Hi Inverarity!
I'm glad you appreciate the basic truth of Luke Warhurst's comment, but I'm _really_ glad you're not inclined to drop the AQ books yet.
My fiancée and i have been reading the books to each other as we repaint the house we just bought. We're about half way through AQ & The Lands Below. She insists they're "a little silly". The best part about re-reading them this way are the occasions when she'll stop reading aloud for a moment to absorb the thing she was about to recite, and I have to hold back laughter while she comes out of bluescreen because of course I already know what it is that's so absurd/surprising/revelational.
Best wishes for the new year!
-mb