The question this week from Booking Through Thursday is this…Series or Stand-alone?
I’ve always loved books that were part of a series…be it sequels, trilogies, quadrilogies, and on. Well, let me add one caveat to that. If I love a book, and I mean really love it, and not just like it, or feel satisfied with it? Then I want more…more of the story, of the characters, of the authors writing. Yup…I admit it…I’m greedy that way.
In looking at my favorite books…the ones I recommend all the time, the ones I read, and reread over and over again? The majority are part of a series…
Gabriel’s Inferno, Gabriel’s Rapture by Sylvain Reynard
(and please, please, please SR… a book 3)
Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed
by E.L. James ( I would love more Fifty btw)
The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon -There are 7 books so far and the 8th one is due out in early 2013
The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning -Five books make up this series with spinoffs due this year and beyond
The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers -Four books in this one (I’m always hoping she’ll finish and publish Midnight Sun)
Supernova, Cataclysm, and coming this year, Nexus by C.L. Parker
Crushed Seraphim, and coming in November, Bittersweet Seraphim by Debra Anastasia
A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and a planned book 3 to complete the trilogy by Deborah Harkness
The Unidentified Redhead, Redhead Revealed by Alice Clayton (Her web site is undergoing maintenance at the moment)
I’m just about to start reading The Winemaker’s Dinner by Dr. Ivan and Everly Drummond which is a planned trilogy
So yeah…I’m a series kind of girl…
The only drawback to series?!? The waiting…OMG! I hate to wish my life away but where books are concerned? Sometimes I do just that…
So peeps…what about you? What’s your preference? Are you a series or stand alone reader?
Tamie Xo
What a great list! (Someday….sigh).
I promise Kahlen that I’ll read your book very soon myself and as much as Elena loves it I’m sure it’ll be on my favorites list soon
I remember reading that story before it was published. Such an intense and beautiful story…
I’m both. It appears that series is more to my favor though if you look at the books all over my house
For me it depends. I am normally a stand alone kind of girl.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Time for Dancing by Davida Willis Hurwin
and my all time favorite
The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood
However there are a few series that I stuck with.
Traveling Pants Series by Ann Brashares
Betsy-Tacy Series by Maud Hart Lovelace (I grew up with these!)
Normally if I loved the 1st book chances are I hated the plot, character, or the book in general by the end of the series.
Hunger Games
Twilight
I love all of the series that you mentioned! It seems to be the trend right now, to write a series instead of just a stand alone. I do have a few favorites that are individual books, but upon reviewing my list, it seems that I really just want more…
The Host by Stephenie Meyer (Goodreads shows that more is coming, but she said at Comic Con, that she has no plans to write more)
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Grave Refrain by Sarah Glover
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I am definitely a series kind of gal. I have found if I really get into a book I want to know more and more. My favorite all time series has been Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture. However, I love all the books by Michael Connelly especially the Harry Bosch books. So to me while they are not necessarily in an order, I have enjoyed reading what has been happening to Harry over the years. I am also a Stuart Woods fan but I can tell you while he does publish a lot of books, it’s kind of too much in the sense that when last reading his recent 4-5 books, I feel like he has been rushed to get them out. I have been told too that he is under contract to produce “x” number of books a year. The quality and the push to get the books out to me has taken away from the content of the books themselves…leading me to think it isn’t about the writing or the characters anymore.
Sometimes it isn’t just the series that I want more of. I would love to read more books written by Sylvain Reynard and Sarah Glover. Both are very descriptive writers and their passion for their writing is also what I crave. I loved Ms. Glovers, “Grave Refrain” but am very satisfied how the book ended. I found she was a wonderful writer so I would like to see more of her books one day. And of course, Sylvain Reynard wrote such wonderful books, I wonder what else he could tell us about.
I love you, Sara. You never cease to make my day. Much love. S.
I read both. The series listed above I have read or will be reading.
My other series are the Dark Hunter novels by Sherrilyn Kenyon. And Harry Dresden novels by Jim Butcher.
Some day I’ll get someone I know to pick up one of these series
great selection my fav is gabrials but try the honer series there good also the danvers also good keep reading
I totally feel the same way! When a series ends or I have to wait for the next book, I constantly think about the characters and their lives. I really get too involved…oh well;)
I love the Shiver Series, by Maggie Stiefvater, and she’s started another called The Raven Boys, which…yeah. Waiting. Sucks.
And Jen DeLucy is finishing her Light Series this fall; when I heard that I was all…whaaa? **sad eyes**
And poor Stephenie Meyer! I am sure all she will hear from now on is “Please publish Midnight Sun!” —from me, anyway! I think I need to go read the bits on her website again…le sigh <3
So glad I found your blog!! This is exactly the same genre that I read, as a matter of fact, most of the books that you have listed I have read! I was real surprised to find The Fever Series on your list, I have not found too many that have read those. Have you read the Sookie Stackhouse series?
I like both although I prefer series. I like being attached to the characters, I want to know where they have been and where they are going. I want to know if I have something in common with them and if I’m thinking what they are thinking. I loved the Grey books and I really hope she rewrites them in Christian’s POV. I’m reading the Gabriel books on your suggestion and I love them. Of course there was the Harry Potter books (I’m in withdrawals) and the Twilight books.
Also there are the Prey books by John Sandford, the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva, the Rawlins mysteries by Walter Mosley, the Miss Julia books by Ann Moss…i could go on for days.
I love reading series. Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward is by far one of my faves as is the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter.
I’ve just recently read The Sullivans series by Bella Andre – very sexy and romantic. At the moment I’m reading the Play by Play series by Jaci Burton and I’m enjoying it (lots of sexy times)
Of course I loved the Fifty Shades series and would love it if there was more (like a Christian Grey POV).
I also loved Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series.
These are but a few. I could sit here all day and just go on and on.
Me too…that was just a sample of my series favorites