Yes, I am.
It must have started back with those Nancy Drew mysteries, although I can’t be sure. I wonder if it’s because I hadn’t had a lot of permanence in my life at that point that I tended to like series. Oddly, enough I didn’t, and don’t, like miniseries on TV.
However, I did, and still do, love book series. Because I’m the kind of person that likes to know what happens after. What happens after that? Where do the characters go? How do they go on? In romances I’m good with the happy ever after but the happy for now always leaves me wondering.
Right now I’m reading Fern Michael’s Revenge of the Sisterhood series. I didn’t start with the first one as someone bought it for me. I believe it was the second one, Payback, and I was hooked. I still haven’t read the first one but am now on the fifth book. Some of them are a little hard core with the revenge, these ladies are quite serious about what they are doing – there were some scenes in Vendetta where I actually cringed. However, I will keep on reading these as there are still two more that I’m aware of and then, of course, I must get the first one.
One of my auto-buy series have always been Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels. I love those but I haven’t necessarily read all of them in order, although I would certainly prefer to do it that way. The thing is that he’s been writing them for so long that I have no idea where I started. I have kept buying them as the new ones come out and then looking for older ones as well. I love seeing how the character of Alex has grown, alongside Milo, Robin and a cast of other characters, some who only pop in and out and some who are mainstays. I remember being upset that I must have missed a book because I discovered that Robin and Alex were no longer together and they had been in the last book I read. It drove me batty – how could I have missed one?
Another auto-buy series is Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta series. Although, I have to say her last one didn’t seem as good and I’m not sure I like where Kay’s character is headed. I don’t abandon series easily but this one may be done. I will try one more, although it looks like there’s only a re-release rather than a new release, to see if she’s turned them around.
A new series for me is Shannon Stacey’s Devlin Group. It started with 72 Hours and the next one is Over the Edge. I can’t wait ‘til its release.
Then, of course, one of the most famous series I like is Harry Potter, which will be coming to an end this year. That will be bittersweet for me because I long for the next book, and yet, I don’t. In between all of the series mentioned above, as well as others, are so many other books – I read a lot – but my love of a series never leaves me. I have read single title books where I have hoped the author will turn a supporting character into a new book. As you can tell my love of series runs deep. There is a continuity in series that satisfies me greatly.
Do you like books that are in a series? What intrigues you about series? Which series is your favourite?
No related posts.
I just finished the most recent “In Death” book, and enjoyed every minute of it. They’re old friends, and I enjoy revisiting them regularly.
I love a good series – I’ve enjoyed Catherine Coulter’s FBI books, read the Fern Michaels ones you mentioned, and always like to see where my friends are going in life.
It’s not easy to let go of a character you love. With series books, you don’t have to.
I’ve read series, but only because they were autobuys. I’ve grown tired of romance series. The huge cast of characters that you keep seeing again and again bores me. I definitely prefer single titles. I know there are a lot of great series out there but I’m just tired of it all. I read series but only because they’re by my favorite writers. Otherwise I prefer characters that are new and fresh to me.
I love watching that “huge cast of characters” develop over time. I’m a stickler about starting at the beginning, though. Some effort goes into making every book a “stand alone” experience on the part of the writer and editor so new readers find the story accessible, but it’s impossible to avoid referencing any prior events when writing a series, and I can’t stand missing a reference. I always begin at the beginning and if it hooks me, I grab the rest immediately.
La Nora isn’t an autobuy for me, but I probably have all of her trilogies because of the extra development, and I have my In Death shelf. I’m a Dark Hunter and Black Dagger Bro groupie. For my inner 12-year-old, I have Harry, Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson, Gregor, Pendragon, and Keys to the Kingdom. I’m not a huge Stephen King fan, but I love, love, love the Dark Tower. John Sandford’s Prey series, three different sets of Robert Parker series…
And that’s just what’s visible on the outer crust of my shelves!
Who knows how many more series dwell beneath…
I can’t wait for Over the Edge either. My ordering finger will be poised at the ready tonight in hopes the new releases go live early.
Generally, I like series. It really depends on whether the characters/stories hook me in the first place.
Does anyone else horde them but never actually start reading the series? I have a shelf full of umpteen Stephanie Plums I won’t touch for fear of losing several days because I can’t… stop… reading.
I was the same way with Harry Potter. Kept waiting until my kids were old enough, so HBP had just come out when I was finally able to start. One night, I read chapter 1 to the munchkins, then of course stayed up WAY past bedtime finishing the book. Next morning, I cut a beeline to the bookstore, bought the next five, and spent a week reading non-stop.
Hmm. Maybe I’d like series better if I had one small shred of self-control.
That’s right, Miss Plum and hottie Ranger are somewhere on those shelves, too…
Emma, self-control is highly overrated.
I don’t need my daughter as an excuse to buy children’s books. She was 1 when Harry came out. I dutifully read to her every day even at that age, but she wasn’t as impressed as I was. She’s also far too old for Junie B. Jones at this point, but I still buy those for ME for a good laugh (and a “Thank God that’s not my kid!”).
I love series. Always have. I get invested in the characters, in the world, and I love that. Nora Roberts does fabulous series books and I’ve always loved her trilogies.
And I love Shannon Stacey’s Devlin series!
I do enjoy series, but a lot of romance series are really more connected books – you nearly have to go outside the genre to J.D.Robb & Janet Evanovich to think of books that are true series. Suzanne Brockmann’s current books are the closest to a Romance series I have read – and, much as I love them, as the series goes on you can see how difficult it is to continue so many existing relationships while introducing a new romance in each book.
Outside of Romance, my comfort read series are probably Pratchett’s Discworld, Bujold’s Vorkosigan series and Sayer’s Lord Peter Wimsey books. (P.G. Wodehouse too, though, by the distinction I made earlier, they’re probably more connected books than true series.) Love Harry Potter too.
I read very view stand alone novels, I think for me it definitely started with Nancy Drew than that darn Sweet Valley High, Babysitters Club. I love to see what happens next.
I’m mostly a cozy mystery reader. I love series written by Michele Scott, JB Stanley, Laura Durham, Denise Swanson, Nancy Martin, Cleo Coyle. But I always need my HEA fix so I also read Susan Mallery’s stuff (I love the Buchanan family in her latest one) and our girl Nora Roberts of course. Oh and I’ve totally become a Bella Andre fan with her erotic romances.:grin:
Great post! I am such a big ole series slut… LOL. I’m hooked on too many series to name. I read lots of mystery series (mysteries by Barbara Neely, Grace Edwards, Valerie Wilson Wesley, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Sujata Massey, Lucha Corpi, Eleanor Taylor-Bland and more…) And don’t get me started on the romance series. I will say that I am a huge fan of L. A. Banks’ Vampire Huntress Legends, J. R. Ward’s Dark Dagger Brotherhood, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters and Christine Feehan’s Dark series… I’m also hooked on Brenda Jackson’s Steele series, Madaris series and Westmoreland series and Rochele Aler’s Hideaway series… I could probably go on with more… But by now you surely realize what a big ole series slut I am…
Gwyneth
A wonderful young adult series I absolutely love is Stroud’s Bartimaus Trilogy–very well done books, and good if you’re needing to feed your Harry Potter addiction in particular.
I have to say woot! about Kellerman, he’s one of my favorite writers. King too, although the Dark Tower series disappointed in the middle there, I loved the ending.
I’m a character writer and reader–plot is secondary to the people in my mind, and series are perfect for following the characters further. Glad I’m not the only one
Having a terrible memory, I don’t normally like series.
However, I do buy them.
Why?
Because if the author does a bang up job on one book, odds are she’ll do a bang up job on the others.
But the books all have to standalone or I’m lost.
I love connected and series books. Some of my favorites…
Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden
Kim Harrison Hollows
Kelley Armstrong Women of the Otherworld
Lillith Saintcrow Dante Valentine
Jennifer Armintrout Blood Lines
Alex Archer Rogue Angel
Gena Showalter Alien Huntress
Gena Showalter Atlantis
Crimson City series from Dorchester
Stephen King Dark Tower
JD Robb In Death
Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum
I could go on and on….
I love seeing all the different replies to this, especially as my first post to RTB! Look at all the series I missed. I am ashamed
to admit I have not read Nora, although I now have the In Death series on my wish list. I tend to go for suspense first, romance second and sometimes have just fallen into the series I like.
I was a big fan of Sue Grafton’s alphabet mysteries, some have been better than others but you know I have to get to Z now.
I’ve just read two new books that are going to be series, that I should have mentioned but you can’t get them all can you!
…Jaci Burton (waving above) started a kickbutt new series with Surviving Demon Island and Hunting the Demon is coming out next. I will be buying that for sure.
…Lara Adrian has a vampire series that doesn’t come out until May but I was lucky enough to read the first one Kiss of Midnight, which rocked. Kiss of Crimson is after that, only a month later (and you gotta love it when there is only a small amount of lag time but that barely ever happens. The writers do need a chance to write these series, after all!
)
Oh gawd, I guess I’m a complete Series Slut, too.
Everything from Catherine Coulter’s FBI series to Stephanie Lauren’s Cynsters to Bertrice Small’s World of Hetar to Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake and Merry Gentry. And probably everything in between.
Favorite NEW series? Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson and Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series.
Here’s a question for everyone…
Because it seems every new release anymore is either part of a series or the start of a series, does it make you more reluctant to buy a book on “speculation” because you aren’t sure you want to commit to yet another series?
I love books in a series. While I may not read all of them, if the series is over long, I enjoy returning to familiar worlds and faces. There is a comfort in seeing how the characters evolve and grow in their lives, even if through other character’s eyes.
As for Harry Potter…I agree, the end will be bittersweet. Sigh, but he had to grow up sometime, and even the best of series must come to an end. Gia
“Because it seems every new release anymore is either part of a series or the start of a series, does it make you more reluctant to buy a book on “speculation†because you aren’t sure you want to commit to yet another series?”
Nope. If the first book sucks, I won’t buy more. (Not that much of a series slut!
) If I’m already into a series and they start to suck, I can even stop. (The last Sue Grafton I read, I can’t remember if it was Q or R, was really my last.) On the other hand, if that first book is good, I get very excited about having a new autobuy.
I thought my first list was long, but ya’ll keep reminding me what’s buried on the shelves! Both Mercy Thompson books so far have been great, and God yes, everybody run out and get Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series immediately. For falling under the “fantasy” header, she has just about the most intense romance I’ve ever seen going on between Jo and David (with whom I am stupidly, teenagerly in love with).
Take out one of those withs. Trying to be all grammatically correct and I forget to proofread. Doi!
With Sue Grafton I got to ‘J’. Read half of it, then boarded my plane, and accidentally left the book behind. Couldn’t bring myself to spend money buying a book I’d half read, nor could I bring myself to read ‘K’ without having read J first…
Right now, I’ve glommed onto J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, Tara Janzen’s Crazy books, Kim Harrison’s series, Kelley Armstong’s Women of the Otherworld, and I’m waiting anxiously for Karen Marie Moning’s next Fever book.
I don’t generally like romantic series that always have the same lead character, because either the author has to keep breaking the h/h up and getting them back together or breaking them up and starting afresh with a new romance, or giving them lots of continuing and dreadful problems to overcome, which is not what I read romance for.
For those of you who remember Sweet Valley High (oh, loved them) how many times did Elizabeth and Todd’s supposed ’steady’ relationship break up over the course of their junior year!
Series with recurring characters, though, who maybe take turns at getting their turn in the spotlight–I love them (*looks hopefully at Emma Wayne Porter*). And I’m a big fan of ‘guest spots’ in books, where you get a glimpse of the h/h of one book living their HEA in the background of someone else’s story.
Thanks for the kind words about the Devlin Group series.
My favorite series…oh my. The In Death series is probably my favorite series of all time (barring the Little House books, of course). Totally a lesson in keeping things fresh and pacing out the character growth. Suzanne Brockmann’s TDD books. The Black Dagger Brotherhood. I’ll second looking forward to Jaci’s next Demon Hunter book and Lara’s new vampire series, because I loved both’s first books. Beth Williamson’s Malloy Family westerns.
I could go on and on and on…:grin: But I also greatly appreciate stand alone romances, too. I don’t think there are enough of them anymore.
I love series! Suzanne Brockmann, Tess Gerritsen, JD Robb, and about a million more
And I also love stand alones LOL. God, I just love good books 
There are several series on my auto-buy list, but the #1 from pure longevity has to be Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. I started in the early 80s and haven’t stopped since.
I got hooked on Sue Grafton, but she’s done some extremely tedious, not to say forgettable books in her series because she is unwilling to let her character grow and change. And she has repeated herself: the “suddenly finding the buried car” thing has happened in two books. Granted, one was in water and one was in dirt. But whenever a person supposedly ran away and has never been heard from again, and You Are Reading a Murder Mystery, the surprise discovery of the decades-dead body in the car is not a surprise.
How about Barry Maitland? Really interesting British police procedurals with insights about society, too. Series characters.
Just got into Elizabeth George and have read all but the latest one. With its major spoiler plastered all over the ads for it, I knew in advance that a Bad Thing was happening to an important series character. So then it was a question of how it was to happen. George surprised me. Every one of her books is written in a different manner. One even messes with the time stream of the plot and I didn’t catch on until the end. Love it when a writer creates something this complicated on so many levels. And yes, there is romance in her books.
As for straight romance series, often they disappoint because the writer is incapable of creating more than one heroine personality type. So the sequel is about the same person with a different name. In which case why bother to call it a sequel? Maybe everybody in a family is basically alike, but if the secondary character is a bouncy wise-cracker in the first book and then turns all sedate and weepy when she’s the star in the second book, I am gone.
I am a series slut also and it started with the Bobbsey twins, Nancy Drew & Trixie Belden. BUT what happens when the series disappoints? I had two series books last week leave me not wanting to read them any more. They turned too dark for me and one author killed off a minor-major character.;(
Will I go back to those series? Well certainly not in hardback…
[...] MG Braden tells all about being a Series Slut on Romancing The Blog. She’s also gotten a release date for her debut, Love’s Blessings! [...]
John D. MacDonald’s Travis Magee series, Louis L’Amour’s Sackett Family, Dorothy L. Sayers’ Peter Wimsey series, Mercedes Lackey’s Valdamar series.
Oh, yeah, Anne MacCaffrey’s Freedom series.
More… Too many to mention.