Play Book Tag discussion

COMMENT UPDATED 12/6/22

A Game of Thrones - COMPLETED

A Clash of Kings

ACOK Reading Schedule 2023

Using my book that is equivalent to hardcover pagination:

Section 1 -page 1 Prologue through Bran III that ends about page 251. Read and discuss by end of March 2023

Section 2 - about page 252 - Caetlyn II starts As she slept... through Caetlyn VI that ends about page 497. Finish reading and discussion by end of June, 2023

Section 3 - about page 498 - Bran VI starts The sound was the faintest... through the end. Finished and open for discusson on entire book in September 2023.


USEFUL AIDS

CHAPTER GUIDE: https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php...

MAP:
https://quartermaester.info/

HISTORIC TIMELINE SPOILERS - ignore if you have not read the books or seen series
https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php...

WESTEROS WIKI:
https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php...

Starting in January 2022, Heather Reads Books and I are starting a leisurely re-read of the entire A Song of Ice and Fire, with in-depth discussions of each section read.

Heather recently re-read A Dance with Dragons, leading to our discussing how we both wanted to start from the beginning and really read it slowly, with attention, and discuss with another doing the same. Thus the read-along was born.

Our plan is to 'break' the books into manageable sections to be read over several weeks, spreading it throughout 2022, even into 2023. Discussions will be here and perhaps even in a Zoom or two.

Intersted? Then plan to join us! We already have interest from JoAnne, KateNZ, Charlotte and a couple more. No need to have read it before. First timers very welcome.

Though Heather and I are both on our 3rd reading (for me only 2nd of ADWD), I did my re-read just before ADWD was published. At this point, the HBO adaptation is stronger in my mind than the books. Time to reset that!

One last thing you should know: We are going to merge reading A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons into one book as they were originally intended to be read. We have the merge list of what chapters of each to read when.

We'll be starting with A Game of Thrones of course. It may be the shortest at a mere 835 pages, but it is the foundation of the epic, and requires much closer scrutiny than I certainly have given it. We will post shortly the first section to be read and when.

Now I'm off to buy a paperback set to read and mark-up as I go. I'm not going to touch my autographed hardcovers (which is how I have so far read them), and ebook won't work as well for me.

Am in!

Got an old beat up paperback of A Game of Thrones here just waiting to get marked up! Need to go by some highlighters in pretty colors 😁

Oh I have the first book in paperback, from the library donations bin, lying around at work. Guess it’s a sign :) Count me in! I’ve never read them, I wanted the series to be finished first, but I can’t wait around for that forever …

Or it’s not exactly library donations, it’s for a little free library next to our library, and the books are sorted in our library. So I sometimes snatch some books up (I also donate so my conscience is clear).

I'm in and I ordered the paperback versions today to be delivered on Friday!

Yay! I'm excited! This will be my first reading of them. I've been wanting to tackle these but have been intimidated by the size, complexity, number of characters, etc. I think this will be perfect for me to consume it! I'm really looking forward it!!

I started reading GoT in August 2016, and finished A Dance with Dragons in September 2017- so it is going to be great to re-visit. I have not done a re-read of anything for ages!

I am so looking forward to this! Even just looking at GOT with an eye on where to break up the reading...there is so much that happens! Thevcomplexity is breathtaking.

BTW the total pages for all 5 volumes ... which I have as a set in ebook ... 4,750. Plan on reading through 2023 😅

I bet I have a little notebook around here that will be perfect to jot thoughts in as I read and we discuss. I found that very helpful with Proust. Which BTW was merely 3213 pages in the complete ebook set I own. Of course ASOIAF is much much easier reading!

Aaaahhh I'm so excited there is so much interest! As I was telling Theresa, I have QUESTIONS, and last time I only had one friend who who hadn't read the books in a few years to foist them upon. I am eager for a lively discussion over a leisurely reread. :D

So my husband wants to re-read!!! I’m going to post the schedule on our house calendar so that he can follow along. He’ll probably do the audio version. He won’t be joining us here but I’ll pass along any of his insights/questions/conversations. I think he’s been wanting me to read this series for a while so we could talk about it. There are only a couple of authors and books that we have in common.

Charlotte wrote: "So my husband wants to re-read!!! I’m going to post the schedule on our house calendar so that he can follow along. He’ll probably do the audio version. He won’t be joining us here but I’ll pass al..."

Excellent! I will definitely discuss with family and friends who have read it already too. Heck, I am always discussing books with them.

Here is how we are thinking of divvying up the reading of the first book.

For reference I used my paperback copy of GOT, which is 807 pages before the appendix. Breaking it up semi-evenly, we have:

Section 1: Starts at the beginning, ends with Chapter 26, Jon IV, starting with "Jon was showing Dareon how to best deliver a side stroke"

Section 2: Begins with Chapter 27, Eddard VI, starting with "'It's the Hand's tourney that's the cause of all the trouble, my lords'" and ends with Chapter 50, Arya IV, starting with "'High,' Syrio Forel called out, slashing at her head"

Section 3: Begins with Chapter 51, Sansa IV, starting with "They came for Sansa on the third day," continues to end.


Theresa suggested the first three weeks of the month should be dedicated to reading, the final to discussion? People are free to read ahead if they like, but discussion will be limited to the designated chapters for that month.

ETA: I discovered the wiki has a more comprehensive chapter breakdown here: https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php...

I've added chapter titles based on that and you can reference your edition there to find out the correct page numbers!

Of those reading it for the first time, did you watch the HBO series? If you did, it does give you a base not unlike that those of us rereading it have.

Remember: there is a map (I do love having a map in a book!) And genealogies of each family and their heraldry in the back. GRRM has a fascination with heraldry, as he discusses in an excellent panel from ComicCon some years ago which you can find on YouTube called Rulers of the Realm. GR is not allowing me either to create a link or post the URL. I get the Red Banner of Doom. It also discusses maps and Diana Gabaldon gives a mini-masterclass on writing inspiration.

@JoAnne and those with a fascination with history, especially British history, The War of the Roses between the Yorks and the Lancasters may come to mind. That's no secret but something GRRM comments on frequently as inspiration.

I have watched the show, which is also a reason for waiting a bit with reading them. I find my tolerance for differences in stories and how I picture things work better if there is some time between formats (whether I watch or read first). But it's been a couple of years, so I think it's perfect timing.

Johanne wrote: "I have watched the show, which is also a reason for waiting a bit with reading them. I find my tolerance for differences in stories and how I picture things work better if there is some time betwee..."

I agree. Part of my desire to reread is to pull back the books themselves into the forefront in my mind. It has nothing to do with liking one better than the other, as I consider both equally to be masterpieces in and of themselves. The time between is about right.

LOTR movie and books hold similar pisitions for me - equal masterpieces. But HP movies are less respected...I personally found them a bit flat when honing too close to the book and inconsistant in vision from film to film because eavh director had own vision. The lack of directing unity shows. I am partway through an HP reread, and oh, wow, the books just soar!

I only watched bits and pieces of the show, whenever HBO had a free week/week-end. I am glad I never saw the ending 😂

The map in my copy is way too small for these weary eyes, I am going to scout on line for decent one to bookmark. If anyone kows of one, give a shout out

This seems to be the best map I can find right now: https://quartermaester.info/

Abilities to zoom in and see different features, towns, roads, etc. Also with "spoiler control," where you can input the farthest you've read or watched so that the map doesn't show you things you haven't discovered yet through the plot.

Seems pretty neat!

Also, for general reading comprehension purposes, may I shout out A Wiki of Ice and Fire: https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php...

During my last reread, whenever I came across a person or place name I wasn't sure I was supposed to recognize, I looked it up here for reference. It helped A LOT. I found it way easier than trying to sift through the appendix at the end of the books. I was able to keep track of so many more minor characters and locations and their importance to the plot that way.

Those are both great Heather, thanks!

Wow! Those are great!

I also own several companion books GRRM and his publishers have put out including a book of maps and a cookbook by fans. I will exhume those from their various TBR Towers and use as references or fun additional tidbits.

I think I even have a pop-up map book.

I am not a superfan, nope, not me! 🤣

I will be coming in 100% free from prior knowledge. I've never watched the show. Not even a single episode. I'm not a big TV/movie watcher and I struggle big time with visual violence. (Although, weirdly I love the John Wick movies). If I'm going to spend a TON of time invested in a story, I would much rather it be a book than a movie/show.

Thanks Heather! These are great!!

Theresa wrote: "Wow! Those are great!

I also own several companion books GRRM and his publishers have put out including a book of maps and a cookbook by fans. I will exhume those from their various TBR Towers an..."

I have Fire & Blood on my 2022 Trim list, and have read the World of Ice and Fire in the past. Also have the cookbook but haven't perused it very much yet.

I keep meaning to add the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms novellas onto my TBR but all in due time, I suppose... 😝

Thanks everyone! I am very excited about this endeavor.

If OK with everyone, think I would like to join in as well. Also, if one has not read A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it is excellent. It is the book I always recommend to folks who are wondering if they should commit to reading, A Game of Thrones and starting the series. If they like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, then they will surely like the others.

Welcome Steven!

I have post-its and tags galore coming as well! I collect notebooks, so I have plenty to chose from or... I ordered bigger post-its with lines so that I can take more notes and just place it in the book.

I'm incredibly excited! My books arrive tomorrow!

Love having you, Steven!

I have in my TBR A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and a couple others relating to the series. I can see adding those into this journey we are taking together.

@Charlotte - I too collect notebooks but who knows? I might have to indulge. I also think some new post its are in my future...my Jane Austen themed ones just won't be happy here...

I have to consider though what bookmark gets the honor for each volume. These really big reads...I now pick a specific bookmark that stays forever with the book. Each Proust marked up tattered paperback has its, and A Suitable Boy too.

Also time to get new highlighters.

Reminder that our ASOIAF read along at a very leisurely pace has started!

First section to read:

Section 1: Starts at the beginning, ends with Chapter 26, Jon IV, starting with "Jon was showing Dareon how to best deliver a side stroke".

Plan for discussion to start January 24.

Theresa wrote: "Reminder that our ASOIAF read along at a very leisurely pace has started!

First section to read:

Section 1: Starts at the beginning, ends with Chapter 26, Jon IV, starting with "Jon was showing D..."

Thank you, Theresa! I was going to post a reminder but the GR site was acting up this morning.

Heather Reads Books wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Reminder that our ASOIAF read along at a very leisurely pace has started!

First section to read:

Section 1: Starts at the beginning, ends with Chapter 26, Jon IV, starting with "J..."

Tell me about it! I was setting up - or trying to - some topics in a new private group and others in another private group....finally gave up!

Oh thank goodness it wasn't just me! I just got a new computer and was grumbling that I shouldn't be getting connection timeouts on a brand new machine 😅

Definitely GR not you! The servers were overloading - obviously everyone was posting their new reading challenges and liking everyone else’s 😂

KateNZ wrote: "Definitely GR not you! The servers were overloading - obviously everyone was posting their new reading challenges and liking everyone else’s 😂"

LOL uh oh, that reminds me......

I have my copy lined up on the night stand-such a pile there, I best get to it!

Just put mine in the ‘read soon’ pile :)

This may not work for everyone, but I got into a rhythm last time where I read two chapters a day regardless of page length. I generally found that to be engrossing and kept things moving but wasn't overwhelming. Since we're only going to chapter 26 this month, that would only take 13 days to complete. :)

But then again, I am a PRETTY slow reader, so this may not even be an issue for many of you!

To further what Heather said....

I read the 1,476 page A Suitable Boy in 5 weeks starting last week of November. It was about as complex with multiple characters and plotlines as ASOIAF, and read about the same. While there were days that work prevented my reading any, I did have a basic schedule of so may segments to be read per week and I planned it out and stuck to it pretty closely. It did keep me engaged without losing track of characters and plot lines as it jumped around between my reading bouts.

Great to be starting.

Congratulations Heather on a new computer -- always exciting.

Yay!! I have one more book left over from 2021 that I want to finish and then I'll start, hopefully that will be later today/tomorrow. I like the idea of reading 2 chapters/day.... I may follow that since I have other books that I'll be reading for IRL reading group and TRIM.

I have started and it is like meeting old friends again - very nice, and am picking up on things I missed, or did not understand their significance the first go around.

I am astounded how much I had forgotten: Hordor, (or is it Hodor?)-Benjen being at Winterfell in the beginning. I know most people don't care for Tyrion, but I love that guy-LoL

Joanne wrote: "I am astounded how much I had forgotten: Hordor, (or is it Hodor?)-Benjen being at Winterfell in the beginning. I know most people don't care for Tyrion, but I love that guy-LoL"

Wait, is it true most people don't like Tyrion? He might be my favorite character in the whole series!

@Steven - I know what you mean about meeting old friends. I am trying really hard to make note of all the "oh wow I missed that" moments this time around. This is my third time reading it and I'm still picking up a bunch.

Since when do people not like Tyrion? He's my favorite! He is also GRRM's alter-ego.

Joanne wrote: "I am astounded how much I had forgotten: Hordor, (or is it Hodor?)-Benjen being at Winterfell in the beginning. I know most people don't care for Tyrion, but I love that guy-LoL"

Benjen at Winterfell at the beginning is a bit I had completely missed, only picking up on from the HBO series. On my second read just before ADWD, I made note and wondered how I could have missed its significance.

I have not started my reread because I have to finish Dune and 2 other books first...but those reading already, note the passage about finding the direwolf pups. I will want to discuss its significance, if any.

Theresa wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I am astounded how much I had forgotten: Hordor, (or is it Hodor?)-Benjen being at Winterfell in the beginning. I know most people don't care for Tyrion, but I love that guy-LoL"

Be..."

Will thumb back and find it and mark it Theresa.

Concerning Tyrion, I remember when I first read the book, I did a lot of slinking around chat rooms. A lot of people disliked him for his drunken states and whoring. Those things never bothered me about him. I just liked him because he could take s%#t people threw at him and dish it right back out.

Joanne wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I am astounded how much I had forgotten: Hordor, (or is it Hodor?)-Benjen being at Winterfell in the beginning. I know most people don't care for Tyrion, but I love t..."

I loved Tyrion from his first scene, for much the same reasons. But also because he was always both the smartest snarkiest person in the room and the most humane and, in truth, sensitive. Definitely one of the most complex characters created in fiction.

And Peter Dinklage brought him to full roaring life in the series. One of those perfect brilliant casting choices that happen less often than one could wish.

The direwolf pup passage is very much at the beginning.

Joanne wrote: "Concerning Tyrion, I remember when I first read the book, I did a lot of slinking around chat rooms. A lot of people disliked him for his drunken states and whoring. Those things never bothered me about him. I just liked him because he could take s%#t people threw at him and dish it right back out."

I've done my fair share of slinking around online fandom spaces, and people seem to love to hate morally ambiguous characters. Yet those are usually my favorite. Fiction isn't meant to be a morality play, but an exploring of the human condition.

Tyrion remains one of my all-time faves, even as the series progresses and he does more and more questionable things...

Tyrion is an all-time fave for me as well - and my husband’s favourite T shirt is the one with Peter Dinklage’s picture and the legend ‘I drink and I know things’. I can’t recall if that’s in the books - looking forward to the re-read to find out!

Based on the TV series Tyrion is also my favourite :)

Agree that Tyrion is a remarkably crafted character that one can both like and dislike at the same time.

I was wondering if the red priests we come across in chapter three about Daenerys are from the same religious sect that we see much later with Melisandre. If so, I think I will pay closer attention.