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2017-11 Discussion: How do you view Sequels?
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i'm not sure what sequels im' going to read yet - but i consider a sequel to be a continuation of the story from the previous book - like an overarching storyarc that you need to read each book to build on the next
I agree with Dee. I think a sequel is any book that comes after the first - why should it be limited to the second one? I appreciate that, not being a native speaker, I might fail to get the nuances of the English language, but that is my take on it anyway.My favorite sequel(s) are the Harry Potter ones. While I liked the first book a lot, I find that, the more the series progresses, the more the characters progress with it, becoming more mature. The story improves as well, getting better structured as the series goes on.
As for this new format, I like it. Perhaps keeping the discussion questions together with the reviews made things easier, but sometimes people (me included) ended up not really discussing the more general questions and just reviewing the book instead. So I think this might be a good idea.
A sequel is ANY book that comes after the first book. Sequel come from the Latin word meaning to follow, NOT from the Latin word for second :) :) :). In dictionaries it means that which follows in a story, so it does NOT have to be only the second book of a 2 book pair, etc.Yes, I'm being a bit pedantic here, but all in fun and I thought that before I just did a google search. I realize people can't read my humour (sometimes even in real life as my dry humour can be VERY ARID at times, so I try to be careful).
I guess i read alot of series. I would think a sequel is any book after the first book. Some may only be two books or 28 books. I don't think I have a favorite. I have been on a cozy mystery kick though.
When I am being pedantic, I would say that a sequel is not just a book that comes after another book, but that both books must be complete in themselves and the second book must build on the first.All Clear is not a sequel to Blackout because it is all the same story.
On the other hand mysteries such as Agatha Christie's Poirot or Miss Marple books aren't sequels because they don't build on the earlier books.
Of course, this definition leaves us with lots of hazy area where you have to decide whether there is too much or too little dependence on the earlier book, making it hard to implement.
Mod
I do have to agree that to be called sequels the story must follow on the previous one/s.
"series" does not necessarily mean sequels, yes?
Tien wrote: "ooh, interesting point of views on sequels!I do have to agree that to be called sequels the story must follow on the previous one/s.
"series" does not necessarily mean sequels, yes?"
Yes, I think "series" does not necessarily mean "sequels". As most of you say, a sequel should be a story that follows on the previous one. For instance, Harry Potter books. On the other hand, a series is when you have the same characters etc, but each book is a story in and of itself. For instance, Poirot books by Agatha Christie. At least, that's how I see it ;)
I decided to read The Silkworm for this month's shelf, since it was on the shelf's page, but I would say this is more part of a series than a true sequel.
that's kind of how i see it - there are many books on the shelf that i don't think i would call sequels because they aren't really story continuation - they are more books in a series
Mod
Tien wrote: ""series" does not necessarily mean sequels, yes?"Well, I think if a series is about different people each time, they are NOT sequels, but if they have the same people and follow they could be considered sequels, particularly if there is a background that moves on. So, for example, Agatha Christie Poirot novels don't have sequels, but the Hannah Swensen mysteries do because her personal story moves on and previous mysteries are sometimes referred to. She starts off single, gets engaged eventually (no spoilers as to who, but it is in jacket descriptions), married, but prior to that her mother gets engaged and married, her sister is moving along through college, etc. So just because murders tend to get solved within one book doesn't mean they aren't sequels.
However, some books really do have to be read in order, and I suppose if one is a purist, those are the only ones that have sequels. Although I am a purist when it comes to Jane Austen novels and never using the pedal on the piano while playing baroque music (experts disagree on this, sometimes very strongly), I am not a purist with sequels. For me, if there is a continuing story line, there are sequels even if there is something that is resolved in each book because those keep you coming back to find out what happens next (if you like them).
So are you wanting to know what happens next in the Hannah Swenson series Karin? :)
Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "So are you wanting to know what happens next in the Hannah Swenson series Karin? :)"I'm all caught up, as far as I know--the last one I read ended on a Cliff Hanger!!! (view spoiler)
I know but there is another book coming out in 2018. It's called "Rasberry Danish Murder" .
Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I know but there is another book coming out in 2018. It's called "Rasberry Danish Murder" ."Yes, and I'll read it even though these are never more than 3 stars for me to find out what happens (view spoiler)
Karin wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I know but there is another book coming out in 2018. It's called "Rasberry Danish Murder" ."Yes, and I'll read it even though these are never more than 3 stars for..."
I am curious to see what happens as well.
I look at a sequel as a book that moves the same story along. A series carries a continuing character or theme, but the story changes.An interesting question -- I hadn't really thought about it before.
Like LynnB, I've never really thought of this before. Having done so now, I would expect a sequel to be linked to the book before it.
Wow, new shelf picked before I can even make a review. I am slow.
Pick-a-Shelf
Books mentioned in this topic
The Silkworm (other topics)Blackout (other topics)
All Clear (other topics)
This months question to ponder: What do you consider a true sequel. Is it just the second book in a series? Is it any book that comes after the first book? Are they useful to readers? Authors?
And what is your favorite sequel you have ever read and why?
I hope this is a fun exercise that gets people discussing!