Starting a book without knowing what it's about?

[Gravy]

I assume this is more likely with those who read series, but perhaps not. Maybe everybody does it, or nobody does. Anyway...

So, I started a book, got a few chapters in, and realized I had never actually read the book's description.
It's in a series, written by a default author (interpret this as MUST READ ALL THE BOOKS!), and I guess I just forget to read the description. I know it's happened before, and I know it's happened to others. My question is: has this ever happened to you? How often? Was it in a series, or not? A favorite author, or not?

Am I the only one?

[Dh_]

I do this with authors that I really like. Usually, when I find out thy wrote a new book, I'll just read it without even finding out what it's about. It's like I trust that the book will be good just because I have high expectations from the author. Is this what you meant?

-- 16 Mar 2017, 18:49 --

I do this with authors that I really like. Usually, when I find out they wrote a new book, I'll just read it without even finding out what it's about. It's like I trust that the book will be good just because I have high expectations from the author. Is this what you meant?

[Gravy]

By default author? Absolutely.

I have quite a few series that are must reads, but very few must read authors.

Nice to know I'm not crazy

[gali]

I like to read the blurb before starting the book. I buy books of authors I love without reading the blurb, but I read the blurb before reading it.

[AliceofX]

Usually no. Typically I go to Goodreads to read the synopsis and briefly check out other people's reviews, or at least how many stars they gave, to know what kind of expectations to have. That said, the less information I get about the book before reading it the better. Preconceived notions tend to colour your experience.

[Wahu lucy]

Sometimes reading the blurb can a discourage from reading a book.I used to read the blurb before reading any particular book i guess i just wanted a hint on whether the book was good or not.Now i like to dive into it read the first two chapters and if the book is not interesting at all,I just leave it.

[Kehvex]

i tend to judge a book by the blurb on the back, to the point where i choose not to read the book.

[Scerakor]

It is very rare that I jump into a new book or series without at least reading the description on Goodreads or the back cover. Now that I think about it though... I guess I do start reading later books in a series without looking at the premise though.

[Kehvex]

i tend to judge a book by the blurb on the back, to the point where i choose not to read the book.

i would like to add to my post that i sometimes read the last page to see how things end.

[SparklingOne]

For series the description from the first book at a minimum. All other books I read the description, and in some cases I will download a sample before buying. The only exception to this would something recommended to me by a friend. Years ago I'd have picked up anything without looking first, as hobbies go books can be expensive, so better to be sure you like it in advance.

[AliceofX]

i sometimes read the last page to see how things end.

When I was younger I used to read the final sentence of a book before starting to read it. Not sure why I did that then, and I don't do that anymore.

[shish_by_design]

I might have done this when I was newbie at reading books but once I became an avid reader I made it a habit to read the description first.

[Buchacha21]

I did this once on my old kindle during a long flight because I didn't have access to the internet and it didn't show me the book covers and I was instantly addicted! It is very rare that I read the descriptions anymore. I have found so many great books this way that I likely wouldn't have bothered looking at otherwise.

[Pm7lucas]

I have a few favorite authors that I read everything they write without knowing what the book is about beforehand. They are mostly series books, so I don't usually get surprised. If the book is by an author I haven't read before, I don't read it without reading the description first - even if someone tells me it's "fabulous". Everyone's taste is different!

Paula

[MoseyProse]

I try to avoid reading descriptions as much as I can, especially if I'm told to just go and read a certain book by someone. I'm glad I do that now, it can make a book really exciting, especially if you have no idea which direction it's going to go in.