Book Blogger Hop is a weekly Party for Book Bloggers hosted by Jennifer at her blog, Crazy-for-Books every Friday. The Hop is an opportunity for book bloggers to meet, connect, support each other and share their love of books and the written word. The Hop also offers a terrific opportunity for bloggers to discover other book blogs to read!The Book Blog Hop lasts from Friday through Monday giving anyone who's interested plenty of time to join in! If you want to be a part of the fun, head on over to Crazy-for-Books, post your answer to the week's question on your blog and enter your blog on the Mr. Linky list. And then, start Hopping to other blogs.
This week's question is from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses:
"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"
I like to start with the first title if possible, but sometimes it depends on the series and the situation. Years ago I started reading author Andrew Vachss' Burke detective books. I didn't realize, initially, that the books were a series but they were very good stand-alone stories too and, since I couldn't get to a bookstore at the time, I read a few of them. I eventually read the beginning of the series and discovered that I hadn't missed anything.
I also started Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series with book #5, The Brutal Telling because it was sent to me for review. It was also a very good stand-alone story. But I read the first book, Still Life soon after that and, although I hadn't missed anything vital, Inspectore Gamache's background and family were discussed in-depth making him more well-rounded and known to the reader which I really liked.
I also started Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series with book #5, The Brutal Telling because it was sent to me for review. It was also a very good stand-alone story. But I read the first book, Still Life soon after that and, although I hadn't missed anything vital, Inspectore Gamache's background and family were discussed in-depth making him more well-rounded and known to the reader which I really liked.
What I really want is to enjoy the book!!
Have a great weekend!
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Just hopping on by. I've had a few series I started in the middle. Some unknowingly. Most of the time it didn't affect my enjoyment of the series or the book either.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
If a series is meant to be read in order and I'm guessing I'll want to read the whole thing, I cannot stand skipping around; I have to start at the beginning. If, however, I'm not that interested in the series (may only read a book or two) or the order doesn't really matter, I don't mind starting wherever.
ReplyDeleteI've heard Louise Penny's series is good!
Hello fellow blogger! new follower to your page here. Just wanted to drop some *love* and say that you have a wonderful blog here! I'm new to blogging and would love if you could return the favor and follow my page! Happy Blogging!
ReplyDeletepruesbookblog.blogspot.com
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteI like to start a series at the beginning if it's a continuing story. SciFi/Fantasy series are almost impossible to pick up in the middle, too much world building going on. Detective and crime fiction I can usually pick up anywhere in the series.
Hopping on by- I simply have to read in order for a series! Although if I find out partway through and aren't liking the book, I let that slip.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty compulsive about reading series' books in order. I really hate it when I read something and then find out it is a series book, and not the first, lol.
ReplyDeleteMISTRESSof the DARK: Thank you for stopping by! It's great that you don't need to start a series at the beginning as if gives that much more freedomg & ease when choosing what to read!
ReplyDeleteERIN: I can relate to that. It annoyed me when I discovered how much I like Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, that I'd basically started with #3 even though the book was offered to me for review. I have only read the first book otherwise,. I'm purposely taking it slowly reading the series because I think I'll re-read #3!
The Inspector Gamache series is great! It's well-written and for me it's unique because the major characters are generally very well mannered & diplomatic unlike your typical hard-boiled detective story.
VAMPGIRL: Thank you for stopping by and for your terrific compliments. I'll pass them on to the kitties! Welcome to the book blogging community! You've come to a great place.
ReplyDeleteLESLIE: Hi! I haven't read any Sci/Fi?Fantasy series yet but I imagine it would be quite hard to start in the middle and really enjoy the books. I agree that detective stories are generally easy to pick up anywhere. It seems many factors determine where in a series many readers start reading!
SAMSTILLREADING: That makes a lot of sense! Thanks for hopping by. This is only my second time participating in the Hop!
ReplyDeleteTHEBOOKGIRL: I think a lot of readers feel the same way. I haven't read all that many series to be very particular about starting at the beginning. But if I found a series that I really loved I'm pretty sure I'd want to start at #1!