Giving in & Jumping on the Game of Thrones Train...
In 1996, I was dancing to Spice Girls with my friends during afternoon recess. I was reading The Babysitters Club, and loving life even if I had to wear a uniform everyday to school. I dreamt of summer because it would mean no homework, and all the time to ride bikes with my friends to Dairy Queen. Twister was grabbing everyone's attention in the movie theaters, and I was totally brave enough to watch it, even though there were numerous accounts of events where mother nature brought the movie to life...
One thing I was not aware of was a new book that found its way to the book stores, A Game of Thrones by little known author George R R Martin.
In fact, I didn't hear anything about the books, until right before HBO released season one of the show based on the story. And to be honest, even then, in 2011, I had no desire to see the show, and less to pick up the giant books of the series that might never see it's final book released. So I ignored it. A few of my writing friends would mention it, and tear apart the writing style, I had less of a desire to pick it up.
Then my own father got sucked into it - I shouldn't be surprised, he is close in age to Martin, and I feel that especially that first book, was written to his own peers - those who loved epic stories... maybe not... I do not pretend to truly understand a mind like Martin's. And then my own husband started the books on audio...
Well, needless to say, I agreed to start the series this past summer - yep that means a solid 20+ years after the book was first published I picked it up. And I didn't watch the show... so you know, I really didn't know much about it, expect it was a book written by a guy... and it was filled with enough crazy for HBO to want to create a show around it...
Can you believe, I'm still in book one? In fact I've switched to the audio... and the narrator is saving it... sounds like the Raven Cycle & me... anyway... Let's get on with it!
What Are You Reading Wednesday - the nitty-gritty
Share the book/s you are reading with their author, maybe even the cover... and then answer these questions for at least one of them.
- Why did you decide to pick up this book - cover or content?
- Who is your favorite character so far, and why?
- Will you finish this one?
- Finish the sentence: This book reminds me of... (other books, movies, tv shows...)
- What type of read is this one? (slow but interesting, cannot put it down,...)
Marissa's Current Reads
I'm not reading much these days, with NaNoWriMo in full swing... So I'm still reading The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso; Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor; The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stievfater... Along with A Game of Throne, A Song of Fire & Ice by George RR Martin.
A Game of Thrones: A Song of Fire & Ice by George RR Martin
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.
The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.
Why did you decide to pick up this book - cover or content?
So, as I mentioned earlier, I picked these up because my husband wanted me to read them... I mean, he even bought me this gorgeous leather bound set! The things we do for love...
Who is your favorite character so far, and why?
I am about 35% through this book, and it's huge, and there are a ton of characters, but I feel like I do not really know any of them... Ayra is very interesting... her focus on family, and young heart are interesting, yet she has had some serious whine-filled tantrums I'm not a fan of. The narrator (I'm currently working through the audio book... even though I have the print copies) has made Catelyn interesting somehow - overly emotional. And there is something admirable in Jon Snow... so I don't know if I have a favorite character really... Do you? Is there one I should find more interesting?
Will you finish this one?
Now that I have the audio, I will finish this book, and since the first five books are on my bookshelf I will finish those as well... but to be honest, there isn't a huge rush, I mean, will Martin even give us the rest of the series??? (yes I know the publishers promise it is going to happen soon... but well...)
Finish the sentence: This book reminds me of... (other books, movies, tv shows...)
Oh my, so many other stories... Macbeth- actually many Shakespeare stories seem to be hidden in this one... and it is clear that the tones of Tolkien are woven in. I can also see that these books inspired Sarah J Maas' writing....
What type of read is this one? (slow but interesting, cannot put it down,...)
This is at times a vulgar read, and I simply find myself rolling my eyes over the "dirty-old-man-ness" of it. And in those moments I wonder why I am reading/listening to it at all. Then once in a while I get curious about how a plot will unwind and I keep reading... I'm totally mixed on this...
Co-hosts to check out
Share the link of your current read& check out some others
Well... here's hoping I will at least finish book one before the month is over - then again, I only have the audio for so long - library... And I am going to try my hardest to finish the series in 2018, just so I can say I read them. I have been told it's a world that grabs you, and won't let go... I guess I haven't gotten that invested yet.
Have you read these? Are they some of your favorites? What should I be looking for??
OH!!! And if you are sharing a link, let me know so I can stop over and chat with you!
2 coment�rios
This was so interesting, Marissa! And the description of your life in the 90s made me want to read 80s/90s books like Sweet Valley High!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I plan to read GoT at some point, but from watching the show, I too have been a bit apprehensive about the "dirty old man" aspect of certain scenes! Sometimes I understand why it happens, but other times it seems a bit gratuitous.
I get that vibe from Haruki Murakami sometimes too. Just sudden, odd, pervy bits that make me feel like I need a wash...haha! Let me know what you think when you finish it!
Yeah there are some serious roll my eyes moments in the books, at least for girls... even if guys are that over the top sometimes, we don't need to know it! And yes it was a fun chance to look back the fun books of my teen years
DeleteI love comments!!
Let me know what you thought of this one... don't forget to share your blog link so I can stop by!