Do you always open a book to scan a few passages in the middle, or do as I do, read the first few lines, then another passage or two?
How much does your impression rely on those first lines, the middle ones – or any for that matter?
I don’t try to judge a book by its cover, nor do I on those opening words. However, each can sway readers towards, or away from a purchase. I say this because it’s apparent that many of the readers I know read books recommended to them.
Not that impulse purchases tend to work out poorly, but most of us would like to be confident that if we are going to be shelling out between $15 to $35 a book, our money is well spent.
Of course, well over 95% of my books were purchased used, and most of those from my local library sale.
But I will buy one brand new if those I trust tell me it is that good.
Here are the opening lines of two books I got today; one an anthology of short stories, another a novel.
Yesterday afternoon the six-o’clock bus ran over Miss Bobbit. I’m not sure what there is to be said bout it; after all, she was only ten years old.
- Stories of the Modern South: “Children On Their Birthdays” by Truman Capote
The first thing the groundskeeper saw when he went to tend to the small cemetery behind St. Sebastian’s was the body that someone had forgotten to bury.
- Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
Uh, yeah, not until re-reading the above did I realize they are a bit somber, downright macabre really, but what can I say, they definitely got my attention.
And I bet they got yours too.
Point of fact: after my purchases, I took myself out to lunch. While waiting, I pulled out that anthology and began reading the Truman Capote story. I had to. I wouldn’t leave until I finished it. Grateful to the waitress for not rushing me along, I gave her a substantial tip. Considering she could have turned that table over at least once as I ate and read, it was the least I could do as I know that tips are their true bread and butter.
It was one of the best lunches, and reads, I’ve enjoyed in a long time. Worth every dime and every word, as well as a generous tip to my server.
What about you?
What drives your purchases?
What kind of book buyer are you?
I seriously only read the cover blurb. I’m an impulse buyer most of the time. The rest, I already know what book(s) I’m going to buy, just go in and get them.
At the library, I browse. I’ll read a few pages before picking out the ones I’m going to check out.
I browse library books and read the blurbs on the inside covers, or the first few paragraphs. I can usually tell if a book’s going to grab me. But I do admit that a good cover can sway me. And I’ve put books back on the shelf if I don’t like the paper or font.
I tend to read back cover or front flap summaries, and if a book doesn’t have one it really annoys me. I also tend to buy new books from authors I’ve heard of or seen mentioned before. Like you, since most of my books are used, I’m a little more open to buying things I’m not sure about. But new books, those I rarely buy based only on a summary or impulse buy.
I never open at random and read out of the middle. I think there’s too much risk of accidentally spoiling a plot element with that. I read cover and flap blurbs and often the first few pages, but I hate it when cover or flap blurbs give away plot points.
Great post. I read the first couple of pages to try to get a sense of the writing and how I feel about it. That helps me a lot to decide whether or not to buy; so yeah, I guess first impressions matter. Getting a sense of the style helps me to figure out if it’s a literary read or a fun read or just a read that’s not for me. That’s after I get past the blurb and all.:-)