I saw this article the other day that asked, “Are you ashamed of skipping parts of books?” Which, naturally, made me want to ask all of YOU.
Do you skip ahead in a book? Do you feel badly about it when you do?
Oh, what a ghastly thought! I can’t skip ahead in books, even if the book is a collection of essays or short stories that actually allows you to do so without possibly missing anything important. I’m just petrified that I’ll miss something, you know? I have the same problem with television, films, and book series. For instance, I want to read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy so I can watch the film, but I feel like I have to start at the beginning of the George Smiley novels because I might miss something. Perhaps this is why I feel so lethargic when it comes to mysteries, since they’re nearly inevitably series…
While I can to a point with books, that would drive me nutz with a TV series (thank you Hulu lol)
Here’s my BTT ~ House Millar series
Áine
Thanks for stopping by!
If you think mysteries are bad, try the sci-fi and fantasy genre! Every blessed book is a series these days..or so it seems!
Oh, I’m a massive speculative fiction fan, but those are easier—each installment is integral to the overall story, or at least pretends to be. I’m talking about mystery series starring a detective; each adventure ought to be standalone, but I can’t make myself not go back to the beginning…
Best answer i read today. The horror of missing something important. 🙂
My BTT
Absolutely! Thanks for swinging by!
Normally, I’d agree with you. But just started reading Philip K. Dick’s Exegesis (800+ pages of “What if?”) and I am skipping like an old record. (Don’t get me wrong– it’s good, but just not every single word.)
Well, to each their own, of course! I do hope it’s improving the experience.
Even if the book is a collection of essays or short stories? I wish I had your passion and time. Here’s mine – http://www.stasiadesiderata.com/2012/01/19/skipping-parts-of-books/
Passion, yes, time? Ah, I wish! Thanks for dropping in!