Do you have to read in order?

[Heather]

I usually end up getting a book I have never read before and really enjoying it only to find that it is part of a series. I did that with Lee Child and his Reacher series I am not reading them in an order I just read them as I get them.

[Renniemist]

I prefer to start at the beginning of a series.

 

However some books that are part of a series can stand on their own. I think that probably books like the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell can be read in almost any order.

[Kirstykat]

I like to start at the beginning of a series and I also like to chronologically read through a good author's previous books.

 

[Sedge]

I prefer to start at the beginning of a series.

 

However some books that are part of a series can stand on their own. I think that probably books like the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell can be read in almost any order.

 

I'm working through the Sharpe books and have decided to read them in the order in which they were written rather than chronologically by story. I think this is better to appreciate the character development.

[Weave]

I try to read the series from the start:D

[sumo_jr]

Hasn't anybody found it more exciting to read the first books in a series after already having read a later instalment? The histories of the characters and storylines unfold, and you find answers to questions which you wouldn't have thought to ask.

 

I don't think I would deliberately start reading a series of books from the middle, but I do love to find out that a book I'm reading has a prequel.

 

Keith

[Suzanne123]

I try to read the series from the start:D

 

Same! If its in a different order, i'll probably get confused!

[whitegold]

If it can stand alone then i'll read it regardless of order.

I prefer to start at the beginning of a series though.

[lexiepiper]

I usually end up getting a book I have never read before and really enjoying it only to find that it is part of a series. I did that with Lee Child and his Reacher series I am not reading them in an order I just read them as I get them.

 

Yeah I was the same, sometimes I just pick up books and read them not realising until after that they're part of a series, and in some cases it's not really a big deal, but if I want to specifically read a series then I have to read it in order

[NiceguyEddie]

It depends. For example who would read The Return of the King before The Fellowship of the Ring? But what does it really matter whether you read The Murder Room before Devices & Desires. As long as you know that Devices & Desires predated The Murder Room you won't be confused by Dalgleish's latest love interest.

 

That said, I read all bar one of the Rebus novels in order. However, the Pratchett's I'm reading as I find them.

[Kate]

I'm reading the Shopaholic Series out of order, but read Lord of the Rings in order and am listening to the Discworld series in order (I have them on audiobook). To be honest I don't really think it matters

[The Library Nook]

The only ones I would read out of order are the Sue Grafton Alphabet series, all other series have to be in order.