Do you read author dedications and acknowledgments that are in the first few pages of books that you read?
I do. With every book.
Before reading the story I always read the dedications. It gives me the chance to learn a little bit about the author because a lot of the times there is plenty of personality in those dedications.
Some are funny, some are very thoughtful, some have hidden meaning where you need to be in on the joke to understand, some are... interesting. For instance, there was one where the author had written a very religious dedications. It initially made me uncomfortable because it was so preachy. It went way way beyond thanking God.
Another author had given her thanks to her spilled tea and dirty socks. That one had me in giggles as I imagined her on a roll with her writing then accidentally spilling her tea and absently using her socks to clean it up because she was so deep into her book, she didn't want to stop writing for even a moment. It could mean something totally different but that's how I read it.
Recently there was an author that thanked the artist for the beautiful cover of her book. You know the term 'A face only a mother could love?' Well, said author has a cover that only an author could love.
My favourite dedications are the sweet ones that thank friends and family. Simple and sweet, they warm my heart and put a smile on my face.
If you have never read dedications then I urge you to take a peek at them. They are not always interesting and they wont always bring out your laughter or smile, but I think that reading them is just a nice thing to do :-)
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I always read the dedications, too. Glad someone else does!
I do, too. You can definitely see more of an author's personality or quirks in the dedications.
Mine are probably boring... but I'm strange enough in my books anyway. LOL.
Always! In fact, a couple of years ago Lucy Monroe dedicated a book to me and I was thrilled!
I especially love the sentimental dedications don't you?
Hi Lori,
A lot of the people I talk to do not read them. I'm also glad that you do, too :)
Hi Cassidy,
Welcome to my blog. Strange is good, I say. It makes people smile :)
Hi Marilyn,
Lucy is my absolute # 1 favourite author! Yes, I do love the sentimental ones.
I started a book today with a dedication for a baby girl who died in her mothers womb in a prison cell.
Very touching. It makes me want to know more about the mother, why she was in jail, if she has other children, etc.
I always read them too. You're right- they do give some insight into how the author's mind works. Are they a simple mention of names with a thank you, or is there something personal about each person or group mentioned? Is it witty or heartfelt?
The dedication, acknowledgements (which may or may not be one and the same), and the author bio at the end all serve as just a little extra spot of interest for a book and, even though they're not required, I DO miss them when they aren't there.
You know, I've never paid too much attention to any of that stuff. Sometimes I read them and sometimes I just rush into the story but this post made me think on it and I think I'm going to start paying more attention. =) Great post sweetie!