tempted to turn to the end. I like all the questions leading up to the end. The biggest problem for me is if a book is really not that great I have trouble finishing it. Time seems to important.
Comment by Vicki — August 6, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
I’m so NOT an end reader that if there’s a book where I’m really dying to figure out what happens I actually take a piece of paper and cover up the right hand side of the page so my eyes won’t cheat on me and look over.
I also can’t figure ANYTHING out. I mean NEVER. If I guess where a book or movie is going it’s because it has the most transparent plot in the world. I think that’s why I never liked mysteries, because I think half the fun of reading them for most people is trying to figure stuff out along with the sleuth and that’s so beyond me. I must be the only person in the world who was shocked when Darcy proposed to Elizabeth. THAT’S how clueless I am.
Comment by Diana — August 6, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
It would completely spoil reading a book if I knew how it ends. Romance you know will end HEA but I like reading how they get there. I even hate it if I accidentally see the last page in the book. I try not to let that happen. Since I haven’t read any of the Harry Potter books yet I am so afraid I will hear way to much about book 7 before I ever get to that point! Crazy, I know!!!
Comment by Donna M — August 6, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
Oh, and I shake my Christmas presents, too.
Comment by Lori Borrill — August 6, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
P.S. Cher, I wonder if that William Holden movie was Love Is A Many Splendored Thing–great movie.
Comment by Donna M — August 6, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Totally an end reader. Even in romance novels, when it is going to be happy, I totally read the end. LOL!
Comment by katie — August 6, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
Cher, WWII movie? Was it the one with Alec Guiness as a British officer in a Japanese POW camp? The British prisoners build a bridge then march across it whistling at the end while William Holden tries to blow it up? That’s Bridge on the River Kwai.
) however…let’s just say I’m glad I saw The Sixth Sense without her and leave it at that.
And for the record, I will not agree that Leslie is a pain in the butt under any circumstances (at least not in a public forum
Comment by Bruce — August 6, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Totally an occasional end-reader, Leslie! Especially with suspenseful stuff, I agree with Cher and a few other posters that I like to be reassured and then read the rest in relative calm. I will do it once in a while with romances, especially if I’m not particularly into the book, and want to see if the read will be worth my while… (Rest assured, your books were read straight through–no skipping ahead necessary there!)
Comment by Fedora — August 6, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
No sympathy here. I can’t think of anything worse :thumbsdown:
Comment by catslady — August 6, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
OMG LESLIE you are like my new fave plot monkey
…although you are all really tied together!
I’m a total end reader! I just can’t help it…unless the end of the book goes my way I won’t read it…Hee… I even do it to Carly’s books…yup…sorry Carly but I do….don’t hate me…
I still have yet to read Harry Potter…I don’t know why but the books never seemed to get my attention…but…the movies sure have!! lol…
Comment by Melissa — August 6, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
OH I am so not an end reader, I am so anal, that not only do I have to read books from beginning to end that I also have to read books in the order they were written, even if they are not part of a series, yes I know its’s a bit crazy lol
. After seeing the first two movies with my son, I had no desire to read the books.
And I must admit I’m not realy a Harry Potter fan
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 6, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Nope, never read ahead but I too don’t like to start a series until it’s all published. The LEFT BEHIND books drove me crazy that way. I read THE GREEN MILE when it was published as a single novel. Been reading the HP books. Also jumped in after several had been published. Book 3 or 4, can’t remember which.
But even now, as I’m at chapter 22 or so, reading nightly with my son and I’m dying to know, I won’t jump ahead. Ruins the suspense.
Comment by Patricia W — August 6, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I am totally an end reader. I read loads of books and by about page 75 I have to look at the end. It doesn’t matter the genre-I still look. About 27 years ago a book company put out some mystery books with the last 10 uncut so you couldn’t look at the ending. Guess who cut the pages and looked anyways.
I echo Shari C.
Comment by readerdiane — August 6, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
I have to confess I an end reader also
but I can’t help it. I HAVE TO TAKE A PEEK. (Even if it’s just a quick glance.)
Comment by Cherylann — August 6, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
I am not an end reader but I must confess that I have been known to start skimming ahead because I can’t seem to read fast enough to gobble down the story. I don’t always do this but when I do, I get so mad at myself. I hate rushing through the story but sometimes I just can’t help myself but it does spoil it for me. I have never just skipped to the end. That would totally ruin the story for me and it wouldn’t be worth reading any more.
Comment by Carolyn A. — August 6, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Okay, dirty secret out. I too am an end reader. Previously, I only did it on mystery books to see if I was right. Now I find that I do it on romances, although generally only the epilogue. It’s an illness! Maybe we should set up a support group.
Side note: I am currently reading She’s No Angel and thoroughly enjoying it. And yes, I’ve already read the end.
Comment by Kelly — August 6, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Whew! I am SO glad I’m not the only naughty one here!
I know with me it’s a combination of a lack of patience and a desire to see if I’ve figured things out right. lolol!
Thanks for making me feel better today!!!
PS: I’m up to HP 7 now…again…lol! And am reading much more carefully this time.
Comment by Leslie — August 6, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
I’m an end reader also. I normally read the first chapter and then skip ahead to the last two pages of the book. I like to make sure that my assumtions about a book are correct. That way I can enjoy it.
Comment by Patty L — August 6, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
As Ev’s daughter, I feel I should state my case on why I read the end of Harry Potter. I had to know who died. I already had everything worked out in my head and guess what, I called it from the very first book on who was bad and who wasn’t. The fact that I read the end of the book made me cry harder through out book 7 - not to mention that my childhood has come to a close. After almost 10 years with Harry and his crew, it’s pretty depressing for it to come to an end - at least until the last two movies come out.
As for The Wicker Man, the dvd release has both ending versions.
Comment by ev — August 6, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
Oh yeah, that post had my moms name on it… sorry.
Comment by Heather — August 6, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
Comment by Georganna — August 6, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Heather, I read the end, too…so you have to explain nothing to me!
When I got the book, I skimmed the last page, just enough to see both Harry and Ginny’s names. That was good. Got me through the first two deaths. But at the third, I had to go read more. Not a lot, but enough to give me hope that I wasn’t going to be totally ticked off by the end.
Reading an ending does not ruin anything for me. I dont’ read to be suprised, but for the journey. Sometimes, the journey is better when you know how it will all turn out!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 6, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
I am a major end reader AND end knower. I don’t meet many like me, so it’s nice to know that an author is one, too.
Of course the first thing I did when my Harry Potter book arrived in the mail was peek at the end. I’m so glad I did, too. 
Comment by Diana — August 7, 2007 @ 1:26 am
OKay I’ll admit it I am an end reader. I have to know what will happen before I can enjoy the story. I am with Shari C. I will read the first 100 pagtes or so and then I have to know how it all ends. Then I can sabor the middle. Of course I will re-read every seris in order after/just before the new relelase comes out also, so I
’m not sur
what all that means…. Reading about Steve Wilde still gets my motor running in a definate way.
Cora S.
Comment by Cora Salas — August 7, 2007 @ 2:45 am
OMG I’ve never heard about so many end readers - I’m in total shock :mrgreen:
Comment by catslady — August 7, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Only occasionally I peek at the end.
Comment by Pat L. — August 8, 2007 @ 7:42 pm