Yes, I do think that there can be too much of a good thing. While reading Stardust, I figured out that reading four books might be too much to ask of any author. There was no reason for me not to connect with Tristran or Yvaine that I can think of, but I didn’t. I really think that I ran into author fatigue. It makes sense, too. I’m not much of a series reader because of similar reasons. I need something new. I’ll even take that a step further. I get tired of stand-alone books within the same genre or time period as well. From what I’ve been able to gather on Twitter, I’m not alone in this.
When I first conceived of Neverwhere and Beyond month, I decided that I would read Neverwhere, American Gods, Stardust, The Graveyard Book, Coraline, and Fragile Things. To date, I’ve read all by American Gods and Fragile Things. I had been saving American Gods for last because I’ve heard it is amazing. Fragile Things get’s iffier reviews overall, so I fear that reading it might put me full-fledged into a Neil Gaiman funk. I don’t want that. Also, I don’t want overload to take away from my reading experience with American Gods. More than anything else, I want to be in full-on anticipation mode when I pick up that book. I don’t want that to change.
So, I think I’m going to hold off reading those until later to give myself some time and space. This will also be a lesson learned for next year. I’m hoping to make October or November a spotlight month for a new-to-me author. I enjoyed my spotlight on Erika Mailman in 2008 and I have enjoyed Neil Gaiman this year. Going forward, I might spread it out over two months or just select fewer books. The key thing is to keep things interesting.
Leave a comment to this post for a chance to win one of the last two WWNR (I decided in the end that “What Would Neil Read” was better than WWND) bookmarks I’ve made. I promise to publish the pictures this weekend. If you leave a comment you can also enter to win one of the many prizes available during Neverwhere and Beyond Month. Use code: N&B-2Much.
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- TSS ~ Neverwhere and Beyond Prizes (literatehousewife.com)
- Neverwhere and Beyond: The Literate Housewife Discovers Neil Gaiman (literatehousewife.com)
- #215 ~ Stardust (literatehousewife.com)
- #211 ~ The Graveyard Book (literatehousewife.com)
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- #212 ~ Neverwhere (literatehousewife.com)
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Don’t enter me since I’ve won one of these already. I just wanted to make a comment on the too much of a good thing issue. I do think you are right. I’ve read series books right after another and I know towards the end of the books I’m getting tired and paying less attention to book I know I’d love if I were in a fresh state of mind. So I totally understand where your at.
I think you’re totally excused from finishing the rest of the books you had planned due to author fatigue. Plus, if you’re enjoying them, you may as well spread them out a bit so that you’ve always got a good book to fall back on. Variety is the spice of life and all that.
Also, I owe you a 4Rs e-mail from approximately a million months ago. Sometime soon, I swear.
I agree with too much of a good thing. Author overload can very easily happen. Although, I’d argue that American Gods is totally different from his other books…you might not even feel like you’re reading the same author.
I think you are smart to take a break. I can’t read too much of one author or type of book without needing a break or sending myself into a full-fledged reading slump!
I’d prefer not to read more than two books by the same author in a row. I want variety!
I do love a good series, but I need a break between books in a series so I totally know what you mean. Happy Thanksgiving!
I really need a break from read same genre.. i always…go from to another! U r right, reading 4 books by the same author can be a bit too much. i definitely can’t do it!
Summer of 2008 I had a serious Lee Child marathon (Jack Reacher series). I think I read every book in the series, which is in the mid-teens in number. I had burnout big time, even though I love the character and the series. I was so sick of the whole thing by the end. I got over it though, and when a new book comes out in the series, I am back to my old loving feeling again. I wouldn’t feel too bad about needing a break.
American Gods was a great book. It is one of my all time favorite reads. If you need to take a break to make sure you can really enjoy it than thats a great idea. You dont want to burn yourself out and risk not enjoying that one.
I agree with the above commenters – you should probably space them out now! It would be such a shame not to love any of Neil Gaiman’s books because you forced yourself to read them too soon. So don’t feel bad. =)
Author funk it is! I’ve never read his books but like everyone else, I’ve experienced it myself – I’ve loved a book by an author or in a series so much that I immediately start another and another and then it wears thin and I end up disappointed. It always sounds like a good idea but often isn;t…
Sounds like you hit the limit. spreading it out sounds like a good idea. Have a great Thanksgiving.
I can only read about 2 of an author in a row…and even like to alternate between genres.
I’ve heard that Fragile Things is most excellent. Perhaps it is wise to save it for a time when you are fresh and ready for more Gaiman!
Yes, I know that I’m late to this subject, but it is one of favorite subjects! I loved American Gods, too. One of my favorite books ever. There is also a “sequel” called The Anansi Boys. I actually read The Anansi Boys first, and I remember I really enjoyed it – though probably not as much as American Gods.
Just my two cents!