when should I start?

[Matt]

So this is my first book that I'm reading with S&L and my first book club, so I'm unsure of something.

Should I begin reading the book before the first episode about it?

[Cleveland]

I was curious about the same thing. This is my first book with the group and wasn't sure if I should wait until the dated listed. But I noticed many people posting that they had finished it. So I started it today.

[Nick]

I'd say use your best judgement about how long a book will take you to read. From the announced start date on a book you will have a month to complete it if you want to keep up with the club. Tom and Veronica used to never announce books this early for fear of what is happening right now which is people finishing the selected book before the club officially starts reading the book. The Magicians is a bit of a special case in that before the book was announced as a pick many members had already read the book.

So simply put, if you can finish reading a book in a month then wait and start with the official book's beginning read date.

[Micah]

Nick wrote: "Tom and Veronica used to never announce books this early for fear of what is happening right now which is people finishing the selected book before the club officially starts reading the book."

It's total anarchy man. Total anarchy. I see now why Tom was hesitant to announce the books "start date" ahead of time. He is indeed wise. :)

P.S. this whole knowing the book ahead of time is new to everybody. Nicks ideas about when to start seem right on target.

[Anne]

You can start whenever you want. People have different reading habits and speeds.

If you start early, you might have to wait quite a while until the book is wrapped up, on the other hand, you can jump into the discussions early and not fear any spoilers.

It's really up to you.

[Matt]

Anne wrote: "You can start whenever you want. People have different reading habits and speeds.

If you start early, you might have to wait quite a while until the book is wrapped up, on the other hand, you can ..."

I may start early for just this reason. Luckily, I've been devouring my current read (I[m talking 300 pages in the last 4 days) and I should be ready to start it on Friday.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Start whenever, and feel free to start discussions here too. We will talk about the book far more than Tom and Veronica will (not a dig, we just have more space and time than they do in a podcast).

[Boots]

It seems like there's a bit of a lag between the finish date of the last book to the start date of this book. I guess it has something to do with announcing the book on the first Youtube show.

Anyway, you shouldn't listen to anyone else in this thread. They are all feeding you lies! DO NOT start reading until the official start date because if you do, Tom and Veronica will come to your house and make you sit in a comfy chair.

[Sctechsorceress]

I just started this evening. Tom and Veronica can stay at home though, I was sitting on a very comfy sofa at the time.

[Cleveland]

Good advise, everyone. I went ahead and started reading. I like this feeling of rebellion. To hell with the rules!

[Napoez3]

If you star early you can be exile to the other side of the Narrow Sea!

[Tasha]

The extra time between books is really nice for those of us in way too many groups.

[Micah]

Cleveland wrote: "Good advise, everyone. I went ahead and started reading. I like this feeling of rebellion. To hell with the rules!"

and another true S&L member is born before our very eyes. It's so beautiful.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Micah wrote: "Cleveland wrote: "Good advise, everyone. I went ahead and started reading. I like this feeling of rebellion. To hell with the rules!"

and another true S&L member is born before our very eyes. ... It's so beautiful"

Come along... You belong....

[Matt]

I kept my wife up way too late last night, leaving the light on so I could finish my book to start the Magicians today. I'll tell her to be mad at you.

[Caitlin]

So I can safely watch the Sword and Laser episode on youtube today if I haven't started reading the book yet?

[Matt]

Caitlin wrote: "So I can safely watch the Sword and Laser episode on youtube today if I haven't started reading the book yet?"

Yeah, I watched it and they don't give you any more information then you'd get reading a plot synopsis or the back of the book. It's safe (and pretty good).

[Luis]

This just happened to be my next book after Game of Thrones. I like to mix it up after every book, that's why I'm not reading Cash of Kings yet. But so far I'm loving The Magicians.