Malaysian Reads discussion

Just wondering, which book do you prefer? It is a stand alone novel? Or a series? Or it is depends on the storyline itself?

I would happy to read a stand alone novel since you will gets right to it's ending. But the bad thing is, sometimes you are not enjoy the book. Sometimes I really wish there is a continuation on that paticular book since the storyline is supverb!

As for the series, I can only accept a trilogy. If it too long until 10 books it really get my nerve to splits! And sometimes I might miss to get a new series. It's really a burden to find once you miss it. But this year I'm trying my best to catch up a series especially Queen of Shadows...mabye because the storyline is great? Such a selfish thought though... ^_^

Definitely standalone for me.
I got so many books I want to read but when I see it's a series, I'll get discouraged. Because a series requires commitment.

It's one thing if all the book in the series already published. But it's worse when the series are not finished yet. Some authors took ages for the next book and by the time it released, I would have forgotten the details in the previous books.

And series tend to drag out. Sometimes author added insignificant materials to pad it so they can stretch out the series. I hate when that happen!

A good author will be able to tell the full story in one book :D

Yes. Stand alone is better.

Yes. Stand alone is better.

I read both type of books, so I really don't have any specific preference. However, when it comes to serial works, I do prefer those with the endings in sight. To date, I've followed couple of series that had stretched to 15 to 16 books, which--like mentioned by warhawke--were mainly consist of fillers. I feel cheated somehow when such thing happen.

So it seems. Even in televisions series tend to have a filler...might as well skip that part...but what happen there is important part reveal in the filler? `_`

I love a good and satisfying standalone book, but if the book/plot/characters are begging for more attention and development, I won't mind it.
There are some books that is meant to have series and others who should just remain as standalone.

In this fast paced living lifestyle people tend to pick something light, fast and without commitments (dayum did i just describe myself LOL)

Deviki wrote: "In this fast paced living lifestyle people tend to pick something light, fast and without commitments (dayum did i just describe myself LOL)"

Sounds like mine too!!!
Anyway, I'm more into stand-alone books. But I don't mind series in romance and mysteries, as there's no need to remember every details in the previous books to get into the current story.

I prefer standalone and short stories collection in a book.

However I wouldn't mind reading a series only if the series are complete. If they're still on-going it's highly likely I will stay away from it.

Shy wrote: "I read both type of books, so I really don't have any specific preference. However, when it comes to serial works, I do prefer those with the endings in sight. To date, I've followed couple of series that had stretched to 15 to 16 books, which--like mentioned by warhawke--were mainly consist of fillers. I feel cheated somehow when such thing happen."

I like trilogies.
I like to indulge myself reading pages and pages of my favourite characters, especially if they're not the main characters. However, sometimes series tend to get draggy instead of interesting, or take too long to finish.
I found that most of my favourites consist of standalone.
Even so, I still prefer series.

I think trilogy works fine! It make the storyline evolved

Well that depends sometimes stand alone is better and at others series are convenient especially for fantasy genre. Since in series the story either involves more characters or the story line can't be condensed so it is much more interesting.

Standalone or series do not matter to me. The subject matter does. These days I usually read non-fiction but once a while I would still enjoy fiction like this one I stumbled upon quite recently..... Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicle.....7 books in all. The latest is the 6th (August). Am looking foreward to the final book expected in Nov 16

Both types may have their own challenges. The most challenging singular novel I had managed to read is My Name Is Red by Pamuk....perhaps because of the unfamiliar background-Turkey and things Turkish- Am now on a history of Burma.....another unfamiliar background except of the British. They gave the Burmese quite a treatment..!

Haven't read any of Pamuk's but heard he's a brilliant author. I'm going to start one of these days. Any recommendation for a newbie like me?

you may try My Name is Red.

Depends on the story and the character/s. If they fascinate me, I wouldn't mind a series.