Begin with the End

Quirky~

I have a habit of reading the ending of a book first...I have to because I can't enjoy the rest of it unless I do. :-)
I didn't used to be that way, it is all Nicholas Spark's fault. Good old Nicky, also known as Writer of Stupid Endings Extraordinaire...

It all started with the book Message in a Bottle.  I am a reader...an avid reader, nay a devourer of books.  I have to read every night before bed, I read while walking, I read in the car (not while driving, but if I could figure out a safe way to do that I would) I read curled up in the chair listening to the rain fall...get the picture?

I was the toddler who scribbled her own nonsense books, the 4year old who learned to read before she went to Kindergarten (which resulted in a spanking at school and a suspension...but that is another story loll)  I have a horrible memory for names, but I remember my Elementary librarian, Mrs. Holmes.  I was the child who raced through school work so she could read during class, the teen that hid a book in my text books (like the teacher wouldn't notice.) The adult who reads at least 4 books a week...get the picture?

Fast forward to the "Stupid Book" (A.K.A.) Message in a Bottle.  I read it.  It was wonderful.  *Spoiler Alert! Then right at the ending, out of the blue one of them dies...Oh my heck! Can you say seriously rude? 

So now, if I start a book that I am really liking, I read the ending to make sure that I am not shocked/disgusted/sad/mad at the ending.  I actually enjoy the story more if I know what will happen.  Then I read the book to fill in the middle.  Now even if someone dies, I am not destroyed.  (Okay, a little dramatic)

I just read a great book called Before Ever After.  I was stunned by how much I liked it.  I laughed out loud when I came across the following quote by Max, one of the main characters.

"Fretting over how life ends, or anything else for that matter, is a complete waste of time," Max said. "I don't know about you, but when I got my hands on those Harry Potter books, I simply had to sneak a peek at the last page."
"Er, Harry Potter?" Jonathan arched a thick silver brow.
Max nodded, "I, for one believe that in order to really enjoy any story, you need to get the ending out of the way as soon as possible--which is why I've brought you all here.  You need to learn the conclusion of one family's story so that you may better appreciate how it began and the cast of characters along the way."

Bam! Vindication! That is is exactly how I feel.  Now if you will excuse me, I have a book to go read.  Ending first of course.  :-)