Let’s talk about anything bookish!
Happy Monday, bookworms, this is my first time in joining Conversations (hosted by Geraldine @ Corraling Books & Joann @ Fiddler Blue). I thought, what better way to do that than during my Monday discussions feature!
This topic really intrigued me because I love both series and stand-alones. So, let me break it down for you!
Authors get to tell their story thoroughly, which means more for the reader.
The great thing about series books is that you don’t get a quick ending. The author can expand on the storyline and can even expand the world. Think about it this way, this means more world building, more character building, more everything for us! I think that’s a win-win!
Authors get to tell their story succinctly, which means the reader doesn’t have to wait for the next 10 books to get to the end!
On the other hand, a stand-alone can be an awesome thing because you don’t have to wait for X number of books to get to the end! Of course, a stand alone is a little tricky because the authors have to fit a full story in only one book without compromising the story. Anyway, I enjoy stand-alones for this reason.
Series books that can be read as stand-alone are FREAKING AWESOME!
Historical romances usually have this type of series AND IT’S ALL GOOD! It’s like being in the same world and meeting the characters from the previous book BUT still getting a brand new story! Plus, each book really has an ending!
Cover designs that change mid-series IS HORRIBLE!
When you read series books and you are a collector, it’s always an anxious time for us when series book cover designs CHANGE MID-SERIES! *shudder THE HORROR! I mean, we want all the covers and spines to match, right? Well, the scary thing about series books is when THIS happens.
You don’t get all anxious thinking about cover changes.
Now, the neat thing about stand-alones is that you don’t have to worry about book cover changes! YAY!
So, do you prefer series books or stand-alones or both?
Share your thoughts below!
My favorite kinds of series are the companion ones, like TLC! I have a love-hate relationship with series. I think what I hate the most is the waiting. Sometimes I’ve had to wait more than 2 years for a sequel and that’s rough because by the time, I’ve already forgotten a lot of the details of the plot. I’ve been overcoming that lately by waiting for the whole series to be out and bingeing though and I love it.
I love that with series you get to spend more time with the characters and more romance too, but then I also worry that the characters will change in a way that I’m not happy with or that the romance will become triangley or there will be a love interest switch! So yeah, I have VERY complicated feelings when it comes to series!
For now though, I think I prefer standalones.
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I know what you mean! TLC is an awesome sort of companion/series series books because there is one main story, i.e. Cinder and ultimately killing Levana but I love that each character has their own book and own romance 🙂
That’s something I’ve been thinking about it lately. I love a mixture of both. Sometimes I start a series that have already been out there for long, and I feel a bit overwhelmed to think I have 10 books to read. Then, if I begin the series along with the author and it takes to long for the next book come out, I may forget about that series. So, I like to read a series, but in-between to read some stand-alones, so I don’t get tired of the same world, or genre.
I know! THE AGONY IS REAL! 🙂 I also have a love/hate relationship between binge reading because I do get bored… unless it is a series that has me obsessed! 🙂
I like the series books that can be read as standalone. I am obsessed with reading the series in order, and I often do rereads of the former books when the newest comes out. I do not like serial books – cliff hangers annoy me. I also love standalone books, which, to me are the chick lit trade size, love story & Hea are a must!
yup! Around 300-400 pages is the sweet spot for those! I mostly read historical romance series stand alones so those are good! 🙂
I completely agree! A mixture of both is definitely the way to go. It just depends on how many pages the author feels they need to completely convey the story. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! <3
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Yes yes! I usually mix them up so I don’t get bored! 🙂
YESSSSSS I love series which have books that can act as standalones. The ones that come to mind include Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers, and ahh I just love them, because there is absolutely no obligation to keep reading, and yet if you do, even if it’s been a long time since you read the previous book – you don’t need too much context!
But yes, I totally agree – cover changes are the worst – they mess up your bookshelf so much sometimes!! 🙁
Awesome post Zeee – so glad to see you taking part in Conversations!
Geraldine @ Corralling Books recently posted…Conversations: Reading Book Series – yay or nay?
Thanks Geraldine! Also, I didn’t know the My Fair Assassin series are companion books!! Eeepp!! I will definitely get on it then!
To be honest, I am a little sick of really loooong series books! LOL
I’m definitely with you in that I enjoy both series and standalones, though I probably lean a bit toward standalones. The only problem is that standalones, as you mentioned, are at a higher risk for being a bit underwhelming since their limited length cuts down on all that good world-building and development. But if I’m just comparing an excellent standalone to a mind-blowing series, I’d have to say the standalone would shine just a bit brighter in my eyes. It’s more rereadable than a lengthy series as well, so it’s far more likely to become a forever-favorite. You know? But, hey, a good book is a good book. 🙂 That’s the important part.
That’s true Moriah! I hardly reread series books because then you’d have to read ALL OF THEM! 🙂 I have reread certain HP books without reading the previous books…but that’s only for HP.
I also prefer to read series books that are stand-alones. Historical romance and contemporary romance use this format so I only reread my favorites!