Play Book Tag discussion

Lets talk about Series: Here are some questions to get the conversation going. Please feel free to comment on anything about series.

1) What is your favorite Series?
2) Do you prefer a continuous story or each book able to stand alone?
3) In police, mystery, or investigative series, are you bothered that one character goes through so many extraordinary events or cases?
4) Do you still read Young Adult or Children Series?
5) How do you feel about not finishing a series?
6) How do you feel about spin-off series?
7) How do you feel when a series ends?
8) Is the wait between books frustrating, especially long waits (Ken Follet or George R.R. Martin) or do you enjoy the break?

I look forward to everyone's thoughts.

I love continuous story series. The problem I find, other than Scifi, Fantasy or Young Adult, its very hard to find continuous story series. Scifi, Fantasy, and Young Adults are not my favorites though there are some I like.

Some of my favorite series are:
The d'Artagnan Romances: Book #1 The Three Musketeers
Beartown: Book #1 Beartown
The Shadow Children Series, Book #1 Among the Hidden
Kingsbridge Series, Book #1 The Pillars of the Earth
The Century Triliogy: Book #1 Fall of Giants
Ringworld Series: Book #1 Ringworld
Ender's Sage: Book #1 Ender's Game

Though I like Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series, I don't like that they stories don't connect, and how many adventures can Langdon go through in a life time? How many concussions can he get? Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Inspector Lynley, Camel Club.

I do love books that visit the same town and area and may or may not have some of the same characters but are unrelated. A Time to Kill, Sycamore Row, Ford County, The Chamber, The Summons, The Last Juror, and The Reckoning all take place in the same county but only A Time to Kill and Sycamore Row are considered a series.

However, when I start a series, I want to finish it, even if I didn't like it. I have many series that just sitting and waiting and it bothers me. I do plan to finish them all. (The Scarlet Pumpernickel, James Bond, The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Oz, Ender's Game and Ringworld Spinoff Series. Night Trilogy, Wrinkle in Time, Anne of Green Gables, plus others)

I have not been impressed with spinoff series, but I cannot be satisfied with not knowing what else happens in the story. I have to read them; it just might be years between reading the stories.

I don't know how Game of Thrones book fans stay fans. I killed me waiting 5 years between reading World Without End and the publication of A Column of Fire. Though he did publish the Century Trilogy between the two.

I hate when series are over. Because I like continuous stories, I want the story to continue, either with offspring of a connected character. Lives go on, stories go on. I never want to them to end. With non-connected stories, I am happy when the end. I am no longer feel obligated to continue reading about a character that their life is only snapshots of an adventure. I'll be happy when Dan Brown quits writing about Langdon.

1) What is your favorite Series?
2) Do you prefer a continuous story or each book able to stand alone?
3) In police, mystery, or investigative series, are you bothered that one character goes through so many extraordinary events or cases?
4) Do you still read Young Adult or Children Series?
5) How do you feel about not finishing a series?
6) How do you feel about spin-off series?
7) How do you feel when a series ends?
8) Is the wait between books frustrating, especially long waits (Ken Follet or George R.R. Martin) or do you enjoy the break?

Ok, let's see...

1. I don't have a favourite - too hard to choose.

2. I'm happy either way, no preference I don't think, between continuous story or stand-alones. I try to read them in order, anyway.

3. I don't think that's really occurred to me before!

4. Yes, I read plenty of children's and YA series.

5. Doesn't usually bother me too much unless I'm almost done. If the series starts to bore me, or I'm not liking it anymore, as long as I'm not close to the end of the series, I'll stop. If I'm only a few books from the end of the series, I might go ahead and finish, anyway, but if there are more than that, I'm likely to just stop reading it. I usually give it 2 or 3 books in a row of not liking it before I give up, though.

6. If it sounds interesting I might give it a try, but I don't necessarily HAVE to read a spin-off.

7. Probably usually relief, especially if it's a long series. :-)

8. Doesn't bother me because I'm usually not caught up, and I can take months or even years between books in a series. I have too many monthly challenges to fit in and I read so widely, anyway. It's weird for me (or feels weird) to read more than 1 book in a series in the same year. It seems too soon!

I love series and I am incapable of not finishing one. I have read the Hunger Games, Divergent, Harry Potter. The entire 15 Tudor Series from Philippe Gregory. I loved Beartown and Us Against You. The fact that a beloved book ends and within a year the next one picks up the second the last one left off. I have read the Clan of the Cave Bear series, but not number six because the first five were 25 years ago. Didn’t want to reread the whole thing. Loved the Eight, followed by the Fire. Trilogies by Norah Roberts filled my twenties. Right now I am in the Tearling Series, the Forgotten Cemetary series, and the Tethered Mage sequel. Oh I have read so many, but those are the ones that come to mind.

Now on the kid level, we have read so many series together, all in order, every book.

Ballpark Mysteries
Magic Tree House and Merlin Missions
A to Z Mysteries
Horrible Harry in Room 2B
Moongobble and Me - a personal favorite of all time
Dino-Sports
Third Grade Detectives
Andy and Tamika
Baseball Card Mysteries
MVP series

No kidding- last kid, we are plowing through.

As I think of more adult series I will write again. But yes, I only do these in order. And I never miss one - just like TV.

Prediction for next year - 2020. The series that begins with Once We Were Brothers. Can’t wait to hear others thoughts.

I too love a good series my favorite is
Vince Flynn-Mitch Rapp series-although Flynn passed away the series continues and I always read the books as soon they come out. Ken Follett is another favorite author of mine.

The last few years I have been on a fantasy kick, and a lot of them that I have read have been young adult. One of my favorite YA isThe Queen of the Tearling (book #1). Another favorite is His Majesty's Dragon-so much fun!

I have some bad luck with the YA genre lately and have not continued after a first book with a lot of them. But if I am deep into a series (3rd or 4th book) and I find myself bored I will still attempt to finish it. Normally I do not regret it.

If I am truly loving a story and it's characters I am a bit sad when it comes to an end. I have had the last book of the Temeraire series sitting here since November and I have not read it, because I don't want it to end.

I hate waiting 2-3 years for continuation of a story. This is one of the reason's I love Michael J. Sullivan's books. He always has his series pretty well wrapped up before the 1st book is published, so it usually is a year or less for the wait.

Joanne - nice new picture!

Amy wrote: "Joanne - nice new picture!"

New month, new theme-Lol

Amy wrote: "Prediction for next year - 2020. The series that begins with Once We Were Brothers. Can’t wait to hear others thoughts. .."

Was "Once We Were Brothers" meant to be a series!?

I think they follow some couple through the next four books. Its tagged as 1, 2, 3 (Karolina's Twins) and 4. Maybe they are an investigative couple or something?

I love a good trilogy because that is about my threshold for a series. I just get bored reading the same characters and want to switch it up. The longer I go in between books it gets harder to get back into which is why I just don't stick with them... except for comics.

My favorite trilogy was The Strain by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro. Amazing riff on the vampire mythos.

Of course, Harry Potter 😍 But I am at book 3 so we will see how far I get beyond this.

If we could include comics, I loved Preacher and Swamp Thing.

For me, I loved the Harry Potter series and read each book as it came out. I remember all of the drama that came with the book releases: people going to bookstores at midnight on the eve that a book was released, Harry Potter parties, and people/kids dressed as the characters in the books. What was so astonishing about the series is that the books appealed to both kids and adults, world-wide. Also, kids who did not necessarily like reading wanted to read the books.

When I finally read the books I could totally understand why people went so HP crazy and wanted to dress like the characters and all that.
I love when non-readers get into books with a phenomenon like this.

I also like series, but mostly two particular types which serve as serious fluff read for me. First, the ones that are basically a community that acts as the foundation for books introducing various characters, having some of the characters in earlier stories appear briefly in later ones. Or ones where it's a family. These are particularly common with contemporary chick lit and romance novels like those written by Robyn Carr, Susan Mallery, Bella Andre, Susan Wiggs, and Emily March Stephanie Laurensto name just a few. But I can also let the latest in the various series pile up, then binge read over a weekend as a palate cleanser between heavier reading. There are story arcs connecting 2 or 3 of the books within these bigger series, and they also spawn offshoot series so you don't get totally bored with the same town and people. I think what draws me to these is that they are all about community, often treating with serious issues. And yes, there is always romance. But each book mostly can be read alone, and you don't feel that you have to keep reading the next book and the next to find out how it all ends.

My second favorite of course involves mysteries which tend to be written in series featuring a particular sleuth, whether professional or amateur. Pretty much any cozy series featuring needlework, food/cooking, and art/culture are a 'go to' for me. But again, each book tends to stand on its own so there is no 'end' per se.

But there are also finite series that I absolutely adore: Harry Potter of course, Lord of the Rings, George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, and Patrick Rothfuss are absolute favorites that I revisit. With Martin and Rothfuss, patience is a virtue. I know it takes a long time to produce quality, real quality, and I can wait for the next to come out. It's not like I'm lacking for reading material. Plus once those final books are written, it is over and there will be an emptiness that will need filling (this happened after Harry Potter, also with the LOTR movies). That's worse to me than waiting on the next book because at least there is something to anticipate. I would far rather wait a long time for a quality work than have something that's crap published a year or two after the last installment just because it has to be finished and the fans and publishers are pushing.

Yes, there are series that I start but don't finish - usually in the fantasy genre which is just not my thing - I think I never read a couple of the later entries in Edding's Belgariad series. I'm not 100% sure I will finish Jemisen's Broken Earth Trilogy. By contrast, I devoured The Hunger Games trilogy in a weekend just before the first movie came out - YA is definitely not on my radar much. Nor is fantasy.

I'm also perfectly capable of discontinuing reading a series that I just am tired of and where the plots have become formulaic or the writing has deteriorated. I stopped reading Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series after about #8 (I think it is up to #25) because I became so incredibly irritated by the romance aspect -- the constant back and forth with Joe/Ranger, Joe/Ranger, Joe/Ranger just went on too long. I also was so disgusted by the poor quality of The Lost Symbol that I refuse to read any more Landon ones by Dan Brown.

Other series get put aside for some reason and only picked up again years later -- Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone is one of those -- I read up to H then for some reason I was buying but not getting around to reading. Only started reading Kinsey again about 2 or 3 years ago. Still love 'em, but just lost the habit.

Other series/authors of series I adore:
Agatha Christie - well duh, mystery queen! I particularly love the ones with Miss Marple, Tommy & Tuppence, or set in exotic locales but hey, they are all wonderful!
Dorothy Dunnett - historical fiction at its best - I have read all of Lymond Chronicles and have started the House of Niccolo series. Read them. They are amazing.
Cara Black- mysteries featuring detective Aimee LeDuc and set in Paris. Period: 1990s. Sublime.
Andrea Penrose - Lady Arianna mysteries set in Regency London - and often involving interesting information on chocolate and the history of chocolate as well as spies during the Peninsular Wars.
Ashley Gardner - mysteries featuring Captain Lacey, returned to London after the Napoleonic Wars and becomes something of an amateur detective amongst the ton in Regency England.
Elizabeth Peters - any and all but especially the Amelia Peabody series set in Victorian era Egypt.
Ellis Peters - Brother Cadfael of course --- Rose Rent is a fave.

Surprisingly I do not like either the Outlander series (could not even finish the first book) or anything written by Dorothy Sayers - could not get into any of her books - never finished. It's unusual for me not to finish a book I have started - I read fast and I just don't give up all that easily. But if I don't like the first in the series at all, I will not read more and feel no need to do so.

But I absolutely go back and reread favorite series -- maybe not all of them and maybe it's more skimming -- but it's like visiting family and old friends.

Amy wrote: "I think they follow some couple through the next four books. Its tagged as 1, 2, 3 (Karolina's Twins) and 4. Maybe they are an investigative couple or something?"

Ah, ok. I think I'll take a look! Thank you!

Theresa wrote: "Surprisingly I do not like either the Outlander series (could not even finish the first book) .."

I wasn't a big fan of the first book (I listened to the audio), but I've come to enjoy the rest of the series (at least so far, up to book 5, I think?).

LibraryCin wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Surprisingly I do not like either the Outlander series (could not even finish the first book) .."

I wasn't a big fan of the first book (I listened to the audio), but I've come to e..."

I tried the second and did not get past chapter 2. It just clearly is not for me. Which is fine. Many don't like LOTR or Song of Ice and Fire, both of which I love and have read more than once. That's what makes it all so interesting.

I am a mystery series fan. There are several series which I love. I like those set in foreign places, medieval settings and one cat series.

Foreign Settings-
1. Inspector Chen - Shanghai - first book Death of a Red Heroine -by Qiu Xiaolong - an additional bonus is these have an abundance of info about food.

2. Inspector Shan - Tibet - First book The Skull Mantra - By Elliot Pattison

3.Bruno, Chief of Police -Dordogne, France- First book, Bruno, Chief of Police: A Mystery of the French Countryside - by Martin Walker- Great information about food and cooking.

Medieval Mysteries:
1. Brother Cadfael - First book , A Morbid Taste for Bones - By Ellis Peters
2.Crispin Guest Series - First book, A Veil of Lies -by Jeri Westerson
3. Oxford Medieval Mysteries - First book, The Booksellers Tale - by Ann Swinfen
4. Stephen Attebrook - First book, The Wayward Apprentice - by Jason Vail

Cat Series:
1. Joe Grey Mysteries - First book, Cat on the Edge- by Shirley Rosseau Murphy.

1) What is your favorite Series?
Too many to list, in fantasy, sci-fi and mystery genres.

2) Do you prefer a continuous story or each book able to stand alone?
I don't care as long as they're well written.

3) In police, mystery, or investigative series, are you bothered that one character goes through so many extraordinary events or cases?
Not really - it's a suspension of disbelief that's easy enough to go along with if I'm entertained.

4) Do you still read Young Adult or Children Series?
Yes!

5) How do you feel about not finishing a series?
Hate it if it's a great series. Don't care if I lost interest somewhere along the way.

6) How do you feel about spin-off series?
As long as it's good....

7) How do you feel when a series ends?
Happy/sad. Great to have closure, especially if the author died (e.g. Margaret Frazer's Sister Frevisse or Ellis Peters's Brother Cadfael, though that one could have gone on longer) but distressing if it's not finished yet (I will kill Pat Rothfuss if he dies before finishing book 3).

8) Is the wait between books frustrating, especially long waits (Ken Follet or George R.R. Martin) or do you enjoy the break?
Yes, but I'm easily distracted by other series! I enjoy a break sometimes, if I've binged too long, but for a great series I can stay in a world a long time and enjoy it.

Update: Ok, I sat down and came up with a list of my favorites. It's very long, and many series I enjoyed did not make it because they weren't "favorites" - it's the only way to keep it from going on forever. And yes, it's not an accident I left Harry Potter off this list. And I'm pretty sure I've forgotten some that should be on the list. "Etc" means just about everything they write should be on the list.

Historical mystery:
Anne Perry - Thomas Pitt/William Monk
Margaret Frazer - Sister Frevisse/Joliffe
Ellis Peters - Brother Cadfael
Peter Tremayne - Sister Fidelma

Cozy mystery:
Donna Andrews - Meg Langslow/Turing Hopper
Carolyn Hart - Death in Demand/Henrie O
Monica Ferris - Needlecraft
Agatha Christie - Miss Marple/Poirot

Mystery thriller:
J.D.Robb - Eve Dallas (In Death)
Michael Connelly - Bosch/Haller/Ballard
John Sandford - Davenport/Flowers
William Krueger - Cork O'Connor
Donna Leon - Guido Brunetti
Carmen Amato - Emilia Cruz
Lee Child - Jack Reacher
Nevada Barr - Anna Pigeon
Dana Stabenow - Kate Shugak
Dick Francis - Sid Halley/Kit Fielding
Robert Galbraith - Cormoran Strike
J.J. Marric - Gideon

Fantasy:
Mercedes Lackey - Valdemar/Hunter/etc.
Michelle Sagara - Elantra
Patrick Rothfuss - Kingkiller
J.R.R. Tolkien - LOTR
David Eddings - Belgariad ONLY
Jim Butcher - Dresden/Codex Alera, etc.
Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels, etc (everything!)
Juliet Marilier - Sevenwaters/Blackthorn & Grim/Bridei
Elizabeth Moon - Paksenarrion
Tanya Huff - Vicky Nelson
Jane Lindskold - Firekeeper
Jennifer Roberson - Sword-Dancer/Cheysuli
N.K. Jemisin - Broken Earth/Inheritance
Carrie Vaughn - Kitty, etc
Patricia Briggs - Mercy/Alpha-Omega/etc.
Lloyd Alexander - Prydain
Madeleine L'Engle - Time Quintet/Austins
Sharon Shinn - Samaria/Elemental/Safe-Keeper/12 Houses, etc
Jack White - Camulod
Mary Stewart - Crystal Cave
Charlaine Harris - Sookie, Lily Bard, Harper Connelly
Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar
Lynn Flewelling - Nightrunner
Diana Gabaldon - Outlander

Sci-fi:
Anne McCaffrey - Pern, etc. (but NOT Acorna or Barque Cats!)
Alan Dean Foster - Pip & Flinx
Tanya Huff - Confederation
Elizabeth Moon - Serrano/Vatta
Isaac Asimov - Robots/Foundation
Carrie Vaughn - Bannerless
Mercedes Lackey - Brainship
Suzanne Collins - Hunger Games
Lois McMaster Bujold - Miles Vorkosigan

Fiction:
Cynthia Voigt - Tillerman
Joan Aiken - Wolves/Felix

Theresa wrote: "I tried the second and did not get past chapter 2. It just clearly is not for me. ,..."

Ah, ok. Yes, you're right. It must not be for you!

1) What is your favorite Series?
2) Do you prefer a continuous story or each book able to stand alone?
3) In police, mystery, or investigative series, are you bothered that one character goes through so many extraordinary events or cases?
4) Do you still read Young Adult or Children Series?
5) How do you feel about not finishing a series?
6) How do you feel about spin-off series?
7) How do you feel when a series ends?
8) Is the wait between books frustrating, especially long waits (Ken Follet or George R.R. Martin) or do you enjoy the break?

1. I have a few that are the popular choices like Harry Potter and ASOIAF. Some less well known favourites are The Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon and the Gentleman Bastards series by Scott Lynch

2. I prefer a continuous stories. Most of my favourite series are fantasy or historical fiction where the world and politics needs some time to build and come alive. Even with series that work as standalones like many mystery series I end up wanting to read it like I would a continuous series and get frustrated at how large these series are as I feel I have to read them chronologically without leaving any out.

3. Not really. Those books aren't supposed to be realistic so I can suspend my disbelief.

4. I will dabble in the odd Young Adult fantasy series but they often don't grab me as much as the fantasy for adults

5. I always try to finish a series. I don't like to leave them incomplete.

6. I don't think I've ever read a spin off series. I get annoyed by the short side novels because I'd prefer the author to get on with writing the next full novel!

7. I feel a sense of satisfaction and move on to the next

8. Don't start me on this. I have been waiting sooo looong.