Welcome to Tuesday Book Chat.
This is where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week. As we are a faith-based group the questions refer mainly to Christian fiction or non-fiction.
Today’s question is:
Do you read sample chapters in the back of books?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please join in the conversation by commenting on this post or on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group. Remember to comment today on Tuesday Book Chat to enter the giveaway.
Let’s chat!
Simple answer no. The main reason is it’s often the sample for an upcoming book. If I do read the sample and the book isn’t out its frustrating having to wait then when it is out I have moved on to the next book on my TBR pile. So when it does come out I am less motivated to buy. If its a book that’s already out I am more likely to read it and if I am interested check out the book. But mostly I just ignore them.
Your Turn
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Yes I will, if I’ve enjoyed the book and think I’d like to read more by the author. I don’t come across the sample chapters often, though.
Hi Suzie, What if its a totally different author or book. Like Love Inspired often have a sample chapter of another book which is also a stand alone read. And does it matter if the book isn’t out. I noticed a few authors will put a sample of a book already out but in multi reader series I have seen the first chapter of the next book coming out in a month or a few months.
I’d forgotten that there can be samples from a different author, I haven’t come across that in a while. I have to say, I tend not to read them.
If the book isn’t out yet, I might read the sample to get a sense of whether I want to order it or not.
I toyed with doing this myself with my books but decided against it. I just add an “also by …” page instead, with the titles listed. I find those helpful if I like an author.
I love the “also by” section! Especially if they add a note about who the book is about, so if I really liked a side character, I know exactly which book was theirs.
True. I do too. I expect the also by cos often if you like one book you want to see what else is out. I actually wonder about the extra chapter especially Indy writers when every page adds to the cost of the book. those 10+ pages (cos it normally included a bit more than just the chapter) add to the cost of the book when buying a print book.
Yes, I’d still read it. I may be a bit disappointed that it’s not a sample by the same author, but I might be pleasantly surprised and discover an author whose work I’ve never read.
No, because if it is by my favourite author, then I want to wait to read the whole book or I might have already read it if I am purchasing older books they have written that I missed when they were first published.
Also no if it is by a different author. I don’t always purchase the book that the sample chapter is from if the blurb doesn’t interest me. And if I did, I would also want to wait until I had the whole book in my hand to read.
I fully agree thanks for answering.
I never do. I wait for the book to come out or just continue on to the next book if I’m bigger reading or add it to my list.
I don’t want to know what’s ahead. I don’t even read the preview chapters in newsletters, I just don’t like spoilers for my books.
I actually agree. I know some give that preview so you can read a few chapters but I too wait till I have the book. I occasionally read sample chapters if unsure If I want to buy a book and a couple times I am glad I did as the book while labelled Christian was actually wholesome or closed door and the sample showed that within a few pages.
Absolutely. If I liked the current book, I want to know what’s coming next, especially if it’s part of a series. If I didn’t care for the book, I want to see if I should give the author another chance. Sure, there might be a wait (although I might be reading an older book and the sample book has already been released). If I’m interested, I’ll put the title on my Amazon wish list or simply preorder.
That makes sense. I think part of it for me is I often read ARC and with LIS I am wanting to finish the book and not interested in reading a chapter of another book. (often its late when I finish)
That makes sense thanks for commenting
Hi Jenny, I sometimes read the first few pages of the sample. It depends on the situation. If I’m binge reading a new-to-me series, then I’ll start the sample to find out where the series is heading.
I can understand that. When the question was first suggested it was when chapters were being put in books where the next book would be out in a few months or even longer.