The Book Thread Book • Page 51

I’m gonna start the first Malazan book sometime this weekend I think

 

For anyone diving into the Malazan series, I HIGHLY recommend the Malazan Reread of the Fallen website. It's a site where two writers (one who has read the whole series once and one who is brand new to it) discuss every single chapter and there is a discussion in the comments about it. Sometimes the author (Steven Erikson) will show up in the comments and chime in. I found it to be an immensely useful resource, as I get the reactions from a new reader and a seasoned reader.

I started using it here and there after chapters where I felt like I didn't know what was going on (like 50% of the series and most of the whole first book). I get that it can be tedious to read after every chapter and it's like twice as much reading, but it's there if you need it.

Malazan Reread of the Fallen | Series | Tor.com

 

If we’re gonna do a group read, can I have an extra week to get through two things I’m currently reading?

 

definitely, we can hold off for anyone that is reading anything else. I'm also reading other stuff and I'm terrible at reading multiple books so I can roll with this.

 

hi I never post but I gotta chime in here.. I read a LOT of fantasy, and Malazan is far and away the best I’ve encountered so far and I feel the need to gush about it.

I actually read Gardens and Deadhouse twice before continuing on with the series (had to stop for my reread of Stormlight for Oathbringer). The first time is difficult cause Erikson really throws you right in and there’s a lot of dialogue where things are “between the lines” and the world is incredibly vast and overwhelming at first. (pro tip: use those glossaries at the front and back!) But I’m so glad I tried again because I’m beyond obsessed now.

currently about halfway through book 4 and it continues to blow me away. The depth and “greyness” to the characters (no clear good and bad guys), the way these crazy intricate storylines interweave, intriguing magic system, and the perspective of the author (Erikson is an anthropologist and archeologist and it really shows in the way he crafts cultures and history) all make this series immensely unique and enjoyable.

I super encourage you to stick with it if you’re put off at first. I’m so glad I did. Highly second that Malazan Reread link on TOR.
Also whoever was complaining about Whiskeyjacks name lol. I promise he’ll be your best friend by the end of book one.

can there be a Malazan book club?

 

So, someone wanna start a Malazan book club/series thread then?

 

One of y’all can do it. Maybe say March 5th is the day we start? 100 pages a week goal? Maybe by chapter since I’ll be doing audiobook?

(If you’re an audible member, it’s on sale for $6.95 until midnight tomorrow.)

 

I suppose I can assume command lol. Should we have a separate thread or a DM conversation? And that sounds like a good start date to me.

 

Sign me up for ANYTHING Malazan related. Yes!

 

Start date/amount to read per week sounds good to me, we should do a separate thread, might rope in others too!

 

Separate thread. They're doing one for House of Leaves.

 

What is the first book called? I'd probably be in. Just gotta know what the title is so I can pick it up in time.

 

Gardens of the Moon

 

Thanks! Just ordered it.

 

I’ve always wanted to give the series a 2nd try. I liked book 1 but I was pretty damn confused and decided not to continue. Any other time and I’d be so in, but I don’t see how I could possibly read this series and Wheel of Time at the same time.

 

this helped me decide to give it another go, touched on some of the things I found off putting. might be useful? Gardens of the Moon and “Difficult” Fantasy: Advice to First-Time Readers

That’d be hard to do at once haha. Wheel of Time I found I could pick up and put down as I liked, I never really lost track of the story line. Malazan if I read more than a book or two between I get so confused when I jump back in.

 

I've only read the first Wheel of Time book and that was years ago. Really enjoyed it but looking forward to reading 5-6 more books next year when I wrap up other fantasy stuff and other series / trilogies. I imagine there is a wiki page out there for it so I can get a quick recap of the first book when that time comes. Surprisingly enough I remember a lot of it, which to me is a mark of how enjoyable a piece of work is.

 

Re-reading Wheel of Time was my 2018 reading goal. Suppose I should start soon-ish

 

Is House Of Leaves worth it? Costs more than your regular book but haven't really seen much on it.

 

I’d say it’s absolutely worth it. It’s my all time favorite book.

 

Seeing mixed reviews but it sounds like its a lot of dedication, not in regards to time but just how into it you are. I'm willing to put effort in a book if it is well at the end.

 

It's probably the book I find myself randomly thinking about most often - and I've only read it twice and the last time was 2012 - which may say something about it.

It's known for being the wacky book you have to read in the mirror and upside down and shit but it's also super awesome and legitimately terrifying in a non "serial killer" kind of way.

Actually, now that I think about it, it's probably one of the top 3 "entertainment" items I think most about.

 

House of Leaves is also definitely one of my top 10 desert island books.

 

Here's the thread for the Malazan book club:

Malazan Book of The Fallen Book Club (Mar 5th)

Definitely under construction.

 

Definitely gonna add it to my to-buy list after the re-read of Malazan and Three-Body Problem