By Jen
That is the question so many have recently asked. Six months ago, I wouldn’t have had a clue that a book cliffhanger could be such a hot topic. Since I don’t mind them, I never really considered that there is a whole slew of readers who will purposely avoid purchasing or reading a book if they know it contains a cliffhanger. For me, a cliffhanger is an exciting thing. Weird, right?
Hear me out… I love the anticipation of how an author is going to “get me” at the end. I relish reading those last pages and having my “WTF” moment. The bigger the cliffhanger, the larger the impression it leaves me with. I enjoy seeking out the author when I’m done reading and giving them a piece of my mind. I don’t mind the wait for the next book. I know some readers will hold off on reading an entire series until all the books have been released and then gorge themselves on the entire series in just a few days. I can appreciate that, but I am not going to deny myself the joy of getting my hands on an anticipated read just because the ending leaves me with my jaw on the floor.
There are people who will rate a book less just because it has a cliffhanger. Personally, I don’t understand that. If I loved a book, then I loved the whole thing, cliffhanger and all. For me, that wouldn’t change my rating, although if I were a “cliffy-hater”, maybe I would see this differently. One of the best cliffhangers I’ve ever read was in Kim Karr’s book, Connected. That cliffhanger left me yelling at my Kindle and feeling entirely too excited about writing a review for it. I’m eagerly anticipating the follow-up.
[polldaddy poll=7320413]
About the Author:
Jen loves to read. She can’t stop herself. It’s become an obsession. She is in love with her husband, kids, iced coffee and books. Jen lives in beautiful Colorado but is originally from the West Coast.
Michele says
August 13, 2013 at 11:22 pmI am a reader–of a variety of genres actually. If you go to my site and click on the book category to the left you will know what I mean. Cliffhangers can drive you nutty-but then what else can leave you wanting more more more!!
Terry (My Journey With Candida) says
August 14, 2013 at 3:27 amI am not a fan of cliff hangers, but then to each his own. It does leave you waiting for the next book to come out… or if you are like me… you never get to the next book.
Dawn Lopez says
August 14, 2013 at 5:27 amI think I’m one of those people who kinda doesn’t like cliffhangers… or maybe I should say… I don’t mind them as long as part 2 or book 2 is already printed so I can read it right away. I am like that with shows too, I’d rather wait until the season ends so I can watch them all at once 😉 Maybe I am weird?
Jutta@HungryLittleGirl says
August 14, 2013 at 6:48 amWell, I kind of don’t like cliffhangers, but I also love the excitement that builds up until the next part comes out 🙂 So even tho I would rather read it all at once, I don’t really mind them
Michelle Waller says
August 14, 2013 at 7:13 amI do not like cliffhangers, especially when the next book doesn’t come out for another year.
Lily@IW says
August 14, 2013 at 7:25 amI get all agitated waiting for what’s next. It’s either old age or me being spoiled by the instant gratification of the media. I want to know now and I want to be satisfied now! I would wait for the entire series (or close to it) before reading.
Same way with Tv shows. I will purposely wait until I can watch a bunch in a row if there’s pending excitement to be resolved.
Corinne says
August 14, 2013 at 7:49 amI’m too impatient to wait for an entire series to be written before diving in! I will admit I sometimes hate getting to the last page only to realize I will have to wait months to find out what happens next, but if the story is a good one then I assume it will be worth the wait.
Dawn says
August 14, 2013 at 8:03 amI am an avid reader and love a good cliff hanger, it makes me want to read the series that much more.
Laura (blogging with dogs) says
August 14, 2013 at 9:40 amBeing such an impatient person, if there was a series I heard about and only the first one had been released, I would most likely wait until the others were published in the series. But, if I were hearing really great things about the book – I would still purchase it anyway and just be completely disappointed but excited that I have to wait for the next one! Kind of like a season finale of your favorite TV series. Can you say Homeland?! 😉
melanie says
August 14, 2013 at 9:58 amI don’t mind a good cliffhanger! 🙂
Lisa B says
August 14, 2013 at 10:23 amI like cliffhanger books, the anticipation of the next book is awesome
Becca says
August 14, 2013 at 10:30 amWhile I love a good cliff hanger..I will admit I like them better when I am able to go ahead and purchase the next book pretty quickly lol those cliff hangers that take a year or more to get the next one out are a bit tough!
JennieIW says
August 14, 2013 at 10:35 amThe first series that comes to mind that I’ve read featuring cliffhangers is “The Hunger Games” series. I read them all at once, and I must admit that if I’d had to wait to read the next book in the series I might have gone a little loco.
That said, I’m not entirely opposed to cliffhangers, though I’d prefer to know that a book is going to end that way before I get to the final page.
Grandma Bonnie says
August 14, 2013 at 12:11 pmI don’t mind cliffhangers if I don’t have to wait years for the next book. A few months is all I like to wait.
Anya@IW says
August 14, 2013 at 12:52 pmI think I’m slightly in the ‘like cliffhangers more than not’ category, but I do know what Lily means about the effect of instant gratification provided by the media. Heck, being on west coast time, I often look up the results of shows like Big Brother or the Amazing Race three hours ahead of time so that I can sit back and watch the show and not have to be on edge wondering if my favorite won or not.
.
That said, there is a particular thrill that comes from a well-written cliffhanger and knowing you are going to have to wait (and wait!) for the resolution. Anticipation….
Johanna Cosentino says
August 14, 2013 at 4:49 pmI used to be able to read books with cliff hangers, and then wait it out until the following book would come out. But having read soooo many books with cliff hangers, I can’t do it anymore. I have to wait until the whole series is complete before I read it. I have to be able to get my hands on the next book, ASAP. Otherwise, I have to read all the books previous to that right before, and it’s too much! <3 I have learned to be patient and just wait it out until the story begins and ends. 🙂
Pam says
August 14, 2013 at 5:26 pmIt’s a love hate thing for me. I think they make it more exciting waiting for the next book but at the same time it tears my nerves up lol.
Cynthia L. says
August 14, 2013 at 5:30 pmSometimes I like a cliffhanger, sometimes not. I guess it depends on the genre of the book.
Taylor @ Our Family World says
August 14, 2013 at 7:29 pmCliffhangers really don’t bother me, I am more interested if it the whole thing was a good read and if it made me think or got a hold of my emotions.
Aida Ingram says
August 15, 2013 at 6:46 amI like cliffhangers, but if there is a cliffhanger in a murdrer mystery I’m really getting into, that leaves me livid.