When a new book in a series is coming out, do you re-read the others?
The new Discworld book is out today, and I found myself reading some of the others as sort of a literary foreplay, to encourage the anticipation.
Crystal City is on its way, and I'll be rereading the Alvin series (at least the last two books) again this month before I get it, to refresh myself with the characters and get in the "feel" of it.
I tend to reread books I like so this isn't unusual for me in any case, I was just curious if anyone else does the same.
Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :
Oh, yeah, Chris. Inevitably.
I'm about to re-read the entire Dune series due to the purchase of novels that I haven't read that have come out subsequent to Children of Dune!
That's a long series.
But what do you do with all of those books? I usually spend time trying to find room for them. I think it might be time to buy a new bookshelf. I just can't bear to part with a book that I have enjoyed, at least on a permanent basis. I also have to make sure that I don't leave the bookmark in them. I'll be scrambling for bookmarks if I don't.
I just started Seventh Son so there's no worry of having to re-read the series--I'm about to read it for the first time!
Posted by cyruseh (Member # 1120) on :
When Shadow of the hegemon came out, I read it right away, even though I had not read Ender's Shadow for a year. But when Shadow Puppets came out, I felt that I could not read it because I hardly remembered anything from Shadow of the Hegemon. And since the 4th book would not be coming out for a while, I decided that I would not read them until they all came out. So that I could read them in a row, one right after the other.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I pre-ordered my Discworld book from the SFBC, which undoubtedly means it'll arrive a month from now. *grumble*
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I reread LotR before seeing each movie.
However, this does not count for Wheel of Time books. There isn't enough time in the world to slug your way through them between new books coming out.
Posted by Jexxster (Member # 5293) on :
Depending on the series I do read most of them before I will read a new installment. It just mainly depends on how long it has been since I read the previous novels.
Like Dan_raven, though, when the 9th book in the Wheel of Time series came out I just perused the internet for a synopsis of the other books. Too much of nothing going on to trudge through them again. Still haven't read the 10th, decided I would finish reading the series when Jordan finishes writing the series.
Often I will just re-read the previous book, though, as I most likely have read each book an increasing number of times moving toward the start of the series.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I've been converting quite a lot of my library to electronic form. Most e-books are also available in e-book form, and usually cheaper. I've been buying more books from Palm Digital and Fictionwise than I have from Amazon or B&N lately, and it really helps my shelf space problems. Great for books I want for the story, leaves me more room for books I buy for the heft, the feel, and the sentimental value.
Posted by MaydayDesiax (Member # 5012) on :
I also reread the LotR series (at least the book it was refering to) before I went and saw the movies. I also did that for the Harry Potter movies.
I actually have a very good memory when it comes to story plots (wow. me, have a good memory. that's an oxymoron), so I don't have reread books that often. I just do it anyway, if I enjoyed the series.
Edit: I also have a friend who loves to argue over story plots. So I like being fresh on the plot so I can take out the book, open it ot a page, and prove her wrong. What a friendship, huh?
[ September 30, 2003, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: MaydayDesiax ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Depends on the series. For the longest time, I reread all of the Ender books when a new one came out. Since I got into Ender before SFTD, that's a lot of re-reading! When SOTH came out, though, I only reread ES, because I already pretty much know Ender's Game by heart, and there isn't really much of a connection yet to the other books. When SOTG comes out, though, I will reread it all.
I do plan on rereading the whole Alvin series.
It comes down, to an extent, to how much I enjoyed the series versus how long it will take to reread them, though, because while I also reread the Foundation books many times, I do not reread the Wheel of Time books. Nor will I reread anything by Goodkind. Whenever a new Mageworlds novel comes out, though, I do reread all the old ones. Except that, like Ender's Shadow, they are kind of branching off the storyline, so next time, maybe I'll only read the recent prequels. For the longest time, I reread Incarnations of Immortality books, but I became so sick of the series by the end that when the God book came out, I did not reread the others.
Good topic!
[ September 30, 2003, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Icarus ]
Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :
Well, as a matter of fact, I'm off right now to do some preparation! I have to drive up to the storage unit, leave some new books, and pick up some books my wife would like to read.
Maybe I should just set up the bookshelves up there....
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
We moved so we would have room for our bookshelves.
IKEA bookshelves rock.
The problem we have encountered in the new house is that all of the heater vents are in the floor by the walls. They are the really long old-fashioned kind. So now we have to find bookshelves that have enough of a space underneath to allow the hot air out. Ikea has some that may work, but won't match our old ones. So we are going to put the old ones in the bedroom that has the most non-heater vent wallspace and call it the library.
But first we have to paint it and put new flooring in.
AJ
Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :
Wow! Can you imagine all the great books that Jatraqueros collectively own?
::drools::
[ September 30, 2003, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Erik Slaine ]
Posted by Zan (Member # 4888) on :
It depends on how long since I last read the series and how many books I would have to go through.
Generally, I try to wait until all the books in a series are out before I start reading it. I hate not knowing the end of the story and having to wait.
I started reading Jordan's series years ago when there were only four of them. I got done and realized there would be more, but I decided to wait til he was done before I tried it again. I'm glad I did now. I get the feeling there are whole books that I'll be able to skip over if he ever does finish.
Posted by Tresopax (Member # 1063) on :
No, I never reread books. I guess I feel like there's way too many books out there that I need to read for me to read one twice.
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