Meet Alastair. Over dinner he let me take his photo and let me in on his unusual reading habit.
Alastair is an avid reader - he reads all kinds of books but prefers historical mysteries. When he buys a new book he reads the first chapter or so and then reads the ending.
The writer in me immediately jumped to the author’s defence. I thought of the years of work that often goes into writing a novel, the sweating over plot points and all the work that goes into making a satisfying ending. I was horrified. I don’t go in for twist in the tale endings, but the ending should be a surprise, even if the novelist has carefully arranged for you to see it coming and spend much of the novel willing the protagonist to do something stop the slide towards an inevitably unhappy ending.
Alastair admitted that sometimes the ending is enough for him to stop reading on. But mostly he reads to the end and he’s happy knowing how it’s going to turn out.
I thought of all the work that goes into the endings of my own stories, and realised that I have absolutely no control over whether that ending is given away right at the start or in the middle, even if I didn’t write it that way. As a writer it sent a shiver down my spine.
As a reader, I can kind of see what he means. Though I wouldn’t read the whole last chapter, sometimes I can’t resist a glance at the last sentence.
How about you? Have you ever read the ending of a book before you should? And if so, what makes you do it?
With a title like that, you can expect a compelling read.
Here’s the description:
When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross’s quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected. Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities The Liar’s Diary is the story of Ali and Jeanne’s friendship, and the secrets they both keep.
Jeanne’s secrets are kept to herself; like her son’s poor report card and husband’s lack of interest in their marriage. Ali’s secrets are kept in her diary, which holds the key to something dark: her fear that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home. While their secrets bring Jeanne and Ali together, it is this secret that will drive them apart. Jeanne finds herself torn between her family and her dear friend in order to protect the people she loves.
A chilling tour of troubled minds, The Liar’s Diary questions just how far you’ll go for your family and what dark truths you’d be willing to admit-even to yourself.
Why am I promoting a book haven’t read yet?
I came across Patry a few years ago, when she was a waitress with a dream of becoming a writer. Her blog was one my favorites for the honest, uplifting stories of everyday life and her accurate observations on the human condition.
I knew Patry would get published one day, so it came as no surprise when she she got that deal.
Right now, Patry is putting her energy and positivity into recovering from cancer, so a group of over 300 bloggers have got together to promote the book, out in paperback today.
But don’t buy Patry’s book because of any of that.
Listen to the audio clip, watch the trailer, check it out in your local bookstore and then buy The Liar’s Diary because Patry Francis is a talented writer who deserves to do well. Or just buy it just because it’s the kind of book you’d like to read.
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