Confession: I have not read a single novel in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones series, though not for a want of trying. Over the past couple of years, I opened the first ebook on my Kindle multiple times, read a few chapters, and promptly moved on to another book or issue of Entertainment Weekly. Months later I'd pick up my Kindle and repeat the whole cycle from start to finish, never venturing more than a chapter or two further than before. Martin's books have simply been unable to pull me in despite my general interest in the fantasy genre.
The adaptation of Game of Thrones for television, on the other hand, proved a completely different story altogether. My husband, Bryce, and I jumped on the bandwagon rather late and started watching the series while HBO aired season five for the first time. Friends and family members remarked how excited they were for us, wishing they could go back and experience the show from its beginning, too. I quickly grew to understand why they felt that way. The captivating characters and absorbing narratives drew us into the engrossing fantasy world almost immediately, and we devoured the first two seasons in a matter of weeks. The intensity of season two forced us to take a short break, but less than a month later, we found ourselves delving into season three on our quest to catch up in time for the April 2016 season six premiere. Why so quickly? Partly because of the show itself, which compels audiences to binge watch, but mostly because of good friends in our current hometown. During our marathon viewing of the first five seasons, Bryce and I discovered several in our friend circle were also hooked on the series. We soon decided in the months leading up to the season six premiere that we should take turns hosting viewing parties and watch the new episodes together. Sometimes we'd start Sunday evenings with dinner beforehand, other times we arrived just as the show got underway, enjoying simple snacks and beverages. Regardless, not a week went by without lively debate and discussion about what happened, what might happen in the next episode, and what the episode could mean for the story further down the road. We'd share our reactions to the episode's most surprising twists and turns, introduce new theories based on observations or outside research, and summarily reject theories we posited in the weeks before. Game of Thrones has become, therefore, more than a show--it is an experience and a weekly highlight. And while I find the portrayal of Martin's characters, kingdoms, and storylines enthralling, what I love so much about the show is how we now share it with friends. You might think that after a fall into the Game of Thrones universe so deep and complete I would be able to move forward in the books. Unfortunately for me, that still has not been the case. One day, perhaps I'll finish the first book and tackle the subsequent volumes. For now, I'm content to immerse myself in the TV version, and I very much look forward to restarting our weekly viewing parties when season seven starts later this year.
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I am a self-proclaimed pop culture geek and list enthusiast who is celebrating the big four-zero by counting down the most important, influential, and favorite music, movies, television shows, books, and video games of my life so far. Categories
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