I have an unusual way of reading books. It drives my DH crazy. I read a book about 3/4 of the way through, then put it down for days – sometimes weeks. Or I’ll read a chapter or two at a time. Or, I read about halfway, make some guesses about the plot, and then read the last few pages to see if I’m right. Then I’ll put it down for awhile and later go back to read the in between stuff. I think it’s the last he objects to the most, though he can’t understand why I employ the former methods either. I don’t like it when my emotions get yanked around by a book. It feels like I’m loosing control of them, in a way. That and it often effects my mood. Suspense especially. Tonight I refused to watch Lost because the man is working third shift and I would be all alone (well, with the dog) in a little apartment on the ground floor in a complex that is usually busy until the wee hours of the morning. No thanks. 
I did that once and was awake and thoroughly creeped out until 3 A.M. An example would be the Dean Koontz book I’m (still) currently reading, the Darkest Evening of the Year. I’m over half-way now and I’m still reading it a chapter or two at a time. Maybe this particular one is harder because it involves dogs (my breed, too) as well as people, but I do this with lots of books. Another would be Wideacre, by Phillipa Gregory. I’m about 4/5 of the way finished (have been for about 4 months), and I’ve already read the ending. I still want to go back and find out how certain things ended up the way they did, but I’m much happier knowing the ending.
Looking at it from one perspective, it’s a compliment to the author. It means he or she made their characters real enough that I’m concerned about what happens to them. On the other hand, my fits and starts and sneak peaks do limit the ability of the story/author in some ways. I often miss foreshadowing when reading this way. I don’t get to know the characters quite so well. And when I sneak the back of the book, I don’t get to fully appreciate the building of the story. My husband says this is an insult to the writer, and as a writer I should never do this. He does have a point, and I’m trying to break myself of reading the ending first. I have a lot of trouble just letting random authors take my emotions/mood for a ride, though.
What do you all think? Am I being unfair to my fellow writers? Or am I not alone in this odd way of reading? If you don’t think I should read this way, tell me why. If you think it’s all fine and dandy, give me a reason for that too. I’m just interested in hearing what other writers/readers think.
Oh yeah, just for the record, I do the equivalent with RPGs and some movies. I can make it through a comedy or a chick flick, but give me an emotional ride and I just can’t quite take it. I’m currently trying to work up enough courage to finish the Patriot. After insisting someone tell me if so-and-so and so-and-so dies. *sheepish*
Once I get my hands on it though, I’ll be sure to post a review. Hmm. Maybe I should go back and post reviews of his first two books, 
