Read Game of Thrones or Watch Game of Thrones?

[ArnRand]

So I just finished watching the first series (yeah, I know I'm late to the party) and I thought it was pretty awesome. Now I want some more of that sweet, sweet thronesy taste, but I don't know where to get it from. As far as I can tell I have three options.

1: Read the first book and get all the loving detail before moving on to the next book.

2: Watch the second series and not bother with the books.

3: Read the second book, since I already know what will happen in the first book, then watch the second series.

And if I were to be obsessive about this I have a few more:

4: Read all the books and come back to the tv show later.

5: Read a few more books, and alternate between tv show and books.

6: Watch the second series, and then read the second book, and repeat with the other series.

This is getting pretty complicated If you can't be bothered with my personal dilemma, I have a more general question: are the thrones books or the TV show better?

 

[IndomitableSam]

Read from the beginning, watching the show at the same time. Season 2 is changing some things up, so there are differences. Always try and read the book if you enjoy the other versions of it - it's what inspired everyone to make the other media forms exist.

 

[bobmus]

Read the first book, watch season 2, just like @IndomitableSam suggested.
The book contains a lot of detail and background motivation that just isn't seen in a screen adaptation, but it isn't an easy read either.

 

[Tipsy Giant]

I've not read the books but i'm thoroughly enjoying the second series

 

[accipitre]

I don't know a book series called "Game of Thrones", so I'll assume you mean A Song of Ice and Fire.

Read AT BARE MINIMUM the first two books. I read all of the books twice before seeing the show, and appreciated it far more. While seeing the show first digs the shock value of certain unexpected events far deeper, the show is much more shallow without a background in the books. Having read the books, I was able to pick up an incredible number of nuances, and a lot of events were much clearer. Plus you have the added bonus of seeing characters thrust into the show that nobody who hasn't read the books knows about, like Jaqen H'ghar, which gives you all sorts of awesome perspective and speculation about things like

Spoiler

how the Faceless Men will be portrayed.[\spoiler] Plus the whole "Oh, so THAT'S how they pictured him!" aspect.

And then there's the whole matter of the lore, which the books convey much better.

 

[Loop Stricken]

I'm waiting for the show to finish before reading any of the books, and this view is reinforced by an article I read today about how the TV series is likely to end before the book series does.

 

[bernardblack]

I personally read through the first and second books before I watched the whole first season. It provides some good background and explains things that the show tends to leave out. So I would suggest at least reading the first two, and continuing on if you feel like it.

 

[Verzin]

Read.
The TV show is O.K, but it is nothing to the books.

 

[Leelu]

I read the first book, then watched the first series. However I did then read all the books again while waiting for the second series.Now i'm all caught up so far and decided to read the short stories of Dunk and Egg.

I suppose it depends on how much you really want to know about whats going on in the storyline, If you're patient then read the books alongside the series, if not then read all the books and watch the series.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

Read the books then watch the show. You'll get more out of it that way.

 

[justcallmeslow]

Definitely read the books first. I saw the fisrt series then got the books. Read them non-stop until I was up to date. The series is brilliant but the books are on another level.

 

[VulpesAqua]

The mind needs books like a sword needs a wheatstone, that is why you should read the books first Jon Snow.