Spoilers – How much is too much?

This past week I was discussing with some friends about how much information do you want to know about a movie or a book before you decide to try it.  I have one friend who wants all the details if we are discussing a TV show or movie she hasn’t watched yet.  In fact, she has come to me and complained if I leave out a juicy detail.   I, on the other hand, prefer to just get another person’s opinion on whether or not a book or movie is worth the time I invest to watch or read. I want the story to flow for me exactly as the author intended it to, so that I can enjoy all the “Oh my God!” moments for myself. In fact, there are many books that I wish I could erase from my brain so that I could read them once again without knowing what’s coming and I can experience the shock or the excitement once more.

A case in point, back in 1999 my husband took me to the theater to see The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. If you haven’t watched this movie, click away now and go to Netflix. It is definitely worth the time. We’ll wait for you—hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, da de dum ta dum—okay, you’re back. Now that everyone has seen it, you will understand when I say that about a third of the way through the movie my husband leaned over to me and whispered, “Bruce Willis is dead.” He was so excited that he figured out this key plot twist that he had to immediately share with me, but to this day I will still torment him with “At least it’s not like some jackass would tell you that Bruce Willis is dead—oh wait…” Honestly, I never saw it coming until my husband mentioned it and that little bit of insight ruined the whole movie for me. I never got to experience this story and receive the big knock-out punch in the end that would leave you in jaw-dropping shock.

Since I don’t like anyone giving away all the exciting plot twists to a story, I shy away from giving out too many details. WordPress’s format doesn’t allow me to do cool things like hidden spoilers like they do on Goodreads, so I don’t have the option of tossing in extras for those who want to know more. This is my Book Club and sometimes I would love to talk out details of the story with you guys, but if I start discussing how exciting the mystery was and I never would have guessed that the butler did it!! Well, why would you want to spend your time reading a mystery when you already know who your killer is?

I write this blog to share with you whether or not I liked a book that I just read and if I believe it is worth your time to read it. Since I am doing this to give you more insight into a book, what I would like to know from you is how much information do you want?

For this week’s giveaway, I would like to know from you — Do you want to know that Bruce Willis is dead or do you want to wait and find that out for yourself?

Since I am going to make you do work for this week’s giveaway, I’ll make it a two-fer to make it worthwhile. Wedding season is coming up and I have two wedding stories to giveaway.  (Click on the picture for more information.)

Giveaway open to U.S. Residents, 18 years and older please. Giveaway ends Thursday, June 5th.