Metafilter discussion

Hiya.
I love a story that can't be contained, and I usually consider a good series to be one really long book. I also tend to only read them once the series is complete. This is usually down to the fact that I've not heard about them until all installments have been published, but if I'm honest I enjoy the instant gratification of racing through. I waited until all 7 were published to start the Harry Potter series because I knew I would love them and I wanted no interruptions between books. I can't help but wonder if this is limiting my enjoyment because there is no build-up of anticipation waiting for the next book. So I'm looking to experiment.

Do you have any suggestions for a promising book series that is only getting started? Preferably with only the first installment published (or maybe the first 2/3 if it's obviously a longer series)?

Scott Lynch's "Gentlemen Bastards" is a planned seven-book series, of which the first two were published in 2006 and 2007, and the third is due out this fall. The first two, "The Lies of Locke Lamora" and "Red Seas Under Red Skies" were really truly excellent, and it's been a long five years since then. Lynch has had medical issues which delayed book three several times, but it sounds like he's getting treatment and may be back on track now. Fingers crossed.

I enjoyed the first two from Lynch, but would caution that they can be pretty violent. Something to keep in mind if that's not your bag.

I'm wracking my brain here but I can only come up with series that are complete like Jim Butcher's Codex Alera (really fun), Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. Oh! Obvious answer: Patrick Rothfuss, Name of the Wind. Two of a planned three are out. Both are long, and I thought both were very good.

That's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. I've added a couple of those suggestions to my TBR list.

Ooo! The Passage was one of my favorite reads of 2010, and The Twelve - part 2 of the planned trilogy - is coming out this Fall.

I was going to suggest the Rothfuss Name of the Wind books, but I see that's already been suggested, so, seconding! The second one came out not terribly long ago and there was a huge gap between the first and second books, so you should have plenty of time to practice your patience waiting for the third one.

I'm definitely looking forward to the Name of the Wind series. Funnily enough, I've found one myself without realizing it. Apparently, Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde is the first of at least a trilogy. No idea when the 2nd book comes out, but I can't wait to read it.

Do me a favor. Check out In the Name of the Wind from your library. I know a lot of people love that book, but I found it offensively, painfully, unfinishably bad, so please, at least minimize the potential for disappointment.

I second Anthony. I truly fought to finish the first book in In the Name of the Wind series and am sorry I bought the second, which I will likely never read.