Not Grasping Tandem Read

Hi all!

First time read of the ToG series. Currently about 75% of the way through of the tandem read, so no spoilers please!! While I’m enjoying reading both books, I’m having a hard time understanding why I’m exactly doing this. I know these books take place at the same time, but I’m struggling to see how everything is going to intertwine and make sense. Having a hard time explaining because I’m also giving myself grace because maybe it will all come together in the end. But I’m not seeing/understanding why I did the tandem read quite yet.

Just looking for maybe more understanding of the significance that I may have missed!