[Calandra]

As I near the end of the current series I am reading, I again face the grim reality that pretty soon I am going to have to start something new and "switch worlds". I find that I get so wrapped up in the "world" and also the characters of whatever I happen to be reading that I find it inevitably difficult and sometimes frustrating to start a new series and get involved in a new world. There is always that first moment in the bookstore when I open the front cover of a new book and see a new map (an exciting moment!) and then reality sets in and it all just seems so potentially disappointing. Perhaps this is one thing that sets fantasy (and sci-fi) readers apart from "real world" affectionados -there is a lot that we have to invest to get full enjoyment out of the books we read?

I find it is particularly difficult with series that are not complete - the dilemma of waiting for the next book or starting something new. This happened to me with WoT - back when the books were good (first 5 or so), nothing I started while waiting for the next book seemed to compare. (Unfortunately with WoT I don't feel that way anymore). Prior to that it was how could anything compare to Middle Earth, etc. etc.

Can anyone else relate?

[Ouroboros]

I think your idea of 'investment' is an interesting one:-

Reading any fiction involves a 'suspension of disbelief' - you must credit the author's creation with at least some degree of truth in order to get into it. So it stands to reason that as fantasy authors are crafting lies which span worlds, time and the laws of reality, then you've got to manage an even bigger 'suspension of disbelief' ?

[Chlestron]

I know exactly what you mean Cal. I find it difficult to switch from the literary 'worlds' easily and on occasion I find myself annoyed when I can no longer get a glimpse of it.

My particular world is the world built in The Dark Tower. I love that world and it seems that everything happening there is interesting. What I think is the major issue is that these worlds seem so much more exciting than our RL one. I mean... you have monsters and heroes and dragons. There always seems to be something going on. As opposed to the everyday life of work, traffic, dinner, blah blah

I suppose if you lived in those worlds, you'd look at this one and say 'wow look at all the cool stuff'

I think it's a case of "the grass is greener" syndrome

[Evil Agent]

I don't think she's saying she has trouble coming back to the real world, but switching to a different Fantasy world.

I too have recently had that problem, but I think it's because I've been jumping around more than usual, reading one volume of a series, and then one from a different series. One of these was the first book in Erikson's Malazan universe. Since that was such a big universe to get into, I felt like I couldn't quite focus since I'd been jumping around.

I'm basically just tying up some loose ends I guess, but I plan to start focusing more on one series at a time...

[Se'dray-on]

I've never had trouble switching worlds. That's probably because I have the habit of reading 3 to 6 books at a time:rolleyes:

I've done it since I was little, and probably always will. But it has helped me to learn to keep the different books seperate, which also helps me keep extensive plot lines in order:D

Lates
Rob

[Bear]

This may be a little off topic, but I can say that delving into new "worlds" all the time gets tiring. Sometimes the thought of learning a whole new set of politics, economics, cultural differences and customs, etc. is more daunting than it is enticing. Which is perhaps why I've been reading a lot more mystery and urban fantasy novels over the past couple years. There's not so much to take and remember, since the setting is basically what's waiting outside my front door.