Conversations is a fortnightly discussion hosted by Geraldine @ Corralling Books and Joan @ Fiddler Blue. Head on over to their blogs for all the information on these posts! This week's topic is about the pros and cons of book series.
My answer to this question is: YAY! Book series are SO GREAT and I think that they can literally take over someones life. These past couple of months I have been so into a particular book series, The Raven Cycle (gosh when is she gonna shut up about this series?!) but anyways, that is living proof that a book series can change your life. It gives you something to be engrossed in.
The thing about book series are, they allow your favourite story to be carried on through a number of books! It's not like you have to read so slowly to savour a standalone that you absolutely love, you can just keep reading and reading with all your favourite characters and your favourite settings! There is no need for grieving about the ending of a book.
I also think that series look so good all standing together on a bookshelf? The coordinating colours and covers just leave something so appealing to the eye, and it can also be very satisfying to a reader. It shows that you support this author and you are addicted to this series!
Book series are great because each book adds a new element to the overall plot. It seems like putting together pieces to a puzzle, and then once you get to the end it's like finishing the puzzle. It's all very emotional and yet so rewarding to put all those pieces together.
Even though a conclusion to a book series can be upsetting and perhaps even sadder than a standalone, I sometimes like the sadness sometimes. Obviously all good things have to come to an end, and I think it's up to the reader to make sure that the series doesn't die.
So overall, series are the absolute best way for a reader to become absolutely obsessed with a book and carry it on with them for their entire life. It's an emotional connection that I think every bookworm needs in their lives.
What do you think about book series?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I love your enthusiasm Em! XD Fab post :) :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cee!! :)
DeleteI definitely agree with you! Series are a chance to really get attached to characters; it's pretty rare for me to get super attached to characters when it's only a standalone. I've been meaning to read The Raven Cycle for so long now!! Now that the last book is out, I might finally pick it up...
ReplyDeleteYeah it is hard to connect with characters in a standalone because there's little room for them to develop. You should totally read it!!
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ReplyDeleteI have a thing with book series, in which nowadays I can't enjoy them as much as I did in the past. But I agree with all of your reasons! It is so nice to find a book series in which you love all the characters and the writing and you put all the pieces together to create the overall story. Plus, they look beautiful on the shelves... However, I'm too lazy, sometimes, to start a five-book-series. Basically, I can't handle commitment, hahah.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Emily!
Commitment is obviously a big issue but for me it's an accomplishment to keep up with a series! I hope you find a series you really like soon :)
DeleteBOOK SERIES THAT CO-ORDINATE COVERS ARE JUST THE BEST! I love it when there's some sort of colour gradation or pattern evolution!! They just look so much nicer on the shelf, as if they're a feature.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely do create a stronger emotional connection with a series than a standalone; I love being immersed in a certain world and knowing I'm there for a couple more books!
Exactly! It's so aesthetically pleasing to see all the books in a series lined up in a row. And I love the fact that in a series I don't have to say goodbye too soon.
DeleteSo totally agree with this post! Series are always great, despite the time they take up :D That's the only problem I have with them, TBH. They are time consuming, but disregarding that factor, I'd pick a series over a standalone any day. I love getting attached to bookish characters too much, haha :D
ReplyDeleteThey can be consuming, but to me it doesn't feel all that bad if the series is really good! It doesn't feel like work you know?
DeleteI absolutely agree with you! I love book series A LOT and I probably read way more series than standalones. It's exactly like you say: it's like finishing a puzzle when you reach the end and I love that feeling. Covers that match (<3) is the best thing ever!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I think I oddly read more standalones than series, because reading a series is like a special treat for me!
DeleteI totally agree with this post - I really love standalones, too, but the character development and the worldbuilding tends to be the best in series. I do prefer to read series that are already finished, though - cliffhangers are the worst kind of things on Earth.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Sorry for the comments all at once! This is just something I do when I'm behind on commenting.
I do like to read book series that are finished as well because the waiting game can be TERRIBLE! Don't apologize for the comments, I really appreciate every one of them! :)
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