I’m thinking about reading the books. But I don’t know. There are so many other books I want to read first.
Although, I am willing to skip the list and go straight to GoT.
What do you guys suggest?
all I can say is ditto 
One of my oldest friends got me to read Harry Potter by pointing out that it’s going to be a point of reference for a lot of people, so you might as well read it. Turned out to be pretty good. A Song of Ice and Fire is like that. It is known.
If you haven’t seen the HBO show, read A Game of Thrones. If you get lost in the middle, just power through. It all makes sense-ish by the end.
If you HAVE seen it, skip to A Clash of Kings (you’ll be missing some important details, but everyone misses them first time through, so it really doesn’t matter.)
I just started watching the HBO series. Is the series exactly like the book?
Not exactly, but very close. The book goes into greater detail and has a slightly different pacing, but the story structure is pretty good.
If you thoroughly enjoyed the series, book 1 is worth reading. I started with the show, then jumped into the books. Pardon me if you’ve seen me say it before, but reading the books makes watching the series a different experience in three main ways:
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You – or, at least I – stop thinking of the characters as “that guy from that place” and realize who the people Ned Stark is talking to actually are.
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Once you’ve read the books, it’s like the show was in 2D before, and now it’s in 3D hi def. I appreciated the colors more, like noticing how (and now why) the Lannister camp is all red. The characters’ subtle background actions/reactions registered more. (Granted, on the third or fourth time through, they should.)
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You generally understand a lot more about the world. Example: The show doesn’t quite convey exactly what a dire situation the Night’s Watch are in. They’re down to around 10% of what their numbers used to be. And the wall has something like 15 castles. And, if I recall correctly, only 3 are manned at this point.
So while you don’t need the books, they totally enhance the viewing experience.
Wow. Excellent points.
SOLD!
I am so reading the books now.
Actually, that said, I also have to warn you: Don’t read the books. Into each character’s life, a whole helluva lot of rain falls. Bad things happen to good characters. Good things happen to bad characters. People you like do things you don’t like. The books are awesome, but they’re like crack: addictive and corrosive. You will lose sleep and lose your temper. Quit now before you start!
Should you choose to ignore that warning, here’s a more useful caution: The Game of Thrones community, on the whole, is very good about not spoiling new fans. But once you’re in, do not read anything about the series. Not articles, not web postings, not Wikipedia reference pages, not reviews of new/old books, nothing. You will be hit with a major spoiler sooner than later. And, boy, are there some big spoils.
Without ruining anything, based on your avatar, I’ll tell you this much: In the books, the direwolves get BIG.
Yeah, there’s tiny hints that get dropped throughout that have yet to pay out (although the more perceptive/obsessive readers have (likely) sussed them out.) I guarantee that after you’ve gone through them once, you’ll look at the serious discussions and there will be several where you’ll go, “Where the heck did you get that idea?”
And that’s not counting the stuff that does get revealed within the extant books.
Read the books- they are fantastic, but they do kinda take over your life.
Right now I’m having a real hard time continuing with no. 4. Almost 200 pages in and I want to throw the book at a wall. Too many damn pages!!!
(Pacing oneself is okay, it seems.)
Book 4 has the most content about sigils and onions and cheese. As a fan who has read (most of) it, I hereby authorize you to skim away. Book 5 is better.
Book 4 did feel like it was spinning it’s wheels in some places…the whole plot line with Quentin Martell felt almost tacked on. Least that’s how I feel about it.
Easy peeps, I’m on the third book and must say each chapter just gets better and more shocking than the last…
After watching the first show before reading the book I was hooked, however reading the second has diluted more need to see the second series relished on TV, even though there is some cool stuff in it!
From your friendly neighbourhood Munch-Man!
@MunchieRulze
I found books 2 and 3 very similar in that they start great, sag in the middle and then drive to incredible endings each. Book four is just a chore right now. I may be putting it down and coming back to it in a few months, or skimming away as Ferris suggested.
Late in book four, a thing or two happen that’ll make you glad you solider’d on. And book 5 is certainly worth getting to. Book 5 is not without doldrums, but it may have the most momentum of them all.
I really struggled with Book 4 as well. It seemed like it went on FOREVER. I took my time getting through it, but glad I did. Because Book 5 is really good. After I finished the series I talked my husband and Mom into reading them, and now they are hooked too.
Man I may have to read the last 300 pages of Book 3 slower now…,all I know HBO are gonna have to step up the budget if they are going to do the rest of the books justice…
I kind kinda forgive them for knocking out Tyrion for the big battle in Book 1, but they pull that shiz of for what’s to come I will not be impressed…
From your friendly neighbourhood Munch-Man!
@MunchieRulze
I dunno, I kinda thought that knocking him out like that was more in keeping with Tyrion’s character than keeping having him be some war hero. I think the battle of the Blackwater would have a bigger impact that way.
When I started the BDB series (7 books and counting) I wouldn’t stop reading until I passed out from lack of sleep.
That was 5 years ago. I think I got things under control now (I hope). Either way, I just got the first book as a gift… It begins.