Reading: A new plan

23 Jun

Posted by David as Books

I love to read. I feel it is the greatest form of entertainment one can have by themselves and allows a true personal interaction as visions of scences, characters and events are built in your imagination. I have been reading single or “one-off” books for sometime with the exception of some adventures into a series from time to time. I have decided to stick to series for a while. I am feeling the need to conquer something with size or capacity. I am also placing trust in some authors to guide me down a path for a long time. What I have decided though is to not read them continually. What I mean is to jump from series to series. This will allow me the grandeur I desire along with the ablity to not get stimeied. That has always been my problem with a series is the “familar” factor. A sense of repeatition.

So on that note, the series being placed into play are The Dark Tower (books 4 -7) by Stephen King and Otherland by Tad Williams. Also, I will be completing the Hyperion set by Dan Simmons and The Ilium set by Dan Simmons as well. To give you an idea that is nearly 7000 pages! And I want to try and finish them all by the end of the year. To much? Maybe. I am also allowing myself “wildcards” whenever I need a break. Probably something fast in that case, something light. SO without further fanfare, here is what I am hoping to attempt:

You can see what is happening here. You can also get an idea where I will need a break. I think it should be fun! Your thoughts (as long as you do not reveal any plot points)

6 Responses

Scott

June 23rd, 2005 at 11:51 am

I had thought about doing something like this myself. And I totally see the benefits. I read two books inbetween book 1 and 2 of Hobb’s “Liveship Traders” trilogy. Now that was because I was awaiting delivery of the books, but it was nice to go back to the characters, instead of continuing. I think I am having a bit of that right now with Hobb’s “Farseer” trilogy. It might have benefitted with a book or two inbetween, and I might still do that with book 2 and 3.

As for “Hyperion”, you could seriously read the two back to back and not get that “in a rut” feeling. The books are written differently. In the first, it’s characters telling their own story. In the second, it takes 3rd person (except one character’s chapters if I can remember correctly). And it is normal chapters of the story progressing. Not only that, new characters are introduced and/or you actually read about them interacting, instead of just being mentioned.

I think it’s a cool idea. Enjoy.

David

June 23rd, 2005 at 11:57 am

Hyperion may have that happen. We will see how it goes. I am hoping this keeps things fresh and the hopscotching around will make the desire to get back help drive through other books and the desire to get back causes the need to get back to the other series. You see what I am going for here. My big concern is the end with a Dark Tower - Otherland swap back to back. I may be substituting a Discworld in there to break it up.

B-Sharp

June 23rd, 2005 at 8:48 pm

“[Reading] I feel it is the greatest form of entertainment one can have by themselves”

Well, I can think of something else that takes a lot less time that is pretty cool, um . . . by myself . . . (that would be cool)

David

June 23rd, 2005 at 9:19 pm

Yeah - that was kinda hinted at huh?

Jason

June 24th, 2005 at 12:40 am

I think that your plan to bounce around a bit is good.

I’ve only rarely ran all the way through a series at once, and it’s only been fun a few times.

I can only speak to the Dark Tower books, but you should have no trouble getting through them in your current rotation. Wolves of Calla sort of lulls a bit in the middle for my tastes, but there are some interesting subtleties in there too.

You’ll be glad that there’s only one book between book 6 & 7, because by then, you should really want to see things to their finish.

I hope you can get through your challenge, and enjoy yourself along the way…

David

June 24th, 2005 at 4:41 am

“Youâ€™ll be glad that thereâ€™s only one book between book 6 & 7, because by then, you should really want to see things to their finish.”

That is true, and I will be edgy for “Otherland” to finish as well. It is this bi-polar pull that I am hoping will thrust me foward. In theory, it should work nicely. If so, I may do this style of set up more often.

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