I personally like series over single titles. Which do you prefer and why?
What series would you recommend?
What series would you recommend?
Series vs. Single titles
- Thread starter Angelique
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The only series' I've read as an adult are HP and LOTR. The reason is because I don't generally read genre books. The type of novels I read are only published as stand-alones.
I prefer series (and even more, series that already have several books out) because I just read so darn FAST! A single book is rarely worth more than three hours of entertainment for me, because I just tear through them.
I totally agree. One book just isn't enough. Right now, I'm loving the sookie stackhouse series, but it's going to be a while before the 10th book hits shelves so I'm looking for some new series to sink my teeth into.
I like being able to hold a book in my hand and know that is an entire self contained narrative, and that I don't need to invest any more to get a sense of completion. As a result I prefer single titles. I know people who grew up on comic books that prefer massive, twisting, seemingly endless narratives, and that's okay (1001 Nights is pretty much the precursor to these sort of stories), but its just not for me.
I can understand that part of it. But I guess I'm greedy. Enough just isn't enough for me.
You should try it, you might like it. I enjoy it because there is usually some larger mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
it's not a rule I have or anything, it's just none of the authors I read tend to write them.
I'd never given it much thought.
I can't say I really read any specific genre. I just tend go with writers I like, and recommendations I respect.
I've never gone into a bookstore and been able to go to the 'insert genre' section and just pick books up, although I can understand the appeal of that.
I hear you there, I really only have two genres: Books I like, Book I don't
I've read series in the past. I actively attempt to avoid them lately. That does mean my reading options are greatly lessened in fiction, but there you go. *shrug*
I prefer standalones. In most cases, series exist to milk fans for profit, or (more charitably phrased) to act as vehicles for beloved characters.
I can't argue with you there. I tend to like series because I can't let go of the characters.
I like good series and good standalones. I hate bad series and bad standalones. I think a series has more potential to go bad though. A big and endlessly-discussed issue in fantasy series is that sometimes the writer refuses to finish the series, because that's like butchering your prize cow. So the cow just keeps getting fatter and fatter and fatter, and she's not giving any milk, but darn it she's a prize and we can't let her go! That metaphor may have fallen apart but my point remains.
My favorite series is probably Pratchett's Discworld. It's great because all of the stories are self-contained, and yet at the same time they spill over into the other books. Favorite characters and institutions pop up for cameos in books that aren't about them at all. History builds upon itself but you don't need to know anything about the previous books to enjoy the later ones. The most lovable characters are a wizard who can't do magic, Death (the dude with the scythe), and a seven foot tall dwarf.
My favorite series is probably Pratchett's Discworld. It's great because all of the stories are self-contained, and yet at the same time they spill over into the other books. Favorite characters and institutions pop up for cameos in books that aren't about them at all. History builds upon itself but you don't need to know anything about the previous books to enjoy the later ones. The most lovable characters are a wizard who can't do magic, Death (the dude with the scythe), and a seven foot tall dwarf.
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I like both, it just depends on what I feel like reading at any given time. That said, I do read a lot more series than I do standalones. Side effect of fantasy, though it would be nice to find some good standalones in the genre more often.
If I really enjoy the characters, I like series. I want to keep coming back for more and seeing what is happening in their lives. Many books work well as stand alones though, and wouldn't make sense to make into a series (like The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb). But authors really don't know when to end a series. Writing for the sake of writing is absurd (think Anita Blake series), and as a reader, you just don't care anymore.
I'm in the both camp and depending on my mood, will select either or.
Problem with series though is that I have yet to read a series that doesn't go to shit after about book 4.
At best, they sort of plateau and at worst, they turn their prized darlings into plot whores trolling the local corner turning cheap tricks.
Then there are the great stand alone books that get 'expanded' into series. In most cases, the books go downhill though they are still enjoyable, they usually just can't equal the first book.
Fantasy seems to be more prone to pumping out series vs. Sci-Fi though both are capable of having long running series.
And as I understanding it, publishers like series. Keep that cash cow churning out that milk
Mel...
Problem with series though is that I have yet to read a series that doesn't go to shit after about book 4.
At best, they sort of plateau and at worst, they turn their prized darlings into plot whores trolling the local corner turning cheap tricks.
Then there are the great stand alone books that get 'expanded' into series. In most cases, the books go downhill though they are still enjoyable, they usually just can't equal the first book.
Fantasy seems to be more prone to pumping out series vs. Sci-Fi though both are capable of having long running series.
And as I understanding it, publishers like series. Keep that cash cow churning out that milk
Mel...
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I love series. The longer, the better. 
I like to get into a world and set of characters and stay with them over a prolonged period. You get to know the characters, and watch them achieve things that aren't always possible in a single book.
My favourite series is now at around 25 books and, barring the last book ( ), still going strong.
I like to get into a world and set of characters and stay with them over a prolonged period. You get to know the characters, and watch them achieve things that aren't always possible in a single book.
My favourite series is now at around 25 books and, barring the last book (
), still going strong.
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I prefer to read single, standalone books, but I still read and like series books. Reasons: my to-read list is unbelievably long, and I'm not a fast reader. However, most of what I read is speculative fiction (SF, fantasy, horror), and there's generally more series than standalone books.
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Didn't Anne McCaffery's Pern series do something similar? This is the kind of series I want to write where each book is self contained but still within the same universe. If I do write a series have a definite ending in mind.
S.M. Stirling has a series the first book is Dies the Fire and there are three and it ends. He has a second series that deals with the next generation in that same universe but you don't have to read the first trilogy to understand the second trilogy. I might try and do something like that.
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I love series. The longer, the better.
I like to get into a world and set of characters and stay with them over a prolonged period. You get to know the characters, and watch them achieve things that aren't always possible in a single book.
My favourite series is now at around 25 books and, barring the last book (
What series is it?