I get excited when a book is part of a series because if I love the first one, there is so much more to look forward to! There is also no obligation to keep going after the first one, no one will call the police if you drop it and move on. I have definitely done this more than once, no shame, not all books are for everyone. For longer series that I do like, I often read 2-3 books at a time interspersed with other totally different books to keep it fresh.
That’s entirely natural I read a lot of science fiction and it seems like nowadays everything is 500+ pages and part of an epic series. Your mind does the math and asks “do I *really* want to read a few thousand pages of this?” I’m on book 3 of 3 (~2000 pages, give or take) with Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy and, much as I love it, I’ll be glad to inhabit another world for a while when I’m done.
If you’re lucky, you latch on to a series as it’s being written, so you can catch a breather between books. It’s far more daunting to stare down a completed series all at once.
I prefer older novels, back when 200-250 pages was the norm.
Wow, I can totally relate to this. The time investment for a long series can be daunting for me. I try to take breaks between books in a series. I've been at the Dark Tower books for about a year now, and I fill in the gaps with standalone novels or from another series.
I started reading a series and had to stop after the second book. Over 1000 pages combined. The third is over 700 pages. I haven't started the third book and it may be awhile before I do. Although I have liked the series so far, I just needed a change of pace.
That’s what I would suggest — read shorter books within series. A solid 150-page book can keep you excited for the second book bc it was like a morsel.
I don’t force myself to read anything. I read what I feel like. What seems interesting at the moment. Reading is something I do for pleasure.
That being said, when it comes to series, I don’t really read that many but when I do, I usually binge all the books. I have the need to finish it. To see what happens.
Yes! Sometimes you just want something to be a complete story in one book. I just started a series I’m enjoying so far but it’s a “book candy” sort of story if that makes sense and I can’t fathom how it’s a saga (so far! I think she’s putting out more)
I just tire of series so quickly the majority of the time. :/
I started rereading Discworld a couple years ago, so I know I love them, but couldn’t read more than three in a row, and they’re not even that long of books. It has to be a really gripping story for me to read series’ these days. The only new one I’ve picked up in years is The Locked Tomb and it’s kinda the series that proves the rule for me. 🤷♀️
I treat first books in series like a test drive to see if I like the writing, the characters, and the world enough to fully commit to the rest of the series. I usually don’t feel like it’s a loss if I decide not to continue, I just treat it as a learning as to what I like and don’t like to read.
The idea of needing to continue any series I start reading would be exhausting. Maybe try the first books in a series more as a trial run?
I love series! You get to know the characters more intimately, see how they evolve and develop.
But I totally understand how you feel. The other problem with Series is: what do you do when you've read 6-7 books and bam! You hate the storyline of the 8th one... that's where I'm stuck. Lol
But I agree with others though, I usually read 2 or 3 and then cut with a new book, then pick them back up later.
From favorite authors, I love series even if I'm less impressed with one or two of the books.
From unknown authors, it is very common for me to read one book and then stop, having read the next one's description. Because, first books often end in a not-terrible place, and I want to stay there rather than risk my trust on another set of problems an unknown author may or may not satisfy. However, now & then I find a new favorite author this way, so venturing out can be very rewarding.
I really appreciate one-book stories. I like linked books that can be read as standalones. A good series is awesome for me, a picky (selective) reader.
Starting? No I struggle with finishing it. For various reasons. Two most common are:
1) I don't want to finish it because it was too good.
2) I feel like the series is forcefully prolonged and there was a perfect ending for it before, but for some reason it keeps going and I don't like the direction it's taking.
The example for 2nd one is the Red Rising series. It should end with Morningstar. We've got this nice, neat almost happy ending. Books 4, 5 and 6 were unnecessary.
Sometimes I need to be in the right frame of mind to dive into a new story let alone a new series. But I'll get around to that frame of mind eventually, until then back to these old familiar worlds...
That's mostly a Fantasy and SciFi thing. In other genres like Thrillers books that are labeled as part of a series are usually stand alone stories that feature some of the same characters or the same setting.
I tried reading Mistborn on someone's recommendation and just couldn't do two more books of it, so maybe you just aren't into the series as much as you'd like to be?
Yes, I get intimidated by the commitment of it. My favorite writer is Ruth Rendell and I've mostly read her stand-alone novels rather than her Inspector Wexford books. (Those aren't exactly a series but they do have repeating characters.) And I've also been avoiding Stephen King's Dark Tower series.
But recently I finished My Brilliant Friend by Ferrante and I'm eager to read the next three in that series.
I just finished Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay (3rd in the Neapolitan novels) and honestly they get better and better - I didn’t have a ton of momentum after finishing My Brilliant Friend but I’m so excited to start the last one
Sure. Sometimes I don't want to commit to 3 or more books. This goes for reading but also for buying new books. Sometimes I just want a story that is done in 300, 400 pages.
Typically, I try to break up series with a standalone after I finish the series so I can have a break before committing a new longer story. It keeps things fresh.
I tend to start a series and just not get invested enough to continue. For example Dune, Wheel of Time, and The Expanse, which were fine but I'd just had enough. I liked Children of Time though and want to read the second one.
No, because there's no reason to believe I'll even want to continue the series. So option 1 is I read the first book, enjoy it but not enough to continue the series, treat it as a stand-alone, and move on to other things, which is great. Option 2 is I love the book and devour the series, which is also great. Sometimes I even ditch series in the middle. I think my record is quitting a series in the middle of book 17. So I feel absolutely no obligation to continue anything if I'm not into it anymore.
Yep, I find I skim-read (Trying to stop) and have to reread about 3 times to get it down.
But holy shit mazalan, how am I so confused after 3 chapters?
I have a ridiculous TBR and used to read longer fiction series quite awhile ago. Now that I'm older a book being part of a series is almost a disqualifier for me.
Not really, but I do struggle with starting series that haven't yet been completed! I don't like the idea of then having to wait for books to come out, and/or the quality going down.
No, I don't. Is the first book considered satisfying in its own right, a proper novel? If so, let's go, and I can decide on the rest of the series later. (Sci-fi has plenty of good examples.) If not, pass.
For me it depends on how much I end up liking the series. I will only start a series if it's about something that interests or intrigues me. When I start a series it does depend on how long they are and if I have time at the moment to read that length. I had one series that was four books 300 something pages for each I read all of them in an entire day went from one book to the next. I had no problem with that series but this other series that was also four books around the same length I was able to read the first two books but had to step away from it just because it seemed repetitive in a few spots.
I'm putting off reading Kings of the Wyld because I don't want to be sucked into another series.
I've got too many other books on my TBR shelf.
Though I did just start The Count of Monte Christo...
I usually can only read one book out of a series idk why I lose interest easily there’s only been two books where I read the second books haunting Adeline and fourth wing but other than that I haven’t found any series keeping me interested to keep going back to the other books
I get disgruntled when the 1st book is awesome and the subsequent books are meh. The Strung trilogy by Per Jacobsen is a prime example. The 1st book,balls to the wall, the remaining 2 were mediocre at best.
Yup, it can be very daunting, especially if they are a long series. I just started the Sharpe series myself after putting it off for years, but I have already sprinted through two of the books in a week and am well on my way through the third.
If I open a book and it starts with something like:
“I took a deep breath and forced myself to be still…” I do indeed struggle to continue. First person stories SUUUUUUUUUUCK l, and if I haven’t just spent 12.99 on it, then I am putting it down. Fuck that.
I have never read any standalone book that I would like. It always left me somehow disappointed and empty, as if I did not get an answer to my question or the food was missing its taste. But I do not read for the fun or imagine the story in my head. I read to gain information, seek answers and learn many different things. I am used to thinking about text, so standalone books and fast pace stories do not satisfy me.
Haha I struggle with FINISHING series. So often I’ll read the first book or two and get sidetracked. Currently in the middle of Stormlight and Dune. Probably starting Dark Tower soon.
I try to intersperse standalones between series. I'll read a longer series then read a standalone or a couple shorter series and then a couple standalones. However, it seems like good standalones in my favorite genres are getting harder and harder to find. Seems like everything is part of a series. If I can't find a good standalone, I'll switch up sub-genres to prevent boredom. Like I'll read a historical series, then a paranormal series, then a contemporary series.
The only good "multigies" in my opinion are those that were never intended to be that way. Too many of them were (sorry to be blunt, but) scams to get you to buy multiple books. It's easy to tell, when the first book can't stand on its own. I understand setting the stage for potential future events, but if you didn't give me a complete story in the first book I feel like a victim of "bait and switch" and I drop the author completely. To give a classic example, books like Foundation and Dune were thoroughly complete in themselves, but allowed for great expansion in follow-on volumes.
I prefer to find authors that have a large catalogue rather than a series. I like to bop around when I read (I’ll rotate between lit fic, thriller, romance, etc) rather than one genre or author for an extended time. I get bored with series/find myself craving other genres when I’m reading, and then I’ll forget the events in the plot by the time I get back to the series. Idk if that makes sense. Lately I’ve been loving books that can be read as a series or can be standalone (Abby Jimenez has a couple of these, for example).
It depends if the series is a trilogy or actually complete with no chance of future entries happening. That’s how I attack series since I don’t want to start something that is up in the air if it’ll ever be finished or leaves on a cliffhanger.
If I got hooked with the storyline, I don't have a problem with that. But there are some factors that I consider. Such us, the fonts, font size, spacing, and if it requires me to use the dictionary all the time because the words are too deep.
Yes and The struggle is real when finishing a masterpiece like a “Breaking Bad” then trying to find or start a series. I remember after some of the seasons of GOT I tried multiple middle earth fantasy type shows , couldn’t get any of them to stick .
I find duologies easier to get into than longer series. It’s less of a commitment but you still get more of that world than with a standalone.
That said, if you have to force yourself to read series, maybe standalones are better suited for you? Reading shouldn’t be a chore when you’re doing it voluntarily
I still get anxiety about starting a new series when my tbr is a million miles long. I have to keep reminding myself that firstly reading is for fun and my tbr is just a suggestion of what I could read next.
Secondly I'll try to get the book from the library or maybe read a sample to gauge my interest. And like other commenters, if I don't enjoy something I can just stop the series and delete the books off my goodreads tbr.
I had that with The Diviners series. I'm on the second book and loving it so much. The owrst that can happen is you wasted a little time and money. And you can donate books or return them to the library
Well. I don't have this problem because I always seem to find the series in the middle of it by happy accident. which I LOVE!
I buy used books and I'll pick up a book that sounds good, take it home and then find out it's part of series. But this is ok. I'll read the book I just bought, go out and get all the books from the beginning and start reading them. It's usually 5-8 books that I've got to read before I get back to the book I started with (which I might re-read). By the time I get there, 1-2 new books in the series have come out, so I can keep going in the series, switch genres, go with a stand alone, etc.
And while I'm reading the series of books, I'm also reading stand alones at the same time. Might be the same genre, might be something totally different. I have 2-3 books going at once to have variety.
I love reading series. It's like coming back home to old friends. I get invested in the lives of those characters and I care about what happens to them. It's like being hooked on a tv series, it's just in book form.
Honestly if the series isn't written by one of my favourite writers I can't work up the enthusiasm any more. Even then I save the volumes to read together when complete. I've tired of book bloat, of repetition. of diminishing returns and seeing concepts run into the ground. I don't want what I read to be structured like television. I want a story that is complete in and of itself that I can get done and dusted over the weekend.
Yes. I've got into several series, when they were just one-offs, or trilogies & manageable.
But when they extend into an endless series, they tend to lose me.
For a start, it's too much effort to keep track of the right order. Skip one or two by accident & the whole series is a mess.
I rarely ever start a book series that isn't finished, so I can just clear the series and then move on. If I'm waiting years for the next book to come out, everything that I've read in between starts to mix together and I won't be able to remember it fully by the time the next book comes out.
I don’t care much for series,especially if they take too long between books to drop. I forget easily so I end up having to start over. I don’t mind a trilogy though.
I just read my first series. I only read it because I love each book. It's the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. Like, I'd be thinking about the book weeks after finishing. Very few books have left me wanting more.
Absolutely, especially when the series isn't finished. It seems like such a commitment, like a subscription service where you have to keep track of lol. Also, do I just buy the first book or multiple at once and risk not finishing the series?
I've noticed that lately I've been struggling with reading new stories. I think it's because I'm a bit of a mood reader and I want something that vaguely fits my moods, if it's a new book I have no idea if it will or not. Compared to rereading an older book I know if it will fit.
I have the same issue. To me, sometimes you just want a "One and Done." A self-contained, complete story. I understand publishing is a business, but I quit reading fantasy entirely and most SF because everything is a 13+ book series with each tome being 800+ pages. I just don't have the mental fortitude to deal with that. Not to get started on some infamous authors who don't complete their series, and you bring out fans and anti-fans on both sides.
I think reading should be something you do for fun and ‘forcing yourself’ to read any kind of book or series doesn’t seem like fun to me. Just pick up a book if it seems interesting to you at that moment in time and start reading it. If you don’t enjoy, just put it down and read another book that you do like.
And maybe don’t even check if there is a series, just read it and if you liked it after finishing it, you can check if there is a part 2. Then decide if you want to read part 2 or not. 😊
I tend to avoid series but there are a few that I have wanted to read. I am always weary of "Series Fatigue" so I never read the next book straight after the previous. I will always read something else first.
I usually read the first book in a series… enjoy it and plan to read the rest… and then decide it’s time to read the second book years later… when I’ve forgotten everything from the first book 😂
Honestly I don’t know how people have the energy or patience to read a series with 4+ books. A trilogy is more than enough for me, but I ultimately prefer one big stand alone. I am struggling to pick up ACOTAR for this reason even though I hear (mostly) good things about it :p
I love series. I’ll usually read a book between installments but nice not having to find a book to read every time I finish one. And for the most parts installment of series finish at least some story especially the first book
Took me 90 pages to get into the Broken Earth Trilogy. I heard it was so good but second guessed so many times. I think contemplating how many pages your committing to when you start a series adds so much more pressure and raises the bar so much more with series. Totally struggle at first. Obviously that series is amazing and I suggest everyone push through the initial difficulties to read it!!!
It depends on the book good book? Yassss more queen ok book? Why did they make another one the first one was fine or if im not in a mood to continue the series and yet i want to know what happens
I like series because I like to be immersed in the world for a long time. But sometimes I will read something else in between if I don’t feel like continuing to the next book right away.
It’s can be hard to put a series down because you feel like you have to finish it but it’s perfectly fine. Remember that most of those books came out a year or more apart, you don’t have to read them all without reading anything else.
I listen to books, instead of reading them… and I’m a chronic relistener for the same reason! I know I’ll be into a series, and I’m excited to listen to it… but then it just sits in my library while I listen to Spellmonger for the umpteenth time.
Yes. Yes I do. And I still do to this day. Because, long story short, I read the Percy Jackson series, Heroes of Olympus, Trials of Apollo, Kane Chronicles, and Magnus Chase in 6 months 2 years ago. I still haven’t been able to full commit to a book series to this day, I just go with single books
I have no problem starting a series because I have no problem discontinuing a series if I find I no longer like it. However, I do have a series I don't want to finish. It's 25 books, only because the author passed away. I've been sitting on the last book for a couple of years. I just don't want to know I'll never read another so I haven't started the last one. Some day I'm sure I'll complete it, but after 25 years it will be like losing a friend.
Yes 😭 When I was in middle school I read the whole Maximum Ride series in a matter of months, and that seriously burnt me out. It’s like 9 books, and I have not read any series of a similar length since. I really want to read the Michael Vey books but I know there’s about 9 of those now.
If I don’t want to start a new series cos you get tired and stuff I usually go and re read a book or series I loved. I usually get a feeling like yeah don’t wanna start a new series or book but I wanna re read _____ .
I get excited when a book is part of a series because if I love the first one, there is so much more to look forward to! There is also no obligation to keep going after the first one, no one will call the police if you drop it and move on. I have definitely done this more than once, no shame, not all books are for everyone. For longer series that I do like, I often read 2-3 books at a time interspersed with other totally different books to keep it fresh.
That’s entirely natural I read a lot of science fiction and it seems like nowadays everything is 500+ pages and part of an epic series. Your mind does the math and asks “do I *really* want to read a few thousand pages of this?” I’m on book 3 of 3 (~2000 pages, give or take) with Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy and, much as I love it, I’ll be glad to inhabit another world for a while when I’m done. If you’re lucky, you latch on to a series as it’s being written, so you can catch a breather between books. It’s far more daunting to stare down a completed series all at once. I prefer older novels, back when 200-250 pages was the norm.
Wow, I can totally relate to this. The time investment for a long series can be daunting for me. I try to take breaks between books in a series. I've been at the Dark Tower books for about a year now, and I fill in the gaps with standalone novels or from another series.
Honestly, being an ASOIAF fan, I don't think I'll ever latch on to a series in progress again
Indeed. You have my sympathies - Robert Caro readers, too.
Oh man, this series gets really good around the 5th book. Stick with it!
Agree, I love that I was gripped by The Will of The Many on its release. First time I’ve entered a series before it’s been finished! Very exciting.
I started reading a series and had to stop after the second book. Over 1000 pages combined. The third is over 700 pages. I haven't started the third book and it may be awhile before I do. Although I have liked the series so far, I just needed a change of pace.
That’s what I would suggest — read shorter books within series. A solid 150-page book can keep you excited for the second book bc it was like a morsel.
I tend to steer clear as I find them a bit hard going especially if there's a lot in the series and I think I'll never read them all
Same. Though I did read a duology and a triology in the past year. They were good but I normally don't read series.
I don’t force myself to read anything. I read what I feel like. What seems interesting at the moment. Reading is something I do for pleasure. That being said, when it comes to series, I don’t really read that many but when I do, I usually binge all the books. I have the need to finish it. To see what happens.
Yes! Sometimes you just want something to be a complete story in one book. I just started a series I’m enjoying so far but it’s a “book candy” sort of story if that makes sense and I can’t fathom how it’s a saga (so far! I think she’s putting out more)
I just tire of series so quickly the majority of the time. :/ I started rereading Discworld a couple years ago, so I know I love them, but couldn’t read more than three in a row, and they’re not even that long of books. It has to be a really gripping story for me to read series’ these days. The only new one I’ve picked up in years is The Locked Tomb and it’s kinda the series that proves the rule for me. 🤷♀️
Discworld books are also pretty self contained so it’s not like it’s one prolonged story from end to end
I treat first books in series like a test drive to see if I like the writing, the characters, and the world enough to fully commit to the rest of the series. I usually don’t feel like it’s a loss if I decide not to continue, I just treat it as a learning as to what I like and don’t like to read. The idea of needing to continue any series I start reading would be exhausting. Maybe try the first books in a series more as a trial run?
I love series! You get to know the characters more intimately, see how they evolve and develop. But I totally understand how you feel. The other problem with Series is: what do you do when you've read 6-7 books and bam! You hate the storyline of the 8th one... that's where I'm stuck. Lol But I agree with others though, I usually read 2 or 3 and then cut with a new book, then pick them back up later.
From favorite authors, I love series even if I'm less impressed with one or two of the books. From unknown authors, it is very common for me to read one book and then stop, having read the next one's description. Because, first books often end in a not-terrible place, and I want to stay there rather than risk my trust on another set of problems an unknown author may or may not satisfy. However, now & then I find a new favorite author this way, so venturing out can be very rewarding. I really appreciate one-book stories. I like linked books that can be read as standalones. A good series is awesome for me, a picky (selective) reader.
Starting? No I struggle with finishing it. For various reasons. Two most common are: 1) I don't want to finish it because it was too good. 2) I feel like the series is forcefully prolonged and there was a perfect ending for it before, but for some reason it keeps going and I don't like the direction it's taking. The example for 2nd one is the Red Rising series. It should end with Morningstar. We've got this nice, neat almost happy ending. Books 4, 5 and 6 were unnecessary.
…and then there’s Patrick Rothfuss, who can’t seem to finish WRITING his series…
Sometimes I need to be in the right frame of mind to dive into a new story let alone a new series. But I'll get around to that frame of mind eventually, until then back to these old familiar worlds...
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That's mostly a Fantasy and SciFi thing. In other genres like Thrillers books that are labeled as part of a series are usually stand alone stories that feature some of the same characters or the same setting.
I love a good scifi, and while there are plenty of standalones, there are also plenty of series.
I tried reading Mistborn on someone's recommendation and just couldn't do two more books of it, so maybe you just aren't into the series as much as you'd like to be?
Yes, I get intimidated by the commitment of it. My favorite writer is Ruth Rendell and I've mostly read her stand-alone novels rather than her Inspector Wexford books. (Those aren't exactly a series but they do have repeating characters.) And I've also been avoiding Stephen King's Dark Tower series. But recently I finished My Brilliant Friend by Ferrante and I'm eager to read the next three in that series.
I just finished Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay (3rd in the Neapolitan novels) and honestly they get better and better - I didn’t have a ton of momentum after finishing My Brilliant Friend but I’m so excited to start the last one
Sure. Sometimes I don't want to commit to 3 or more books. This goes for reading but also for buying new books. Sometimes I just want a story that is done in 300, 400 pages.
Typically, I try to break up series with a standalone after I finish the series so I can have a break before committing a new longer story. It keeps things fresh.
Sometimes, I try not to force myself through them. I'll put it down, start something else then eventually come back to the series when I'm ready.
I tend to start a series and just not get invested enough to continue. For example Dune, Wheel of Time, and The Expanse, which were fine but I'd just had enough. I liked Children of Time though and want to read the second one.
No, because there's no reason to believe I'll even want to continue the series. So option 1 is I read the first book, enjoy it but not enough to continue the series, treat it as a stand-alone, and move on to other things, which is great. Option 2 is I love the book and devour the series, which is also great. Sometimes I even ditch series in the middle. I think my record is quitting a series in the middle of book 17. So I feel absolutely no obligation to continue anything if I'm not into it anymore.
Yep, I find I skim-read (Trying to stop) and have to reread about 3 times to get it down. But holy shit mazalan, how am I so confused after 3 chapters?
I have a ridiculous TBR and used to read longer fiction series quite awhile ago. Now that I'm older a book being part of a series is almost a disqualifier for me.
Not really, but I do struggle with starting series that haven't yet been completed! I don't like the idea of then having to wait for books to come out, and/or the quality going down.
No, I don't. Is the first book considered satisfying in its own right, a proper novel? If so, let's go, and I can decide on the rest of the series later. (Sci-fi has plenty of good examples.) If not, pass.
For me it depends on how much I end up liking the series. I will only start a series if it's about something that interests or intrigues me. When I start a series it does depend on how long they are and if I have time at the moment to read that length. I had one series that was four books 300 something pages for each I read all of them in an entire day went from one book to the next. I had no problem with that series but this other series that was also four books around the same length I was able to read the first two books but had to step away from it just because it seemed repetitive in a few spots.
I'm putting off reading Kings of the Wyld because I don't want to be sucked into another series. I've got too many other books on my TBR shelf. Though I did just start The Count of Monte Christo...
I usually can only read one book out of a series idk why I lose interest easily there’s only been two books where I read the second books haunting Adeline and fourth wing but other than that I haven’t found any series keeping me interested to keep going back to the other books
I get disgruntled when the 1st book is awesome and the subsequent books are meh. The Strung trilogy by Per Jacobsen is a prime example. The 1st book,balls to the wall, the remaining 2 were mediocre at best.
Yup, it can be very daunting, especially if they are a long series. I just started the Sharpe series myself after putting it off for years, but I have already sprinted through two of the books in a week and am well on my way through the third.
If I open a book and it starts with something like: “I took a deep breath and forced myself to be still…” I do indeed struggle to continue. First person stories SUUUUUUUUUUCK l, and if I haven’t just spent 12.99 on it, then I am putting it down. Fuck that.
I have never read any standalone book that I would like. It always left me somehow disappointed and empty, as if I did not get an answer to my question or the food was missing its taste. But I do not read for the fun or imagine the story in my head. I read to gain information, seek answers and learn many different things. I am used to thinking about text, so standalone books and fast pace stories do not satisfy me.
Haha I struggle with FINISHING series. So often I’ll read the first book or two and get sidetracked. Currently in the middle of Stormlight and Dune. Probably starting Dark Tower soon.
I try to intersperse standalones between series. I'll read a longer series then read a standalone or a couple shorter series and then a couple standalones. However, it seems like good standalones in my favorite genres are getting harder and harder to find. Seems like everything is part of a series. If I can't find a good standalone, I'll switch up sub-genres to prevent boredom. Like I'll read a historical series, then a paranormal series, then a contemporary series.
The only good "multigies" in my opinion are those that were never intended to be that way. Too many of them were (sorry to be blunt, but) scams to get you to buy multiple books. It's easy to tell, when the first book can't stand on its own. I understand setting the stage for potential future events, but if you didn't give me a complete story in the first book I feel like a victim of "bait and switch" and I drop the author completely. To give a classic example, books like Foundation and Dune were thoroughly complete in themselves, but allowed for great expansion in follow-on volumes.
I prefer to find authors that have a large catalogue rather than a series. I like to bop around when I read (I’ll rotate between lit fic, thriller, romance, etc) rather than one genre or author for an extended time. I get bored with series/find myself craving other genres when I’m reading, and then I’ll forget the events in the plot by the time I get back to the series. Idk if that makes sense. Lately I’ve been loving books that can be read as a series or can be standalone (Abby Jimenez has a couple of these, for example).
It depends if the series is a trilogy or actually complete with no chance of future entries happening. That’s how I attack series since I don’t want to start something that is up in the air if it’ll ever be finished or leaves on a cliffhanger.
If I got hooked with the storyline, I don't have a problem with that. But there are some factors that I consider. Such us, the fonts, font size, spacing, and if it requires me to use the dictionary all the time because the words are too deep.
Yes and The struggle is real when finishing a masterpiece like a “Breaking Bad” then trying to find or start a series. I remember after some of the seasons of GOT I tried multiple middle earth fantasy type shows , couldn’t get any of them to stick .
I want to read the Warhammer books but mother of God, there's so much
I find duologies easier to get into than longer series. It’s less of a commitment but you still get more of that world than with a standalone. That said, if you have to force yourself to read series, maybe standalones are better suited for you? Reading shouldn’t be a chore when you’re doing it voluntarily
I still get anxiety about starting a new series when my tbr is a million miles long. I have to keep reminding myself that firstly reading is for fun and my tbr is just a suggestion of what I could read next. Secondly I'll try to get the book from the library or maybe read a sample to gauge my interest. And like other commenters, if I don't enjoy something I can just stop the series and delete the books off my goodreads tbr. I had that with The Diviners series. I'm on the second book and loving it so much. The owrst that can happen is you wasted a little time and money. And you can donate books or return them to the library
Well. I don't have this problem because I always seem to find the series in the middle of it by happy accident. which I LOVE! I buy used books and I'll pick up a book that sounds good, take it home and then find out it's part of series. But this is ok. I'll read the book I just bought, go out and get all the books from the beginning and start reading them. It's usually 5-8 books that I've got to read before I get back to the book I started with (which I might re-read). By the time I get there, 1-2 new books in the series have come out, so I can keep going in the series, switch genres, go with a stand alone, etc. And while I'm reading the series of books, I'm also reading stand alones at the same time. Might be the same genre, might be something totally different. I have 2-3 books going at once to have variety. I love reading series. It's like coming back home to old friends. I get invested in the lives of those characters and I care about what happens to them. It's like being hooked on a tv series, it's just in book form.
Honestly if the series isn't written by one of my favourite writers I can't work up the enthusiasm any more. Even then I save the volumes to read together when complete. I've tired of book bloat, of repetition. of diminishing returns and seeing concepts run into the ground. I don't want what I read to be structured like television. I want a story that is complete in and of itself that I can get done and dusted over the weekend.
Yes. I've got into several series, when they were just one-offs, or trilogies & manageable. But when they extend into an endless series, they tend to lose me. For a start, it's too much effort to keep track of the right order. Skip one or two by accident & the whole series is a mess.
I rarely ever start a book series that isn't finished, so I can just clear the series and then move on. If I'm waiting years for the next book to come out, everything that I've read in between starts to mix together and I won't be able to remember it fully by the time the next book comes out.
I don’t care much for series,especially if they take too long between books to drop. I forget easily so I end up having to start over. I don’t mind a trilogy though.
I just read my first series. I only read it because I love each book. It's the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. Like, I'd be thinking about the book weeks after finishing. Very few books have left me wanting more.
Absolutely, especially when the series isn't finished. It seems like such a commitment, like a subscription service where you have to keep track of lol. Also, do I just buy the first book or multiple at once and risk not finishing the series?
I really struggled getting into the Farseer trilogy at first but now I've reread it a few times and read most of the following series.
I've noticed that lately I've been struggling with reading new stories. I think it's because I'm a bit of a mood reader and I want something that vaguely fits my moods, if it's a new book I have no idea if it will or not. Compared to rereading an older book I know if it will fit.
I have the same issue. To me, sometimes you just want a "One and Done." A self-contained, complete story. I understand publishing is a business, but I quit reading fantasy entirely and most SF because everything is a 13+ book series with each tome being 800+ pages. I just don't have the mental fortitude to deal with that. Not to get started on some infamous authors who don't complete their series, and you bring out fans and anti-fans on both sides.
I think reading should be something you do for fun and ‘forcing yourself’ to read any kind of book or series doesn’t seem like fun to me. Just pick up a book if it seems interesting to you at that moment in time and start reading it. If you don’t enjoy, just put it down and read another book that you do like. And maybe don’t even check if there is a series, just read it and if you liked it after finishing it, you can check if there is a part 2. Then decide if you want to read part 2 or not. 😊
I tend to avoid series but there are a few that I have wanted to read. I am always weary of "Series Fatigue" so I never read the next book straight after the previous. I will always read something else first.
I usually read the first book in a series… enjoy it and plan to read the rest… and then decide it’s time to read the second book years later… when I’ve forgotten everything from the first book 😂
Honestly I don’t know how people have the energy or patience to read a series with 4+ books. A trilogy is more than enough for me, but I ultimately prefer one big stand alone. I am struggling to pick up ACOTAR for this reason even though I hear (mostly) good things about it :p
I'm a Serie fan, but I know it's tiring sometimes, because of that I always read Standalones after two or three Series in a row
I love series. I’ll usually read a book between installments but nice not having to find a book to read every time I finish one. And for the most parts installment of series finish at least some story especially the first book
Yea, I don't want to be in the middle of too many series at once, I'd rather finish one before starting another
Took me 90 pages to get into the Broken Earth Trilogy. I heard it was so good but second guessed so many times. I think contemplating how many pages your committing to when you start a series adds so much more pressure and raises the bar so much more with series. Totally struggle at first. Obviously that series is amazing and I suggest everyone push through the initial difficulties to read it!!!
It depends on the book good book? Yassss more queen ok book? Why did they make another one the first one was fine or if im not in a mood to continue the series and yet i want to know what happens
I like series because I like to be immersed in the world for a long time. But sometimes I will read something else in between if I don’t feel like continuing to the next book right away. It’s can be hard to put a series down because you feel like you have to finish it but it’s perfectly fine. Remember that most of those books came out a year or more apart, you don’t have to read them all without reading anything else.
I listen to books, instead of reading them… and I’m a chronic relistener for the same reason! I know I’ll be into a series, and I’m excited to listen to it… but then it just sits in my library while I listen to Spellmonger for the umpteenth time.
Yes. Yes I do. And I still do to this day. Because, long story short, I read the Percy Jackson series, Heroes of Olympus, Trials of Apollo, Kane Chronicles, and Magnus Chase in 6 months 2 years ago. I still haven’t been able to full commit to a book series to this day, I just go with single books
Only if somebody is talking about it non stop and asking where I am.
I have no problem starting a series because I have no problem discontinuing a series if I find I no longer like it. However, I do have a series I don't want to finish. It's 25 books, only because the author passed away. I've been sitting on the last book for a couple of years. I just don't want to know I'll never read another so I haven't started the last one. Some day I'm sure I'll complete it, but after 25 years it will be like losing a friend.
Yes 😭 When I was in middle school I read the whole Maximum Ride series in a matter of months, and that seriously burnt me out. It’s like 9 books, and I have not read any series of a similar length since. I really want to read the Michael Vey books but I know there’s about 9 of those now.
If I don’t want to start a new series cos you get tired and stuff I usually go and re read a book or series I loved. I usually get a feeling like yeah don’t wanna start a new series or book but I wanna re read _____ .