Mundie Moms

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Thoughtful Thursday- Book Series Fatigue

We are huge fans of books series. There's a lot of awesome series out there and Mundie Moms was started because of a wonderful series by Cassandra Clare. Every now and then there's a series that comes along that leaves me wondering why it was made into a series, especially if the only book that really worked well for it was the first book in the series. A few days ago Sophie & I were discussing book series fatigue. This stemmed from me sharing my thoughts on a book I'd recently read that was the third book in a series. I shared with her that I felt this book was a let down to the series, and may hinder fan's desire to pick up the next and final book in that series. I felt the series should have ended with the third book.

We talked about both the pros and cons with book series. Especially the cons for those series that ended up being stretched out to include one more book than it was originally going to. We see both the benefits and the harm that comes from that. There's been times we've both read the first book in a series and felt that, that book could stand on it's own or we went on to read the rest of the series and ended up not liking it. There's also been times we have read the first book and thought it was good and ended up loving the next book in the series. Our discussion went on to include multi-books series that worked, and ones we thought should have ended sooner than they did.

We totally get why some fans end up wanting to step off of a series they love when the series continues to drag on, or when you no longer buy into it. Some examples of the bigger series that we know about are the Twilight Series, Harry Potter, Hush, Hush series, The Vampire Academy, Blue Bloods, the Wicked Lovely Series, Beautiful Creatures series and The Mortal Instrument series, and the list goes on and on. We know there's more than those, but these are the ones we hear a lot about. We've personally had fans mention to us they stopped reading the TMI series after City of Glass. While Sophie and I both adore this book and see their point to wanting to end with seeing Jace & Clary happy, Cassie's got us wanting to know what happens next. We're both totally invested into this series and bracing ourselves for the heart breaking impact we know Cassie has yet to give us. This is one series we're glad hasn't stopped after the third book.

Not all books need to have sequels or become a series. We feel there's been some great two books series and stand alone books that have left us wishing they were a series. There's been times lately that we've both felt some series have been stretched out and that's hurt both the series and our desire to pick up the next book. We really admire authors and publishers that don't feel the need to stretch out a fabulous stand alone or 2 books series to be more than it is. Those books have ended on some great notes. They've left us wanting more and feeling totally satisfied with their endings all at the same time.

Here's a list of books that Sophie & I discussed (they're certainty not all the ones we love) and broke down into lists, based on some of the books we've enjoyed either via a series, stand alone etc. This list does NOT reflect all the books we've enjoyed, nor does it reflect the large variety of YA books out there. These are just some of the books Sophie & I talked about together.


Stand Alones:

- Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
- Candor by Pam Bachorz
- Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
- Lola & the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
- A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
- The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
- Entwined by Heather Dixon,
- Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
- Falling in Love With English Boys by Melissa Jenson
- Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
- Sea by Heidi Kling,
- Forgotten by Cat Patrick,
- Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch
- This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
- Between the Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys,
- Fateful by Claudia Gray


Two Book Series (finished):

- Always A Witch series by Carolyn McCullough
- Suite Scarlet by Maureen Johnson


Multi-book series (finished):

The Gone Series by Lisa McMann
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Demon's Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan
Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld
The River of Time Series by Lisa Bergren
The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater
Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Forest of Hands & Teeth series by Carrie Ryan
The Prophecy series by Michelle Zink


Series/Sequels still in progress: (this is only a sample of some of the series Sophie & I discussed who have more books being published)

The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Device series by Cassandra Clare
Curse Workers series by Holly Black
The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter
Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins
The Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer
The Firelight series by Sophie Jordan
The Heist Society series by Ally Carter
Paranormalcy series by Kiersten White
Divergent series by Veronica Roth
Die For Me by Amy Plum
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margie Stohl
Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Hourglass series by Myra McEntire
The Vespertine series by Saundra Mitchell
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Siren by Tricia Rayburn
Delirium series by Lauren Oliver
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Matched series by Ally Condie
The Dark Divine series by Bree Despain
Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey
Haunting Emma series by Lee Nichols
The Books of Bayren series by Shannon Hale
Wings series by Aprilynne Pike
Fire & Thorns series by Rae Carson
Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
13 to Life by Shannon Delany
Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting

What are your thoughts on a series. Have you felt series fatigue lately? Do you lose interest when the series becomes more than a 2 book series? We'd love to know.

40 comments:

  1. I'm really preferring stand-alones lately. I hate waiting for years to find out how a story ends only to be disappointed. One book I really wish had been a standalone is Everlasting by Angie Frazier. I loved the ending, but I absolutely HATED the ending of the sequel (I haven't even reviewed it because I don't know what to say, I'm so upset) and now I've found out that while the author wants to write a 3rd book she has no contract for one. Agggh. I wish it had just ended with book 1.

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  2. I agree! And what's makes it hard is that I HATE to not finish a series. Even if it starts to be terrible after 4 or 5 books, I try my best to finish it out. There are some new series that I'm excited about (Unearthly, Divergent, Starcrossed, Hourglass, Delirium) but the hard part of that is the waiting a year between books. By the time we get book 2 or 3, it's hard to remember the details. Sometimes I put off reading a book if I know it's in a series because it's easier to read a few books together. Like with Hex Hall and Demonglass. I read them both together and was so happy I did it that way.

    Overall, I've found it to be much easier to dive into a book when you know it's a stand-alone. If I know its a new series I tend to put it off a bit when I can. But reading book 1 isn't normally the problem, it's finding time to read books 2, 3, etc. when there are so many new things coming out. That seems to be my issue right now :)

    Sorry for the rambling, lol. This is a topic I've been thinking about a lot lately (been getting TONS of book #2's in the mail!).

    - Jessica

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  3. It all depends on the how much I like a series of books, and if the next book or books is good enough.
    I thought the series The Hunger Games was incredible, all except the last book, where the ending just wasn't satisfying enough.

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  4. Rebecca- Sophie & I had a hard time coming up with a huge list of stand alones. The ones we did come up with were ones we loved. I hoping we'll start seeing a new trend with more stand alone books. I loved Everlasting, but I didn't like the ending of Enteral Sea, despite really enjoying the book.

    Jessica- I'm with you! I don't like not finishing a series, even if I didn't like the last book I read in it. I also love the list of series you included. I'm so excited about the next books in each of those series. I agree, it's hard waiting so long for the books to come out.

    I love what Harlequin Teen has done with Julie Kagawa's series. They release the books every 6 months or so. I think that's so smart. That way the previous book is still fresh enough in your mind that you don't have to re-read the previous book to remember what happened.

    No apologies needed! I really appreciate your comments. These are the same things we've been talking about.

    Katie- That's so true, though recently a book I read in my one favorite series was a total let down. So much so that I don't know if I'll pick up the next book in the series.

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  5. There are some series I think should have never continued past the first book, but that's just me. I do like the idea of having a full story and adventure and that's why I like to read a book series, but I also enjoy reading a once-and-done stand alone. I could probably go back and re-read Sea and Brightly Woven just as many times as I could re-read Harry Potter because they're both so great.

    Ellen Hopkins is my favorite YA author and I was worried when I heard she was writing companions/sequels for Impulse and Burned because I didn't think either needed to continue. I read Perfect recently though (companion to Impulse) and it was incredible. Part of me likes that she's releasing Smoke (sequel to Burned) because it felt unfinished, but I also like the way it ended.

    I guess for me it depends on my mood and if I like the author well enough to continue. Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series might never end, but so far I'm loving every book so I'm not going to complain.

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  6. Oh my goodness I know exactly what you mean. Once a series hits the 4th book I start thinking Oh no this is going to go on forever! There are exceptions of course, like the Parasol Protectorate which I will probably read until it ends. But series like Strange Angels where the books are very short and nothing significant happens until the last 50 pages I have just given up on :(

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  7. OMG
    the pretty little liars books were like that:first 4, then 8, now 12...

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  8. I am sadly stuck in series overload. I've actually been relieved at the books I've read that tie things up in a neat little bow and don't promise a "to be continued."

    just around my house, I have ~200 unread books waiting for me. My formal (but not well ordered) "to read" list is around 600. Of those, many are book 1 in a series...which means I will likely need to add at least 2 books to the list for each of those I finish.

    Don't get me wrong...I love the epic nature of a series and the added depth and intrigue a series can provide. I'm just getting overwhelmed and find myself finishing a new "book 1" and being torn as to whether to move on to "book 2" immediately or move on to the next book that was already in my TBR pile. In some cases, the decision is made for me because the next book is not yet available.

    What really bugs me is when it feels like a book is turned into a series just in an effort to stretch it out and make more money (ie - the publishers saw a potential cash cow and wanted to make 3x the profits) or when a series is strong and has good potential but has an awful book stuck in the middle (often as a bridge to help get some expository junk out there in order to get to the "real" climax in the next book).

    Generally, I love a good series. I also love a good standalone. I think perhaps my preference would be for a good series full of ongoing intrigue and a larger meta-story, but which fully concludes a smaller story in each book (similar to the way the early Harry Potter books did...though as time went on, the meta-story took precedence over the story in the individual books).

    Anyway, this is a great post and something I've been thinking a lot about lately.

    Good luck with all your series reading. :)

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  9. Yeah, the ending of The Eternal Sea was what ruined it for me and made me wish there hadn't been a sequel. Another standalone I liked was Fateful by Claudia Gray.

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  10. I read The Wolves of Mercy Falls recently basically back to back, and I love to do it like that as you get to read the complete story. Sometimes reading sequels with year gaps is daunting, and at the same time you're joy and thrill from the first book declines rapidly as you find yourself occupied with so many other great titles. I think another series I read back-to-back was Percy jackson last year, was another reason why I like doing series like that. But there are always books of series I can't wait to devour and read more about it, and then there are others that you're just like, 'Meh! I can wait until the last book comes out, or whatever many books there are left to go.' I love my Fantasy, but I kind of felt like the latter with the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. I had begun Eldest years ago, but because of this blooming long wait I stopped it. But so glad Inheritance is finally coming out next month so that I can read Eldest, Brisingr and now Inheritance together.

    Great post! I need to do more of these types of discussion posts on my blog. It lacks them.

    By the way, Stephanie Perkins has a third companian for that series, 'Isla's happily ever after' so it's not a two-book series ;)

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  11. Braiden- Thank you! I'm glad you like the post. Yes, Stephanie's books are already listed as Stand Alones. I purposely didn't list them as a two books series, because it's not a series. :)

    Rebecca- Oh thank you! I totally forgot Fateful. I loved that book.

    Okie- I agree with your comment, "What really bugs me is when it feels like a book is turned into a series just in an effort to stretch it out and make more money" That's one of the things Sophie and I talked about.

    My to read pile continues to go. I figured it will never shrink. LOL

    pepsivanilla- I'm so glad we're not the only ones who feel that way. I haven't read either series you mentioned. I'll have to check them out.

    kimscarecrow- Great point about your mood. I'm the same way. I have to bee in the mood to read some books as well. Some series I love to read no matter what my mood is and other series/books I totally have to be in the mood for them.

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  12. It's funny that you blogged this today because I just came from a dinner with a friend who has connections in the publishing industry. She was telling me that several authors are having trouble getting their books published as stand-alones. Publishers are turning away books that aren't either trilogies or series. If you want to get published, you have to be willing to stretch out your story.

    I love a good trilogy or series (I would add Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series to the list), but agree that a lot the trilogies/series out there should have been left as 1 or 2 books at most. If you're left thinking, "Enough already!" part way through, the author/publisher has taken it too far. *sigh*

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  13. What a neat blog post! How sweet of you to point out that really great books don't have to be series. And, they don't, if they just naturally tell the entire story in one or two installments. I totally agree. It's too bad they're not more popular like they were many years ago, when they were standard fare.

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  14. Arvais- Thank you so much for your comments! That's so sad so many authors are being turned away. There's some fabulously written stand alone/companion books out there. I wish there were more. I've just started Rachel's series. I'm excited to read it.

    Cathy- Thank you so much! Series are great, but I'm with you, I miss having more stand alones. It took Sophie and I awhile to come up with a list of stand alones we've recently read, because so many of the book we read are series.

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  15. I know so many people who said Cassie Shouldn't have written the 4th MI book but to be honest, I liked it! Simon was hilarious in it! (my review: http://melissadouthit.com/2011/10/10/city-of-fallen-angels/)

    But there are series out there that really shouldn't be series or they should have never been as long as they were. Case in point: WoT.

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  16. I agree with Jessica on how hard it is to remember details of stories released a year apart. The Hush Hush series is a good example of a series I enjoyed and I needed to re-read the previous 2 books prior to the Silence release just to refresh the details in my mind.
    Aravis - Thanks for noting that some stories are still in progress when their sell by date is long past. Maximum Ride is a great example. The first three books were great action/adventure. Then in books 4-6 the story went astray, suddenly there is a love triangle, and beloved characters exhibit unlikely changes in personality.
    As for a newer series Im looking forward to the sequel to Angelfire.

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  17. I like both series and stand-alones. I really understand the urge to walk away from a series when it gets strung out for far too long. There is also this build up with series. Where you finally get to the final book, and you expect it to be better than the last one, because the author claims it will be the best one of the series, and it turns out to read like fanfiction. With shorter series it's easier to remember details of the books. Part of the problem I had with Harry Potter, even though I love the series, is that by the time the seventh book had come, out I had to reread the last six books, which I didn't mind. But some people don't have the time nor the motivation to go back and reread the books leading up to one that's been released. Also when the series gets made into a movie or get a tv deal, lots of details are lost or forgotten. And we someone goes to reread the series or read it for the first time, they realize that a lot was left out or they completely changed parts of the story to fit the screen.

    I also like stand alones, because the have a definite ending. Where as some series like Twilight, will drag out a romantic relationship. Then they'll throw in someone else, to make the series more interesting. And I do like series that have some angst, but my problem specifically with Twilight love triangle is that Jacob is all saying I'm better than you than that bloodsucker, I would never hurt you. When in fact Jacob has even stated that Sam hurt Emily and she's his imprint. So even if Bella chose Jacob she still could get hurt.

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  18. "Arvais- Thank you so much for your comments! That's so sad so many authors are being turned away. There's some fabulously written stand alone/companion books out there."

    One good thing now is that authors don't really need to go to publishers anymore because they can do it on their own. That's what I am doing and it is working out really well.

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  19. One reason why big publishers like series is because they are money-makers and also because so many indies out there are writing series. Publishers are learning how to survive in the changing market by watching what the indies do.

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  20. One series I have completely given up on is the 'House of Night' series. I have the first 7 or 8 (I forget lol) of them and after the last one I read I just thought it was getting silly. So I just stopped reading it. Massive decision on my part because like a lot of other people I usually like to finish a series once I've started it.

    Also because of this post I think all of my YA books are series books... Odd. I'm lucky enough though that I have the time to be able to read through an entire series when I feel like it. I bought Richelle Meads 'Bloodlines' a couple of weeks ago but I felt the need to read all 6 of the 'Vampire Academy' books again. So I did haha.

    I think I need to find some stand alone books...

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  21. My biggest problem with series is that I just can't get caught up!

    Just over the summer, I started really into the YA way of book heaven. :) I find myself stressing out when I read reviews and adding new books to my Goodreads list. There are some "older" series that I just know that I will probably never get to and they're favorites of some people.

    The series that are just getting started, there's hope for me to be on those bandwagons.

    I must say, I like when a book is stand alone, or even a duo. I like having an ending. So does my wallet and the poor ladies at the Library who have to keep shelving my books.

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  22. The Inheritance series by Christoper Paolini is getting waaaay too long. At first it was supposed to be a trilogy, and when the third book came out YEARS! after the first, I was definitely getting tired of waiting. I finally read it, only to find out that there's a FOURTH book coming out. Even though I loved ERAGON, he has dragged this series on way too long, and ruined the plot (at least I feel that he has) in the process. I'm beginning to hate the series even though the first book was really something incredible.

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  23. Thank you so much for all your comments!! I've enjoyed reading through all of them and it's nice to know we're not the only ones who feel this way.

    I do love reading a series, but lately there's been a few series that I've loved with latest releases just didn't do it for me and with all the new releases coming out from debut authors, some of the series I did enjoy are sitting on the back burner now. There's just not enough time to keep up with a series that's lost my interest when there's so many new ones being released that I've falling in love with.

    I think one of the things that hurts a series is having that series dragged out. That's what started this whole conversation between Sophie and I, that inspired this post. The series, which I didn't name in the post, has totally lost my interest and I now have no desire to finish it off. It's a series that should have ended with the third book and it originally was going to, but now there's a 4th book coming out.

    The other things I think that hurts a series is having the books in the series released so far apart, whether it be a year or longer. Readers tend to lose interest or find something else to read during that waiting period or they buy the book when it comes out and than it will just sit on their shelf waiting to get read. There's very few publishers who release books in their series every six months or so and those who do, I totally admire. Not saying I don't admire others who don't, because I do.

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  24. Actually, with all of the great series available and still in the works, I think I'm just rather overwhelmed by it all. I love to read but sometimes I'm just not in the right mode to invest in a series (even just a trilogy). I hear about so many amazing books, and I want to read more and more that I just get caught up in the book excitement. It's quite easy to do within the blogging community, and I know I'm not the first nor will I be the last this happens to.

    In any case, I'm actually fond of standalone books because you're able to invest the time within just that one book and really delve into the story that is completed by the last page. Sometimes, I'm left wanting more and other times I'm happy the story is done. That's not to say I don't enjoy series, but it's probably best I finish the ones I have started before beginning another series. :)

    I do agree with you about possibly losing interest because of the period of time between book releases. There is one particular series that has been completed in another country, yet the US publishers are choosing to release the books over a longer span of time. The first has already been released (a great start to the story), but the other two are not scheduled to be released until next year. It is my hope that interest will not be lost in the series due to the release time. This is why I'll sometimes wait til all of the books in a trilogy or quartet are released before diving into the books. Crazy and procrastinative (Is that a word?), but I'll be able to read the story in its entirety. :) Excellent thought-provoking discussion.

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  25. First let me say I'm sorry you didn't like Sil.... the book you just read. When I start looking at books the first thing I do anymore is check out how many are going to be in the series. If it's a trilogy then I'm usually good but if there is more then that then I seriously consider wether or not I want to read it. Take the Beautiful Creatures books, I loved the first but with there being 4 total and with that e-book they did it's a long series. I'm still going to read them but they are on the back burner until the series is finished and I can read them straight thru.
    I do try to throw in stand aloes in between my reading of series. Stand alones are wonderful things when they are written well and nothing is more gratifying then coming to the end and feeling satisfied and content.
    Right now my biggest issue is I started a series that everyone seems to love but me. I just can't get past the main characters lack of ..... I can't even find the right word. Spine maybe? I'm really hoping in the next book she steps up her game and starts being an independent self motivating person. Search for answers! If the next book leaves me feeling like the first I don't think I will be finishing the series.

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  26. I've personally concluded that it's okay to step off a series. That's hard for me to do, because a) I'm a Type-A personality who finishes what I start and b) I'm an eternal optimist who hopes that somehow the series will take a turn for the better. I also grew up reading series books: Narnia, Mary Poppins, The Borrowers, etc. But, sometimes, I feel the strain of an author working through all the possible permutations of characters arcs/plot lines and I have to do an eyeroll. If the meta-story no longer holds to the premise established in the first book or just loses credibility through those permutations, then I'm jumping off the series.

    I don't mind waiting a year or longer for a well written sequel. One of my favorite series is Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief and there are years (!) between those books, but they are brilliantly written. What I appreciate less of are the e-novellas which publishers charge for. I'd like to think that a free e-novella (for a limited time like Harlequin Teen tends to do) helps ease the wait between books and gets you excited for the next book. It's truly an example of smart marketing.

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  27. I love series only so long as each book offers its own unique, fully developed storyline in addition to the series storyline. When I'm reading a series, I don't want to feel like I'm watching a thirty minute episode of a tv melodrama. I want a full story, a full arc, within each book, even as events are tied to the things that go on through the entire series.
    When that doesn't happen, I tend to lose interest.

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  28. I hate to be nit-picky, but I just wanted to point out that the Gone series isn't finished yet. I love that series like a crazy person :P

    Great post though :]

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  29. I personally think the best (worst?) example of a pointlessly dragged out series is the Bloody Jack series by LA Meyer. Seriously every book has the same plot in a different location and the exact.same.ending. Agh!

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  30. Anonymous- I couldn't agree more regarding House of Night. I read the first 7 or 8, and I'm not certain how I even got that far. Talk about stretched out! I can't stand Zoey. Her friends are far more interesting, and the only reason I lasted this long. I just can't see me going any further, though. It's just gotten ridiculous.

    As for the trilogy/series question:

    I love a good trilogy/series, don't get me wrong. When the story and characters are there, so am I. With bells on. Like others have said, it's when it's padded and stretched out that I become disgusted.

    I'm like Sophie- Type A and hopeful. It is extremely rare that I won't finish a book or series. Perhaps I have a touch of OCD, but I can't stop once I've started even if a large part of me really wants to. This should tell you just how sick I am of House of Night. *G*

    The long wait between book releases can be hard. I also have the latest books of several trilogies/series waiting to be read because they've lost momentum. This doesn't mean that I won't love reading them when I get around to it, but I'm just not as excited. TMI and ID books are an exception, of course. I buy those on release day and read immediately. Which, in a way, is bad because then I have a long wait until the next release! She's kinder to us, though, in that the releases are staggered so that there's only about 6 mos. between a TMI or ID release. I love that woman. :0)

    Slightly off topic, someone mentioned in the comments about how many great new books are constantly being released, and that it can be hard to keep up. I totally understand! I have over 70 books TBR. Then you should see my list of books bookmarked for future purchase. And Mundie Moms? You're the culprit, or at least a major reason why. You're killing my wallet, but the reader in me couldn't be happier. So thanks. I think. *G*

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  31. Sometimes I really love a series, it gives you a chance to really invest in characters and for an author to really delve into a deeply intricate plot. But lately it seems so many authors are taking an idea that would work better for a stand alone book and stretching it out over several books. Because there's really not a lot more than a single idea, the first book is usually just a teaser and I'm not feeling the characters. And sometimes I just get fed up with all the changes in a series, I stopped reading the House of Night series because the main character had a new love interest every single book, along with all the old ones. I love series that have a focus and a clear idea of where they're going. Give me that, and I'll buy as many books in a series that the author can churn out!

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  32. Anonymous-
    I did like Silence. I gave it 4 stars. :)
    I know what you mean about about series and having to wait to read them. The Maze Runner for example is one series I've been waiting to read, and now that the third book is in my hands I'm excited to read the series all the way through.

    Sophie-
    Thank you for the great discussions we've had about this topic.

    dothutchison-
    You made an awesome point about each book in a series offering something unique to the series. Which is one of the reasons I adore Cassie's writing. Each of her books has a unique storyline to the over all series.

    Jasmine- Thank you. I'll have to look into that. As far as I know Lisa McMann is not writing any more books with her Gone series.

    Rebecca- I've not read that series, but that would be frustrating to read a series where each book had a different setting.

    Aravis- You are so welcome! Believe me, I'm right there with you with having a weakness for buying books and adding more and more books to my TBR pile. :)

    Kate- Great points!! I totally agree. Even if I get frustrated with some of the books in a series, I'll still buy the rest of the series if it's from an author I adore.

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  33. Well, the Bloody Jack series is about a girl in the 19th century who travels the world so it makes sense each book is in a different place, the problem is the story is just repetative and dragged out at this point. Each book pretty much goes like this - she and her love interest reunite, she gets into some kind of dangerous adventure, and then at the end they are separated once again. It's just annoying and I don't understand what it adds to the story to keep dragging it out like this.

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  34. Oh and I just thought of another standalone that I loved - Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

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  35. Rebecca- Oh got it. I need to look into this series. I can see how you'd tire of this series quickly. That would be extremely frustrating to me, especially since there's so much potential with the story line.

    Rebecca- Yes! I totally forgot about that one and I just read it. That's a great stand alone.

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  36. I loved the first three or four books or so. Then I just got annoyed because every book is just going exactly the same. I wish the author would conclude the main storyline and maybe write about one of the many secondary characters instead? Maybe four is really the limit before a series gets too long too? If these books were standalones I'd enjoy them because the stories are fun, I'm just tired of the romance being dragged out, every time it seems they will finally be together and able to marry and then nope, they get separated again by events.

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  37. I really enjoy series, however there is a point at which a series just drags on too long. I think in general anything longer than 6 or 7 books is just too much. Ive had a lot of issues with trilogies lately not feeling complete when they end but when you start getting beyond 6 and 7 books, its fun to visit with your favorite characters again but things just seem to drag on and not have the same feel they did early on in the series. I often lose interest because my favorite characters are no longer fun and the world seems to stretch too beyond where it began. So all in all I think series are good but I don't think they should go on forever. I do enjoy a good stand alone every now and again but everything i tend to love is usually series. one book just doesnt feel like enough most of the time.

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  38. Rebecca- That stinks! It's so hard when a series does that. You want to love it, but it's not engaging enough. I agree, when a series gets like that, you do wish they are a stand alone.

    Jamie- Great point! I've done the same. I guess for me it boils down to the author and their writing style. Some series are perfect at three books and some like the TMI series I'm glad they have more than 3 books. Stand alones are great, though I've read some I wish were a series.

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  39. So I am just checking out your site after the chat with Julie. I figured it's not too late to post on older threads. For me, the best part of a series is discovering it after most, if not all, of the books are out! Ha! Because the waiting-for-the-next-book part is most frustrating. Especially if it's a series that I love. I've become totally hooked on YA and series books after dragging my feet on them forever (What can I say--I'm a mom, and the only series books I remember from my teen years were the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Authors have come such a long way since then. Thank goodness.). I completely agree that there are some that should NOT be series books. And others where I'm counting the days for the next release. I agree with you that it's the author's writing style that can keep me hooked or lose my interest. My favorite authors have completely different styles, and yet I love each of them. And by reading all your recommendations and the comments above, it looks like I have some reading to do! :)

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  40. Sue- It's never too late to comment. Thank you for joining last night's chat.I know what you mean about waiting. I'm reading the HP series for the first time and lucky for me I didn't have to wait for each book to come out. I agree with your comment about how far authors have come. The only series I remember as a teen were Sweet Valley High and the Babysitters Club as well. Luckily there's who range of fabulous series out there for tweens and teens now.

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