Save the Foreword for the End of the Book

Every time I ignore this advice, I regret it. At worst, a forward (sometimes it’s a prologue or an introduction) spoils the plot. At best, it’s full of platitudes that can’t be appreciated without having read the book.

Treat it as an afterword and read it at the end.

A translators note is usually fine to read up front, but read with caution.