tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post2972036915813059064..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Talking About Book SeriesBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6463593701699362052018-09-09T08:02:28.096-04:002018-09-09T08:02:28.096-04:00Hi Evelina - I remember back in the 1980s when the...Hi Evelina - I remember back in the 1980s when the popularity series really exploded. You raise a good point about the financial advantage of writing series. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-72010745483800794912018-09-09T05:34:57.971-04:002018-09-09T05:34:57.971-04:00Series seem to have become more popular these days...Series seem to have become more popular these days for sure. But I think that maybe the stories being told are just too long to be told in one book. Then again, I think it's also financially better for the publishers. And we like prolonging the good experience.<br />I guess for books like Dune, it's more that the sequels are spin offs than sequels, because Dune can be read alone :)Evelina @ AvalinahsBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564183695294142501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28576429659484263002018-09-04T18:19:45.013-04:002018-09-04T18:19:45.013-04:00Hi Susan - There is something to say about self co...Hi Susan - There is something to say about self contained books. Even, as you say, they are part of a series. I think that it is safe to say that we will see both kinds for a long time to come. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-58991287713400466142018-09-04T14:24:52.927-04:002018-09-04T14:24:52.927-04:00Interesting thoughts about book series. In genera...Interesting thoughts about book series. In general I prefer reading novels that are stand-alones. That said I have enjoyed some series such as the Lord of the Rings and some private investigator kinds of books. But I do like when books stand on their own ... even if they share characters that are in other following books. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34384496184359655162018-09-03T16:47:22.415-04:002018-09-03T16:47:22.415-04:00Hi Jane - I have read enough literary series to be...Hi Jane - I have read enough literary series to be sure if more are like Trollope or not. I think that there is a lot of variation out there. For instance, most of The Dune books seemed to work well as the end of the series, but Herbert just kept writing more. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-3560834557120496832018-09-03T14:48:30.351-04:002018-09-03T14:48:30.351-04:00I think most mystery series are standalone, held t...I think most mystery series are standalone, held together by a common protagonist and often a cadre of friends. Most other series, except Trollope’s imo, are simply really long books. For example, only the Outlander book 1 really works as a stand-alone book. All the others, despite the backstory that Gabaldon inserts, depend on the previous ones for the reader to make any sense of the plot, issues, character development, etc.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-77228919440101269412018-08-27T04:05:07.978-04:002018-08-27T04:05:07.978-04:00Hi Hila - Indeed fan fiction opens up a whole new ...Hi Hila - Indeed fan fiction opens up a whole new world of sequels. It is out of the original authors control so one can get into all sorts of questions as to how it should be classified and looked at. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-66243296067521623922018-08-27T00:18:11.781-04:002018-08-27T00:18:11.781-04:00It's also interesting to consider the role of ...It's also interesting to consider the role of fanfiction. Some fanfiction is written very well, and expands on or more deeply explores the world/universe created by a particular series - including adding sequels and spin-offs. The original author isn't writing the fanfiction, but the fanfiction is still a testament to what the author has inspired in the people who love the books and don't want to stop playing around with the characters, ideas, and plots.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29913227562363082032018-08-26T20:07:12.873-04:002018-08-26T20:07:12.873-04:00Hi Caroline - It is true that most trilogies can ...Hi Caroline - It is true that most trilogies can be looked at as one volume. However there are exceptions. Cixin Liu's Remembrance of past earth series comes to mind. The first two books of that series work very well on their own. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-45914986246116314022018-08-26T10:11:45.239-04:002018-08-26T10:11:45.239-04:00Interesting topic, Brian. I make a difference betw...Interesting topic, Brian. I make a difference between trilogies, which, in my opinion, are books in three volumes, but need to be read chronologically, and series that are much longer. There are exceptions to this rule, but hardly any trilogy I know is comprised of standalones.Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-12995927014354899592018-08-24T17:52:28.824-04:002018-08-24T17:52:28.824-04:00Thanks so much Maria. As you point out, there are ...Thanks so much Maria. As you point out, there are so many serious out there, especially in the YA - science fiction genre. <br /><br />Sherlock Holmes. like most fictional detective series, really are just related books and most work as stand alones. <br /><br />You are correct about the popularity of series. We really do not want to let go of the experience and we get so attached to the characters. Series really do enhance the entire reading experience. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25527522901678143662018-08-24T13:49:51.959-04:002018-08-24T13:49:51.959-04:00OUTSTANDING post as usual, Brian!
As you know, I ...OUTSTANDING post as usual, Brian!<br /><br />As you know, I read a lot of YA fiction. Series are very common in this genre. I don't think any YA authors write ONLY stand alones. They do write them, but right along with series. <br /><br />I have greatly enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books, Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, and, of course, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. There are other series that I have not finished, but want to, such as The Grisha Trilogy, by Leigh Bardugo. I've only read the first book, "Shadow and Bone". Then there's the Rebel of the Sands series, by Alwyn Hamilton. I've only read the first book -- "Rebel of the Sands". And there are others. <br /><br />As for classics, the first series that comes to mind is the one you've mentioned, featuring the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. I LOVE these books!! I see them more as interconnected stories or novellas, though. I want to embark on a project of reading them all! Then I'll be able to review them.<br /><br />I also want to read the Barsetshire series, which you've praised so much! Alas, there are SO many great books out there.... :(<br /><br />It seems to me that the whole rationale behind book series is the human tendency to hold on to great, enjoyable experiences as long as possible. Such experiences are all too fleeting, unfortunately.... We get attached to them, and don't want them to EVER end. Thus, we don't want to come to the end of a book, and never encounter those characters again! We have fallen in love with the world and characters created by the author. Thus, readers have been known to actually whoop with joy when they find out that their favorite book will have many sequels. This was especially the case with the HP series. Of course, a series will eventually come to an end. And then many readers will start to re-read it! <br /><br />I think book series are part of the joys of reading, and I sure hope authors will continue to publish them!<br /><br />Thanks for your insightful thoughts!! <3 :) <br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39610531753074004972018-08-23T17:45:31.887-04:002018-08-23T17:45:31.887-04:00Thanks Tracy. I should hand mentioned it in my pos...Thanks Tracy. I should hand mentioned it in my post, but as I’ve noted in the comments section of your blog, I am a stickler for reading series in order. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-70759808866673554012018-08-23T09:12:57.497-04:002018-08-23T09:12:57.497-04:00Fascinating, totally fascinating. How I'd love...Fascinating, totally fascinating. How I'd love to sit down and discuss this very subject with you.<br /><br />The number of series I've joined in the middle, never to read the first book, then there are those that I have dipped in and out of and then there are those which I have religiously followed to the bitter end, often long after the books actually appealed to me.<br /><br />As I said, a fascinating post.Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89339300494426576692018-08-23T08:19:34.386-04:002018-08-23T08:19:34.386-04:00Thanks Sheree - For all my talk here I still revie...Thanks Sheree - For all my talk here I still review each book in a series, even when they are not all that self contained. <br /><br />No Rush on Robinson Crusoe, I am curious as to what you will think about it. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-78157845218773572272018-08-23T08:16:20.728-04:002018-08-23T08:16:20.728-04:00Hi Suko - I think thaf Sometimes it is not worth g...Hi Suko - I think thaf Sometimes it is not worth going beyond the first book. But I think other times series are well worth it. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82811130574135244392018-08-23T01:42:43.909-04:002018-08-23T01:42:43.909-04:00You're spot on about the explosion of spec-fic...You're spot on about the explosion of spec-fic series: I'm struggling to come up with a single sci-fi or fantasy standalone off the top of my head :| And you raise a really interesting point about the way that this question impacts book reviewing/blogging - to use your Lord Of The Rings example, I don't think it would really be fair to review The Fellowship Of The Ring on its own, as so much of the story is yet to be explored/resolved. And even outside of the spec-fic space, I'm wondering now (having read your post here) about my decision to review Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend on its own. As with LOTR, it was basically a very large book that has been divided into a series of four for practicality's sake. Hmmm... as always, Brian, you give me so much to think about. Thank you! <br />(P.S. I really want to read your last post on Robinson Crusoe, but I'm going to be reading the book for the first time v. soon and I'm saving it for after! Looking forward to talking it over with you!)Sheree @ Keeping Up With The Penguinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09387035714160789080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-70608639046484993642018-08-23T01:03:28.373-04:002018-08-23T01:03:28.373-04:00Brian Joseph,
Your very interesting commentary ma...Brian Joseph,<br /><br />Your very interesting commentary made me think about my own experiences reading books in a series. In the early days of my blog, I was reading a very enjoyable series of books, <i>The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency</i>, which I greatly enjoyed. But generally speaking, I don't read that many series, although I'd like to. I tend to read the first, "most famous" book in a series,and then don't continue to read the subsequent books; I'm not exactly sure why.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-74912073738927065092018-08-21T17:49:43.895-04:002018-08-21T17:49:43.895-04:00Hi Andrew - I have actually been thinking of start...Hi Andrew - I have actually been thinking of starting The Rabbit series. Once I start I will likly want to read them all. In Search of Lost time is also on my list. I have heard how challenging it is. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24878613767675273552018-08-21T12:51:37.588-04:002018-08-21T12:51:37.588-04:00I agree with the other commenters—this is a very t...I agree with the other commenters—this is a very thought-provoking exercise, Brian! I haven't read many series, to be honest. The "Rabbit" series by John Updike comes to mind, and I think they could all definitely stand alone as novels—they're just exploring different stages in life. I've always wanted to read Proust's In Search of Lost Time, but I've never got very far with it. Maybe this year :)Andrew Blackmanhttps://andrewblackman.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34138640582973742052018-08-21T06:03:14.800-04:002018-08-21T06:03:14.800-04:00Hi Violet- You bring up some interesting variation...Hi Violet- You bring up some interesting variations on this theme. Serial writing as was done in the past by the classic writers does seem so odd to us today. I wonder how the Dickens works would have been different if he had not been paid per word. <br /><br />Sequels written after the writer is dead are another thing. They have been somewhat popular over the years. Frank Herbert’s son had continued The Dune series. I read a few of the books but I did not like them. <br /><br />It sounds as if The Famiar series would have been something else if it had gone to 27 books! Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-66698667409449382742018-08-21T05:55:23.200-04:002018-08-21T05:55:23.200-04:00Hi WP - I can imagine the pressure that a writer f...Hi WP - I can imagine the pressure that a writer feels to follow up on success with sequels. I think that this is especially true when the early books are self contained and there must be some temptation to leave the story as it is. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-83763503159759644022018-08-21T04:17:06.511-04:002018-08-21T04:17:06.511-04:00Danielewski's series "The Familiar" ...Danielewski's series "The Familiar" was supposed to be 27 novels, but the publisher bailed after only 5, because the books were too expensive to produce and they didn't sell enough. I was a bit disappointed about that. <br /><br />It interests me that so many of the narratives we think of as classic novels were actually serialised stories when they were first published. Can you imagine waiting for the next installment of Anna Karenina or Bleak House? I think Dickens was paid by the word, so no wonder he went on a bit. :)<br /><br />I had a bit of a thing for the Stephanie Plum series, but they were very formulaic and got boring after a while. I believe there are about 24 of them now! I'm not very keen on people writing "in the style of" books to add to an established series by a dead author, which is something that seems to happen quite often these days. I'm not sure what deceased authors would think about it. Violethttp://still-life-with-books.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-59857855654687510372018-08-21T03:39:26.092-04:002018-08-21T03:39:26.092-04:00I really liked the two Crowell books written to da...I really liked the two Crowell books written to date - partly because of the particular themes - different in each book - that Mantel explores. I was a bit sorry that she gave in a little to criticisms of her third person voice in the first one and clarified it in the second book with "he Cromwell" on occasion. But that was a small grumble.<br /><br />My sense though is that she's struggling with the third one - to the one that takes him to his death - because the first two were so well received critically and she's feeling a little frozen about repeating it a third time. I may be wrong but it is taking a while and I read somewhere that she doesn't want to disappoint her Cromwell fans. That's probably an issue for writers of series?Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28918229539031509012018-08-20T08:14:26.888-04:002018-08-20T08:14:26.888-04:00Hi Sharon- Trollope’s series are definitely worth ...Hi Sharon- Trollope’s series are definitely worth the read. He is the kind of author that is not big on suprises but his stories do evolve naturally. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com