It seems like two thirds of the books I pick up to read are secretly part of some series. I suspect that this is a result of all the YA lit I've been slogging through just lately, but really what happened to the stand alone book? Is this representative of a shift in culture or is it just marketing? Is it both?
In a way, I find it very exciting. If I liked the first book, it's exciting to think that there is more. I never want the story to end when I find a book I love. On the other hand, I feel trapped as though I can't properly move on until I've finished the series. Heaven forbid it be an unfinished series. I sympathize with George R.R. Martin fans.
There is something beautiful about a good stand alone novel. Sure, I'm sad when it's over and sure, I wish there were more. However, when dealing with one self contained work the ideas are more pure. When extending plots over several novels, themes tend to get muddy and characters either lose their focus or change radically. I like looking at a work and really digging into the themes.
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