09 - A book from a series with more than 20 books

[Kris]

Ashlee wrote: "Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is up to book 26 :)"

Would you recommend starting with the first or are there some later in the series that are good as stand-alones?

[Eva]

I've added some more fantasy and science fiction series to the list (link in post 1) - there were far more LONG series than I thought!

[Sara]

Would the Dresden Files count? There are 16 "main" works but the series also has a number of side novels, in-universe short story collections, and other additions.

If so, I really like Storm Front and would likely read Fool Moon for this prompt.

[Jas]

Lilian Jackson Braun The Cat Who series has 29 books and the main character is a journalist (if you want to kill two birds with one stone). They are cozy mysteries and have some smart cats involved.

[Lisa]

Kris wrote: "Ashlee wrote: "Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is up to book 26 :)"

Would you recommend starting with the first or are there some later in the series that are good as stand-alones?"

You don't have to start with the first, I think I started with Hard 8 and then went back and read the others. In my opinion, if you were only going to read one then it should be Finger Lickin' Fifteen. We have that on audio book and my teenage son liked it so much we listened to it 3 times.

[Kelly]

I’m sorry if this has already been asked but I’m wondering if I’m understanding a recommendation for this prompt on the Popsugar website correctly.

They have Siege of Stone by Terry Goodkind on there. I’m guessing they mean it as part of his Sword of Truth series since it’s a part of that universe, but seemingly a spin off series of Sword of Truth.

I’m curious if that means the entire universe would count as one series even if they’re spin offs.

I started reading the Sword of Truth series years ago and never finished it so if it counts I might actually get around to picking up where I left off this year. The only thing is, I think there’s only maybe 11-15 books in the original series depending on how you count them, but there’s between 20-22 in the full universe (again depending on how you count them).

Do you all think the full universe counts or only the original series?

[W.J.]

Does any of R.L Stine books from his fear street collection, counts??

Here is a random cover

[Rebecca]

I may go with a childhood favorite and read Tamora Pierce! I believe her Tortall series definitely has more than 20 when you bring all the novels and short stories together!

[Drakeryn]

Kelly wrote: "They have Siege of Stone by Terry Goodkind on there. I’m guessing they mean it as part of his Sword of Truth series since it’s a part of that universe, but seemingly a spin off series of Sword of Truth.

I’m curious if that means the entire universe would count as one series even if they’re spin offs."

Sara wrote: "Would the Dresden Files count? There are 16 "main" works but the series also has a number of side novels, in-universe short story collections, and other additions."

Personally, I'd count side novels, spin-off series, and short story collections in the same universe. So yes to both.

[Hannah]

This was my first prompt for this challenge and I read Sharpe's Devil. I read most of the series last year, but held off on reading this book so I could use it to fit this prompt!

[Nicole]

Richard Jury mystery series by Martha Grimes. The latest one The Old Success is #25.

[Swati]

Claire wrote: "James Patterson has the Alex Cross series that is well over 20+ books and his Woman’s Murder Club series releases book 20 next year so that would qualify too!"

I am going with the Alex cross series for this prompt. The series looks really interesting !

[Aimee]

Pepper wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I have a random copy of Eric sat on my shelves. Do you know if I can read it without ever reading any of the other Discworld books?"

Lots of Pratchett books work as standalones, but ..."

I agree that it's easily the weakest book in the Discworld series and not one I'd recommend to anyone getting into the series.

For those who aren't familiar with Pratchett, the Discworld books are divided into sub-series and the first book in each sub-series can usually be read as a standalone:
- Death series: Mort
- Witches series: Equal Rites (which would also work for 'book with a pun in the title')
- City Watch series: Guards! Guards!
- Rincewind series: The Colour of Magic
- Moist von Lipwig series: Going Postal
- Tiffany Aching series (middle grade / YA): The Wee Free Men
- Industrial Revolution series: Moving Pictures

My personal recommendations would be Guards! Guards! or Going Postal, they're actually two of my favourite books ever let alone favourite Discworld books.

[Aimee]

Rebecca wrote: "I may go with a childhood favorite and read Tamora Pierce! I believe her Tortall series definitely has more than 20 when you bring all the novels and short stories together!"

There are 18 Tortall novels (not counting the second Numair book which is due to come out this year) but if you count Tortall: A Spy's Guide and Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales then that would make 20. I'd say go for it!

[LukasmummyReads]

Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth by M.C Beaton are both over 20. Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood has 20 but there is an illustrated book listed on here too so technically it's over 20 if you don't mind bending the rules a little.

[Pauline]

Our library just got in the latest book (#24) in Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity series, so that will definitely be my pick.

[Sarah]

This is hard for me ... I've been reading through all of Agatha Christie's book (one a month) for the last two years. Finished Miss Marple and I'm working through Hercule Poirot. So I know this will work but if I'm trying to get "different" books in with this challenge I think I want to start the Sue Grafton series.

[Ashley Marie]

I've got 25 Sue Grafton books (having read A is for Alibi a few years ago) but I also started a full series reread of Animorphs, so I'm covered :)

[Karin]

Aimee wrote: "Pepper wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I have a random copy of Eric sat on my shelves. Do you know if I can read it without ever reading any of the other Discworld books?"

Lots of Pratchett books work as st..."

The City Watch books are my favourite of these. I have only one left.

[Britany]

Finished an oldie but a goodie
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alex]

I read all of Tsubasa Omnibus (Issues) which is almost 30 volumes. Such a beautiful fantasy manga about time and dimension travel. One of my absolute favourites and a quick read!

[Rachel]

Sarah wrote: "Time to re-read a childhood favourite? Goosebumps, Sweet Valley High or Babysitters Club all work :D"

I guess in theory, the new graphic novel adaptations of the Babysitters Club could also work if you're willing to stretch the prompt a bit. The original series had way more than 20 books, but the graphic novel versions have about 5 or 6 so far. I don't know if people consider them a separate series or part of the same thing.

[Cindy]

I read "From Doon with Death" #1 in the Inspector Wexford series, 25 books, by Ruth Rendell. I've read other books be Rendell but decided to start with the first book in the series.

[Mary Anne]

The Museum of Desire

Jonathon Kellerman's Alex Delaware series has 35. I am planning on reading the newest one for this prompt. I have been reading this series forever and have read all of them so far!!

[Sherri]

I finished Cat’s Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown. #13 Mrs. Murphy Mystery.

[Vanessa]

Sara Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski novels.

[Beth]

I went with the Hamish Macbeth mysteries by M.C. Beaton

[Julia]

Alicia wrote: "Alexander McCall Smith has at least 20 No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"

I'm going to read Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith.


It's #2 of the series "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". I hope it's fine to start with book 2, I found it in a second hand book shop in the UK and didn't realize it's part of such a big series.

[Debbie]

Linda wrote: "Darn it! I want to read the latest book the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (and I will read it; I'm sure it'll fit another prompt) but it is number TWENTY in the series. So, I'm guessing that doesn'..."

Meh. There are 20 full-length novels, but then he released a collection of short stories a while back with the same characters The Cleverness of Ladies, which makes it 21 in the series.... kind of. I'd count, if you're motivated to read from the series. https://www.goodreads.com/series/4341...

[Angelina]

Julia wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Alexander McCall Smith has at least 20 No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"

I'm going to read Tears of the Giraffe by [aut..."

They are all great, hope you enjoy them.

[Sherry]

SarahKat wrote: "The Xanth books (which I haven't read) A Spell for Chameleon

I was going to recommend the Xanth series as well. They were a favorite in my teen years (So full of puns which is right up my alley) I did not realize that there is now 43 of them and can be read as stand alone novels. Most would also fit the prompt pun in a title. I highly recommend checking them out.

[Becky]

Funny you suggested a Magic Treehouse book... that’s exactly what I used! I read to my grandkids... soooo what the heck ;)

[Juli]

Both Saga, Vol. 1 and Paper Girls, Vol. 1 have more than 20 single issues. The collector's editions always combine multiple issues.

[Marie]

If you like manga, or want to give it a shot for a quick read there are a few different options, but I enjoyed:
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 & Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1

I would also consider Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld books. The goodreads page is a bit of a mess because there are multiple interlocking series. But if we consider the series as any book happening in that universe, there are a lot more than 20. I recommend starting with Bitten or The Summoning.

[Rachel]

What about newer versions of series with more than 20 books? I was thinking of something like the graphic novel adaptations of The Babysitter's Club. There are only 5 or so graphic novels, but the original series had well over 100 books

[Cindi]

The In Death series by JD Robb would be good for this one. The newest, book #50, just came out, "Golden In Death" (would also work for "a book w/ gold, silver or bronze in the title"), but they read really fast. I've read them in order, but I'm not sure you'd really have to read them in order.

And I highly recommend the audio versions - they are SO well done, it's one series I'll always get as audio.

[Drakeryn]

Rachel wrote: "What about newer versions of series with more than 20 books? I was thinking of something like the graphic novel adaptations of The Babysitter's Club. There are only 5 or so graphic novels, but the ..."

I'd totally count that.

[Yoo]

Was browsing to see what Jack Reacher books my library had available online and decided on as it was number 20 in the series!

[Shelley]

Archieve.org opened up a whole bunch of books as part of their "Emergency Response" thing. It meant that I was finally able to get hold of an Enid Blyton book! I read The Enchanted Wood

[Tori]

I'm going for the newest House of Night book, as I believe it is the 21st or 22nd book in the series.

[Melissa]

For this challenge I read Weekend Warriors (The Sisterhood Series #1) by Fern Michaels, 4 ★. There are currently 30 books in the series. Here's my review.

[Kim]

What a good excuse to read another from No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency- in this case: The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party!

[Evil Secret]

I read Killing Floor by Lee Child

[HisGirlFriday]

Do issues of McSweeney's "count" for this? I know it says books, but I've seen people using McSweeney's for other prompts.

[Odette]

What do you guys thing about this one for example? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Is a collection of short stories a series?

[Lilith]

I read Evil Under the Sun. You just can't go wrong with Agatha Christie, and a visit with Hercule Poirot is always welcome! Way more than 20 books in the Hercule Poirot series, which still leaves me more to enjoy. This was a quite a good one.

[Heather]

Odette wrote: "What do you guys thing about this one for example? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Is a collection of short sto..."

The canon of Sherlock Holmes is 56 stories and 4 novels. I've used short stories for prompts, so I'd say yes for myself. It's your challenge, your rules. What matters is if you want to use short stories.

[Cornerofmadness]

Again, plenty of mystery series that fix this. I chose Purity in Death by J.D. Robb

[Barbara]

I read The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun. It was...quaint. 29 books in this series.

[Drakeryn]

Odette wrote: "Is a collection of short stories a series? "

Personally, since the prompt says "20 books," I only count whole books. That means I don't count standalone short stories, and if a group of short stories is published together as a book, I count it as 1 book.

But, like Heather said, it's your challenge and you can do what you want! Last year I ran out of time and ended up using some short stories for prompts anyway.