In The Margins Vol. 2 {In The End}

You thought I had forgotten about this little featurette of mine, didn't you? 

Truth? I almost did.

Oops.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the things about me as a reader. And as a blogger. And as a reader who blogs. That whole package deal. And, really? I want to do more than just reviews and the occasional weekly look at things I do with reading link-up. I mean, there will be reviews. I mean, I'm crazy-behind with those right now, again oops.

So, I as I was turning the last pages of Insurgent I was thinking, I cannot wait for the last book in this series to come out. And then, bam! I remembered about this featurette. And now you want to know how these two things are related?

The truth? I have serious issues with finishing series.

Or, even, picking up the next book in a series.

Honestly? It was a miracle I even read Insurgent without Allegiant even being close to being released (in my head it's a million years away but, I know that October is almost here - but it's late October for the release!).

Here's a quick look at just a few of the series I am currently in the middle of (please note, these are the series I'm in the middle of and currently own the next book in the series):

Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore
The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
The Grisha by Leigh Bardugo
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
Thursday Next by Jasper Fforde
Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind

This mini-list doesn't include series that don't have the next book out yet (which will probably be bought the day the book comes out and then sit on my to-read shelf for close to a year or more) or that I just haven't gotten around to buying yet (because, hello guilt for not reading...).

I think I've figured out a few reasons why I do this to myself, though:

1. I Can't Let Them Go - This is more for that last book in a series. The one where you know that once you turn the last page that world is gone forever. Yes, you can reread them as many times as you want, you can visit with those characters any day or night, and you can feel settled (or ticked, depending) with the way a story played out. But, like I am always reminded when one of the kids I work with is reading Harry Potter for the first time. You can never go back and read any book for the first time again. You'll never be sitting at the edge of your chair waiting to see what happens or crying along with your fictional friends over the death of another character. You just can't. And, somehow, just not finishing a series seems a better alternative to me. There's logic in there somewhere, I promise.

2. I Loathe Cliffhangers - This one is more for reading the next book in a series when the following book isn't out yet. I get so, so invested in books and I need to know what happens. Being left at the edge of my seat in one of those wait? what? WAIT WHAT?! moments kills me. Really. I am currently replaying all of the end of Insurgent over and over in my head because - WHAT?! I need to know. And yes, I know that this reason and reason #1 do not go well together. But, at least, if the book is out I know I can read what happens after the cliffhanger. But I get to choose when I want to. It makes sense, I promise.

I'm working on this though.

Really, I am. I read Insurgent - which I was totally putting off because I just knew there'd be a crazy cliffhanger at the end. And I read Clockwork Princess which I knew would leave me devastated to be done with Tessa, Will, and Jem and the Shadowhunters of London. Sigh. I do miss them a lot already.

So, that leaves me a question for you all out there: are you good about finishing series, or do you leave them in unread limbo like me?