Sunday, January 23, 2011

Top 5 Sundays - Books You Wish Were Part Of A Series, But Aren't.



Top 5 Sundays is a weekly meme hosted by Larissa at Larrisa's Bookish Life.  Check out her blog, it has great content, excellent reviews, unique contests...you name it.  This week's Top 5 is Books You Wish Were Part of a Series, but Aren't.  I'm also very flattered that she used my suggestion for this week's Top 5.  Visit her blog if you want to participate!

I have to admit, sometimes books that are part of a series bug me.  Maybe it's because I grew up reading mostly stand alone books and that's what I'm used to.  Maybe it's because I somehow feel that I'm being forced to keep reading (or buying) the next installment to find out what happens to the characters.  Maybe it's because it's almost like a soap opera that just keeps going and some books in the series are great and some are not so great.  When the last story was not so great, it's hard for me to want to continue with the character and story.

However, sometimes, there are books that I love so much, I'm sad at the end because my journey with that character is over.  I've seen them to the conclusion of their mission or goal and they don't need me to read their story anymore.  But it's too late, I've become so attached I can almost imagine what is going to happen next and I want to be there.  I guess this is one reason why Fanfiction originated.

5.  The Wood Wife by Teri Windling.   I'm familiar with Teri Windling as primarily an editor of some of the big names in Urban Fantasy (Charles de Lint, Jane Yolen, Emma Bull).  She is also an artist and an author.  The Wood Wife  is an Urban Fantasy book that combines Celtic and Native American folklore.  It has mystery and romance and I really regretted leaving this world.

4. Swan Song by Robert McCammon.  Apocolyptic.  Horror.  Two words that I love in fiction.  I've read most of McCammon's books and have really enjoyed them.  This is my favorite book of his and I not only loved the story, but I got very attached to the characters, especially Swan.

3. The Stand by Stephen King.  Again, apocoplyptic horror.  The story had the most basic of plot lines, good vs. evil.  However, The Stand is so much more and possesses punch and complexity.  It is tragic and bittersweet as the characters grapple with a new and dangerous world and have to show courage and a lot of heart. (Pssst, I totally fell in love with Nick Andros.)

2 & 1.  The Little Country  and Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint.  I'm doing these two together, although I have to admit Memory and Dream is my favorite CDL book.  Both books are haunting, lyrical and gentle in their approach that suggests there is more to this world than meets the eye.  The characters however, are why I want to continue the journey into these two worlds.  The people who populate these books would not only be steadfast friends, but they would show you magic and change your life.

ps-Luckily, many of Charles de Lint's books that take place in the city of Newford feature a lot of the same characters and places. 













7 comments:

Jenny said...

How much do I suck that I haven't read any of these? Epic book reviewer fail. I'll have to check some of these out since they're your favorites. And great suggestion for the Top 5!

Stormi said...

The only book I know out of your list is The Stand. I can't think of a book that I would love a sequel to because even though I read series I really prefer books that stand alone.

Midnyte Reader said...

@Jenny-I could say the same thing on anyone else's blog...there are just SO MANY books out there!

@ladystorm-I usually agree. Many times it's hard to catch the same fire of the first book.

Unknown said...

Great picks hon! I had not heard of these books, but thanks for putting them on my radar =D

Angelique said...

Swan Song and The Stand...2 of the all time best books EVER!

La Toya said...

WHOA What an amazing meme!!! I so wish "Elsewhere" by Gabrielle Zevin was a series!

I'm hopping by to tell you that there's a linky that you can put your reviews in on my page now:

http://lazygirlreads.blogspot.com/2011/01/mini-challenge-2011-post-link-page.html

I've also added a little random prize at the end to show my gratitude of you all doing my challenge!!

xo,
Lah

Karen said...

Seems like every book I want more of is stand alone and the rest are series that aren't really worthy of so many books. Damn it! I'm never happy it seems :1)

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