Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

When I read a series of books, I do it consecutively. After I finish I have what I endearingly call a "book hangover". The more intense the series, the harder it is for me to pick up another book and focus. I just finished reading Sanderson's Stormlight Archive and now I am trying to start Lawrence's the Red Queen War series but my brain is still in the Shattered Plains! Am I the only one who has this problem?

I can very rarely, if ever, read a series from beginning to end without reading something in between. I get worn out, I guess. I'm usually in the middle of several books at the same time, so I'm used to being in one world and then switching off to a completely different one. The more different the books are, the easier it is not to confuse stuff, so I try to read two or three different genres at a time, rather than just one. But yeah, I guess that's why I can never clear my currently-reading list and why I have about 10 different series to finish right now. Not very pleasant, tbh.

I think I'm prone to OCDs because I have to focus on 1 book at a time! I have never been good at reading multiple books. When I read I get completely immersed. That's one reason I hate reading a series if it's not finished.

I can only read one book at a time. I have learned to intersperse at least one book, if not more, between books in a series. I had been reading series straight through and found I was just barreling along, rushing to find out what happens next and missing so many details, even important plot points. Now I read each book more carefully and thoughtfully because I know I'm not going to dive into the next book right away, so I need to pay more attention to what I read. I enjoy the books more rather than racing through them as if it were a speed-reading contest.

But I still get a book hangover when I finish a great series.

I'm very much the same. I only read complete series and I almost always marathon the whole series. I've made it a point to pick a completely different genre after I finish a series. Especially with fantasy, because it relies so heavily on my imagination. I usually have the world so vividly in my mind, it's hard not to try and fit the next book in there as well. Reading non-fantasy in between helps.

I also find it very hard to choose the next book after a long series, especially if I enjoyed it more than the average book/series. In these cases I often read some short fiction because it feels like a smaller investment in a new world. SFF magazines like Uncanny, Lightspeed and Clarkesworld, and their wonderful podcasts, are often what I go for, unless I have an interesting piece of short fiction already on my radar.

Anna wrote: "I'm very much the same. I only read complete series and I almost always marathon the whole series. I've made it a point to pick a completely different genre after I finish a series. Especially with..."

That's a great idea! I will definitely try to introduce a new genre or a short story in between fantasy series. Thanks for the idea!

Kathi wrote: "I can only read one book at a time. I have learned to intersperse at least one book, if not more, between books in a series. I had been reading series straight through and found I was just barrelin..."

Kathi, that's a good idea to read a single book in between series! I think I will try that. I always read a less complex book between any complex book series to give my brain a break but I like that idea!

I have book hangover right now. Just finished book 7 of my independent Wheel of Time re-read, and my brain is just "blah" right now. Time for a couple palate-cleansing, brain candy books. I think "book hangover" is the perfect way to describe this.

In addition to reading something different and easy in between, I also have a few "comfort" books that I reread whenever I don't really want to put in any effort. I can read these the same way that some people watch Star Wars or Bridget Jones' Diary.

I love a good book hangover! It's a sign of a deadly wicked book (or series!)

I read non-fiction till the hangover's over.

I totally get this, too! Non-fiction and/or audiobooks are a great palate cleaner after a series end. I may even take the chance to re-read something from my favorites shelf, especially short, one-shot books (a.k.a A Wizard of Earthsea or The Hobbit, The Martian or even The Handmaid's Tale). Switching genre helps, too.

Nevada wrote: "I have book hangover right now. Just finished book 7 of my independent Wheel of Time re-read, and my brain is just "blah" right now. Time for a couple palate-cleansing, brain candy books. I think "..."

What are your go-to comfort books, Nevada?

I get this too. I also tend to marathon read series. And then my brain is so into that world and those characters that i can't quite get out of it. I'll have to try some of the suggestions above to cleanse my brain.

Way late, but as I'm doing a full read of Feist's Midkemia books I felt it fit in the thread.
I'm a bit of a charger through books in a big series, part of it usually being half of the series is a re read. When I get to the end though(of a good book/series) it can take me two or three weeks to pick something else up. I find myself just dwelling on the story and going over it my mind that I don't have room to start something else. This happened lastly with a Robin hobb read. Didn't want to start anything for quite a while after!

It has happened rarely to me. I do remember after reading Water for Elephants wanting to know more about the characters.