Do you prefer stand-alone stories, or are you in it for the long-haul?

[Opal]

I was writing on Just RY's thread "How long before giving up?", when it occured to me that I very rarely actively go looking for new books to read, I tend to go for trilogies (and longer series), or read everything I can find by a particular writer. Thinking about it, I can't even remember the last time I bought a book by someone I've not heard of. I often get given books as presents, or borrow them off friends, then if I like them I'll go and find more by that writer.

Consequently my bookshelves are dominated by a few writers, and if someone asks my favourite book, I'm more likely to name my current favourite series of books. Maybe it's because I read quite quickly, and once I find a book I like I tend to read it in as few sittings as possible, so a stand-alone book seems very short to me.

The next book I plan to read is The Gunslinger, part one of Stephen King's Dark Tower series, and I have to say it looks quite short! But then there's the consolation that there are six more in the series, so if I'm lucky they'll last a few weeks! :p

Am I the only one who does this? Do you stick to what you like or constantly go looking for new things to read? And of course, can anyone recommend a new series for when I finish The Dark Tower books...? :D

[Darkstar]

I tend to be in it for the long haul, but I do look out for new stuff as well. If I discover someone new and like them, then I'll look for everything they've written. So for example I have five or six historical detectives I follow, plus several others I might if something else comes out that I like. I'm currently working my way through Patrick O'Brien's oeuvre, and I've read all the Sharpe novels. But sometimes I just get fed up - I read about six of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels and then got fed up with them. I am always looking for new authors - people don't write forever after all.

[Just RY]

Amazon used to be great with "People who like this book also liked this book" feature, and in the past, I have used that to some success.

If in a bookstore, I am happy to wing it - I pick out the books I like the cover or title, read the back cover, if I like it, I will buy it. If I am going to reject it, I normally know that it is going to be a "no" within the first few words on the back.

[BrumB]

One of the best thing about Bookcrossing and its mutinational/multi cultural membership is that you hear about all kinds of books that would not otherwise come to your attention - a bit Like the Amazon people who bought this also bought that. I am always open to new books but also follow chains - particularly mystery and detective series. Maybe it would be an idea for BGO to introduce a feature where members can log their books and maybe exchange. What do you think, Bill?

[Harriet]

I don't like REALLY long books (about 700 pages+) because I just get bored if I'm reading the same thign for a long time. I haven't yet been able to finish the LOTR trilogy, I get bored about halfway through the third one because they're all just so longgggg.........so I prefer shorter, fast moving books, about 400-500 pages.

[Kate Allan]

Yes... and no

Depends possibly how lazy I am feeling -

Do I pick up another in the series by an old favourite?

Or 'risk something new'?

[Bill]

Maybe it would be an idea for BGO to introduce a feature where members can log their books and maybe exchange. What do you think, Bill?

Funny you should say that, BrumB. I've been thinking for a while about whether to set up a 'Multi-coloured' Book Swap forum, where members could put forward books they would like to swap with others, either because they have read them, liked them and are happy to pass them on, or perhaps if they didn't like them and want to pass them on to someone who might.

So one member might post that they would like to swap, say, Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler, because it's one of their favourite books and they'd like someone else to read it. They could then specify what sort of book they'd like to swap it for. Then a second member could make an offer, which the first member has the choice of whether to accept, or choose a different offer.

Or, as you say, members could simply list the books they are prepared to swap, and other members could make offers for individual books.

Of course this wouldn't need to be restricted to books, and could apply just as well to CDs and DVDs.

If anyone has any thoughts on these ideas, I'd be very interested.

[Just RY]

I love the idea of a "multi-coloured book swap". New reading material for just postage? Great idea.

[Opal]

I love the book swap idea! I generally keep every book I buy - mostly because I can't part with them and risk that they might end up just chucked in a bin, but the thought of them going to a good home is nice... :D

[BrumB]

If it could be done wouldn't it be great?!

[Lady Lazarus]

Yes I think the book swap thing is a good idea... as we all have tons of books lying about the place (well I do anyway!), and it'd be good to replace them with some new ones!

[My Friend Jack]

My wife and I spent a couple of hours yesterday sorting through books that I have read, putting them into boxes, then shoving them into the loft space above the kitchen. Part-way through this process, the observation was made that all of the books were mine, because my wife's all get passed onto several other people before they are finished with. Where they all end up, I have no idea!

Anyway, I can confirm that I have a fair number of books that I'm unlikely to read again, and I'd be very interested in taking part in a swap shop.

[My Friend Jack]

My previous reply didn't address the original question, so I'll have a second shot...

Like Fiona, I am very much drawn towards lengthy stories, and prefer those that are drawn out over several books. Having said that, I'm less happy with reading a series (where each book is a self-contained story that can be read indepedently of the others). Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger series worked best when books 1 and 2 told a single story rather than the later standalone tales. Stephen King's best books have been the Dark Tower saga. As I've admitted elsewhere, though, both LOTR and Robert Jordan's Eye of the World have beaten me so far. The exception (for me) has been Terry Pratchett's Discworld stories, which would not have worked so well as a saga - they are a different kind of book altogether.

[Bill]

The Multicoloured Book Swap now exists, and can be found in the Book Groups forum, just above Anything But Books.

[Tess]

I've just started reading Dune so if I enjoy that I know that I am in for the long-haul! I've considered reading The Wheel of Time books but that really is commitment, 10/11 books so far I think. I love the Dark Tower series because after 7 books the characters feel like old friends.

[Opal]

I've considered reading The Wheel of Time books but that really is commitment, 10/11 books so far I think. I love the Dark Tower series because after 7 books the characters feel like old friends.

The Wheel of Time books are well worth it! I'm almost completely up to date with them and loved them all! Unfortunately, due to the long gaps in between new releases I've decided to put off reading them any more until they're all out. It sounds a bit silly, but I like to re-read all the previous volumes before I read a new one, and I'm sure you can imagine if I did that with the WoT books I'd never read anything else!

As for the Dark Tower... that everyone else seems to like them is good! I'm halfway through books two at the moment...

[Petra]

I do enjoy sustained stories but as the genre I am most interested in is fantasy, I find it rather tedious that almost everyone I pick up is part of a set. It does not help matters that the majority of my material is sourced from the library and I tend to find on books three and five of the entire assemblage....... *Rant over!?!*