Do you read the extra books?

[katiesquilts]

Many recent YA authors post extras on their websites! The only problem is if you don't go their websites, you won't know about them!
I like to read the extras because I'm often disappointed that a series has ended and want to read more about the lives of the characters. It pleases me that so many writers are the same way! They miss writing about the characters as much as I miss reading about them!

[Glittery1]

I have read some of the ones in the Charley Davidson series and enjoyed them.

[SparklingOne]

Yes I do if I enjoyed the series itself. I am currently reading the Outlander series, and have bought all the side material. I did the same with the Song of Fire and Ice series. I think if I'm dealing with epic storytelling like those mentioned above the side material can lend even more to it all.

[Amagine]

I read the extra books because sometimes it gives another side of the story that you would have never known. It just adds more content. Also if I love the work of a certain author, of course I want to read more of their books.

[Storygamer88]

Sometimes, if I like the book a lot, yes, I'll look up side material. Some, like Ender's Shadow really augment the original (Ender's Game), and others just shape the world up more, which is nice.

[Pm7lucas]

Yes, I usually read extras, especially if I really enjoyed the original book.

Paula

[Mailis]

If I liked the series and would enjoy visiting that world again, or if there was some mystery or unfinished story, then I'll gladly read the extra material/book. If it's the same story but told now by male counterpart or something like that, then it really depends how much I loved the original version.

[ozydel]

My favorite extra book was a version of Jane Eyre from Bertha's perspective called Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. If you love Bronte's, Jane Eyre, this is definitely a good read for you.

[Godson Onah]

I will read them, but it depends entirely on the series and the author, and sometimes the price.
Thankfully, it's become more popular for authors to release collected short fiction.

This is how it is for me too. I'd read it if it's a book I really like. But for some other books, I would avoid it.

[Jfoust1988]

Yes! Absolutely and Always. Is my answer to that. It add so much texture to the story. Most consider it to be adding fluff to the story, but many times I find you get a more detailed story this way. As with your Four example, we learned so much about Four and his journey before Dauntless to the time he met Tris. If you forgo reading the Novellas you would loose so much of the story that allows you to understand Four much better. As is the same with many other books. The Novellas aren't fluff. They do add another layer to the story that would otherwise go unknown.

[rave_2]

I've read the "extra" books that the Warriors series had, but that was when I was little.

[JodyVamp]

I will read them, but it depends entirely on the series and the author, and sometimes the price.
Thankfully, it's become more popular for authors to release collected short fiction.

Exactly! $5 for 30 pages?! You're crazy! $1 for what's essentially a preview of some upcoming book to tide me over until release? Sure! James Rollins does it a lot lately, and I've devoured every one.

[tvess]

For me, it depends on the availability of the "extra" content. If I liked the series enough to read it, I'd probably read the extra content. But some extra content is a book I can easily get at a library, or a short story online, and some other extra content is something that I'd have to order or specifically request. The series has to really interest me before I'm willing to consider going out of my way for something extra.

[Alice Thokchom]

No, I don't read the extra books. Once I finished the main series, I am done.