Do you stick with one cozy series at a time or switch up?

[Beth]

I'm like Valerie, I need to switch them up often. If I find a new-to-me author I really enjoy, though, I may read 3-5 of their books in a row, starting from the beginning of their series to get caught up some before I move on to another author. The author I did that for recently was William Kent Krueger

[Jan]

I usually skip around in series and genre. I only read straight through on one cozy series that I can thing of and that was Ann George's Southern Sisters Mysteries. Except I have not been able to make myself read the last one. I don't want it to end.

[Melissa]

Jan wrote: "I usually skip around in series and genre. I only read straight through on one cozy series that I can thing of and that was Ann George's Southern Sisters Mysteries. Except I have not been able to m..."

I think I have one of the Ann George's books on my TBR list, they sound good!

[Maria]

Melissa wrote: "Jan wrote: "I usually skip around in series and genre. I only read straight through on one cozy series that I can thing of and that was Ann George's Southern Sisters Mysteries. Except I have not be..."

They really are good books. They have the kind of characters you just want to spend time with over and over.

[Misty]

I don't think I've ever read two cozies from the same series in a row. I don't do that specifically - it's just that I have so much stuff that I want to read that I never stick with one series in a row. Actually, there are only two series period that I have ever read more of one in a row - Harry Potter and Narnia. The Narnia one we actually listened to on a road trip, and I think we got six of them down. As for Harry Potter, I was a little late joining on that band wagon. Six was a few months from coming out when I picked up one. I was hooked and read all five that were out in one week!

[Hannah]

I have an extremely short attention span, so I tend not to read through a whole series (or even read books in a series consecutively) very often.

Sometimes it also depends whether I can get my hands on more than one book in a series at the same time, but generally it's rare for me to move straight onto the next book of a series unless I really, really liked it and felt like I had to know what happened next. Otherwise I suffer from series exhaustion and lose interest, like Valerie. I find that changing things up particularly helps with series that are set in a unique time period or have a very distinct theme; after reading one of the Daisy Dalrymple books, I immediately went for a series with a modern setting for a change of pace.

[Ellen]

I am beginning to accept that I am never going to be a one-book or series at a time person. I always switch up & around. Can't help it. :{

[Elizabeth]

Me too Ellie but the Molly Murphy series (Rhys Bowen) has really got me.

[Ellen]

I keep hearing good things about Bowen-I have to read her, soon.

Elizabeth, I love it when a series does actually so grab me I have to stay with it. Enjoy! :D

[Karen]

I mix my cozies up.

[Karen B.]

I have found that I need to mix my cozies up. I can't read too many Joanna Fluke books at once and even though I loved her books, I went through a phase with Laura Levine books that was too "Laura Levine" intense. *LOL* SO I am better off mixing my series up. In fact, I have learned it's better to read several different types of books at the same time. Sometimes though of course you find that gem that you can't put down.
In DTB I am currently reading a Goodreads win that I love - Devil Colony by James Rollins.

I discovered a new cozy writer that I think I am gling to like because her books are set in New Jersey, Down the Shore. I am currently reading the first one, Night of the Living Deed []

[D-Dee]

Someone one recommended to begin a series in the middle. Just to try it out. Her belief was that by then the writer had the chance to develop the characters and writing style. Then she goes back to the beginning and continues from there. I've done that, but unintentionally, because the library or bookshop had one book on the shelf that held my interest. This way of reading a series is enjoyable and helps me stick to an author at one setting. Otherwise I often do get tired of a series, especially if it has many titles, and I don't feel as if I can give the author his/her due. I hate to think I disliked a book or gave up on an author only because I was weary of the characters and their antics.

[Caroline]

Karen B wrote: "I have found that I need to mix my cozies up. I can't read too many Joanna Fluke books at once and even though I loved her books, I went through a phase with Laura Levine books that was too "Laura..."

I like the E.J. Copperman books too, Karen. Only one thing - E.J. Copperman is Jeff Cohen so it's a he not a she.

[Karin]

I usually mix my cozies up, unless I find a series that really hooks me, and then I'll read several in that series before mixing it up again.

[Laura]

Like Karin and Karen and so many of you, I, too, am better off not reading an entire series at once. For one thing, I don't want to read them all in one go and then have no more to look forward to. When I discover an author I like, I space the books out, mixing them in with other books/series, so I can anticipate the pleasure of reading them.

[Val]

Other than a few series like Stephanie Plum or Sookie Stackhouse, which I read the first ~8 straight through before taking a break, I usually only stick with 1-3 books of the same series in a row and then mix it up. Like so many of you already said, it gets too much otherwise after a while.
One negative side effect it can have (for me) though is that I often forget what was going on with the character etc. when I'm ready to pick up a series again. But that's ok, I overcome that quickly again too! *lol*

[Pamela]

I love to mix up my series. Like Laura, I like to have something to look forward to. I am currently reading High Five, and then am going to the start the Mitford series.

@ Caroline - Who are the "Southern Sisters"? I am always looking for a new series that I have not read.

[Pamela]

Cool - thanks, Kari :) Have just added it to my TBR list.

[Mary X]

I didn't used to read more than 1 or 2 of a series in a row. But I have so many series in various genres going that I can't keep track. So I'm making a real effort to not start any new series until I get caught up some. Especially ones that have a similar theme to another one that I'm reading.

I have so many cozy series in my TBR now. I need to just pick 1 series and make that the only cozies I read until I catch up. Maybe alternate it with an urban Fantasy, a romance or sci-fi series so I don't feel like I'm reading the same book over and over again. Even with a great writer-reading a lot of a series with the same main character starts to feel like the same book over and over.

[Kait]

I definitely read a number of different series. Even if a series is complete by the time I find it, I still change it up with other series. I also tend to read cozy/thriller/romance/mystery/chic lit/cozy - you get the idea - I think I have literary attention span disorder! Worse, if I read up a book in the middle of a series first, I have to go back to the first book and then read the rest in order!I like to see the character development.

[Rachel]

I like to switch around in my reading but I tend to have one or two series on the go at any time, and then read stand-alone books in between series books.

[Katherine]

For awhile I was reading Albert's floral mystery series one right after the other, but then I found that they were beginning to sound all alike. Since then I wander among my series so that I don't get bored with the same plot over and over. Sort of like Disney movies--when I was a kid there was one a year but when you watch them close together you find that the plots are all the same--a heroine, her boyfriend, a bad woman and her henchmen. And the heroine always has her seven dwarfs. LOL

One series that I do like one after the other, however, is JD Robb's In Death series.

[Melissa]

I switch up the series that Im reading. I might read one or two in a row of one series, then switch to another series on my tbr shelf.

[Linda]

To keep things interesting, I like to switch around. I love getting my hands on the first installment of a brand new cozy series ~

[Melissa]

Linda wrote: "To keep things interesting, I like to switch around. I love getting my hands on the first installment of a brand new cozy series ~"

Linda, Have you seen the new discussion thread ( on this group ) that talks about new series coming out in 2012? =D
Looks like alot of great series will be starting next year!

[Linda]

Melissa wrote: "Linda wrote: "To keep things interesting, I like to switch around. I love getting my hands on the first installment of a brand new cozy series ~"

Linda, Have you seen the new discussion thread ( o..."

Thanks for the tip, Melissa! I haven't seen the thread yet but I'll be on the lookout for it ~

[Shannon]

I do like reading them in order, makes it easier to see the character development but if there are too many--like Madelyn Alt's series--I take a break at around the 5th one and read something else. Prevents burn out. :-)

[Christy]

When I first got back into reading several years ago, I made the mistake of reading the Amelia Peabody series back to back. Towards the end, I was just going through the motions, trying to rush to get them over with..NOT a way to read! I think the character of Ramses drained me, lol.

[Christine US]

I find that after a book or two in some, I have to break it up with something else. Even when I love the series, I need a mental break so they don't become stale. ( especially with the Eve Dallas books...I love the stories/series, but her villians can give me the creeps, so I need something light afterwards)

I definitely like to read things in order. Sometimes that's why I have to take a reading break from a series -- the next one isn't on-hand at the library! I know some people say "oh its' OK to read things out of order"...but I've done that, and find that I end up just more confused about some of the interpersonal relationships or "insider comments" that I missed b/c i didn't read an earlier book.

[Yvonne]

I like to read books in order, but I do like to take breaks in series. Otherwise I tend to get bored.

[Christy]

Christine wrote: "When I first got back into reading several years ago, I made the mistake of reading the Amelia Peabody series back to back. Towards the end, I was just going through the motions, trying to rush to..."

I never finished my post...and i didn't even notice!

Since the 'burn out' withthe Amelia Peabody series, I only read one book of a series at a time...I mean, in stea dof reading them in a row...I did read 2 of the Marion Chesney books, then read a few others for group reads and then read the last two Marion Chesney books...that's beent he onlye xception. I don'tt hinkt he series has a name, it's only 4 books long nad fetures Lady Rebecca and something Cuathcart? I think he's ex-military or a memeber of the peerage, but impoverished. I loved them! They were quick, light reads, and readingthem back to back wa smore like reading one longish book.

I do read in order....most of the time. I find that Agatha Christie's books don't need to be read in order...neither do Dorothy Sayers' until Harriet Vane appears, then they should be read in order. I don't think you miss any trememndous personal growth in the Miss Silver mysteries by Patricia Wentworth if you fail to read in order.

[Debra]

I also agree that I have to break them up. If I really enjoy the author, I find that I can read one or two, take a break and then go through the series, but most of the time, I need to balance my reading.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews]

I switch it up and throw in other genres...although I could read cozies nearly all of the time!

[[deleted user]]

I switch it up and read different series & other genres too.

[Traci]

I am among people who understand!!!! I read 3 books at a time,and love it!! Now I am in a place with people just like me!! I am now reading Sheryl Woods Chesapeake
Series,Just finished JoAnne Flukes Cinnamon Rolls,
and am starting Nora Roberts Betrayed. This is soooo amazing to find you!!!!

[Peggy]

Do you stick with one cozy series at a time or switch up?
I do both. When I read the first book of a series and I like it and it is an older series, I then buy them all at once. I do not like to read them all at once as then they are over and there is either no more written or you have to wait for another. Soooo I read one and then switch to another, although I have been know to read two in a row. Although I did read all the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire series,and The Yellow Rose Mysteries all at once.

[Anne]

I am like most people posting here. I have to change them up, I get bored and do not enjoy them as much if I read them all at once. I usually try to start at the beginning of a series but sometimes without realizing it I start in the middle or with the newest one published. That is what happen to me with the Cleo Coyle coffee house mysteries. I am now going through the in order. I am new to this group and I am really enjoying it and learning about alot of new authors. So many books so little time

[Julie]

There is no way for me to describe the way I read. I read so much! I usually find an author I like, then try really hard to read the books in the correct order, but I don't just read one author at a time. In fact, a personal rule for me is to never read the same exact genre twice in a row. But, I do seem to be in the mood for cozies more in the winter than summer. Although, sometimes the mood strikes out of nowhere on a 110 degree day here in Texas.

[Nancy]

I like to switch series, although my TBR pile might hold the next book in a favorite author's series. There are too many good books to read unless I'm really hooked on certain characters. Usually I'm switching genres more than particular series.

[Denise]

I follow multiple series at a time. I only read one book at a time, though. If I happen to read a book that is not the first in a series, and I really like it enough that I want to read the whole series, I will get the earlier books and try to read those before reading any later ones. Sometimes I manage to catch them with the first book, so no catching up required! So, usually I am following several series and just waiting for the next one to come out in each. I try to limit the number of series to a half dozen or less at a time, so it can be a struggle to resist some other series that sounds good! I don't mind reading several books in a row from the same series. In fact, I have been known to go back and reread a series all in order, one after the other. I like doing that, because when I was reading them as they came out, there could sometimes be long gaps in between, and it's sometimes difficult to remember all the details of the characters' lives and relationships that way, so going back and reading the whole series gives a more cohesive story. I really enjoyed rereading the whole (as of that point in time) Richard Jury books by Martha Grimes, and I've done the same with Agatha Christie's various detective series, because I read her books all out of order in the first place.

[Jill]

I also follow multiple series/authors at a time. And I re-read them all the time, usually starting at the first in the series and going forward. Luckily (or not so luckily for my budget!), I am a fast reader and am always up for a good book. My to-read pile tends to be small.

[Naomi]

It depends on the series. If I really like a series and have several books in that series, I'll read them all in order before moving on to another author. If a book doesn't really excite me, I'll switch around, but sometimes I need a break from cozies and will choose another genre. I try to participate in all of the challenges, so I go through my TBR pile to see what will satisfy the challenge and read those regardless of which series they're in.

[Mary (Biblophile)]

I read a lot of series and for me, they never have to be in any type of order. I read them as I discover them, but I usually don't read more than two in a row by the same author or in the same series. I get bored too quickly and like to change out and keep things fresh.

[Susan]

I like to mix it up because I don't want to get burnt out on a series. A few occasions I had to continue reading the series, but thats rare.

[Melinda]

I mix it up - although I prefer to read the entire series if I can :)

[Susan]

I can read a few books in a row from the same series (I try to get them in order) but, at some point, I need to take a break and read from other series or even genres. Usually I won't read more than 2-3 books in a row from the same author without needing to take a break from that virtual world. I usually come back refreshed and ready to enjoy that author's view once more.

Most books I ever read in a row from the same author was the "Cat Who" series by Braun. I know I read to book 8, and I think I read to book 10 before feeling burnout. I finished the others later on, and didn't read so many back to back again.

[Robin]

I was reading all of the M.C.Beaton books, the Agatha Raisin series and the Hamish Macbeth. I couldn't get enough of them, and I am glad that I read them. But after awhile, I did get burned out with Agatha's antics, but never with Hamish, LOL

[DonnaCarol]

Robin wrote: "I was reading all of the M.C.Beaton books, the Agatha Raisin series and the Hamish Macbeth. I couldn't get enough of them, and I am glad that I read them. But after awhile, I did get burned out w..."

I have never read the Hamish Macbeth books. Sounds like I had better. Once I find a series that I am interested in, I like to read about 2 of them in a row. It helps for me to learn more about the characters. Then I am more likely to read the rest. I "get to know" them. Also, I don't read out of sequence. Start at one , move to two and so on. I never read but one book at a time. There have been a few authors that I can read (non-series) several in a row.

[Nargiz]

I prefer to concentrate on one series if I really like it, but there are series that are still in progress, so you can't wait one-two years for the next book to be published, it's hard then to remember the content of previous ones, so, for me is better to read all at once

[[deleted user]]

I have to mix them up. I usually get burned out if I try to read too many.