Game of Thrones by George R R Martin

This is why I like to read the book before I see the movie. Well, I don't really like to see the movie much, after I've read the book because I am more than often disappointed. But, back to the point... I loved this mini-series. It was beautifully filmed, wonderfully cast, the story line moved along at a good pace, and it is a good story. It is a medievil fantasy and for someone who has never read fantasy, I have been doing a good job of reading it this year. Go figure. Anyway, this book is full of adventure, intrigue and treachery. The characters are well rounded and easy to picture and identify with. There are old people and young people, there are good people and evil people. There are bad guys to boo at and one little girl who will steal your heart.

But, as I was saying, I saw the mini series first and it spoiled the book. I struggled through the 750 pages, not because it was bad writing - it is not, it is good writing. I struggled because I knew what was going to happen and the writting isn't the kind that..... let's see how I can put this. There is a kind of book where the story isn't the most important thing. There is a kind of writing that is so lovely that the author could be writing anything and it would enthrall the reader whether they were interested in the story or not. Murakami comes to mind. That guy has written some wild, out there stuff but the emotions he captures in his excellent writting makes every odd story a pleasure to read. Martin doesn't do that. It's good fun to read and it's a compliment when I say that the writing doesn't get in the way of the story, but I won't read it again. And I think the thrill of reading this kind of book is to see what happens to these characters that you have grown fond of over the last few hundred pages.

So as I put down this first in a series of five books (I think) I do want to know what happens to them. I think the mini series was such a success that they will make the next book too. Now, I have a little dilemma. Do I read ANOTHER fantasy book before it comes out on TV or do I just wait and enjoy the show without knowing the story? I'm going to read a couple of real books now and see how I feel later. If the books call to me in a few weeks, well, I have the second book here on the shelf. If I can let it go then I won't worry about it and just watch it on TV. B won't be happy if I don't read them all first, but who said I have to make my friends happy by reading books that they love. Hmm - I do that! I think the books I love will make others happy so what am I saying?

Here's my plan - first: Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson, second: The Absolutist by John Boyne, then we'll see. I have some poetry and short stories to read in there too. Can I leave Winterfell, Daenerys and Arya to their own fates, for too much longer, without knowing what happens? I'm not sure.