A one off book or a series?

[Host25]

I like to really get into a book with the characters and the plot, so I hate it when I am getting close to the end and the book finishes. I don't want to get to know new people, I want to know more about these!
I love series because there is just so much more to go. Patricia Cornwell with Dr Scarpetta, a great series where you can stay with the same main characters but enjoy different stories.
Karin Slaughter - Grant county series - another amazing crime /thriller series
Patricia Briggs with the Mercy Thompson series a great fantasy series.
J.D. Robb the in death series - although to be compleatly honest it did get a bit all the same after a while there was just too many of those! (Never happy I know! )
I read very quickly so that may be why I prefer a series as well. Whereas a one off would be over and done so quickly.
I would be interested to hear what other people think and any suggestions thanks.

[bluemel4]

Have you read anything by Mercedies Lackey or Anne Bishop? Both writers create their own worlds and have either multiple books within the same world but with different characters or multiple books with the same characters. They are both considered in the fantasy genre.

[Host25]

I will have a look at those now thanks I haven't read those thanks

[ashley_claire]

I enjoy the Grant County series as well. I've only read two of the In Death books but they feel like books you need to space out or they get repetitive.

[swatson1982]

This really depends on the mood I'm in. I like series because of character development. But sometimes you just need a filler book while you are waiting for the new book in a series.

[DaniMnv]

The Alex Cross series by James Patterson is a phenomenal series to read. When I'm waiting for another book to come out I start another series to keep my mind off of waiting. I try to stick with authors that have multiple series for this very reason. Such as:
Laurell K. Hamilton
Gena Showalter
Jeaniene Frost
Kelly Armstrong

[keebler614_305]

I love the Scarpetta Series so much! You are right there is so many ways she can and has gone. I am on Book 15. I need to catch up. I will have to check out the others you mentioned.

[LivreAmour217]

I don't have a preference:I like both serial and stand-alone books. I do enjoy the character development that goes into a series, though.

[Jolyon Trevelyan]

I guess i do like one off books better than series. Because its kind of annoying if you start a series and the author never finish it.

If i start on a series its always a series that is finish.

[Mike_Lang]

There are some series I like but for the most part I tend to be a one off book person. Too many times a series will get predictable or the main character will remain in a "frozen" state, never aging or developing to any great extent beyond the first few offerings in the series.

[SparklingOne]

I like to read both types, as long as the stories good it doesn't matter if they spread out over several books. One thing I usually do is wait until a series is complete or nearly so before reading them. I dislike being in a holding pattern while the author is creating, Song of Ice and Fire is a good example of that.

[bookjunky]

I enjoy both types as well. I think it just depends on how well the author creates her characters. We get so involved we're not ready to let go and say goodbye. Its always nice if those characters are involved in the continuing storyline, even if the main plot is not about them. But they are still close enough to keep us happy, and interested in getting to know some new faces.
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander, Peggy L. Henderson, Wendy Lindstrom.

[cranej80]

I read both but seem to prefer stand alone books. Sometimes series seem to be the song that doesn't end.

[CrescentMoon]

It depends for me. Sometimes I get so invested in certain characters that I want a sequel so bad. Other books just seem to never end and grow repetitive and boring that I can't even try to finish the series.

[br_cindy]

It depends for me too. Sometimes I just want a story that wraps itself up at the end of the book. Other times, I don't want to let go of the characters; somehow they've become my friends, and I want to know how they're doing. It's terrible when you have to wait for the next book in a series that's grown on you...