This is a little harder to judge if you're reading on a device, but for me, with a paper book, it's usually about 50 pages from the end. There are two factors here. One, if I keep going I know I'll read all way to the end and then I won't be able to get up on time in the morning. And, two, I know if I do manage to read just a little bit more and then have to stop, it will spoil the exquisite pleasure of the resolution.
Is this silly? Or maybe a wee bit obsessive/compulsive???
And of course this isn't counting the nights when I fall asleep reading, and hubby has to take off my glasses and put the book on the night stand. The dozing off thing is very annoying--it means that the next day I have to page back through the book until I find the last thing I remember.
REDS, what about you? Where do you have to stop? And is there anyone who can put a book down five or ten pages from the end?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Nope, nope, absolutely not. Once I get close, I want the whole experience. Sometimes if it's too late, I'll start reading something else instead, because I know if I stay up I'll be sorry in the morning. Also--I always think it's not fair to the author to rush through just to see what happens--which is what I wind up doing. I ALWAYS see Jonathan asleep with a book on his chest. Is that a compliment to the author--or not?
LUCY BURDETTE: no, I save it for the next day, even though that almost kills me. I want to savor, and I know I don't remember the last thing I read late (for me!) By the way, I finished a good one last night called Celine, which I am sure a couple of you recommended last week. There I was, in bed, with nothing left to read and not quite ready to turn out the light. So I started something new, a book I had given to our daughter for Christmas called The Mothers by Brit Bennett. What an amazing voice! Now I am excited for bedtime tonight!
HALLIE EPHRON: The Mothers is on my bedside table as we speak, but I haven't started it yet. My daughter loaned it to me -- she raved about it, too.
I cannot read in bed (I fall asleep) and I often stop with 20 or fewer pages left. Especially if it's a really good book and I want it to last.
JENN McKINLAY: I read in bed and I read all the way through. Yes, I know I'll regret it, but I do it anyway. If I don't, I'll just stay awake wondering what's going to happen so it's best if I just keep going. I do wake up with books on my chest, and it cracks me up when I have to go back ten or more pages to figure out where I clonked out. Sleep-reading, it's a thing.
INGRID THOFT: I can put a book down with as few as twenty pages left, and I definitely stop reading if I don't think I'll be able to finish it before I doze off. Like Debs, I want to savor (and remember!) the ending, which is more likely to happen the next day. My hubby and I also debate the fact that even if I'm loving a book, if I get sleepy, I can't possibly keep reading. He, however, is able to stay up and finish. He says the books I'm reading aren't interesting enough, but I beg to differ! I think this is more a commentary on me and my brain than on the book I'm reading!
RHYS BOWEN: I find very few books these days that I simply can't put down. I suppose I'm more picky than I used to be. I get letters from fans accusing me of making them stay up all night to finish one of my books. I don't think I've ever done that, but I have stayed up well past my bedtime. I think the last one was Kate Morton's The Lake House. Usually if I have a book I'm really enjoying I look forward to going back to it, like having a secret stash of dark chocolate and taking nibbles when I have a moment. And there have been a few books I didn't want to end.... ever! I'm off to England next week and have a fully loaded Kindle which, fortunately, I'll be able to take on the plane with me. Huge sigh of relief.
DEBS: There is nothing I love more than staying up into the wee hours to finish a really gripping book, and I have to admit I'll indulge myself when I'm in England on my own, with no fixed daily schedule. Otherwise, sigh, I have to put the book down at a reasonable hour or I'll regret it. The dogs aren't inclined to take "I stayed up too late" as an excuse in the morning!
READERS, what's your stopping point?
