Terry Sperling Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Im on the second book and having a hard time. Also watching the first season on dvd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beathag Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I have never done this for any other literature -- even Russian or Asian, but I keep note cards on the people and with whom the interact and in what book. Once Dany started meeting all the folks in Qarth and beyond, I got lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutch Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 I had a hard time with it as well my first time. Hell, I still do. I would recommend doing a search for any character you don't know, as the wiki is pretty good. Although you could open yourself up to spoilers that way. Maybe note cards is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sword in Flames Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 The appendices in all the books are very handy for me. The note card idea is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beathag Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Be warned, once you start note cards, you have to have a filing system and then keep a note which book and page. I have two large file boxes -- I am long passed characters, and into quotes and cross referencing. I have stumbled across many theories that way. I have the signed hardbacks and paperbacks for reading and taking notes in the margins - then they go on the cards. And this is my second name on the Boards. I have been here along time. And keeping cards for years. The references in the books are good for knowing who may be alive or dead at the beginning of a book. And searching here is a good way. But you would be surprised how much readers miss. I find something new on every read-through The Concordance is also good. But they only give out so much information. They pose theories and prophecies, but rarely confirm them. Welcome to the Boards. Good reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iolahardy Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 I write short notes, a line or two after I finish each chapter. Usually I write down what that character has done, whom he has met & where he is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahlrokhin Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 I read in front of the computer so I can look up anything that I think I forgot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atropis the Elf Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Something like this will help? Keep track of characters, big moments, deaths, good lines, you name it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazfemur Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 actually, the best way i learned out, i got into the tv series first, up to season 2, before i started reading. when you watch the tv series first, you can actually put a face to the names written down in the book. after you identify each face with a name, it just becomes repetition, and eventually you can remember all of them. im presently on a reread of the entire series on book 2 presently, and everything is as clear as day. trust me, watch seasons one and two, get to know the faces, then attribute them to the book names. do not WATCH season 3. read book 3 before you watch season 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Droga_TargaryenSnow Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 I watch the show, look through the wiki, and will read theories(even those with spoilers). This all helps me figure out who and what is important and often I'll notice something interesting that I haven't seen mentioned before. I'm still on my first read through of the second book though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evita mgfs Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Im on the second book and having a hard time. Also watching the first season on dvd. WELCOME TO WESTEROS! I use notecards just as BEATHAG mentions. I also find color-coding helpful. Green for information on greenseers, greendreams, and Bran/Reeds; Red for weirwoods and related info; Grey for Starks; and so on. I also have each POV tagged and la labeled, even numbered, for quick reference and citations. Big projects, like rereads or other threads, I use a spiral notebook for my analytical notes and textual evidences. These I later type into my documents and file. I hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caliquenor Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 I keep an Excel sheet with all the characters, grouped by areas (or main Houses) and for each of them I keep a small comment box with the pseudonim, current whereabouts and relationships with main characters. Also, I have 3 colors for alive, missing, and dead. I try to keep it up to date every time I finish one chapter. It is hard work, but it has proven very useful. I am on my first re-read now and I am adding some details, very helpful to keep everyone pinned down. The sheet is currently updated with the 5 books, so I guess it is not useful for you at the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatKing Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Honestly, watching the show before reading the books has been tremendously helpful in that regard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogi Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Watching the show definitely helps (some characters are different in the show but nevertheless it will help you memorize the characters). Also, I plan to start drawing a bit more seriously; so far I was only doing it for fun. But now that I bought me a descent tablet with an active digitizer I (really really) want to learn drawing characters better! Another thing that might help is to picture someone you know (with similar "characteristics"); though I have the problem that I couldn't decide which of all the choices should act as Cercei ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annoy Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I read on my tablet, so I just look up some names if I find myself wondering who that is. It's the best way. I'm too lazy to take notes. Technology has really spoiled me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieBom Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Honestly, watching the show before reading the books has been tremendously helpful in that regard. I am a big beleiver of reading the book before watching the movie....or show, in this case. I was completely lost reading before I watched the series, I couldn't even get through the first book. Watching the series gave me a really solid foundation for the books, and now I'm starting Feast for Crows, completely obsessed and a heavy user of the ice and fire wiki! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazfemur Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I am a big beleiver of reading the book before watching the movie....or show, in this case. I was completely lost reading before I watched the series, I couldn't even get through the first book. Watching the series gave me a really solid foundation for the books, and now I'm starting Feast for Crows, completely obsessed and a heavy user of the ice and fire wiki! watching the series first definitely i think is the way to go before beginning the books, as you can put a face with the plethora of names thrown at you. feast for crows will be a little bit more challenging, as a good portion fo the book are brand new never before seen people (until this season begins, that is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieBom Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 See, now that I've got my foundation from the show, I don't need to rely on that knowlege to get me though the books. I just needed a little push to get started! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain of the Guard Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 For those people saying watch the TV series first - NO! It is so much more exciting reading the books and not knowing what is going to happen next than reading the books knowing what happens! When I read the Red Wedding I was stunned. Didn't believe it at first, got half way through the next chapter and I was like 'waaait.... WTF!' and I reread the Red Wedding chapter again and realised. As for remembering characters and what they are doing - if your right into the series I suggest a reread. My first read I missed some stuff and I found I had a lot more clearer understanding of the plot on the second time. Gods be good dont go writing notes, its hardly necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePrinceWhoisFlummoxed Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I have gotten into the habit of readng chapter summaries from the wiki after I finish a chapter in a book. That way I can click on links for characters that I am confused by or don't remember. There is a risk of spoilers in this approach, but it avoids some confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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