More often than not, readers tend to skip the acknowledgements and dedication at the front of a book - after all, that's not why you bought it, is it? But we seriously suggest that you go back to check out some of the dedications in your favourite books - you might be missing out!

1. Austenland, by Shannon Hale

For Colin Firth

You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends.

2. The Selection, by Kiera Cass 

Hi, Dad! *waves*

3. Let's Pretend This Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson

I want to thank everyone who helped me create this book, except for that guy who yelled at me in Kmart when I was eight because he thought I was being "too rowdy". You're an asshole, sir.

4. An Introduction to Algebraic Topology, by Joseph J. Rotman

To my wife, Marganit, and my children, Ella Rose and Daniel Adam, without whom this book would have been completed two years earlier.

5. Just A Girl Standing In Front Of A Boy, by Lucy-Anne Holmes

For all the amazing women I've met, and those I haven't, who battle with the dark days.

6. House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski

This is not for you.

7. The Land of Stories, by Chris Colfer

To Grandma, for being my first editor and giving me the best writing advice I've ever received: "Christopher, I think you should wait until you're done with elementary school before worrying about being a failed writer."

8. Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, by Prudence Shen and Faith Erin Hicks

For my parents, even though they never bought me a robot - P.S.

For all the girl geeks - F.E.H.

9. Makbara, by Juan Goytisolo

To those who inspired it and will not read it.

10. Moorchild, by Eloise McGraw

To all children who have ever felt different.

11. Post Office, by Charles Bukowski

This is presented as a work of fiction and dedicated to nobody.

12. Psychos: A White Girl Problems Book, by Babe Walker

Dedicated to the strongest person I know: me.

13. Ruins, by Dan Wells

This book is dedicated to everybody you hate. Sorry. Life's like that sometimes.

14. The House of Hades, by Rick Riordan

To my wonderful readers: Sorry about that last cliff-hanger. Well, no, not really. HAHAHAHA. But seriously, I love you guys.

15. Tiger Lily, by Jodi Lynn Anderson

For the girls with messy hair and thirsty hearts.

16. This Boy's Life, by Tobias Wolff

My first stepfather used to say that what I didn't know would fill a book. Well, here it is.

17. A Storm of Swords, by George R.R. Martin

for Phyllis, who made me put the dragons in.

18. Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn

What can I say about a man who knows how I think and still sleeps next to me with the lights off?

19. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR.

20. Skulduggery Pleasant - Death Bringer, by Derek Landy

This book is dedicated to my nieces.

Girls, none of you were born when Skulduggery Pleasant first appeared. But since you've arrived, no one in our family wants to talk about the writer any more. Now all they want to talk about are the damn babies. All of a sudden, no one wants to cuddle me, and for that I blame you.

But, I suppose you have your good points. It's because of you that Valkyrie has a little sister, after all. You're all mildly cute, reasonably adorable, and you make me laugh when you fall over.

So this book is dedicated to you, Rebecca and Emily, Sophie and Clara and_____________________

(insert names of any more nieces or nephews that might sprout up between now and when they're old enough to read this).

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am your favourite uncle. And you probably prefer me to your parents, too.

(I've met your parents. I don't blame you. They're rubbish.)