As a blogger, I’m cautious of reviewing books further into a series in case readers haven’t read the earlier books and aren’t interested in the review or somehow feel alienated. And as a reader, when I visit the library it’s really difficult to find a full series. Often some are missing or in other libraries, and picking up a standalone book requires a lot less effort and waiting. With a series I somehow feel obliged to read the rest of the books once I’ve started it, waiting months and months for the book to come out with the secret fear that I may not even like the next instalment or the way the author finished the whole series.
On the other hand, you do get to watch your favourite characters grow and change and get caught in new adventures or romances. One of the main reasons I read is for the characters – I want to see them stumble a little, be human and real, be tested and pass. Is a standalone enough to become really enamoured with a character? And if you do really like them, surely you would want to read more about them?
In the case of Sookie Stackhouse I absolutely love this series and know I will read it again and again. I love watching how her life changes and I know I would have been gutted if there had only been one book about Sookie. In contrast, (and this may be a little controversial as I know it is so popular) I felt disappointed with the Fallen series, and almost felt like it was a waste to read three books only to not even want to read the final book in the series.
One author told me that publishers prefer standalone books. But is this true, as there are plenty of new series being published? For the time, I’m still split…
What do you think? Do you prefer a standalone or a series? Or does it depend on the book and the characters?
On the other hand, you do get to watch your favourite characters grow and change and get caught in new adventures or romances. One of the main reasons I read is for the characters – I want to see them stumble a little, be human and real, be tested and pass. Is a standalone enough to become really enamoured with a character? And if you do really like them, surely you would want to read more about them?
In the case of Sookie Stackhouse I absolutely love this series and know I will read it again and again. I love watching how her life changes and I know I would have been gutted if there had only been one book about Sookie. In contrast, (and this may be a little controversial as I know it is so popular) I felt disappointed with the Fallen series, and almost felt like it was a waste to read three books only to not even want to read the final book in the series.
One author told me that publishers prefer standalone books. But is this true, as there are plenty of new series being published? For the time, I’m still split…
What do you think? Do you prefer a standalone or a series? Or does it depend on the book and the characters?
