I don't like reading things out of order either. There's something to be said for the experience of reading, for discovering things as they go rather than knowing ahead of time and then being spoiled, so to speak, for earlier books. It's like watching a television series, especially one that hinges on drama and plot. If you see season two before season one, then you've successfully ruined your chances of being surprised for season one, yes?
Though, it does bring up the interesting question of how to write a series: should books be completely stand alone, but part of the same world? Or should you take a risk and make each book interconnected to where a reader CAN'T pick up in the middle? I can see what publishers would want writers to do, yet I'm a stickler for paying your dues, so to speak, and starting from the beginning and going through. Also, I just hate having to read writers recapping events in novels. I have a strange ability to remember random sorts of details and am insulted when the writer's like, "Oh, and if you don't remember, THIS happened in the last novel." and then continues to hold your hand to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2004-09-10 04:26 am (UTC)Though, it does bring up the interesting question of how to write a series: should books be completely stand alone, but part of the same world? Or should you take a risk and make each book interconnected to where a reader CAN'T pick up in the middle? I can see what publishers would want writers to do, yet I'm a stickler for paying your dues, so to speak, and starting from the beginning and going through. Also, I just hate having to read writers recapping events in novels. I have a strange ability to remember random sorts of details and am insulted when the writer's like, "Oh, and if you don't remember, THIS happened in the last novel." and then continues to hold your hand to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.
Then again, I could just be elitist. :)