Canada’s Louise Penny…Still Life and 17 more, each a treasure and the 19th due in October…I’ve read and reread each, only to discover new twists and poetry with every read. These could be stand-alones but the reader is cheated of falling in love with such fabulously drawn friends…start at the beginning and join us!!
First time poster. Had to shout out to some of my all time favs: Dorothea Dunnett, both the Lymond and Niccolo series and Patrick O’Brien’s Aubrey/Maturin series.
No, but I just took a look at the first one on GR and it says, about Dunnett's writing, "bravura storytelling and pungent authenticity of detail" I'm in!
I have the first Lymond and I cannot make head nor tails of what is happening in the first chapter. My Attention Deficit complained mightily every time I attempted this book ^_^
Maybe they’re not for you. But try reading the character list and looking at the maps first. Come to think of it, I read the 2nd Lymond book first! I had a gift card at B and N back in the 90s and the second volume was on their display table. Impulse buy, I guess. Didn’t even register that it was a series until the end. Maybe try #2? Called Queen’s Play. Elizabeth I is a character.
I have loved Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. They are excellent either to read in series or can easily be stand alone. But I also love Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series! I have read these books so many times, I might be able to quote from them!
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, william Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Conner series, Donna Leon’s Commissar Brunetti series. These are my go-to in-between books—I can always count on them!
I discovered the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffith last year. it’s about a forensic archeologist in Norfolk England who works with the police on ancient mysteries, as well as recent discoveries. It has atmosphere, legends and lore, a little romance and great characters. Sadly I’m on book 13 of 15 so hopefully she writes more soon….It’s great in print or audio. Widely available on Hoopla from your public library. Oh and of course the Gamache series too!!!!
Donald Sobol's "Encyclopedia Brown" mystery series for kids made me feel that there was a place for me in the world as an autistic person with esoteric knowledge.
My all time favorite is Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies' Detective series. Read & reread many times. I'm also a great fan of Louise Penny, John Sandford, William Kent Krueger, and many others!
I forgot about Alexander McCall Smith! I've never really gotten into the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency, but I LOVE the 44 Scotland Street series--so charming!
I'm in Dave's camp, not really a series reader. However, I absolutely love the Amelia Peabody series (all 20 are on my bookshelf) by Elizabeth Peters. Amelia is an Egyptologist in the early 1900s. Archeology and crime and wit, all wrapped up together.
I did pretty much the same thing. The early ones I loved, but eventually they became less enchanting, after the son grew up and we were going into WWI. If there weren't so many other books in the world I'd love to reread from the beginning.
I've read all the Outlander series and I will continue because I'm a completist geek. But I will say the last few could've benefitted from some editing--they don't NEED to be 900 pages!
Ohmigosh I LOVED the Dragonlance series when I was a kid! So nice to see it get a mention, you almost never hear anyone talk about those books but they were really well written and adventurous, at least in my opinion. I reread them (and the Legends sequel series, plus other one-offs in the franchise) multiple times well into adulthood.
One of the first series I really got into was The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I also remember reading The Chronicles of the Cheysuli and the Sword Dancer series by Jennifer Roberson. It's weird, I can't remember the last time I read a series (except Harry Potter, which I came to very late around ten years ago). I wonder why I got so captivated by them when I was young but haven't gotten into any of them as an adult?
That's awesome! -- It's funny how some stories and their times stick with you, isn't it? I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I got through the first three books in Dragonlance. ... I'm glad to hear that they hold up. - Dave
I didn't realize it, but I have apparently been a life-long series reader! As a kid, I loved the Trixie Beldon mysteries, the Mary Poppins series, and all of the Anne of Green Gables books.
I agree with Mel on Dick Francis books! A friend introduced me to those in college and we blazed through pretty much all of them (in between studies, of course).
I also have loved these series: Harry Potter, Outlander, Murderbot Diaries, Nyxia Triad, His Dark Materials, City of Ghosts, and A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting!
We started watching the Slow Horses series, and now I can’t wait to read the original books! — Gary Oldman is so fun to watch in that. And Kristen Scott Thomas. Everyone, really. - Dave
I avoid most series, I don't want to invest into big commitments, but I recently finished Stephen King's
Dark Tower series - which took me almost 10 years to read from start to finish. This is a great series. More recently I've read the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells - an excellent series that is coming to the small screen starring Alexander Skarsgård (swoon).
I LOVE the Murderbot series. Somehow I missed that it was coming to the small screen, though I've always thought it would be great as a movie or series! AND Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot?? Cannot wait!
Audible came out last year released re-recorded, multicast versions of all 7 books... I wasn't sure how the voices would match the characters but I was totally convinced of who they are! Looking forward to seeing how the screen versions compare!
Canada’s Louise Penny…Still Life and 17 more, each a treasure and the 19th due in October…I’ve read and reread each, only to discover new twists and poetry with every read. These could be stand-alones but the reader is cheated of falling in love with such fabulously drawn friends…start at the beginning and join us!!
Agreed!!! So much depth to each book!
I'm reading these now and loving them. I love the characters and Three Pines so much.
I'm working my way through these now as well. I want to move to Three Pines!
I enjoy those books, too -- have you seen this substack? https://notesfromthreepines.substack.com/p/notes-from-three-pines-louise-penny
NK Jemison’s Broken Earth Series and Leigh Bardugo’s King of Crows come to mind
First time poster. Had to shout out to some of my all time favs: Dorothea Dunnett, both the Lymond and Niccolo series and Patrick O’Brien’s Aubrey/Maturin series.
Oh yes! I loved Lymond Chronicles!!!
I loved the first in the Lymond series, but now several years away from reading it, I think I'll have to re-read it to get back into the story.
Yes!! Do it! They hold up. Have you read the Niccolo series?
No, but I just took a look at the first one on GR and it says, about Dunnett's writing, "bravura storytelling and pungent authenticity of detail" I'm in!
Yes. She trained as a painter and you can tell. And they’re so well researched!
I have the first Lymond and I cannot make head nor tails of what is happening in the first chapter. My Attention Deficit complained mightily every time I attempted this book ^_^
Maybe they’re not for you. But try reading the character list and looking at the maps first. Come to think of it, I read the 2nd Lymond book first! I had a gift card at B and N back in the 90s and the second volume was on their display table. Impulse buy, I guess. Didn’t even register that it was a series until the end. Maybe try #2? Called Queen’s Play. Elizabeth I is a character.
I have loved Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. They are excellent either to read in series or can easily be stand alone. But I also love Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series! I have read these books so many times, I might be able to quote from them!
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, william Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Conner series, Donna Leon’s Commissar Brunetti series. These are my go-to in-between books—I can always count on them!
Yes to the Rivers of London. Thanks for the reminder-need to pick that up again!
I read the first and loved it!!
I discovered the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffith last year. it’s about a forensic archeologist in Norfolk England who works with the police on ancient mysteries, as well as recent discoveries. It has atmosphere, legends and lore, a little romance and great characters. Sadly I’m on book 13 of 15 so hopefully she writes more soon….It’s great in print or audio. Widely available on Hoopla from your public library. Oh and of course the Gamache series too!!!!
I'm at about the same point with the Ruth Galloway series, but I'll likely read her standalones after that. She writes her characters so well.
Oooo...this sounds like something I'd like. Thank you for sharing!
Donald Sobol's "Encyclopedia Brown" mystery series for kids made me feel that there was a place for me in the world as an autistic person with esoteric knowledge.
Oh I also loved these!
Recently published, I love The Thursday Murder Club series. Delightful characters, cozy vibes, and fun mysteries with twists and turns.
From my childhood, I have to say Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia. I owe my love of reading to these series!
They are filming this now.
I can’t wait to watch it!
Same!
Love them
My all time favorite is Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies' Detective series. Read & reread many times. I'm also a great fan of Louise Penny, John Sandford, William Kent Krueger, and many others!
I forgot about Alexander McCall Smith! I've never really gotten into the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency, but I LOVE the 44 Scotland Street series--so charming!
I'm in Dave's camp, not really a series reader. However, I absolutely love the Amelia Peabody series (all 20 are on my bookshelf) by Elizabeth Peters. Amelia is an Egyptologist in the early 1900s. Archeology and crime and wit, all wrapped up together.
I did pretty much the same thing. The early ones I loved, but eventually they became less enchanting, after the son grew up and we were going into WWI. If there weren't so many other books in the world I'd love to reread from the beginning.
I started reading these in the 90's. I don't think I even finished the series - it may be time to go back to them. Thanks for reminding me.
I love the All Souls series by Deborah Harkness, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and there are others I’ve started but still have to continue.
I've read all the Outlander series and I will continue because I'm a completist geek. But I will say the last few could've benefitted from some editing--they don't NEED to be 900 pages!
Did you also read all the novellas and short stories?
I've forgotten about those! I think I read one years ago, but none since. Have you read them? If so, any recommendations?
Discworld obviously :) but I also enjoy The Dresden files, Rivers of London, and have a soft spot for the Jack Reacher series.
I just read Going Postal - Discworld are classics!!
I read them all in order a couple of years ago, so hadn’t read them in a while, but re-read The Truth recently
Ohmigosh I LOVED the Dragonlance series when I was a kid! So nice to see it get a mention, you almost never hear anyone talk about those books but they were really well written and adventurous, at least in my opinion. I reread them (and the Legends sequel series, plus other one-offs in the franchise) multiple times well into adulthood.
One of the first series I really got into was The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I also remember reading The Chronicles of the Cheysuli and the Sword Dancer series by Jennifer Roberson. It's weird, I can't remember the last time I read a series (except Harry Potter, which I came to very late around ten years ago). I wonder why I got so captivated by them when I was young but haven't gotten into any of them as an adult?
That's awesome! -- It's funny how some stories and their times stick with you, isn't it? I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I got through the first three books in Dragonlance. ... I'm glad to hear that they hold up. - Dave
I didn't realize it, but I have apparently been a life-long series reader! As a kid, I loved the Trixie Beldon mysteries, the Mary Poppins series, and all of the Anne of Green Gables books.
I agree with Mel on Dick Francis books! A friend introduced me to those in college and we blazed through pretty much all of them (in between studies, of course).
I also have loved these series: Harry Potter, Outlander, Murderbot Diaries, Nyxia Triad, His Dark Materials, City of Ghosts, and A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting!
Trixie Belden!! Loved those so much!
Trixie Beldon is what started my love of mysteries.
Yes to Trixie Beldon!!!
Slough Horses and Maisie Dobbs series.
We started watching the Slow Horses series, and now I can’t wait to read the original books! — Gary Oldman is so fun to watch in that. And Kristen Scott Thomas. Everyone, really. - Dave
The TV series is pretty faithful to the books, which is no mean feat!
I avoid most series, I don't want to invest into big commitments, but I recently finished Stephen King's
Dark Tower series - which took me almost 10 years to read from start to finish. This is a great series. More recently I've read the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells - an excellent series that is coming to the small screen starring Alexander Skarsgård (swoon).
I LOVE the Murderbot series. Somehow I missed that it was coming to the small screen, though I've always thought it would be great as a movie or series! AND Alexander Skarsgård as Murderbot?? Cannot wait!
Audible came out last year released re-recorded, multicast versions of all 7 books... I wasn't sure how the voices would match the characters but I was totally convinced of who they are! Looking forward to seeing how the screen versions compare!