Episode 48; Reading a Series

[Ruthiella]

Too many to mention! If possible, I do try to read series in order for the sake of continuity.
I have read all but one of the Elizabeth George Inspector Lynley mysteries. I am currently trying to read all the Inspector Morse books (in order!) by Colin Dexter. I have read and enjoyed Alan Bradely’s Flavia deLuce mysteries.
From childhood, I have fond memories of LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series of books as well as Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books.
I loved the first 6 books in the Tales of the City and will most likely read the next two.
I have read the first two (and plan on continuing) books in the Song of Ice and Fire Series.
And, inspired by your Classics challenge, I recently re-read The Warden and am now embarking on reading the entire Barchester Chronicles.
There have been plenty of series where I have only read the first book and decided not to continue (Twilight, The Hunger Games). I can’t think of any series where I have stopped reading it when I was more than two books in, however.

[Michael]

One of my favourites is Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe series. But I want to share something that really annoys me when collecting a series (even more so than different covers).

Same Publisher, same cover designs, same spines but different sizes :(

[Tasha]

I don't often read series books all in a row but once a year, I do a pact with some friends and we catch up on our series reads, or start new ones. I look forward to it every year because I know I can make some headway on some series I have lung, or want to start!

[Sarah]

Favourite series ever is the Earth's Children series by Jean M Auel. Just amazing. Also Harry Potter (obviously) & Hunger Games. I also liked the first Tess Gerritsen of the series but haven't read the 2nd yet. This has made me realise I want to get into more series!

[Elizabeth☮]

i try to avoid series because, i'm not sure i can commit to an uncertain number of books based on a character. i have started a few and i've only completed one. and it was a YA series, so i'm not even sure that counts.

they are:
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
Urchin of the Riding Stars

i finished the mismantle chronicles and loved them.

the pink carnation series i've read about six of the books and then lost interest. i am, at least, three behind now.

[Ruthiella]

Ahh, Earth's Children series...yes, that is a series I have intentionally given up on. I read the first three 100 years ago (or maybe 20) and am no longer excited about or interested in reading any further. Ayla got a bit too "perfect" for my taste. I do have, however, very fond memories of the first book, The Clan of the Cave Bear.

[Esther]

Until recently I couldn't afford many new books so I avoided most modern series -Harry Potter and the Thursday Next books being the two exceptions.
I also picked-up second-hand The Poldark series and Gerald Durrell's books about collecting animals. Before I left the UK I collected James Bond and Peanuts
And of course I have my Agatha Christie collection (inherited from my Grandma).

Now I have added Tales of the Otori, A Song of Ice and Fire and
Sookie Stackhouse

[Djdee]

I must read every series in order. I really enjoyed Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series and I have read a couple of the Odd Thomas ones. I also enjoyed the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo(some more that others).

[Carol]

Series drive me crazy. In my job as a librarian they can be fun but also very pesky. It is not always clear whether they need to be read in order. Even when each book stands alone, a patron may still wish to read them in order. So if book 1 of the series is out, the others may sit on the shelf until #1 is available. The original records of the book that goes into our catalogs may not have good series information and this requires diligence on the librarians' part to assure the series order and the books themselves should indicate the order too.

As a slow reader with so many choices, I'm not always willing to commit to a series. often, I'd rather read a book that stands alone. If I liked one book by an author, I'm willing to try another with different characters, even different genre. I am not one of these people that gets annoyed when an author deviates or tries something new.

I love to hear the series debate and will follow the conversation here. BTW, someday, when I retire, I'm going to try to read all the Reachers, Temperance Brennan, and Anna Pigeon books. :)

[Kristin]

God forgive me, but someone in my book club has assigned "Cloud Atlas" as the next book. Over the holidays. Help. Me.

I am taking Gav's advice that he received from Stephen King's son--start after the first chapter. If all else fails, I can just read that chapter.

[Ruthiella]

@Kristin: I loved Cloud Atlas and I didn't have a problem with the 1st chapter. My advice is to be patient; it is a book that builds slowly. I hope you and your book club members enjoy it!

[Kristin]

Ruthiella wrote: "@Kristin: I loved Cloud Atlas and I didn't have a problem with the 1st chapter. My advice is to be patient; it is a book that builds slowly. I hope you and your book club members enjoy it!"

Thank you Ruthiella!

[Kate]

Michael wrote: "One of my favourites is Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe series. But I want to share something that really annoys me when collecting a series (even more so than different covers).

Same Publisher,..."

I am bothered by exactly that problem with that same series. Annoying, isn't it? Also, when the publisher changes the design completely before you're done collecting them all.

As for whether I read them in order, usually, yes, though it matters more with some series than others. But I don't read many series at all. I keep meaning to buy the next few books in the Tales of the City series as I liked the first one so much.

[Melissa]

I have to read series in order. I am now on the fifth Rebus book and I just discovered Peter May's China series. I understand that publishers don't want to mark books with a big number on the spine, but I am frustrated that I have to check a website to find out the order.