Every year, we get a chance to create a new reading goal. For 2017, I am setting a new and rather difficult one: I am aiming to read the entire Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan!
Let me admit right away that I had started the series a long time ago, so some of the books are going to actually be a re-read. But I never did finish them all. I have all the books in paperback or hardcover waiting on the shelf. I always figured I'd get back to them, and this is the year I'm going to make that happen.
So I'm clearing the decks, putting all the books I have open at the moment back on "want to read" status (which really means "want to finish" status, but I don't think Goodreads has that status). I will blogging about my venture here, leaving new reviews as I finish each book, and I'm going to set up my new reading goal for 15 books, to include all the volumes of the series.
I will be starting with The Eye of the World, even though there is a prequel, New Spring available. I do not thing that New Spring was intended to be read before Eye of the World, so I'm going to be reading that one later on, perhaps even last.
If you are wondering why I have decided to take on reading epic fantasy instead of one of the many fine Steampunk series available, my answer to you is simple. The Wheel of Time had just about as much impact on my writing as the Harry Potter books had. I had started reading the series just after The Great Hunt had been published to paperback, and I waited for each book to become available ever since. So not only did it have an impact on my writing, it brings back a time when I was first learning to venture beyond historical fiction or romances.
Wish me luck, and follow along if you wish!