Tag: series

Do you prefer to wait until a full series is out, or read the novels as they release?

Bookish Question #300 | Do you prefer to wait until a full series is released?

Do you prefer to wait until a full series is released, or read the individual novels as they release?

I mostly read related series i.e. a romance trilogy where each book is about a different couple, and the characters are related in some way e.g. siblings or friends or co-workers.

In these cases, I tend to read the books as they release.

The beauty of these kinds of series is that they don’t have to be read in order … although I do prefer to read in order.

Some series are related, in that each book in the series follows on from the previous book with the same characters and a linked plot. These series need to be read in order … and we need to read the whole series to get the full plot arc.

This has come back to bite me a couple of times, where a publisher has published the first two books in a related series, but not the third.

In these cases, I wish I’d waited until the full series had been published.

But that’s a bit chicken and egg, because if no one buys the first book in a series, a publisher (or author) might decide not to publish the rest of the series …

Which means I end up buying books as they interest me, even if they’re part of an incomplete series.

So what’s your view? Do you read individual books in a series as they release, or wait until the full series is out?

 

Bookish Question #171 | Do you prefer stand-alone books or a series?

Well, that depends on what you mean by a series.

I prefer books that can be read as standalone novels whether or not they’re part of a series. But I also enjoy a good series, as it’s an opportunity to see more of character I’ve enjoyed reading about.

Most of the romance series I read are about linked characters.

These are often siblings, friends, or professional colleagues, and each book will feature a different couple. I enjoy these series.

Some are about a common location e.g. Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series. While I enjoy these as standalone stories, I prefer a series with more of a link in terms of character.

Another kind of series is the linked series, where each book follows the same main character/s through different stories. These are often mysteries or thrillers, and may have individual stories as well as an overarching plot or problem to solve across the series.

If I Run/If I’m Found/If I Live by Terri Blackstock does this well, as the main character is on the run after being accursed of murder. Another series that does this overarching plot well is the Holly series by CC Warrens, which starts with Criss Cross.

I enjoy this kind of series, as long as each book has a complete plot with no cliffhanger ending.

Yes, it’s fine for there still to be questions, but the book must contain a complete story.

Mysteries are more likely to be individual stories where the whodunit is discovered at the end of each book, and there may or bey not be an overarching plot or problem to solve. I’ve yet to read a mystery that doesn’t say whodunit, so I enjoy these books because they can easily be read as

What I don’t enjoy are books that end with a cliffhanger.

I don’t like having to read the entire series to get the overall story. I especially don’t like it if the book promises to be a standalone story but isn’t. I feel ripped off if I don’t get a complete story (unless the book has been sold as a X-part serial … in which case, I expect the price to be cheaper as I’m not getting a full story.

I read one novel a few months ago which turned out to have a cliffhanger ending. The author released each book in quick succession as a marketing tactic, but I didn’t buy or read the second book. It’s not a marketing tactic I want to encourage.

Overall, I prefer standalone books that are part of a series.

How’s that for answering an either/or question?

What about you? Do you prefer standalone books or a series?

Do you prefer standalone novels, or a series?

Bookish Question #105 | Do you prefer standalone novels, or a series?

Both 🙂

Standalones …

When I read a good standalone novel, then I finish it and want to know more about those characters. I want there to be a sequel, and there isn’t. When I read a good standalone novel, I’ll generally read the next book from that author but might be a little disappointed it’s not a sequel, or it’s not as good as the previous novel.

Series …

When I read a good novel that’s part of a series, then I finish it and (wait for it!) want to know more about the characters. So I’m always pleased to know there is already a sequel available, or that a sequel is planned (even if I have to wait for it). It’s something I’ll watch out for and sign up to review, or buy on preorder. Because I really want to read that book.

When I read a less-good novel that’s a standalone, that doesn’t usually affect whether I want to read their next book. But when I read a less-good novel that’s the first book in a series, l’ll usually sit out the rest of the series. And then the author might fall off my radar, and I might not read the next series either …

So while I enjoy standalone novels, I much prefer reading a series I enjoy. But I’ll rather have a standalone than a series I don’t enjoy.

What about you? Do you prefer standalone novels, or a series?