Dionne, a Twitter friend, tweeted that her book club currently follows 13 different series. When I read this, I thought it was a ridiculous number. Then I quickly listed off the number of series I read. My preliminary count reached 22. And that was without looking at my bookshelves. Is there such a thing as rehab for series addiction?
Here’s my list so far:
Historical Mystery
- C.J. Sansom – Matthew Shardlake (Tudor England)
- Jacqueline Winspear – Masie Dobbs (WWI & 1930s)
- Deanna Raybourn – Lady Julia Grey/Nicholas Brisbane (Victorian England)
- C.S. Harris – Sebastian St. Cyr (Regency England)
Mystery/Thriller
- Julia Spencer-Fleming – Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mysteries
- Chelsea Cain – Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan/Susan Ward
- Karin Slaughter – Grant County
- Karin Slaughter – Will Trent
Historical Romance
- Diana Gabaldon – Jamie/Claire
- Eloisa James – Desperate Duchesses sextet
- Lisa Kleypas – Hathaways
- Pamela Clare – MacKinnon Rangers
- Laura Lee Guhrke – Girl-Bachelors
- Elizabeth Hoyt – Legend of the Four Soldiers quartet
- Jennifer Ashley – Highland Pleasures
Romantic Suspense
- Pamela Clare – I-Team
- Suzanne Brockmann – Troubleshooters
- Karen Rose – Vartanian trilogy
Contemporary Romance
- Erin McCarthy – NASCAR series
- Jill Shalvis – Wilder Brothers
- Victoria Dahl – Tumble Creek books (‘Talk Me Down’ & ‘Start Me Up’)
Urban Fantasy
- J.R. Ward – Black Dagger Brotherhood
I know there are more but I’m too afraid to dig deeper into my library. If I took into account series which have finished, or which I no longer follow, the number would be much higher.
Do you follow many series? Do you share my compulsion to read books in the correct order? What makes you decide to quit a series? And is there any hope for this addict?
{ 9 comments }
I need to do a list. You’ve inspired me. I’ll link back to your post. This ought to be a great meme. Tx. I don’t think I follow that many. Hehehe.
2 that you turned me onto:
Marian Keyes – the Walsh Sisters
Susan E. Phillips – the Chicago something or anothers
Here are some that come to mind that I read religiously. Hmm, they all all seem to be crime novels:
Tess Gerritsen
Kathy Reichs
Elizabeth George
Donna Leon
To answer your questions: yes, I follow a lot of series; yes, I share your compulsion to read them in the right order; the main reason I give up on a series is tedium, when the characters/story lines don’t develop well and don’t continue to interest and entertain me; and finally, I hope there is no hope – I love series, the anticipation of a new volume is always a thrill. My favorites include Donna Leon, James Lee Burke and Henning Mankell’s ‘Wallander’ books. I could go on.. and on.
@Keishon And I didn’t think I followed that many series, either! Just remembered Val McDermid’s Tony Hill series. Ouch. That brings the number up to 23…
@Andrea The Chicago Stars. I liked the early ones a lot.
@Trish I gave up on the Plum series due to the lack of character development. The first six are hilarious but then it became repetitive. I used to read Anne Perry but her series don’t seem to end. My favourite connected books are those with a foreseeable end (e.g.: trilogies).
Another one… I forgot about Henning Mankell.
I can see your appeal of the trilogies, but I miss them when they are over.
I LOVE the Outlander series! I also read Patricia Brigs Mercy Thompson Series, Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Novels, JR Wards Black Dagger Bro’s, PC & Kristen Cast’s House of Night Series, Charliene Harris Sookie Stackhouse Series, Stephanie Meyers Twilight Saga, Mary Blaough’s Huxtable Series, Sophine Kinselllas Shopaholic Series…etc…I’m right there with ya girl! Its addictive! lol
@Monroe Yep, it’s addictive alright. And several of my TBR books are the first of a series. Scary stuff! Your blog is very pretty, by the way. I love your header. My own is ugly ass brown but I’m working on it…