Instead of the usual tag post this Sunday, I wanted to talk about book synopsis and the role they play in my reading life. I thought this was the perfect time to do this, because not only was having more chats one of my 2019 resolutions, but I had this moment earlier today when starting a new book – that I’ve never read the synopsis for that clicked – “this is the perfect time to share all your thoughts on synopsis.” So here we are.
As I said, I started a new book today and I realised I never read the synopsis for it. (Windwitch by Susan Dennard for all you curious minds.) So I got one sentence into the synopsis and I realised I had no desire to know what was going to happen in the story, and I just wanted to dive in.
Now this isn’t a new thing for me, especially with later books in a series. I was burned once a few years ago where I read the synopsis for a sequel when I still had about 100 pages left in a book and was spoiled for a character death, so I think that might have been my big turning point. Also, I remember that after I started 
Cinder by Marissa Meyer I wish that I hadn’t immediately reread the synopsis before I started the book to just go in with this fresh, open feeling, instead of expectations that may or may not be met. If I like the first book in a series, and I know I want to continue I won’t read the synopsis for the next book. I’m already sold, I don’t need to know more. I only read sequel synopsis for books I’m on the fence about and it can help sway my decision to read or to pass on the book.
So when do I read a book synopsis? Usually I’ll read the synopsis , or even just the pitch before the full synopsis is released, and that will be enough for me to add the book to my TBR and I usually don’t reread the synopsis again. I can usually connect a few key points to the cover or title and that will be enough to remind me why I wanted to read the book in the first place. 
There are so many books that I have only the vaguest idea about, but I have such a strong desire to read them because I have an idea what I’m getting into, but there’s so much to look forward to.
And there are times when I don’t need to read a full synopsis to know I’ll want to read a book. I bought a few mysteries last week,
and only got about halfway though each synopsis before I was hooked and knew I wanted to know more. And that point, I don’t see a reason to finish reading the synopsis that might give something away (no matter how minor) when I’m already sold on the story. Buzz words and topics, or mash-up identifiers, are excellent ways to be on the hunt for books you think you’ll be interested in without having to read full synopsis if you’re looking to start going into books without reading a synopsis.
So this was something a little different, but I just wanted to share my thoughts/experiences with book synopsis.
So when do you read a synopsis? Do you always read a full synopsis before adding a book to your TBR? What are some of your book buzz words?
Share below, I’m super curious!!!!
Life of a Literary Nerd 
Such an interesting topic. It’s true: a synopsis breeds expectation and they are not always written that well in my humble opinion. Sometimes they reveal too much or set a tone that is different from the actual book.
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I’ve found a lot of them to be misleading. Or play up certain parts of the story that aren’t the focus or have such a small role that it was obviously used to grab more people.
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Yes, exactly!
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Sometimes I read the synopsis but to be honest, the majority of the books I bought are for recommendations or because I’ve heard a lot about them so I kind of go for it and take the risk. I feel that sometimes I wish I hadn’t read some synopses especially because they’re too informative, I think that when more mysterious or short better 😊
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I feel like so many synopsis could be shorter. There’s no need for them to be 3+ paragraphs.
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I do something very similar! I will read the synopsis before adding a book to my TBR, but then I usually don’t read it again, since I know I had already decided to read it. If I read a synopsis right before reading the book, sometimes I have certain expectations going in.
However, sometimes I will start to read a book (usually an ARC), and wonder why I picked it up in the first place. Then, I’ll reread the synopsis.
I guess it just depends on my expectations, but I mostly like to “surprise” myself by not reading it right before the book. 🙂 Great post!
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Thanks! I usually only reread a synopsis once I’ve started a book if a need to know the MC name for my notes and they havent said it in the first chapter or so, haha.
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I never read the sequel synopsis anymore because of spoiled surprises.
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Love this! Sometimes it’s so great to just dive in without knowing anything about the story beforehand. It makes it that much more surprising when it’s a book that you enjoy 😊
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It really does.
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Love this post! I honestly share a lot of the same thoughts about book synopsis! I usually read the blurb once and if it interests me enough, I’ll add it to my tbr. I may read the first sentence or so of the synopsis before starting these books (just so I can get a vague idea of the story), but hardly will I reread the whole thing! I like to dive into books with an open mind and am terrified that blurbs will give away too much information, haha. I don’t want theatrical movie trailers for the same reason. 😂
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I’m less worried about spoilers in movies/tv but I still avoid trailers. 😝
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