The Not a Book Club Club discussion
Stand Alone vs. Series
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Why so series?^^ Okay, I just couldn't pass this one up. :PBut it's the same for me. Although I tend to diversify my reading, I want to have that bond with a story that continues over several novels.
It's the same with tv shows vs. movies. I seldomly watch movies anymore, cause they are "just" 2 hours of one day and can't simply compare with the bond of a tv show I watch for years.
And although the waiting is annoying, if you start with a new series and the last books haven't been written, in the end the waiting is part of the bonding.
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Rob wrote: "I wish there were more stand alone novels I wanted to read. I'd prefer not to be reading so many ongoing series at once, but I just can't help myself."So true, Rob. I'm the same.
I do like some stand alone books (like Tigana), but a series gives more opportunity for the story to develop a much larger story arc, and to get to know the world and characters in depth - it's hard for a stand alone to reach the same level of reader immersion that a series can.
Plus I like to visit old friends - when a good book ends it makes me happy to know I'll spend time with the characters again.
I've yet to read a book with this club so my opinion barely matters. I would love to find more stand-alone things but the way things go in these genres is series.That said, I hated Tigana (well, what I read of it, I abandoned it), so I'm hoping to find more standalone books that are better. ;) I know Tad Williams has some standalone works that I would live to check out when I have time.
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Some of my favorite stand alone novels (off the top of my head and in no particular order):
The Shadow of the Wind
Snow Crash
Alif the Unseen
Ready Player One
Although it works as a stand alone, Shadow of the Wind is actually the first book in the The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. LOL.Now that I think about it, both of my favourite genres are prone to series (fantasy and mystery). Probably says something about me.
Loved Ready Player One!! Planning to read Snow Crash next year.
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I read the second one...won't bother with the third.
Had a think about this and a quick look through my read shelf, came up with.
a really funny book.
a new one
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There is a third one? Man. I wish people would leave well enough alone. It's one thing to plan to do a series, but quite another to tack on a sequel due to the popularity of the original work.
Can you guys give more recommendations for stand alone books? I can't think of the last book I read that was stand alone.
Linette wrote: "both of my favourite genres are prone to series (fantasy and mystery)"Most of the time with mystery series, its one case/crime/killer per book and any book in the series could be read standalone.
I enjoy both, but series can become tiresome unless they are planned for carefully. I also find it frustrating to need to finish a set of books if I don't like them enough.
Geoff wrote: "Linette wrote: "both of my favourite genres are prone to series (fantasy and mystery)"Most of the time with mystery series, its one case/crime/killer per book and any book in the series could be ..."
That's often true, Geoff. The mystery series I really like though are the ones that have an over-reaching story arc across the series, where a plotline builds with each new book, etc. I'm not much into the ones that can be read in any order.
Then of course there are stand-alones I wish were part of a series because I love the characters and the setting so much I want to follow them closely over a longer time than the book allows.Also, some authors who write series are so brilliant you wish they would write more separate stories, because you are so curious of what else they can cook up.
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Also..."
Off-topic, but Kat did you see my wall post? I've been dying for a response. :P
Rob wrote: "Off-topic, but Kat did you see my wall post? I've been dying for a response. :P"Oh I saw that yesterday and watched the video. Kat definately needs to elaborate on that.^^
Wall post? No, what wall post? I can't find it on your wall.
Oh, on my wall? I haven't received a notification. I saw it now. I'll watch it and get back to you.
Is it very sad that I actually liked the song? (I watched yesterday too). :)
And to connect it to the topic, we could discuss, if we prefer series, where you can get into at any point, or the ones you need to read in...wait fo it...gnomerical order. :P
What an adorable song! Of course there are gnomes in Sweden. Everyone knows they hide under rocks, trees and in mountains or such when there are people nearby. We also have rumpnissar, as Ronja can confirm.Alex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwXew...
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I immediately thought of you when I saw it. I'm like 'I need to get an official opinion on the matter. Ooh! I know someone whose Swedish!"
We now return you to your book discussion thread, already in progress.
The Not a Book Club Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Grunts! (other topics)The City (other topics)
Tigana (other topics)
The Shadow of the Wind (other topics)
Snow Crash (other topics)
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I tend to read series because I feel like most SFF novels are series. I love spending multiple books with characters and exploring the worlds the authors have created. Stand alone novels are a great break, though. Sometimes it's nice to know there's a beginning, middle, and end and I don't have to wait 6 years for the next book (cough cough *you all know who I mean* cough cough).