I just finished Brandon Sanderson's TheWay of Kings, which is the first of his "The Stormlight Archive" series.  I knew it was part of a series when I started and it was a long book, about 1000 pages.  I enjoyed the book, but about 2/3 of the way through, I discovered that it is part of a 10 part series and finishing the first book, you need to go on to the next book to finish the story.  I wish they had indicated thaat it was part of such a long series on the book jacket.  I might not have started it.  Sanderson is finishing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time as Jordan died before he could finish it.  Since I am over 60, I may not be around when Sanderson finishes this series so perhaps it is a waste of time. What ever happend to trilogies?

On a more frustrating note, I spilled coffe all over the book, which weighs about 5 pounds, so it's not even postable.

Just as an FYI, you can probably find someone who still wants it by posting it in the Wishlisted Unpostables thread over in the Book Bazaar, seeing as there are currently 152 people on the wishlist. . .

As to 10-book series. . . I clearly despise them, as evidenced by pretty much all of my favorite novels being stand-alone. ;)

That's why I'm becoming more and more a fan of short-fiction compilations.  With a short story you might even be able to finish the story WHILE you are having your last heart attack.