I didn't realize this thread was here until now! Well, I've been around for about a week and am overjoyed to a find a place that discusses ASOIAF as intelligently as you all do. I have few friends who read the novels so when I geek out on why I think R+L = J, they look at me quite strangely. Honestly, I think I've learned more about the series from reading posts and responding in threads than in all my re-reads. My name's Jacquelyn and I live in the midwest. Started reading ASOIAF in about 2004 and couldn't put the books down (to this day I blame aGoT for why I failed my German final). I only just recently started watching the HBO show--I was worried that they would mess it up and didn't want to witness it. i know there are a lot of opinions about the show, but I think it's doing the books justice in some parts (less pleased with other parts--how could they not show the House of the Undying in its full. Forever sad over this) Favorite characters: Tyrion, Dany, Jon, Jorah, Varys, Arya. I don't really have a least favorite though I suspect I'll never warm up to Cersi or Stannis or Sansa. Jamie I'm coming around to, but that took a *very* long time. It's nice talking to everyone here :)