Freebie Friday 9!




Time another fantastic Freebie Friday!

What's up for grabs this week? The winner can choose any one of these:



You can click on the highlighted titles to go to the Goodreads description -- or my reviews.

ARCS:

Pushing the Limits by Katie Mc Garry
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris  -- My review of Unraveling!
The Selection by Kiera Cass

FINISHED COPIES:

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins  --  My review of Sweet Evil!

All these are paperbacks, so this is open internationally!

If you're new to FF, welcome. Here's how it works:

To enter, please leave me a comment. If you don't have an email link on your blog and/or profile, and need to leave an email address, please use the Google Doc. But the comment is what enters you.

Contest remains open until tomorrow morning (East Coast time in the US). 

Then tomorrow, Random.org choses a winner and I email that person right away and send out the book as soon as I hear back!  Instant gratification :)

Yesterday I ended up reviewing Timepiece by Myra McEntire (book two of a series) without re-reading book one. It went pretty well. But as an avid reader, I'm not sure I'm going always to have time to re-read before tackling subsequent books in series or trilogies.

Today's Freebie Friday question: What's your strategy on reading trilogies/series? Do you re-read, rely on your memory, wait until the entire series is published or are you one of those annoying people who just remember everything?  Do you expect authors of series to do a good job recapping, or are you okay if the story just starts where the book before left off?

Edited 6/16/12

THIS FREEBIE FRIDAY IS OVER:
Winner...


Commenter #48 (not counting replies) who is...

Darling Nikki!

Comments

  1. #1 and awesome ;-)

    I used to re-read a lot and then when I started blogging I stopped. I have soooooooo many books and no time to re-read. If I do re-read I scan. I don't read word for word but I go to my sticky notes or highlighted scenes in kindle. I read my favorite parts or I re-read my review or other reviews. Or I use audio books for re-reads. Also I am one of those annoying people with a really good memory. Usually I don't have a problem remembering once I get back into the world and usually authors do recap the important things. I don't like heavy recapping but some is nice.

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    1. Good points!
      I also love using audio-books for refreshing my memory. I'm doing that right now.

      Delete
  2. I'm one of those annoying people who just remember everything, sorry, lol!
    Usually I'll remember, but if it's been too long, I may re-read the last book or skim the back cover for a refresher. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. It's okay :) I knew there were some of you out there! I'm a really fast reader and read about 200 books a year, so I just don't remember every last detail. I wish I did!!

      Delete
  3. For me it all depends on how long ago I read the series. If I read it more then 5 months ago I usually try to re-read the last book. But if it was more recent then I take my chances and try relying on my memory. Most of the time when I do that everything comes back to me as I'm reading the book. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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    1. That's a good point. My memory never seems to last a whole year, which seems to be the spacing between a lot of series books!

      Delete
  4. It depends on the series. For example, the Anita Blake and Black Dagger Brotherhood series I didn't have to reread with the next installments coming out. But when Insurgent came out, I had to reread Divergent to remember everything. I think the smaller the series, the more likely I am to reread it.

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    1. That's true -- the more books you've read in a series, the better you remember all the characters and the story world!

      Delete
    2. AH!!! Another Anita fan!!!!

      Delete
  5. I'd love to be able to re-read every book prior to a new release in a series, but there's just not enough time. If I absolutely need a re-read, I usually grab the audiobook to refresh my memory. I've done that a few times now. I don't expect a recap from the author, and I hate it when the first two chapters are nothing but that, but I also don't mind a small refresher at the beginning of the book. Usually, it only takes a chapter or so before I'm immersed back in that world, so I don't need much recap. Also, I have a great memory, so it comes back to me pretty quickly, either way. :D

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    1. I don't like a LOT of recap (boring!) but I do appreciate a few memory jogging sentences here and there.

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  6. I don't reread books, unless it's been a really long time since I read the other one and I have the time. Otherwise, I just hope I can remember some of the stuff that happened in the first. Even if I don't, I really hate when authors do a full recap in the next book. I like it when they just pick up where the other left off.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I like something in-between a full recap and a just starting where the last book left off. I find #2 tough to deal with and sometimes I'm hopelessly confused!!

      Delete
  7. Thanks so much for the giveaway! So want Pushing The Limits! I would say that to re-read if you think a good 70% you forgot about everything in the first book. Or you could read a spoiler review to get all the main points and a fewdetails. I did that for Insurgent, The Mortal Instruments, maybe the infernal devices..., But second book recaps are good if you know book 1 good. I usually re-read a book if I positively know book 1 really good about 85% of it. If not I would re-read it again just to avoid hassle!
    Hope it helps Jen! ;)

    P.S For our event do yyou have an extra copy of the book since all the book places aroubd me don't seem to carry it. :( Thank Jen!

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    1. Yep, I have googled "spoiler review" a few times.

      Sent you an email re: your P.S.

      Delete
  8. I never reread books. I do remember most of what I read in previous books, so usually don't have a problem picking up where the story left off. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. You guys with perfect memory are killing me!!!!!

      Delete
  9. When it comes to a series, I'm usually late to the bandwagon. I usually show up after two or three books have been written. One book series I didn't make an appearance till book 15, there are currently 21. I have to read ALL the books in order at one time before I'll start another series. I usually can remember what happened off the top of my head with the new release but every once in a while I get snagged. I don't reread because I just don't. Seems like a waste of time. It annoys me when an author constantly re-says everything in the new book. UGH, give me more story, not more recaps.

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    1. So interesting that a lot of people hate the recapping. I like just a little. But I agree, if you're reading the books one after the other, the recap must seem boring!

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    2. I think there are some though that do recap overkill. At least I have noticed a few.

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  10. I do re-read sometimes but it depends, i mostly remember what happened in the previous book. I only re-read when I'm ify about a certain detail in the book I might mess up. I think most series authors do a great job at recapping what happened before. Thanks for the giveaway *crosses fingers*

    @ReadAholicZ

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    1. That seems like a very sensible way to go about it!

      Delete
  11. i don't reread too quickly but for series not finished i've a tendency to read them in follow but not the last one because if there was a cliffhanger i would have to wait a long time for the next book so i wait until the next one is published to read the precedent ( so if there is a cliffhanger i can jump on the next book)

    sorry if it's not clear but i'm unwell and it's not easy today ( even in my native language so another)

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    1. No, that made perfect sense!
      Hope you're feeling better soon!

      Delete
  12. I must admit - I'm one of those people that can remember pretty much everything. I read the books in the order they come out with, so it bugs me that I have to wait nearly a year in between each book. The only time I re-read a series is when the whole series is published and I'll only read it if it's one of my FAVORITE series!

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  13. I'm not too patient, so waiting for an entire series to release doesn't usually work for me. I don't mind a little recap in books in a series, and if that's not included I may read a review or two to catch me up. I rarely re-read these days. Like Jennifer, I just don't have the time. It's nice when authors will give you a little cheat sheet (like Veronica Roth recently did for Divergent shortly before Insurgent released) but I'm guessing most authors don't have time to do that. I know a lot of people recently complained about Timepiece not not having any Hourglass recap, but it didn't bother me so much in my reading.

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    1. I am SO not patient. At all. I don't think I could ever wait until an entire series releases, though it is a good way to read. I read the first four Harry Potters one after the other, and enjoyed that much more than the waiting!

      I think because of the different narrator, the Hourglass recap wasn't really necessary. It worked fine for me!

      Delete
  14. I guess I'm one of those annoying people...I remember most everything I've read. So, I'm okay with an author doing either no recap or a slight recap, but please don't recap every highlight from the previous book because that drives me insane! It makes me think that the author is just trying to meet their word-count or fill up space. Anyway, I also have to start a series at the beginning with book 1, even if it's a series that can be read in any order. Haha, I just realized that probably means I have OCD when it comes to book series!

    Anyway, thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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    1. It's okay. I still like you!
      Yes, I also hate when nothing happens in a series book until the very end because the characters just sit around talking about what happened in the prior book(s).

      That drives me absolutely crazy!!!!

      And I am a little OCD too. It works for me :)

      Delete
  15. It really depends on the time between till the next book comes out and if the book left a big impression on me. Sometimes I'm able to remember the previous story great but just need to flip through the pages to jog my memory other times I need to re-read the book again.

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    1. I find that too -- some books I remember really well and others I can't even remember a character's name when I sit down to write a review. Glad it isn't just me :)

      Delete
  16. I actually like a recap as long as its small, cause sometimes I have a hard time remembering important facts about the previous book.
    I never re-read cause I kinda think that's boring, but I check reviews so I can try to remember what the book was about.

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    1. I know some people never, ever re-read, and I get that. Depends on how much I loved the book!

      Delete
  17. I rarely have the time to reread so I expect the author to do a good job bringing me up to date. For me Timepiece did not do a good job reminding readers (although maybe that was partly because of the shift in perspective?) I'm currently reading Insurgent and I don't think Roth did the best job refreshing my memory either although now that I'm enmeshed in the story, things are coming back.

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    1. I agree -- Insurgent starts right in with no recap at all. I listened to the Divergent audiobook; otherwise I would have been so lost!

      Delete
  18. I wish I had more time to re-read, but I try to re-read whenever I can. Especially if there's a year between books, I always have to re-read. I remember that I got The Hunger Games within days of it coming out, before the buzz about it went nuts. Then I re-read it the day before the sequel came out and I picked it up. Then i re-read the first 2 books in the series the 2 days before Mockingjay finally came out. That was before I discovered this amazing world of online book bloggers that give me no time to reread because my TBR list is forever growing, though. lol

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    1. It seems like there's always a year between books, maybe more. A book I've been waiting for forever is Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh. I read Nevermore over a year ago, and it was a long book, and I think I need some review before August.

      Delete
  19. I hate when authors recap in series. If it's minimial, it's okay but I don't need everything...if it's been a long time in between books, I may re-read but 8've never had to before.

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    1. Agree that too much recap is so tedious. But I like little reminders here and there.

      Delete
  20. I try to re-read sometimes. If it is like 3 or 4 books into a series I will usually just read the most recent one. I will read maybe a chapter or two a night leading up to the release of the next book. Most of the time I don't get time to re-read, but if I do, it's just a few chapters at a time, so I don't fall behind on my other reading. If I know I don't have time to re-read I try to read a few reviews so I am a bit refreshed on the previous book.

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    1. You're good. I never have time to do that!!

      Delete
  21. I only re-read books if it's been awhile since I read the books and I about to start on like the fifth one. Yeah that's a lot of books to re-read but i like to have it fresh in mind going in for the next one. some examples would be the Blue Blood series and Strange Angels series. I will have to read all of those again. Sorry if I'm rambling. Some re-capping in books is good but if there is to much tend to get a little frustrated. In my mind I'm like I already know this I'm not stupid get on with the book. Well that's just me.

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!

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    1. I started Blue Bloods late, so I was able to read them one after the other. That was good!

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  22. I have a quite good memory, so I rarely do re-reads.
    I only re-read my all time favs :)
    And I don't like recap too much. For me it's just a waste of time/paper. I'm all "Give me some new story!" I was really annoyed when the newest Charley Davidson book, Third Grave Dead Ahead had tons of recap. I love that series, but it was still boring.

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    1. Ah, you people with great memory skills are probably SO annoyed by the recap. Sorry!!!

      Delete
  23. I don't re-read unless I really have to. I just rely on my memory and hope the author recaps everything. I love it if a story just starts out where the last one left off. Sure, I love flashbacks, but I think starting where you left off is better. And I feel behind when I wait for the entire series to come out. The only time I don't feel that way is when I discover the new series. :D

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    1. I think this will be my new policy. In a way, I think each book should be able to stand on its own. And I just am not going to have time to re-read everything!!

      Delete
  24. I don't reread the book or books, I read my review and get a refresher that way. Also I check before saying yes to the publicist, to make sure it was a series I enjoyed thoroughly.

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    1. See, you are smart. I'm a relatively new blogger, and that makes a lot of sense to me.

      Delete
  25. I usually do the previous book re-read in the series before reading the new one, especially when there is more than a year in between books. That's why my bookshelves are overflowing since I usually keep most of the books in the series until it is done. :)
    I don't expect or want authors to recap too much since I would rather have new story/plot. I also prefer the new book start a short time (at most a month) after the previous book especially if there was a great cliffhanger!

    Thanks,
    Leanne

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    1. You're good. I used to do that, but it seems now that every book is part of a trilogy, even YA contemporary, and I think I've reached my breaking point on the re-reading!!

      Delete
  26. Before reading series books, I make sure that at least 2 or 3 books are already released so that I will not be hanging... I do re-read books because it's fun and sometimes you discover something you haven't noticed when you first read it... Some authors do recap the story magnificently but I'm okay if the next book starts from where the preceding book left...

    Thank you!!! =)

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    1. I love to re-read and used to do it all the time, until I started blogging. So hmmm..... maybe I'll do some Re-read posts and see what the book was like the second time?

      Delete
  27. It really depends on HOW much I want to read the series! If I'm dying I read the book and then try to remember my best. It's harder to re-read if I don't own the book. Sometimes I check with people who've recently read/re-read or try to find posts with stuff to remember. So I don't normally reread books. Unless of course it's absolutely necessary and I want to! Great question and thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Another great point! In my attempt not to be a hoarder, I do give a lot of books away, so I don't always have the prior books. Which is a problem!!

      Delete
  28. It all depends. If I have time, I'll re-read the series. Yesterday, I read Onyx by Jennifer Armentrout without re-reading the first one. That was a bit of a gamble due to not remembering all of the details from Obsidian. Fortunately, it payed off.
    While I prefer it if the author does a little bit of a recap, if the writing is so good that I don't get lost trying to remember the previous events, then I don't mind if there is a recap or not.

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    1. I'm looking forward to that one. However, I just read Obsidian recently, so I think I'll be okay!

      Delete
  29. I really love when I come to a series AFTER all the books are published! That usually doesn't happen, though! I don't reread books often unless they're favorites (too many books, so little time!); for example, I reread the Harry Potter series last winter because I just wanted that thrill again. :) I usually hope that my husband's read the same book so he can give me a recap since he has a much better memory than I do! Thank you for the giveaway!

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    1. That is the best way to read -- or for that matter, the best way to watch TV shows. I watched 24, seasons 1-3 on DVD and then when I had to watch the next season with all the commercials and a week between shows, it drove me crazy!!

      PS My husband is such a slow reader that would never work for me :)

      Delete
  30. I always reread books and I will reread my favorite series from the start if a new book comes out. Thanks so much for the chance.

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    1. I loved being a re-reader and I wish I could still be one!!

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  31. I rely on my memory lol. And I'm good with the book starting off where it ends. :)

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  32. First, I don't care what series it is, or how long it is between books, I absolutely HATE recaps, and I think it's even worse if it's a long standing series that does it in every book. (i.e. Babysitters Club - The first chapter of every book was Kristy's Great Idea over and over).

    I will only reread my favorites, the others I will just wing it and hope stuff will come back to me. I like reading series back to back but I don't have the patience to wait for an entire trilogy to come out.

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    1. Yeah, repeated recapping or word-for-word recapping is very annoying.

      I'm in the new Wing It club (ha ha -- like your blog name).

      Delete
  33. I just rely on my memory and it has usually worked well, but if it is a book I really liked i re-read the whole series e.g. I re-read all the harry potters before the 7th

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    1. I could re-read the Harry Potter series a hundred times!

      Delete
  34. I rarely have the time to re-read. Most of the time I can remember. If I have a difficult time, I'll go read the reviews and hopefully that helps my memory. I love it when there's a slight recap, but it does get tiring if you're reading the entire series in a row. The right author, finds a way to fill you in without using the same phrasing. That way it's a little fresh. Though, if it's the last book in a series, I love to go through the whole thing again. It will be one of the last times I'll end up doing that.

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    1. I agree that a skillful author finds ways to clue you in without being really tedious about it!!

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  35. Whenever I read a series, I usually rely on my memory to remember important things, even though I usually forget things until I read something that makes me remember it. I also expect author's to give reminders in the following book, but, I absolutely hate it when the author decides to make the first 1/3 of the book a refresher. I think the author should just put in reminders every now and then, not all at one time. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :)

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  36. I usually reread the series if I've enjoyed the series in the past. If I'm just reading it for the sake of finding out what happens, I either don't reread or just skim the previous books.

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    1. True -- some books seem more worth re-reading than others!

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  37. I really try to wait until an entire series is out until I start reading it but sometimes I bite the bullet and read it one by one, as they are released.

    Generally I prefer for a story to just begin where it left off since I do tend the read all the books at one. I can't say I've re-read any series but I do want to one of these days - especially Happy Potter, which I'm ashamed to say I barely remember. :/

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I wish I could wait. I have no patience at all!!

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  38. Thanks for the giveaway. I really want The Selection.
    Some times if is a trilogy I wait until the second book is out and start reading so when book three is out my memory of the other books is more fresh. Some times I'll wait to all the series is out and if I can't eat to read a book I don't re read I just go back to the other book and look for the part I don't remember.

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    1. That is definitely the best way to read.

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  39. Thanks for the giveaway ! Most of the time I just read the next book without reading the first again. However in some cases such as the hunger games and harry potter books I would re read them before the next one.

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    1. That's a good approach! I'm going to have to try something like that!

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  40. Awesome! I been wanting to read Sweet Evil, the selection and unreaveling! XD Hope i win!

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  41. I have the worst memory ever, so what I do is when I review a book, I leave notes (GoodReads option) about everything I need to know and when I get the sequel, I rely on those notes. The notes are usually very short though- just enough so I understand what's going on.
    AND amazing giveaway!

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    1. Ha ha -- maybe memory loss is a Jen thing????

      I have reviewing notebooks, so hoping those are helpful to me as I go, but since I've only been blogging 8 months, I don't have notes on most books I need!!

      Delete
  42. I personally can't remember much of the story or characters, so I really depend on the author on recapping the last story. Otherwise I skim through the last book I read so that I remember the parts of the storyline or characters I forgot.

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    1. Thanks Shamara Catama and other people with memory issues, for making me feel better!!

      Delete
  43. I don't always remember all of it, but most of the stuff I do. Yet I reread my series all the time.Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. You're good. I would need to a) save all my books and B) not sleep.

      Delete
  44. I wish I could re-read books, but I have too many in my TBR to go back & just not enough time. I like just a little recap if it's been awhile. I'm bad at remembering everything in a book I've read. If a series has been out for awhile, I usually wait to start them until all the books are out (I "collect" them). If it's a really big series though (some of my adult reads are many books), I don't mind starting them before the series end because otherwise I don't know if I'll ever catch up otherwise! LOL! If the series is just starting, I'll just read them as they come out :-)

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    1. I know you read as much -- if not more -- than I do, so I am glad that you also forget stuff...

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  45. I personally don't re-read the previous books while going into the next book. I never have the patience for it!! :)
    And personally I love how J K Rowling writes her books wherein you can pick a book at random and still it will be a stand alone book in itself with references to previous incidents. In fact, the first Harry Potter book I read was the fourth book! And I loved it so much that I read all the books available then!

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    1. You see, I totally agree. I think every book should pretty much stand alone. You should be able to pick it up and get 80% of it without having to read four other books first!!

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  46. It depends on where in the series I am. If I'm starting a new series that is well established with several books, I will wait to start that series until I have the whole series and then read them all back to back. I am currently getting my hands on the Vampire Academy series and the House Of Night series. I have about one more book to buy in each :) If it's a series that has been going for awhile and I'm already caught up on I will try to re-read the last book before the new release comes out and then rely on my beautiful memeory for the rest lol :)

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    1. I'm getting back to Vampire Academy too!! And I think at this point I may just start from book one. It's been a few years!!

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  47. Haha, I'm one of those annoying people that remember everything. Which isn't in fact true. I don't remember everything, but it all comes back to me when I start reading the next book in the series. The longest series I've read is the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I read them as soon as they come out.

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  48. It depends on the series...if I read it a while ago and don't really remember much of it, but i remember that I liked it, I'll re-read the the books. But If I have read them just recently or remember what went on in them, I'll just move on to the next book.

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    1. I agree -- some books I just remember better than others :)

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  49. I try to remember stuff, but sometimes have to go back in a series and re-read from where it starts to get fuzzy. Like with Laurell K. Hamilton's series, I think I might have to back up to Micah and re-read up to Hit List (when I get caught up). After that if I don't remember enough I go back and look through the book quickly to see if it jogs anything. And if that doesn't work I just start the next one and hope I have one of those "Oh yeah!!!" moments LOL

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    1. I have not read those books, but they sound good!

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  50. I don't remember everything but it's ok to just start reading the next book.
    Thanks a lot for the giveaway!

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  51. I usually remember enough of it and as i'm reading, some stuff just sparks my memory:)

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    1. That's what I'm hoping will happen with me.
      See another Jen with memory issues. I'm onto something here....

      Delete
  52. I like to do a little of all those things. If I can swing it I like to read an entire series at once. I jumped on the Hunger Games bandwagon after all three books came out and I am glad I did because it would have been torture to wait for those books. Since I am reading a lot more than I used to, now I have to wait for other books in a series. In those cases what I do kind of varies. If the series left a strong impression I usually will just jump into the next book. I usually remember quite a bit and feel that most authors do some recapping, so I am usually good. If it has been quite a while since the last book, I will generally read the book synopsis again on Shelfari or Goodreads and then I am pretty much good to go. As far as my appreciation for recapping...I think it depends on how well the author does it. I don't really like complete rehashing since sometimes I am reading a seires all at once, but some reminders are always nice.

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    1. I definitely went back and re-read Hunger Games!!

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  53. I know there are some people who read series out of order, and I definitely cannot go about things that way. Most of the time, I'll read the new release with the big stuff and the ending in my mind, then I'll remember the little stuff as I read the next one. Usually, though, by the end I want to re-read the entire series. But now I don't have time for that.

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    1. What?????
      I could never do that. Wow. I just have an orderly mind and that would drive me completely crazy, to read out of order. But hey, if it works for someone else, I'm in awe!

      Delete
  54. I usually just rely on my memory. I usually have the first books in the series next to me, though, in case I forget something :)

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    1. Ha -- I give away too many books for that to work.

      Delete
  55. I ALWAYS used to go back and re-read all books in a series before staring the new book. But since I started my blog a couple months ago and I have a lo of ARC’s on my TBR, I don’t do that anymore. I actually read Timepiece without re-reading Hourglass and I have to say I was a little lost at first. but the author did a good job of recapping. Most of time I do remember though. I jut finished The Golden Lily and I remembered Bloodlines perfectly.

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    1. See, that's what happened to me!!
      And same on Bloodlines. I remember that one well.

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  56. I usually make sure that I have the earlier books in the series in hand so, if I'm confused/I've forgot something I'll have the chance to skim the earlier books. If it's a too tremendous thing, I'll will probably re-read the earlier books. That's why I don't care if the author does a recap or not :)

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    1. Nope. I pass on too many books. That would never work!

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  57. I like to go back and reread books in a series before continuing with the rest of them. I've only done it a couple times but it helps me remember. I'll even skim through the previous books so I can read the current one asap (:
    I'm currently rereading City of Bones so I can get caught up with what's happened in the rest of the series.

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    1. Now, see, that's a good example. I read City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass. Then a couple years passed. And when book four came out, I didn't have time to go back and re-read three huge books. One day, I would love to finish that series!

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  58. Honestly it changes from series to series, and how much time has passed. Sometimes I remember everything perfectly, and if I forget anything, then reading the second book usually prompts my memory. So in that case, I don't reread. But if it has been ages and I don't remember the first book(s), then I'll reread it.

    I actually usually prefer it if authors DON'T recap. Because if you do remember the previous book, recapping can get so boring. Like in the Harry Potter books when there are always lines reminding us that Harry Potter discovered he was a wizard and his whole life changed. I love the Harry Potter books but I just always skip past those little snippets.

    I never wait to read a series until the whole thing is released though! I don't have that much patience! And I'd be afraid of forgetting about it.

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  59. I would go back to the books and scan through them to refresh my memory and read my favorite parts! lol *can't help it..* I think the authors should start where the previous book left off so that we would have more new stuff to read about than reading what we already know from the book before. I know I'm an impatient person but I never wait to read a series until it is finish. lol I always have to read a book in order, if I purchase a book and find out that there was a first book to it, I'd wait to read it until I get the first book. It's just how I am. haha =) Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  60. I think it depends on the book ... there some books that I have no problem recalling what happened (like the Cassie Clare books, or Lauren Oliver), but then some I get a little hazy with (Mara Dyer, for instance). I think it's because I highly anticipate a book, so I read through it so fast and fall in love and swoon, and then it's like it drops out of my head completely.

    If I could, I would love to reread all the books before a new one in a series comes out, but there are so many OTHER books that are constantly piling up on my TBR list that I want to give them a chance, too.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I agree -- the faster I read, the less I remember :(

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  61. Sincerely I have such a bad memory, terrible. So, I kinda read only the series that are finished and when someone says "god that series was so awesome" I pick it up and read it. Like The vampire academy. I think the read is more sweet when you don't have to wait to see what it happens (or it's just me) and more bad, you wait and then you are disappointed.
    Haha :)) maybe I am weird but eahhh so what? I didn't read C Clare's series, I'll wait, crazy right?

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  62. I wont do a total reread, just skim through it as most of the book will start coming back to me from doing that, if the full series is already published I'll either read it in one week or one a month depending on how much I enjoy the series. For example the Uglies ""trilogy"" wouldn't be as good if you read it all in one week as it'd get repetitive but spreading it out its pretty good :)

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    1. Good point -- it probably does depend on the series!

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  63. Hello! It's an interesting question, but it mostly depends on book. Sometimes I just know that the author will do great job and that I don't have to read the previous book, but sometimes I just go through first book before I start next one. For books that I loved and I have I reread them before next book is out. But I do have good memory to be honest :)

    Thank you!! Most of all thank you for making it international! :)

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    1. Thanks to all my wonderful international followers!!

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  64. I rely on my memory. I usually remember most of the details and as i'm reading, things come back to me and everything falls into place.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  65. I actually never re-read my books, even if I am crazy in love with them. I may just go back to my favorite scenes but never the entire book. Usually I try to find a spoilery review and that renews my memory a bit. And most books in a series or trilogy just re-cap the previous book in the beginning. Veronica Roth made a post on her blog re-capping all the important facts of Divergent a couple weeks before the release of Insurgent, and hopefully others authors will decide to do the same.
    Trust me, I WISH I was one of those annoying people who remembers everything because I always forget everything. :D
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Spoilery reviews. I do Google that, and I find them!

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  66. I dont reread series before reading the next book. I do like having a full series before reading it, but if not then I just rely on my memory. With the amount of books I read I don't have time for rereading! And usually, the author does a good job anyway!

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    1. I'm hoping that authors are realizing we don't have time to re-read, and that a lot of us read so many books that we can't possibly remember everything. I think most of them know that!

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  67. All the books look great especially Unraveling. Thank so much for the giveaway.
    kassandralopez32@yahoo.com

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  68. It just depends on the series for me. Sometimes I wait until the entire series is published, sometimes I just read them as they come out, and sometimes I reread the series just before the next book is published.

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    1. You are very patient -- I can never wait. But sometimes it works out that way. I just bought Black Heart, book three in the Curseworkers series by Holly Black, and doing a happy dance that I get to read them one after the other.

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  69. I didn't enter last week because I won the week before, but these are some great books to choose from, so here I go again. :)

    It depends on the book if I re-read. With Divergent and some other books I haven't needed to because I definitely remember what is going on. With some other books that aren't quite so memorable sometimes I re-read and I do re-read a book or series I really loved. I, like you and others, don't like a lot of recap. Sometimes I do wait until a series is completely out to read it and it gets really annoying if the recap is lengthy.

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    1. You can enter again! You won on the guessing game, after all :)

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  70. My strategy on reading trilogies/series is that I try to do it all at once. If it's a long series I re-read the books before or rely on your memory because I never remember anything. I love when authors just dive right into the story. If they do re-cap I usually just skim it.

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    1. I agree that it is the best way to do it if you can!

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  71. Freebie Friday! Love this idea Jen! Thanks so much for the giveaway. It really depends on how long the series is. If it's a long one (like Sookie series), I'll just re-read the last book. If it's a trilogy, I might re-read all both other books to get back into the swing of things. I remember lots of details from my reading though, so it's not really an issue for me.

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    1. Sookie -- I read a few of those and really liked them. But if I started up again I'd have forgotten a lot...

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  72. I usually do a pretty good job remembering what happened, but alot of the time I will wait until the series is complete before I start reading them. I do like when they re-cap the previous book because then it refreshes your memory on what all happened. Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  73. Remembering the previous book is always pretty easy for me and I don't generally have to really re-read anything ;) I don't like reading series/trilogies before they are all out but if Im already into the books I just wait and read them as they come.

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    1. Yeah, yeah, you people with good memories. Who knew that would be a job requirement for book blogging ?!

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  74. I don't re-read and just hope that I remember enough! I like it when authors re-cap a little at least on the important parts of the previous book but not too much to be boring!

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  75. I re-read the first book/s or I wait for the series to be complete. Otherwise it's just frustrating trying to fit the pieces together.

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  76. I either read books when they are all out or I will just rely on my memory, books seem to do a mini recap at the beginning of sequels anyway:)

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  77. Oh gosh, I have such a love/hate relationship with series books. Usually, I don't start reading them until the entire series is out - but it's really difficult to wait, avoid spoilers and feel a bit left out when people are talking about it! Especially nowadays with Facebook/Twitter and being a book blogger, it feels impossible to avoid everything. If I just can't wait and start a series, I usually re-read the previous one right before if I have time -- otherwise I might just take a peek at summaries to refresh my memory.

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    1. I know -- and it seems that EVERY book these days has to be a series, or a trilogy, or have a sequel!

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  78. I've been creating a cheat sheet of spoilers/plots, but sometimes I reread.

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    1. Now that is very organized. I should find the time to do that!

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  79. Hmm, that is a really good question. I suppose it depends on the series. I used to reread every Harry Potter book before a new one came out, lately though I have been either reading it and just hoping I remember, or waiting until I have the whole series and then reading it. At least now that I'm blogging, I can just go read my review for a recap..lol Awesome question!

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    1. Yes, I'm adopting the "hope I remember policy." So far, so good :)

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  80. I don't typically re-read books. I rely on memory and recaps from the author.

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  81. I'd like to read Pushing the Limits by Katie Mc Garry at some point. I think it sounds like a great story. I don't re-read a book. I've tried but it just sounds different to me because I already know what happens. It's not the same.
    kathyross75@yahoo.com

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  82. Well, I really do wish I'm one of those annoying people who remember everything, but sadly I don't. I try to read series at once if they've all been published- that's what I did with the Iron Fey (LOVE IT!) and Vampire Academy (Oh Dimitri! ;) ). But for some, I plan on rereading. Like before reading Fever I'll reread Wither first! And awesome choices! I've been wanting the Selection and Unraveling!

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    1. See, you are totally proving my point that Jens have memory issues...

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  83. Honestly, I read the first installment then I just remember it well enough until the next installment comes out. But I don't read the 2nd book immediately because it sickens me to wait for the 3rd book when the series is so good! I like it when it starts where it left off but I like it better when there are some refreshers in some chapters. :)

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  84. It depends on how much I loved the first book in the series and how long ago I read it. Most of the times I will rmemeber enough but sometimes I have to refer back to my previous review or summary.

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    1. Agree -- if I really love the book, I think I remember more.

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  85. I think I have a pretty good memory, so usually I'll rely on my memory when reading a book which is part of a series. However, if that series is one I really, really love, I'll re-read it even if I remember most of the stuff that's happened so far :D

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    1. I remember some things really well. Lately I forget main characters names, especially if the story is in the first person.

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  86. I actually was nervous about reading Timepiece without a re-read of the first and it went well. I don't usually re-read but I might skim that last chapter just for the refresher if I remember...

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  87. I usually never reread books in a series, because that would just take too much time, and I like just going straight to the book. Unless it's been a while since the time I read a previous book from a series, then I try to jog my memory on what happened. If I have the book though, I'll skim through it to remember important parts.

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  88. it depends on the book. if it's a sequel to a book I freaking LOVED, I'll reread the series before I get to that book, just to remember why I love it so much. But most of the time I don't, but I do love reading series back-to-back. I did that with VA last year!

    thanks for the giveaway, my dear. :)

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  89. I am definitely one of those people who remember squat lol. When it comes to series I am pretty weird with them. Sometimes I seriously can't wait to read the book so I do,and then get sad I have to wait forever to read the next one. Most of the time I prefer to have the whole series out or at least the majority out. The final book in a series is something totally different. I usually tend to put it off because I don't want the series to end. So yes I would rather wait for the series to be out than go one book at a time. On the occasion I just have to read a book, I will definitely go back an reread before the next book is out.

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    1. Thank goodness it just isn't me!!!
      I wish I could wait until the whole series is out. Definitely a more satisfying reading experience!

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  90. I like to have the whole series before i read it, that way i don't have to stop and wait for more, i like to just keep reading til they're gone.

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    1. It is really great to finish a book you love and know that the next one is there, ready to read!

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  91. I am not generally a fan of the recap, because I do like to go back and reread once an entire series is out and I usually do it back to back. A little bit of recap is okay, but whole chapters I end of skimming. I used to always read books in a series as they came out, and sometimes I still do if I don't hear about a huge cliffhanger. I have started trying to wait it out though. There are still so many books that are in my TBR that it doesn't hurt too bad most of the time.

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    1. Whole chapters of recap are no good, I agree. My memory isn't THAT bad!

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  92. I do usually re-read all the books in the series, if it's a trilogy, otherwise I rely on my memories. Sometimes, for really much anticipated series (like the Soul screamers series for me), I take part in reading challeges so I can re-read them all

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    1. Reading challenges -- I did that with Andrea @ Overstuffed Bookcase for Fever and Wither. Fun!!

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