Reading a series

[Ellen]

Ellen Behrens | 5 comments As a reader of cozies, I feel compelled to find the first in a series and read the books through in order. This is tough, as I live and travel full-time in an RV and am often at the mercy of book selections in local stores (rather than being able to order online).

So here's my question: how important is reading a series in order for you (from first through latest in the series)?

Would you give up the over-arching story arc (the one that extends from book to book) to be able to pop around within the series without feeling as though you're missing something or learning something about the main character you wished you hadn't found out yet?

Would stand-alone books about the same main characters attract you? Or not?

What do you think?

[Sandra J]

I have no problem jumping around in a series out of order. I read a lot of PNR, and most of those books feature one couple as the main characters in a book although they tend to show up throughout a series. I also don't tend to read a book from front cover to back cover. I have no problem reading from ending to beginning to middle and all over the book. Then if I liked the story, I'll read it beginning to end. Weird, I know, but it works for me. As far as cozy series go, I'll do the same thing, though those I like to read for the mystery (even though I generally know whodunnit-end reader here).

[Ellen]

Thanks, Sandra! I'm a newbie -- PNR?

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Hi Ellen,

This topic has been discussed here previously. You can read what people have to say here:

Reading Cozy Mysteries in Order

☺

[Nancy]

Sandra,
You don't read mysteries front to back? You mean all my carefully planted clues and reveals are for naught, LOL?

[Debbie]

I have to start with book 1 in a series...It's just me because everytime there is a reference to something that has already happened I get myself all worked up because I don't know what is going on. I think maybe I'm over nosey...it's just me...

[Melodie]

Ellen wrote: "Thanks, Sandra! I'm a newbie -- PNR?"

PNR = Paranormal Romance.
I used to be a diehard RIO person. Then a few years ago a dear friend who was also a reader and read whatever book she found first died very suddenly from an aneurysm. She was my age and she always used to say that life was too short to pass up a good book just because you hadn't read the one or ten before it. I decided she was right! She was a wonderful person & a very smart lady! Now if I find what looks like a good book and I haven't read what came before it, I read it and savor it! Like she said, life's too short too worry about the REALLY small stuff!

[Sandra J]

She was right. A good book is a good book. Unless a series is really one hugely long novel cut into chunks (often found in fantasy), I don't find reading out of order is a big deal. As far as carefully chosen and planted clues? Love them! And since I'm an end reader, I think I appreciate the author's cleverness in planting those clues and assorted red herrings more than I would otherwise.

[Ellen]

Heather L wrote: "Hi Ellen,

This topic has been discussed here previously. You can read what people have to say here:

Reading Cozy Mysteries in Order

☺"

Thanks, Heather! I'll take a look at that thread :)

[Susan]

Sandra J wrote: "I have no problem jumping around in a series out of order. I read a lot of PNR, and most of those books feature one couple as the main characters in a book although they tend to show up throughout..."

Sandra, you might be the first person I've met on Goodreads who says she's an "end first" reader. I did meet an author who was an end reader at one of my signings. She apparently thought everyone should know the ending of the book and read it aloud at the signing!

Since I'm not an "end first" reader, I'm curious: have you always been this way with books? As do you do this with all genres, or just mysteries?

[Sandra J]

I've been an end reader for a long time. I grew up reading animal stories (Didn't we all?) and hated it when the animal died at the end. I read mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy primarily for years. Main characters who died at the end of the novel were never my favorites, and it's not uncommon in many genres for an author to kill off an important character. Since the order of a series isn't of much importance to me and never interferes with the pleasure I get from the story, I treat mysteries the same way. I enjoy spotting the clues to the murderer as I go along since I usually know the ending. As you can tell, I don't deal well with surprises. For me, reading is all about the journey, not the destination. There are a few others like me on Goodreads, but they're mostly reading genres other than mysteries. (I'm also in the minority in that I adore spoilers and read every one I can find before buying a book.)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I'm exactly the same than Sandra (and same reasons).

[❂ Murder by Death]

I'm not an end reader, but I read spoilers all the time. I'm a 'journey' over 'destination' reader too, so knowing the 'spoilers' doesn't affect my enjoyment.

[Laura]

Debbie wrote: "I have to start with book 1 in a series...It's just me because everytime there is a reference to something that has already happened I get myself all worked up because I don't know what is going on..."

I do the same thing, Debbie! Especially in a mystery where any reference to previous situations might give away too much. It's a rare book that can catch me off guard, and I'd hate to spoil it.

[Britney]

I also have to start with boom 1 in a series. It's just a pet peeve of mine I guess jumping around in the series. I like to watch the characters develop from the beginning to end.

[Susan]

Sandra J wrote: "I've been an end reader for a long time. I grew up reading animal stories (Didn't we all?) and hated it when the animal died at the end. I read mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction, and..."

Marisa wrote: "I'm exactly the same than Sandra (and same reasons)."

One of the reasons I enjoy Goodreads conversations so much is that I have the opportunity to consider divergent perspectives. And after thinking about these comments, I had an epiphany. The first time I read a book (I'm a serial re-reader) I will always start at the beginning. After that, I might well jump around, particularly if I'm in the mood to read a particular passage or favorite part.

As a writer, though, I start at the end. I have to know how the story ends before I can begin writing. Funny, I never thought of it as "end writing" until this discussion. So thanks!

[Sandra J]

I'd think if you don't know the goal/end of a story, it would be hard to plot the journey. When I was teaching, we had to put the lesson's objective at the beginnning of the lesson plan. We had to know what results we were aiming for before we could structure a way to get there. I'm not a writer, but starting with the desired end makes sense to me.