The first novel, A Game of Thrones, was published in 1996 and there are currently 5 of the planned 7 books in print. I am currently mid-way through the 4th book, and I can't put them down.
For me, it started with entertainment gossip (you know how I love it), and there was much being said in the gossip world regarding HBO's series based on the books. The show looked cool - kings and knights and HBO-style nudity struck me as a sure thing. So we watched. And were in awe. The first season of the show (10 episodes) encompassed the first novel (834 pages) and I was hooked.
The book series was immediately uploaded onto my Kobo, and I have been reading them ever since. And I am not the only one - 4 other members of my life posse are reading them as well, and encouraging others!
It's been lovely. I find I spend much more time on these books than I do most of the ones I read. Not only is each book huge in length (800-1000 pages), they are full of detail that you have to enjoy at a slower pace. So that your imagination has time to develop the huge world for you.
With there having been a wait of 5 years between the 4th book and the 5th, I am just not sure what I am going to do when I am finished. Other than harass you to read them too.
I think I will first celebrate with a themed dinner, thanks to the ladies at Inn at the Crossroads - a blog dedicated to recreating the food of Westeros and the Free Cities. But I can't decide between Breakfast at Winterfell or Honeyed Chicken. Mmmmm.
Then maybe I will do a little shopping for GoT related merchandise at the HBO Store, and maybe get into a little Role Playing - the game kind, not the kinky kind. Or maybe I can do both kinds. (Can I be Ygritte?)
As for the show - don't count it out either! I highly recommend the first season. Even before reading the books. There's eye candy for all.
Look at how cute Kit Harrington is as Jon Snow:
And you can't beat the awesomeness that is Sean Bean/Boromir/Eddard Stark:
And thus ends my gushing. Time to go read some more. Winter is coming.