Series: Binge Read or Read As They Release?
I am a huge serial reader. If you looked at the books I have read over the past 5+ years, standalones probably make up about 1% of my reading. There is just something about sticking with the same world and the same characters and following them through their adventures. Everytime I do read a standalone I am left wishing that there was more. But one question I always see is do we binge read series, or read them one book at a time with a gap in the middle?
I see so many posts from people in book groups saying how they can’t start a series until the entire series is complete so that they can binge read it. This seems to be the general consensus from a lot of serial readers. I am the complete opposite. I will always start series before they are complete and wait a year plus between books. And I love it! It makes me so much more excited for the series, the waiting it part of the journey for me. Even when you are left with a cliffhanger, I love it!!! Aurora Cycle? The wait for book 3 was a killer… but it made me so so excited to get my hands on the next book and it increased my love and adoration for that series.
When I binge read series (and yes I have done so in the past), I end up completely forgetting about the series. It doesn’t stay in my head at all and I’m never left with much of an impact. I can’t even remember the last time I binge read a series. Even when the series is completed the chance is I will read one book and then have a break before I read the next. Now, I tend to get half way through the second book and think well I’m bored of this now I want something different. So for me, the answer is always read them one by one, with a break in the middle of books. It works for me, and I end up loving the series so much more than if I had binge read them?
Are you a binge reader? Let me know your reading preferences in the comments.
K-Books
I’m Kayleigh, a teacher and blogger who is obsessed with all things bookish. I love reading YA books of all genres and I am happiest when sharing my love and passion for books.
2 Comments
Hope Griffin Diaz
I like both. If I come across an completed series and enjoy the first book, I’ll probably binge the series. If I read a book and have to wait, I’ll do that …. Although some authors make you wait way too long (GRRM😐)
Kari
I am the same as you. I prefer reading series with breaks in the middle. If I try and binge a series, I will get tired of the world and characters and then never finish it. There is something about the anticipation of waiting on the next book and allowing yourself some time to process and theorize the previous book in the series. I will intentionally wait almost the full year between reading sequels even if they are out just to give myself the same time to just think on the book. 😀 It’s nice to see I’m not the only person who loves waiting between books even with cliffhangers!