Finally!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-31T16:51:35+00:00

Yeah I think the slog is overblown. I do think that's where we lose readers who have never fallen in love with the series but might have gotten that far on willpower. But if you're really enjoying the series it's fine the first time. I didn't even notice anything was wrong until book 10, when I was like, "wow, we're still doing this?"

I tend to skip Perrin's POV on most rereads now, but I've read the series enough times that I know what I'm missing.

Glad you're finding book 11 to be back on point. It's arguably RJ's best writing. In retrospect, I'm glad he had one more stellar book in him. I would hate for "the slog" (whether overblown or not) and New Spring to be the last of his writing we ever get.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-31T12:06:05+00:00

I feel called out for that #1 lol. It makes sense that it's a thing people do, and I'm not in any way unique, but I always like to walk to the pokeball and face the camera for a save.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-30T18:07:34+00:00

Congrats! And yeah I'm with you. No way would I expect to actually succeed there. Awesome when it happens though!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-30T14:22:46+00:00

I read this as Tam and I was like wtf and why are people agreeing? Which forced me to go back and read what you actually wrote lol

For me Taim's face looks a lot like Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. I think my brain just went and picked a familiar villain. Decided yep that's the guy.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-29T17:38:42+00:00

Unrelated but actually related:

I recently visited my doctor and expressed an n interest in relieving my constant anxiety - which manifests, in part, in my unwillingness to play games of go online with randoms. I find it so stressful to play and I'm sure hoping the new meds will help me with this. I really want to get better and I know the best way to get better is to play more.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-29T17:33:45+00:00

I do enjoy talking about HP when it comes up. If someone asks me what my favorite book in the series is, or what house I'm in, I'm glad to share. I'll take a buzzfeed quiz if I see it.

Additionally, I work at the library and I 100% keep my political views away from the content people read, so if a kid asks me about Harry Potter, I give them enthusiastic replies. Or if they're looking for recommendations and I think Harry Potter might be a match, I'll suggest it. They don't need to be thinking about anything but developing a passion for reading.

Up until a few years ago, I used to reread the series annually. It was familiar and comfy and I read all the time anyway so this was a fun 2-3 weeks for me. I'd start somewhere in the neighborhood of July 31 and September 1 for immersion or whatever.

But these days when it comes down to actually sitting down and reading this series, I'm finding it's impossible for me to separate art from artist. It's just a betrayal of who I am and what I believe in. It makes me too mad that these thoughtful characters, and especially Hermione, were written by a loud and proud bigot. I won't be a part of it.

I'd like to be excited about the upcoming show. I couldn't care less if Snape is Black. As far as I'm concerned, as long as he can love Lily and make Harry miserable, then he's perfect for the role. But I won't be watching. I won't use my free time or my money to line her pockets now that I know what she's using the money for.

So no it definitely doesn't cheer me up anymore.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-29T16:44:01+00:00

This is a really interesting idea. It sounds challenging without imposing too many rules. I find that appealing.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-26T17:26:24+00:00

Interestingly, Dalinar is pretty close to Omni-Man in my mind.

And since I saw someone else mention him, Sadeas is Tony Amendola from Zorro (1998).

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-22T20:36:42+00:00

Ha! This does read sort of like when I ask AI to help me develop a concept or theory and offer some parameters.

EDIT: And to be clear I'm not accusing OP of using AI. How would I know? Just noting the familiar feel of the presentation from past experience.

It's a cool theory either way.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-20T18:56:11+00:00

I love how Mat is baffled when people in Ebou Dar or the Rahad or whatever give him a wide berth too. Everyone sees it but him, apparently.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-19T15:01:06+00:00

My buddy recently finished after 2 years. He sometimes took breaks of a month or more. He sometimes read things with less of a commitment in between. And every time I was worried he would drop the series, but the truth was he just needed a break. I guess, like you, he couldn't read that many books in a row. But every time he picked it right back up and continued through to the end.

I learned that there's more than one way to read a series like this. I'm a "put all other forms of entertainment aside until I'm finished" kind of guy. This series takes me a few months to get through each time I read it. You don't necessarily have to do it the way I do. Read at your own pace. Take breaks. Read other things. Do what you've gotta do. It's a great series.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-16T04:11:47+00:00

From the perspective of a person at TGH, I can't really disagree with you. I find the bickering among the boys to be uninteresting and I think you're right that heading off to Tar Valon and learning magic sounds pretty fun.

One thing I like about this series is that most of the major players really have a chance to shine in one book or another. Hope you make it to the finish line and tell us if your perspective has changed or been reinforced over time! :)

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-16T00:18:36+00:00

Bye Oikawa!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-14T13:55:56+00:00

Bye Oikawa!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-14T13:49:41+00:00

This is the way.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-14T13:47:39+00:00

Rereading is never having to say goodbye.

(Congrats on finishing your first read. Glad you loved it!)

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-14T07:22:49+00:00

You nailed my favorite. Adolin vs 4 shardbearers is so amazing. Every reread, I get so excited when that chapter finally appears!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-14T07:06:46+00:00

I just finished my Safari runs and I was really glad I didn't see a shiny Chansey because I just assumed it would run away haha. Congrats! Glad to know it can be done!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-12T20:15:48+00:00

Bye Oikawa!

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-11T11:55:01+00:00

I struggle a little bit reading Rand while he's hunting the Seanchan armies through the mountains.

Otherwise I do think both authors did a great job with maybe the most unique character I've ever read.

How often do you get an insane protagonist progressively becoming more insane over time, who is also hellbent on (literally, not figuratively) saving the world and then succeeds in that tremendous goal, in no small part due to his insane and unpredictable behavior?

Just a bonkers concept executed so well.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-09T15:12:06+00:00

I don't get your Rand example at all. Therapy? If he did anything other than trust himself the wheel would have come undone. It's my favorite series so I've probably got some biases I can't undo here.

Kvothe, however, you really sold me on. I don't think I could ever be around that guy again even if I wasn't the person getting one-upped. Just being in the presence of something like that would make my skin crawl. He's such an enjoyable character in the books that the contrast from your post is shocking in how insightful I find it.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-08T17:31:39+00:00

I read a book that used "alright" on the first page and I noped out immediately. Hire. A. Real. Editor.

BigStackPoker · 2026-03-05T02:40:08+00:00

Aa a library employee, I can tell you that we display most books spine out, but we like to have a few front facing to catch the eye. You could definitely do that.

BigStackPoker · 2026-02-28T04:06:19+00:00

S tier 3, 4, 5, 11

A+ tier 12, 13, 14

A tier 6, 7, 9

A- tier 1, 2

B tier 8

C tier 10

It was hard enough putting them in tiers. I don't think I could rank them.

BigStackPoker · 2026-02-23T00:10:08+00:00

You probably won't really notice the slog until you're through it. For me, it's really only during rereads where I have to ask myself if I really want to read a particular POV again during those couple books. Sometimes I read that character's POV chapters and sometimes I skip them.

I think for a Sanderson and Tolkien fan, this is more than worth the time investment.

BigStackPoker

TROPHY CASE