[Keyoke]

Do you often Re-Read books? In particular, the previous book before you read the newest one in a series?

I often want too, but, I have so many books Iwant to read, I find it very difficult to sit down and re-read a book I've read.

A fine example of this is Gardens of the Moon. I want to read the next one, but, I dont remember every thing from the previous book.. So, I want to re-read the other books, but, it's not easy to read something when you know some stuff (Mind you, I cant remember everything off the top of my head)..

What do you guys do? One reason why I LOVE Book Synposis in front of the newest addition..

And, do you think I should just go forward and read Whirlwind? Are they that connected?

Thanks.

Keyoke

[Louis]

I always forget mostly that I should re read the book before in the series until during/after I have read the next book. A good example being Robin Hobb. When I read Liveship it made me want to re read Farseer but I never got round to it. Then when I recently read Fool's Errand it made me want to re read both series but I haven't yet and almost certainly won't. Basically, I want to while I am reading the book and then once I have finished I always have something else that catches my attention and I don't get round to a re read.

The only real exception being Jordan, who I have re read a few times, even though WoT is the one thing I almost always remember, at least the main parts of well enough that I don't need to re read..

Louis

[Hans]

Well if its a series I started with when the first book came out, I try to re-read the book before the second one comes out. But I agree i have so much more to read still as am still new about 1.5 years reading fantasy that you sometimes don't find time, along with tons of assisgnments from university to do.

But I am re-reading 'Gardens of the Moon' at the moment, as 'Memories of Ice' will really pick up the story from this book rather than Deadhouse Gates.

Keyoke, Deadhouse (the one you refer to as the Whirlwind) is kind of a stand alone, with only a few characters from the Gardens of the Moon book appearing.

I will advice hurry up and read it, as Memories of Ice will come out on the 3rd December at a massive 912 pages, the longest Steven Erikson has written. can't wait.

[Lord Raziel]

Depending on the series and how long its been since the last book comes out I will either reread it or not.

For example I reread the previous book in WOT series and ASOIAF series. just because there are so many details that I want to remember them. But other serieses I dont, because the author usually writes have of the book explaining and restating facts and situations from the previous books. And I hate repetition.

And I agree with you about the synopsis in the front of the book Keyoke. I think if they did the author could spend more time developing the plot instead of spending half the book restating how so and so got a thorn in his butt.

But I guess Im just an anal(yes I said it)person when it comes to repititious writing.

[Eventine]

Unless I have the previous book in say the last 6 months, I will attempt to reread the series. Especially so with complex series such as Dune and Wars of Light and Shadow.

[Rhaegar]

When a new book in ASoIaF arrives, I re-read the whole series. I feel this enables me get the most out of my reading experience. When A Feast for Crows comes out next Fall, I have some serious reading ahead of me!

I re-read The Lord of the Rings almost every year. Obsessive I know. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[GreyWulph]

Since I tend to forget details in books I have read and I really don't want to keep re-reading books, I tend to wait to read a series once it is complete. Granted there are a few drawbacks uch as the fact that the series might stink and I bought the whole thing. Thus I tend to depend heavily on reviews to make purchases. Plus you have to wait years to start, but the Wheel of Time drove me nuts. I bought the first one and read it. When the second one came out I reread the 1st and read the 2nd. When the third one came out I had to re-re-read the 1st and re-read the 2nd and then read the third. When I found out the series was going to be some ten odd books or so I decided I would just have to wait usless I felt like reading the 1st book 10 times, the 2nd one 9, etc.

[ChrisW]

Hrm well the only author that has made me re read is Jordan(His books are always better the 2nd time). I've read the first 6 books about 3 times and the next 3 twice each. I always reread the last chapter as well before starting the next book and I tend to do that with most series.

I'm thinking of rereading Gardens of the Moon and Deadhouse right now as there are so many characters to remember. Oh have you guys seen the Deadhouse paperback? Its god damn huge(i doubt you could read it more than once without it falling apart http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/frown.gif).

As for other series well the first few chapters a usually a struggle trying to remember who's who and what they have done but I remember eventually http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.

[JohnH]

For me, re-reading serves two purposes.

The first is not some much to try to jog the memory of the previous books in a series but to put me within the series as a whole. Some series read very well as one long continuous book.

The second is of far greater importance. And that is to recapture the pleasure of a certain author's ability to create and captivate. Re-reading actually lets you relive a memory. And only those authors whose work fits in this category usually last long in the previous one listed above. If a series does not captivate and want to make me return to the atmosphere and flavor the work imparts, it does not make it to my reread list.

Lately I have not been doing a lot of re-reading. That is both a joy and a sorrow. Joy because there are so many new books and newly discovered books. A sorrow because I have not been able to return to worlds and cultures and themes that I grew to love. Some day though....

[Alucard]

At this point in time, I have never re-read a book. There's just too much that I haven't read for me to even consider what I'll read again. Though, I have come across a number of books that i can't wait to forget the stories so that I can enjoy them a second time...