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Originally Posted by Sirtel
I used to be VERY emotional about several of my favorite series when I was young (20-25 years ago, or so  ). But not anymore. There are too many good books and too many new and interesting authors to try. Therefore it's sort of pointless for me now to stay entangled in only a handful of series/authors and to cry over them when they don't deliver. I just move on. |
Well I would have to say I am a bit of both.
I follow a huge number of authors and have many more in my collection that are one offs (even if they wrote more).
So I have plenty of variety and new.
I also temper things with patience, and unless something jars I try not to be too judgmental.
Clearly we all have different likes and dislikes.
Many are unbelievably angry at George Martin.
Many hated or seriously disliked the last few books in The Wheel Of Time series, written by Robert Jordan ... and not always for the same reasons.
I loved all the books, the different threads and the complexity. I didn't like the dream sequences so much in the earlier books, but I tolerated them, because I loved the rest so much.
Sure I don't always like the decisions an author (or editor or publisher) make, but I try to read with positivity, especially once I become invested.
I have my limits though. I stopped reading the Diana Gabaldon 'Outlander' series after the 4th or 5th book, because she pissed me off one time too many ... felt like I was reading Mills & Boons, where drama was everything and she could be untrue to the characters as a result. I don't like having my intelligence insulted. Maybe the editor was to blame. In any case I've never read Diana Gabaldon again and won't.
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Also I've often been disappointed with a series because later books were nowhere near as good as the first two or three. Another reason not to invest too heavily in any one author or series. Now I cast my net as widely as possible and read new authors all the time.
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I can't see the point of even starting a series, if you are not prepared to invest in it. Once I am invested, then I stay that way, unless they do something real bad. I enjoy my reading on many levels, certainly once I have invested. Sequels for me, don't have to be as great as the original, just so long as they do a good job of continuing the story and characters and giving me more of what I enjoy. Being as good or even better, is kind of a bonus.
I quite accept though, it is a personal thing.
Perhaps a summary for my approach, is I enjoy on either an emotional level or an intellectual one or both. So long as one of those at least, is well enough engaged, I am happy enough to continue.
Books and stories, are like people to me ... none of whom are perfect.