what is the best order to read the Dune books in?

[Dan]

I prefer reading all the books left to right and front to back. I tried back to front once and it takes some the excitement away when you read the ending first.

[Rick]

Dan wrote: "I prefer reading all the books left to right and front to back. I tried back to front once and it takes some the excitement away when you read the ending first."

I originally tried to read them by thickness but I found that unsatisfying so I started over.

[Dan]

Rick wrote: "Dan wrote: "I prefer reading all the books left to right and front to back. I tried back to front once and it takes some the excitement away when you read the ending first."

I originally tried to ..."

lol. All kidding aside.........I love this series. The movie was okay. I think because I loved the books so much I was able to gloss over the imperfections. I keep reading that a new movie deal might be in the works but I do not hold out hope with the Star Wars franchise doing so well. Let's face it Star Wars IS Dune with a new paint job.

- Dan

[Sharon]

I have already read the originals, and now, I'm reading in the following order as in their site:

Hunting Harkonnens (Short-Story)
The Butlerian Jihad
Whipping Mek (Short-Story)
The Machine Crusade
The Faces of a Martyr (Short-Story)
The Battle of Corrin

Sisterhood of Dune
Mentats of Dune
Navigators of Dune

House Atreides
House Harkonnen
House Corrino

Dune
A Whisper of Caladan Seas (Short-Story, takes place during 'Dune')
Paul of Dune
The Road to Dune (Short-Story by FH)
Dune Messiah
The Winds of Dune
Children of Dune

God Emperor of Dune

Heretics of Dune
Chapterhouse Dune
Sea Child (Short-Story, takes place during 'Chapterhouse Dune')
Hunters of Dune

http://www.dunenovels.com/blog

[Leslie]

My comment is more of a question. Decades ago, I read Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune. Then got bogged down in God Emperor of Dune.

Recently I retired and have time to do leisurely reading and have read The Butlerian Jihad, The Machine Crusade, Sisterhood of Dune, Mentats of Dune, and Navigators of Dune. Several years ago, I read the three House books. Navigators of Dune ended such that further books might continue the story.

My question is this: Is there yet published information about the history and family time lines between the end of Navigators of Dune and the start of House Atreides?

[Sir_smeg]

Leslie wrote: "My comment is more of a question. Decades ago, I read Dune, Dune Messiah, and Children of Dune. Then got bogged down in God Emperor of Dune.

Recently I retired and have time to do leisurely readin..."

Sorry misread and deleted first post.

Not that I know of, but I got the sense there are probably going to be more. There might be tidbits sprinkled throughout the series, but I think you got all the books. I haven't read paul or winds, maybe there could be additional background in either of those?

[Leslie]

Thank you. I haven't read Paul or Winds either, but I have looked at previews. Both take place after House Corrino.

There is such a huge gap in the history between Navigators and House Atreides. I can only hope there will be future books.

[Sir_smeg]

Leslie wrote: "Thank you. I haven't read Paul or Winds either, but I have looked at previews. Both take place after House Corrino.

There is such a huge gap in the history between Navigators and House Atreides. I..."

well, just wanted to throw these your way because I just found these doing a search for more myself, lol. Good times.

"Dune: Red Plague"
"Dune: Red Plague", by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, was published on November 1, 2016 at the website Tor.com.[5]

It takes place immediately prior to the events of Navigators of Dune,[5] which was published on September 13, 2016.[6] In the story, industrialist Josef Venport is in a bitter feud with Butlerian leader Manford Torondo. The population of the planet Walgis, loyal to the Butlerian cause, is dying of a virulent disease called the Red Plague, and Dr. Rohan Zim of the Suk School attempts to persuade Venport to intervene, helping the physician to deliver a vaccine.

"Dune: The Waters of Kanly"
"Dune: The Waters of Kanly", by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, was published on October 17, 2017 in the short story collection Infinite Stars.[7] [8]

Set during the events of Frank Herbert's novel Dune,[7][8] the story chronicles Gurney Halleck's plan of revenge against the Harkonnens for assassinating Duke Leto Atreides.

[Trammell]

I have read all of these books at least twice, in several orders. I am currently reading again starting with House Atriedes.

[Trammell]

Reading again, Dune: House Atreides is where I started this time, though I have read them all in order except for the interquels that came out later --- I adore the prequels, sequels and interquels. Of the original 6, Dune, Children of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune are my favorites. Surprised how many folks on this thread don't like Children of Dune -- it's a wonderful book -- Messiah and God Emperor are boring time wasters. So.... read them in chron order:

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad
Dune: The Machine Crusade
Dune: The Battle of Corrin
Sisterhood of Dune
Mentats of Dune
Navigators of Dune
Dune: House Atreides
Dune: House Harkonnen
Dune: House Corrino
DUNE
Paul of Dune
Dune Messiah (yawn)
Winds of Dune
Children of Dune
God Emperor of Dune
Heretics of Dune
Chapterhouse: Dune
Hunters of Dune
Sandworms of Dune

If you want to start in the "middle of the modern era" the House trilogy is great, then straight into DUNE, you can almost skip Messiah and go straight to Children of Dune. All IMHO, cheers!