Is it a bad idea to read multiple, multi book series at the same time?

[James]

I'm reading the Hyperion series, finished book #1, but before moving to book #2 which I definetly want to read, is it a bad idea to start another multi book story, The Dark Tower or old mans war series in this case? Both just sitting on the shelf waiting to go, went on a used book spree recently :)

[Dylan]

No it's not a bad idea. In fact it's probably a good idea because you get more exposure to different authors and stories.

The only reason not to do it would be if you won't remember enough detail from the first book to understand what's happening in the second one. I think that rarely happens with a well-written series, and we remember stories pretty well -- it's just in our nature.

And with Hyperion, the novels are self-contained enough that you don't need to remember the details of the previous one -- you just need to remember the basics.

Think about it this way -- do you watch TV serials? When one season ends, you have to wait a year before the next one comes out, but you don't avoid watching all other shows in the meantime. I guess the same thing would be true if you had been reading Hyperion or Dark Tower as they were being published.

People are still waiting for the last few books of the Song of Ice and Fire to come out. I guarantee you they are reading other books and series in the meantime :)

[James]

Dylan wrote: "No it's not a bad idea. In fact it's probably a good idea because you get more exposure to different authors and stories.

The only reason not to do it would be if you won't remember enough detail ..."
Book memory isn't a problem for me so I think I'll take ur advice and read Drk Twr Gunslinger since I have it sitting here and order a used copy of Fall Hyperion and read it after. Thanx for comment

[Budd]

James wrote: "I'm reading the Hyperion series, finished book #1, but before moving to book #2 which I definetly want to read, is it a bad idea to start another multi book story, The Dark Tower or old mans war se..."
I have been working through series from several authors.
My caveat would be to know sequence order.
I've stumbled through a couple of series that didn't indicate sequence #, only to learn I had jumped one or two ahead.
Some authors accommodate for that by providing background on previous characters. But, then you end jumping over whole sections, because you already know who and why the character is there.