Do you prefer to read stand-alone books, or books in series? Do you stick with a series the whole way through or stop after the first instalment? Are there any particular series you enjoy?(question courtesy of Elena)
One of the most difficult parts of reading a really good book is the end. Sometimes, after reading, I get this deep down sinking feeling in my heart, knowing it's over. I feel incomplete, like I want to continue in the lives of the characters. Because of this, I do love series; however, they can pose an even bigger problem. Even with three, four, ten books featuring the same world and the same characters, the end still has to come. And the larger quantity of time you've spent with these characters, the harder it is when it's over.
I remember my mother's experience with the Harry Potter series. When it was over, she cried. She said it was like a friend dying. I felt similarly with this series. The worst for me was probably Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. I wanted those stories and those characters to go on forever. Or Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials - and the ending of that one really really did not help with my sadness at the conclusion of the series. The list could go on forever really.
At the same time, there is something beautiful about a concise, one book look at a fictional world. No matter how sad I am at the conclusion, there are many stories which just can't keep going. Adding more to Water for Elephants would detract from the bittersweet ending. Everything I need to fall in love with Winesburg, Ohio is right there in Sherwood Anderson's book. So I guess I don't really have a definitive answer to this question. I just love books.
What series did you want to keep going? What stand alone books do you feel needed to end when they did? Are there any stand alones you felt needed or warranted more?
I had the same thoughts about the benefits of a series (spending time with beloved characters), but I lamented the fact that it's kind of common for the quality of writing (and editing) to drift off as series continue. I especially see this as true in series that weren't intended as series (or were intended as a finite number of books, but the publisher wants more because of the success).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit earlier and your suggestions. I'm still lacking the 5th Percy Jackson book that's why I haven't read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI was sad when Harry Potter was over too! Here is Mine
ReplyDeleteLiterature Crazy - I know exactly what you mean. One of my problems with the "lesser" series is that the author tends to repeat things from one book to the next, especially when they continually tell something about the main character instead of showing it, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeletejudys424 - I haven't read it either. I tend to read the books as they come out and then re-read all of them after they've all been published.
Bluestocking - It was definitely sad. I could have continued reading that series indefinitely I think.
Susan B. Evans - Hahaha! That's great. Me too!
I'm more of a stand-alone person who keeps his fingers cross at the author's next release. As for series, I have read over and over again Agatha Christie mysteries. :)
ReplyDeleteMatt - I used to treat an author like his/her entire collection was a series. For a few years, I was reading a specific list of authors, chronologically.
ReplyDeleteI agree, sometimes there being more books makes it even harder to say goodbye when the time comes. You gave some great examples too.
ReplyDeleteNymeth - It is like saying goodbye, isn't it? A very difficult goodbye at times.
ReplyDeleteThe latest addition to Hitchhiker, And Another Thing, written by Eoin Colfer comes out in October. I haven't read the series yet, but thought you might be interested if you didn't already know.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series. I'm almost done with my second round. Even 28 books isn't enough and after several years she finally added another.
Mish - I heard about that and I'm really interested to see what Colfer does. He has some really big shoes to fill though. And I will have to check out the Valdemar series. 28+ books sounds absolutely fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it.
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to delve into Valdemar, I suggest the Last Mage or Heralds of Valdemar trilogies. Those seem to be the usual starting points for many. Of course, there is always the very beginning too.