I used to be one of those people who didn’t read the acknowledgements page. I’ll reach the last page of the book, see the acknowledgements page, ignore it, then closed the book.
I honestly didn’t think that the acknowledgements page was that important. Before I was a blogger, I thought that the acknowledgements page was the same thing as the dedication page. I honestly still don’t know why I thought that. :P
I actually read the acknowledgements page now.
Why do I read them now? Well, I love reading the acknowledgements and seeing who the author of the particular book I’m reading associates with. It’s a nice surprise to see when they mention authors I know – I personally like seeing authors helping other authors with their books, giving them support, advice, and emotional help.
It’s also sweet to read about how the author’s family supports the author.
What about you? Do you read the acknowledgements page?
I rarely read the acknowledgements – mostly I am still in the book universe to care.
Ha ha, I totally get you. I was like that too. :P
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Read The Acknowledgements Page?
I usually read the acknowledgements and it is always cool to find bloggers mentioned in them.
Ohh, I forgot all about bloggers being mentioned in them sometimes. Good point!
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Read The Acknowledgements Page?
I do actually.But only if I liked the book.
The Daydreamer recently posted…Book Blitz: Where My Heart Breaks by Ivy Sinclair
Ha ha, I can understand why. :P
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Read The Acknowledgements Page?
Sometimes I do. Most of the time I skim through the names for something familiar. I like seeing that authors are friends with each other too!
Kaniesha recently posted…Kaniesha’s Waiting On Wednesday #5: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan
High five Kaniesha! I keep reading until I see a name that I think I know, then try to remember where I’ve heard that name before. :P
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Read The Acknowledgements Page?
Usually, I read everything in the book (even the copyright page!) before starting the actual story. I’ve done this since I remember picking up my first book. I know it’s strange but sometimes I find real gems of information… :)
I want to know all the gems of information you found Marcia! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [49]
Me, too!!!!
La La in the LiBrArY recently posted…HiStOrY: ZORA NEALE HURSTON is born…
I’ll give the acknowledgements page a skim, but I don’t read it too much. I don’t feel like they’re for me, as a reader. You know, when they’re going, “I’d like to thank Susan Smith and John Doe for their invaluable help.” Those names mean nothing to me. I might recognise authors’ names, if the author of that book chooses to thank other authors, and it’s nice to see bloggers getting acknowledged, but publicists and agents and everybody else? They don’t mean anything so I don’t feel bad about skipping them.
Nikki @ The Paper Sea recently posted…Book Review: Thousand Words
Ha ha, I get what you mean Nikki. I personally skip the names I don’t know myself until I see bloggers or authors’ name that I do know.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I rarely do. In fact – I rarely read forewords. But I always read the epilogue, because it’s usually more of the story.
Tanya Patrice recently posted…10 Awesome Blogging Tools
I rarely read forewords too, especially with all the forewords my English teacher forced me to read in school.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I’ve always read the acknowledgements. It’s just really interesting to see all the people who helped the author create this book.
Annie recently posted…Shameless Self-Promoting | Day 11
It is! If that particular person or author is mentioned a lot, I check out their books too.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
Before I became a blogger, I also didn’t read the acknowledgements pages. I just thought it was a little silly. Then, I read a post about the magic of acknowledgement pages and how important they are. Now, I read every single acknowledgement page of a book I read (unless there is no acknowledgements page)! I find it really interesting to see that some of my favourite authors are all friends and how they support each other through the writing process.
Shelly recently posted…Forgive Me, Leonard Quick by Matthew Quick: Book Review
It’s surprising how much blogging changes us Shelly! (:
I still don’t really know the importance of reading the acknowledgement pages, I just find it entertaining and interesting. It also gives me a real glimpse of the author’s personality. :P
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I’ve always read the acknowledgements page because I’m nosy. LOL! No actually, it’s great to see who helped the author become who they are and what went on during the stage of writing. Each book is different and I each acknowledgement is different.
I’m actually surprised at hearing bloggers say they don’t read them for whatever reason. I’m more aware of them and even more so of the names that are listed because at some point you might come cross x or work with z. It’s happened to me a few times since I’ve been blogging. What’s even more surprising? Finding your name in the acknowledgment. It’s happened once to me (well 3 if you count when I was part of the ex-blog & the blog name was listed). It’s a little strange seeing it because I didn’t do anything to help the author other than proclaim my love for their work.
Jess @ Literary, etc recently posted…Blog Tour: Excerpt-Jessica Louise’s Angel of Mine + Giveaway
Ha ha reading the acknowledgements lets us peek into the author’s private life. We’re just so nosy Jess! :P
Proclaiming love for their work is helping them spread the word about their book Jess! That’s always a good thing. ;D
It’s kind of weird and surprising when the author doesn’t tell you that they put you in the acknowledgements though.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I’ve started reading them sense I started blogging. It’s cool to see other bloggers and authors mentioned.
Jess recently posted…Book Review : All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
It’s definitely cool to see all those names on the acknowledgements. Won’t it be even cooler when it’s OUR names on the acknowledgements page? ;D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I always used to skip them, too. But now, I read them occasionally. It depends on my level of interest in the book and in the author overall, I guess.
Kelley (Another Novel Read) recently posted…Review: Lightpoints by Peter Kassan
That’s true. If I REALLY didn’t like the author’s book, I highly doubt that I would check out their acknowledgements page.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I tend to skim both the acknowledgments and the dedications because sometimes there are awesome things hidden in them.
Sarah recently posted…Cover interview: Georgiana Derwent
Mhm! I like it when that happens. ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I also never used to, but yeah, I read them almost always now. I really appreciate it whenever the author thanks the people who bought/read her story. And it gives me a tiny hint of what they’re like in real life sometimes. Honestly, that’s as close as I’ll ever get to meeting some of them.
Rebecca recently posted…Review: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Agreed! I just go like “aww” every time I see a favorite author of mine thanking her/his readers.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
Ahm, not really, Kelly. I am more inclined to read the Dedication page. Most of the time, dedication pages make me smile (even laugh) and curious. As for the acknowledgment part, it’s really lengthy and there’s too much information.
Charlotte recently posted…Feature Follow Blog Hop {5}
You can skim the acknowledgements like I do Charlotte! You’ll be surprised at what you can find there.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
HAHAHA nope. I never really thought the author wrote the acknowledgments for me, so I rarely read them! XD but I guess if you want to somehow take that journey with the author when it comes to how they wrote the book and who helped them do it, the acknowledgments page is for you :D
Jasmine @ Flip That Page recently posted…Review: The Raven Boys
The acknowledgements page also have some other good stuff Jasmine. I just can’t think of them right now. :P
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I love to read the acknowledgement pages of books. Like you, I’m always interested to see if I know any of the names mentioned on the page. I’m interested in the publishing world too, so it’s a good place to figure out who the editor for the book was and who the author’s literary agent is. It’s also a nice section that usually allows me to see a little personality of the author’s.
Kim @ YA Asylum recently posted…Book Talk: Internal v. External
The acknowledgements are like the window to the author’s book.
I’m interested in the publishing world too, but it’s so full of names that I just don’t know about, like who’s who. :P
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
No, I never read it. Too busy moving on to the next book!
chucklesthescot recently posted…New Release: Requiem for the dead by Kelly Meding
Ha ha, I totally get what you mean. :P
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
Like you, I only started reading acknowledgements when I became a blogger. I communicate more with authors, and am therefore interested in their lives (in a non-stalker way *cough*), but sometimes I just can’t get enough of their writing. Also, a weird thing about me is that I LOVE names. First names, that is. So I love reading about that, haha.
Judith recently posted…Piece of Mind: Blogger vs. WordPress
You’re not alone with your name obsession Judith, I’m obsessed with names too. In fact, throughout my life so far, I’ve planned to name my future kids at least twenty different names. Oh brother. :P
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I decided to share my thoughts over on my blog. I hope that’s ok :) Thanks for doing these posts!
Michelle @ Unraveling Books recently posted…Let’s Speculate!
It’s definitely okay Michelle as long as you give credit! Enjoy! ;D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I totally ignored all Acknowledgement pages until I started blogging too! Now that I have actually seen authors mention bloggers and I feel more connected to authors, I like reading them. I love reading new authors and seeing them call out other authors too. Makes it feel like one big happy book world!
CeCe recently posted…Iceland!
I know! You’ve just got to love the blogosphere! ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
The acknowledgments are practically the most important part of writing a book! I LOVE ot when the author thanks his or her readers for picking up the book. Keira Cass writes awesome acknowledgments! Some authors are really boring and just put their website links….?
xx
The only time I’ve seen website links in acknowledgements are in issue books, but that’s understandable because they leave links to help with the issue their book discusses. o:
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I used to only read acknowledgements of books I REALLY loved, but now I read them all. I do, however, hate reading forewards. I don’t know why, maybe because it reminds me of books I was forced to read in school. But usually, they just never get read.
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (6)
You’re not the only one who really hates reading forewords Jess and for the same reason as you: school. Ugh, schools ruin everything. D:
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
Totally agree! Before I was a blogger I rarely read the acknowledgment page, but know it seems like I can’t close the book without reading it :)
Christy @ Christy’s Book Addiction recently posted…Book Review | Steel Lily by Megan Curd
Sometimes I even read the acknowledgements first because I just can’t wait to. :D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I’m the same way. I used to close the book and never read them, but now I get really interested to see who they thank and who has helped them in the process (and which authors are their friends) so it’s neat and that’s the last thing I end up reading :D
Becca @ Nawanda Files recently posted…Sexy Sundays: Butterfly Cove by Christina Skye
I sometimes read the acknowledgements first so I can get a feel for a book that I’ve never heard of before, but most of the time, I read them last too. It’s surprising how many great things you can find in the acknowledgements.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat Zhang
I didn’t use to read it before becoming a blogger too! Now, I see them mentioning other authors that I didn’t know they were friends with. Plus, it’s really fun to read for some reason. Also, some of them thank bloggers who beta read and it’s exciting to see blogs I follow on there. In Shadow and Bone, there was a hole page dedicated to blogs. Very thoughtful.
Reem @ I Read And Tell recently posted…Bookish Pick Up Lines!
Exactly! I’m like addicted to reading the acknowledgements now. :D
I’ve never seen bloggers on acknowledgements before. Maybe I will sometime in the future. o:
Cinder had that too! Too bad I didn’t know about it and didn’t spend in my review. :P
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [36]
I like this question! I’m just like Marcia in #5 — I read every. single. page. of a book. Every one! From title pages to copyright page to dedications to acknowledgements and glossaries and afterwords and EVERYTHING in between!! And I have also done this for as long as I can remember, and I started reading at 2 and have been reading nonstop for 36 years!! O_O Yes, I think it makes me a bit weird, but there ya have it ;)
Oh, another thing, since I had my son 5 years ago and have been reading a TON of picture books since then, I have found myself enjoying the fruits of this little OCD habit of mine even more. They don’t typically have acknowledgements sections (though some do, especially those that are non-fiction or based on real-life events or people), but all that other information that so many people don’t read? Sometimes it is so, so well done in these picture books!! For example, the copyright and publisher information, or the ISBN box on the back cover, are often incorporated right into the book illustration/design elements. It’s so wonderful!! I have sat here and struggled to remember one of these books that we’ve read recently, but nothing is coming out of this old brain’s memory bank (and the little one’s asleep so I can’t go in his room to check out his books). Anyway, my basic point is just that there are often some great gems/surprises/treats to be found if you just broaden the scope of what you look at in a book :) This was fun, thanks!!
Wow. o___o
When I was 2, I was pretty much still sucking my thumb. I think. :P
But reading every single thing. That’s dedication! (It’s also not weird.)
I never read picture books anymore, but you’ve got me really curious. What you’re describing sounds REALLY creative. Next time I make a trip to the library, I’ll go digging around in the picture book section to see what you mean.
Thanks for taking your time to comment! (:
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [36]
I totally read the acknowledgement page! Sometimes there is really interesting stuff in there like what inspired them and things that were based on real life.
Jessica @ Books: A true story recently posted…One Republic Concert!
Yeah! It’s like we’re stalking the author. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]
Nice blog you got here!
I do read the acknowledgement page, mainly out of curiosity because it let’s me know a tiny bit about the author, I guess. I even skim the page with the copyright details, etc. just out of curiosity too. :)
Hazy recently posted…[Book Review] An Abundance of Katherines
Thanks! ;D<3
Yeah, we get to peek into the author's personal life and learn more about them. I never read the copyright page though. All those dates makes me want to run away. :P
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]
I only read them when I liked the books. Most books I dislike end up in the DNF pile, so I don’t take the effort to read the acknowledgement page :p
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Short Review 197. Nancy Holder – Spirited.
You’re not the only one who only reads the acknowledgements page if you like the book. Other people who commented do that too. :D
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Everbound – Brodi Ashton
I like reading the acknowledgements. It’s that nice bit of closer at the end of a story like sitting through the end credits at a movie. Plus it’s fun to get a peek into a sort of backstage area of the people who played a part in the book :)
I run a whole blog comprised solely of acknowledgement pages – think lots of people enjoy them! Check us out acknowledgers.wordpress.com :)
I was exactly the same as you. I was never interested in the acknowledgements. I thought they were useless and kind of boring. I mean, I read your book, I don’t care who you want to thank.
And then I started blogging, and I realised that the people the author thank ARE really important. And I am a bit of a busy body, as well, haha. I am always interested in the people that the authors thanks. Whether they thanked their gent or their editor or their family etc etc. I am always humbled when they mention the readers. I mean, they wouldn’t have a book if no one read it, so I think i is important to thank the readers. I definitely will, if I ever publish a book.
I couldn’t believe when I was actually mentioned in an acknowledgements page. My heart actually skipped a beat :D It felt awesome to be recognised, and now I know how important the acknowledgements pages really are.
Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity recently posted…Artistry: A Spotlight on Cheryl Connell
I have basically read everthing, including the copywrite page, since I was a tween.
La La in the LiBrArY recently posted…HiStOrY: ZORA NEALE HURSTON is born…
Yup! I read acknowledgements all the time. II feel like I’m still unfinished with the book (despite me finishing reading the story itself) if I don’t read the acknowledgements.
Alyssa recently posted…{Blog Tour} Author Interview + Giveaway: Merch Girl by Rebecca Lewis
I love reading acknowledgements! I think it’s really interesting to know all the people who’ve helped and inspired an author. It makes me realize how much the author struggled to write and get a book published.
Wajiha @ Jiha’s file recently posted…Blog Tour (Review & Giveaway): The Right Design by Isabella Louise Anderson
I do read the acknowledgement page. I actually read everything from the front cover to the back. I don’t want to miss anything. :)
Aizel @ One Page at a Time recently posted…Feature & Follow #13: My Personal Library
I don’t really read the Acknowledgements Page unless there’s something addressed to more than one person there, or to the readers. Though sometimes I use the Acknowledgements Page to search for possible names I can use for my WIP. It actually helps from time to time. xD
Oh but when I’m on a book hangover and I don’t feel like closing the book yet, I end up reading/skimming that page just for the sake of reading something haha.
Mara @ Mara Was Here recently posted…5 Ways To Convince A Non-Reader To… Well, Read