Do you prefer standalone novels, or are you happier with a series?
Do you prefer standalone novels, or are you happier with a series?
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Do you prefer standalone novels, or are you happier with a series?
As long as they have a riveting plot and are well written I like both.
I love a series x
Series are good for a change but think I do prefer stand alones ?
A bit of both but then ive forgotten whats in my tbr pile now
Generally a series
Some series perhaps but do prefer stand alones.
Both, but my preference is always for a series.
I like both.
I’m not fussy as long as long as I’m enjoying what I’m reading
I prefer a series but do read the odd standalone
I really don’t mind as long as there is a good plot.
Both. Some characters need a series, others don’t.
I do like series but prefer them when you can dip into them rather than there being too many handovers from the last book. Hope that makes sense.
Would everybody always start reading a series from book one?
@Anita, yes.
@Anita It’s a must
For me too. Currently reading the Faith Martin DI Hillary Greene series on book 12, but would have been lost if I hadn’t started with books 1.
absolutely!
Always
I like a series and always try to start at book 1 but in between I also like a good stand alone
I do follow some series, but a standalone is an absolute breath of fresh air to me. I can think of a couple of ‘series’ authors who I think actually write better with their occasional standalone. As to your second question, I don’t believe it necessary to read book one in a series first, but it helps if you do.
I like to start with first book in a series
Yes I like a series but I would always try to read from book one as you can see how the main character evolves. I think especially the Peter James, Peter Robinson and Mark Billingham detectives. Enjoy a stand alone as well
Generally I prefer a stand-alone but I’ve been hooked by a series or two!
I like both…and yes to starting at book one as this is where everything begins..
Any
I like both i enjoy séries but the danger is rrereading information a bout à character or previous events recapitulating former novels
I enjoy both. Standalones are great as reads for in between a series.
A series everytime.
I enjoy both . I think i prefer series as you can get to know the main characters. I have to start a series from book 1
Standalone is good. Why would you want to start anywhere but the beginning in a series?
When I’m checking out a new series, I generally ask friend for the best book in the series… usually people will say “start with the first”, but that’s because they aren’t listening. The first is seldom the best. In our genre, usually, the stories are relatively self-contained. I want the author’s best to determine if I will stick with a series. Not “well you’ll want to see how the characters evolve.”
I enjoy both. I love finding a new series, with a few books already out, and having a binge-reading-fest!
I like both, and do start at book one as much as possible – but if there are too many in a series already out I can find that off putting to start with
I can’t believe I started the In Death series at book 1, and quickly read all the others. There were around 38 of them out at the time!
@Kelly wow… sometimes i do, but when there is so many it’s difficult to choose
@Alexina I love the first 3 books so much (it was originally only meant to be a trilogy) that I just had to keep going! I think there are forty-something books in the series now!
I like a series best because reading the next one is like visiting old friends but I do also read standalone books.
After about the seventh book I give up.
I like both, but I do love a good series, sometimes you read a story and you want the main character to go on and its nice revisiting them.
Happy with either although I like series books to be reasonably self-contained.
I like a series
I prefer stand alone novels
Both x
Enjoy both stand-alone and series, absolutely need to start with the first one. I like to know the characters from the very beginning ? x
@Nadine I quite often start a series from wherever because I haven’t checked 1st in the library. If I really like it I’ll get book 1 x
@Michael I prefer to read stand alone novels, but write series as well as one-off books.
Both
Enjoy both .if I’m really into a character (s) then I really enjoy a series .
Like stand alone novels but have become attached to some series characters in the past
Either
Both x
I love both
A series, definitely. If I am spending time getting to know characters then I want several stories’ worth out of them!
I really enjoy both.
Yes. But if I don’t like it I will go for the 2nd or third. I did that with lj Ross. X
A series, but only if each book has a beginning middle and end. Faith Martin’s Hillary Greene series is a perfect example of this. However it is extremely irritating when a book in a series is merely ‘the next chapter’ I have just discarded an author who does exactly this. I will never read one of her books again; too frustrating.
I don’t mind either. I usual read a stand alone book inbetween the series.
I like standalone novels that all take place in the same universe, so characters from one book can show up in another, but each story introduces me to new ones.
Standalone is my preference ???
Happier with a series as each book reinforces the characters. But I do read standalone books too.
Love stand alone, but also series, well if you can actually manage to either buy or borrow from library the full series. Having difficulty with some.
Both
Standalone . But i do enjoy series with a main character i really like.
Stand alone for me ?
Both
I love both. I love the familiarity of a series & characters but I SO love a stand alone grab you by your knickers with a wow factor x
Both for me. And I mean that as a reader and also as a novelist.
Both, with stand alones between series..
I am not averse to stand alone but prefer series as I get to see the character grow
I love series because you really get to know the characters
I love both as far the storyline Nd plot is good!
Love a series of novels bur enjoy a stand alone novel as well, love all the Rebus Novels and Shetland and Vera series
Yes. The Saint, DI Jack Frost, Inspector Morse, Asterix, Tintin are all among my faves, and are all continued series. Plus I have a recurring detective in my own novels.
@Chris the Jack Frost had me in stitches, loved them
@Rachel and David Jason was terrific casting for the tv series!
@Chris wasn’t he just! Perfect, can still watch it
The Frost books were written with David Jason in mind. I remember years ago reading an interview with the author Wingfield? Winfield? when he said that.
@Vicki R D Wingfield
@Chris thank you!
Love the series best
Definitely a series
Both
I love a series as long as each book does not end in a cliff hanger but I’m happy with a standalone if I am able to bond with the characters. I rarely read short stories. The longer the better.
Are you on about a joint series were you need to start at the first book or one were you can back track on as in lee child micheal connelly?
Series for
Me!
Yes, it’s not just about the puzzle, it’s the fun of getting to know the characters ?
Series, it keeps me hanging for more.
Both
Definitely series love to get to know the characters
Series I think it’s because I like to get to know and invest in the cast of characters.
I love a series. We are reacquainted with favourite characters and see how they develop. On the negative side there are series where the reoccurring characters are evil geniuses who have become obsessed with the hero detective. This gets very tedious. You start a new novel and it soon becomes apparent who is behind all the nasty goings on. The other problem is that an author can becomes self-indulgent and the books get longer and longer. Not unlike DI (sorry DS) Banks’s CD inventory.
Stand alone.
Always start on first book x
Standalone never read a series will have to try one!
@Jennie Oh and where to start ?
Love a good series but enjoy standalones also. ..so fifty fifty ❤?