Books I've always wanted to read but haven't yet: 'The Winds of Winter'

Everyone has a list of books they've always wanted to read, but for one reason or another, they just haven't yet. For me, that book is The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin.
Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) in Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) in Game of Thrones /
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From my pre-teen years through early adulthood, I mainly read historical fiction. My favorites were James Michener, Herman Wouk, James Clavell, Gary Jennings, and John Jakes. Eventually, however, I started to run out of books.

Many books in this genre were fairly long, and for the good writers, it took them a while to research and write. I was also running into the regrettable problem that they were starting to die. I was looking for something else to read, something to bide the time until a new generation of historic writers came forth, or those still live produced more books.

A friend of mine handed me The Hobbit. I was wary at first. I'd never had much interest in the fantasy genre. It wasn't real afterall, and I was a History major. Still, I trusted my friend, and I read it. Once I finished that, my friend gave me The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings, and I ripped through that and the other two books of that classic series. I was hooked.

Then I devoured R.A. Salvatore, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, Dennis L. McKiernan, David Eddings, and, of course, Robert Jordon. I devoured duologies, trilogies, and massive series. Eventually, after the turn of the century, I picked up A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.

It was more political and adventure, and less magic, but it was brilliant. I couldn't put it down. A Clash of Kings was next, then A Strom of Swords. I waited anxiously until A Feast of Crows came out, then a while longer for A Dance with Dragons.

Then for some reason, I stopped reading this series. I just never had the chance to take it up again. Of course, I got caught up in the TV series, Game of Thrones, and it was terrific. One thing led to another and I just never picked up The Winds of Winter.

Will I EVER get around to reading The Winds of Winter?

Now, it's 13 years later, and for whatever reason, I still haven't read this book. In some ways, I wonder if I ever will. Through the TV show, I feel the story has been told. I know how it ends. As good as the show was, the books were still way better, but part of the excitement of a good read is the anticipation of what is going to happen next.

It goes without saying that I've not read the seventh and final installment of A Song of Fire and Ice series, A Dream of Spring either.

I have to decide if I am willing to accept the show's ending as canon. I assume it was close to the source material. At this point, I'm not even sure if the interest to read them still exists.

I know it is pretty hard to believe that after 13 years, and an eight-season television season, I still haven't read The Winds of Winter or A Dream of Spring, but here we are. In all honesty, I'm not sure I ever will.

This piece of satire is brought to you by the endless wait George R. R. Martin has given us for The Winds of Winter.

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