Do you read books of a series in chronological order?

[joyfulnei]

The first time I ever read a series (which was one of more than 12 books) I accidentally started with the 9th one. I remember being absolutely confused with everything that was happening in the plot, and because the series was also quite mysterious-y, nothing really made sense. Nonetheless, it got me really hooked so I wanted to continue it, now doing things right and starting with the first one. Easy peasy, you'd say, but no, not a bit. I lived in a really small town and bookstores were limited, books took months to be delivered there and so I had to read the whole series in the order I found them. In the end, I got tired of waiting and searching for them, so I never finished it.

From that point onwards, I always make sure I'm reading the first book and that I can get to read EVERYTHING that the series has to offer (extras, spin-offs, etc.).

[erasmus]

What happens if the synopsis of the nth book in the series interests you much more than the first? What would you do? Would you stick it out with the first book, or simply be unable to resist the temptation of the much more interesting synopsis?

[wordslinger42]

I always read the books in order. I always feel like it's very confusing if you don't and you miss important character development if you skip over some books in a series.

[Popcorn1]

I always read a series in a chronological order. It's confusing for me to a series right from the middle. Also I prefer to wait for the series to be completed before diving right in.

[Kristin Ransome]

Its happened to me a few times where I finish a book, and discover that its actually part of a series (and not the first book!). Then when starting from the beginning of the series, there are so many plot points spoiled because of it!

[Bluebird03]

Absolutely. I read a lot of books that are part of a series. I always try to start with the first one and build on it with the others. To me, it just makes each book better if I have the complete background already in place.

[_Delly_01]

Yes! I've never gone out of my way to read a series out of order, and if I accidentally read a book I shouldn't just yet, I feel I've corrupted the series. I can't even stand it when I'm in a tension-building part of a book and my eyes drop down to ruin the ending for me. Reading a book out of order feels borderline criminal, because that's not how the author intended it to be read.

[Christinabooklover]

Yes, I always start at the beginning. Exception being if I read a book and then discover it's a part of a series. But even then, I don't tend to go backwards.

Same here. The only reason for starting book series in the middle is only when I am ignorant of the book not being a stand alone novel.

[SunVixen]

I always read books in chronological order. However, when I was a child, I read Dune Chronicles in a strange way.
First I read "Dune". About a year later I read "Heretics of Dune", and I did not like this book. She was too adult for me. Two years later, I finally read "Dune Messiah." I remember that I really liked Duncan Idaho. After that, I finally read the rest of the books in this series.

[JennyorAlice]

I've always read books in chronological order. I haven't been unlucky enough to have started a series somewhere in the middle by accident. There have been times I've picked up a book thinking it was a standalone novel, only to find out later that it's being turned into a series. Last time that happened to me, the series turned out to be 13 books long.

[frederick vandi]

I actually like reading books in series provided if they are interesting, but the poor internet facility in my country has always been a hindrance. I love series stories though.

[spencermack]

Yes. I hate feeling lost in a book and go out of order would drive me bonkers.

[Renu G]

I usually don't read a series in chronological order. I prefer a break. This helps to let it sink in my mind.

[MKOneil]

I always read a book series in order! John Sanford, Michael Connelly! In the front of the book they are listed in order. It’s important because the are developing the characters personalities!

[NetMassimo]

There are too many risks of missing important information and getting spoilers for the previous books, so I read them chronologically.