Game of Thrones

*mouth hangs agape* I'll begin by saying that I have no idea where to begin.

As I've mentioned before, I'm late to the party in terms of pop culture phenomenon, so, naturally, I've only vaguely heard of some show called Game of Thrones on HBO, a channel I'm not even close to getting. At least when I was a kid, it sort of, fuzzily came through on one of the triple digit channels. I was also vaguely aware that the show had originated from a book, as most good movies and television shows do, this one by George R.R. Martin, specifically.

Earlier this year, my friend began posting on her Facebook how amazing the books were and how closely they followed them in creating the TV show. As she is a virtual Drink Wine and Gossip book club member, my interest was instantly piqued. The only difference was that she had seen the show and I had not, so I was going in completely unawares.

Like I said, I don't even know where to begin. I couldn't begin to tell you character or city names, or story lines that I enjoyed, that repulsed me - ok, Dany eating the stallions heart is up there - that stuck with me, or even how I really felt about it all. That's the thing with Game of Thrones; it's as if the book must be felt as opposed to read and processed. And I'll be honest - I'm totally addicted.

For one, the chapters aren't numbered, but rather labeled with a different character name, thus either consciously or subconsciously causing the reader to become fully absorbed rather than keep count. Which - let's be honest - is a feat in and of itself. Reading this book feels second to reading the Bible, which I only got to the apple part. There again, the feeling is the most important part.

Second, since each chapter is labeled with a different character's name, we're transported to a different world and unfolding drama, with different players, different follies, but all immensely interesting and fascinated. To say that Martin is the true epitome of fantasy is a great understatement. I often find myself marveling at the sheer level of his imagination. And my friend guessed he must have maps hung up everywhere in order to keep track of where everyone lives, comes, goes, was born, dies, rules, makes offspring, etc.

The gore is not of personal taste but I'm able to compartmentalize it that it goes with the times, and that it doesn't actual exist in the first place, as there really aren't wild wood people who hunt mortals and turn them mad. Ok, maybe in the South.

All I can say is that there are many fantastically good reasons why this book - and the others in the series that follow it - are on NPR's must-read list, as well as a few others, I'm sure. It, did, after all give me Book Hand (hand-cramp from holding books). I can't explain it. You just have to pick it up and figure it out for yourself.