JBark4me@aol.com
I think it is much more fun to read in sequence. Then when the author refers to something that happened in the past, you know what is being referred to. I don't even mind too much the flashbacks that are used to bring the plot into focus.
Love this web site You really are doing a great job. Thanks so much.

Nana1248@aol.com
Some books can be read out of order without losing anything, but I prefer to read in order. There are, in many cases, little things that follow from book to book.

Glorrybe@aol.com
Yes, I much prefer to read books in order. I'm on the waiting list at the library now for "P" is for Peril. I read James Patterson and like to only read his in order. Also Patricia Cornwell and other authors that use the same main character.

KamSav@aol.com
Yes, sometimes it's imperative! I almost read James Patterson's Roses are Red before Pop Goes the Weasel but caught it just in time. When Alex Cross' love interest hinted to a couple incidents in the beginning of 'Roses', I realized I was getting ahead of myself and went back for 'the Weasel'. Boy, that was close!

StabyBaby@aol.com
I always prefer to read a series in order. I guess it is my sequential personality!

Swooman@aol.com
I typically want to read books in order if there is a direct tie-in like Clan of Cave Bear Series, John Jakes Series, Wilbur Smith's Series...

Hwpainchd@aol.com
I definitely prefer to read books in order. You get a much better sense of the characters and the underlying storyline. My favorite authors that I read in order are Patricia Cornwell, Faye Kellerman, Sue Grafton, and Janet Evanovich. Yes, each book does have a stand alone story line, but I enjoy the regular characters and their evolving stories.

ConnieDonovan@webtv.net
When I read books in a series I always like to start with the first one. That way I can follow everything in the main character's life in order. Otherwise nothing makes any sense when the author refers back to something that happened in an earlier book.

Showshana@aol.com
I only read books in order when it is necessary to fully understand character development - with Sue Grafton's books and Janet Evanovich's books it is not necessary to read them in order - the character is reintroduced in each book and the stories are not based on previous ones. I did not find this true with James Patterson - to fully understand his books you must read them in order as problems, feelings, and situations are based on what had been written in previous books.

SARLIS@aol.com
I always try to read series in order, but I wouldn't be as concerned about a mystery series that probably does not build upon one another.

cardlady5@juno.com
I have done series books both ways and I really enjoy them more if I read them in order. Most refer back to previous books but you don't get the true character development if you read out of order.

KJ4FM@aol.com
I prefer to read in order, but occasionally have randomly picked up a book and liked it so much that I have started at the beginning of the series and continued in order. I like the continuity.

Lindiver@aol.com
I have read some series out of order, but always feel like I've missed something. I believe that in reading a series, the growth of the characters and the continuing tale of their lives is as important as the plot particular to the book itself. But then again, I am a Virgo.

RShreck497@aol.com
It is very importand for me to read the books in order, first book first, but the world won't come to an end if I read them out of order. Reading comes first.

shelly3@charter.net
I have read Diane Mott Davidson mysteries in random order. She introduces each character in every book regardless, so I am never left wondering about the integral role of any of her characters. I feel that mixing it up is fun.

TootsiePie@aol.com
I much prefer to read a series in sequence if I am aware of it. I have frequently found a book I enjoyed enough to seek out other work by the same author only to discover an ongoning, evolving character. I will read both prior and following books if possible. Interestingly, it is not always possible to find all the works.

Fatslave@aol.com
I most definitely need to read the books in order!

Bonniespins@aol.com
In answer to your question, I like to read from A to whatever. It is always helpful to become acquainted with the characters at the start of a series of books. Much more enjoyable.

nlephart@shol.com
When reading books that are part of a series, I definitely want to read them in the order they were written. Most times I think an author develops the characters as each book is written and I like following their growth and development. When finding a new author that I like, I especially go out of my way to find out the order in which the books are written. I discovered Stephen White a few months ago and read Critical Conditions before I realized this was a series based on Dr. Gregory White. It took me awhile to find the first book in the series, Privileged Information, but our local Barnes and Noble had it---so now I can't wait to go through his series.

R2532@aol.com
I'd prefer to read them in order but I wouldn't give up a series I enjoyed if they got out of order.

SSKUFCA@aol.com
If the story has character development and story development over several books, I must read them in order, otherwise it is OK for me to read out of order. It seems to be my luck that when I find a good series --- like J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady or Patricia Cornwall's series --- I pick up the 2nd or 3rd book in the series and it ruins the earlier books. But I go back and plow through --- actually devour --- the past books and catch up to the newest book.

BEVBOOKS@aol.com
I'm compelled to read them in order, because the author always refers to something of someone that was in previous installments, and if you haven't read that particular book, you are just in the dark as far as the referral.

Djeter1@aol.com
I prefer to read them in order, and do so whenever possible. The only exception that I can think of is the number series by Janet Evanovich, and reading out of order didn't diminish my enjoyment of her books at all.

LMJ45@aol.com
I have to read them in order! The author, hopefully, went to a lot of trouble to develop the characters and by skipping "installments" you miss their growth.

Kaelesa@aol.com
I have to read books in order. Nothing drives me nuts faster than to start a book and realize there is some prior story that I missed. For this reason, I tend to buy series all at the same time, if possible. So my other pet peeve is bookstores that don't stock a complete series by an author. You know, they have books 1 and 3, but 2 and 4 are missing - grrr. Thank goodness for online bookstores when that happens!

Jsaofusa@aol.com
I've read a great many series in order. Series I've read in order include Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon; any series by Dana Fuller Ross; any series by Wilbur Smith; Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books; the Earth's Children series by Jean Auel. (WHEN IS the next book in that series coming? Anybody know?) I choose to call it being organized, methodical, and enjoying continuity rather than giving in to a "compulsion". Chocolate does that to me. Enough already.

Cipsi2@aol.com
I always seem to be "late to the party" - my first book of a particular author I haven't read before being somewhere in the middle of their series. I was glad I had become acquainted with Anne Perry's Hester in her single days, so I could rejoice in her good luck in later books. After I read Evanovich's High Five, I decided I'd better go back to her first one and find out who these handsome hunks were and how they came into the picture in the first place. But for the most part, I am just happy wherever I start and try eventually to read them all.

WTHRGUESSR@aol.com
I (almost) always read them in order, unless some of them are very difficult to find.

BookmRita@aol.com
I am driven and obsessed to read books in a series in order! I will stop reading a series until I can find the next one in the series. I hate not knowing what has gone on before! Now I have been known to read a series backwards from newest to oldest.

FWBLA@aol.com
I prefer to read the books in order but if I really like the series I will read it in any order I can get!

HMAPHIL@aol.com
I have to read the books out of order because I "discover" the author several books into the sequence. It is mostly impossible to find the previous books in correct order; I just read whichever is available and keep looking for the missing books until I find them. Also, backreading the series fills time until the author comes out with another book. I've read the offerings of several authors in any order with great joy.

SCarey77@aol.com
If possible I like to read the books in order. Some of the authors use a lot of reference to previous books and that makes it hard to keep track of the characters. It would help if the books were listed in order of their origin so one could purchase them in order, especially when one comes into that group of books in the middle.

Hols527@aol.com
I always try to read in order. Whenever I read a book out of order by mistake, I hate realizing when these characters from the previous book are mentioned and I have no idea who they are or what their background is. Also, I've read several series of books that are in chronological order, and they definitely need to be read in order as far as I'm concerned.

Dexpost@aol.com
I always try to read series books in proper order (if at all possible); frankly I'm not quite up to P IS FOR PERIL yet. However my summer project is to read all four of Sarah Caudwell's oeuvre in chronological order, starting with THUS WAS ADONIS MURDERED.

SBoyle6827@aol.com
In the Grafton series, each book builds up details of Kinsey's character. A little more about her personality and why she thinks the way she does. It is also true of another series, Lillian Jackson Braun, with the two cats, where he has no cats in the first book and is not rich and so each book adds to the character and how he got the cats and how he acquired the millions.

DeladyV@aol.com
I'm just so rigid. Whether it's J.D. Robb's In Death series, or Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan or Fighting Man of Mars series, I have to start at the beginning and work my way to the end. Otherwise, I start having anxiety attacks, wondering what I've missed.

Momburd@aol.com
I prefer to read serial books in order! What I usually do is read one of the author's books, and if it is not his/her first, I then go back to the beginning and read books until I catch up with the current book. Sometimes it takes quite a while, as I try to work in previous books in between reading the current on the market novels. For example, I had been reading Robert Parker novels for about 10 years, and then I went back to his original novel, and caught up with many years of his novels. I really enjoyed seeing how he had developed his "usual" characters, and greatly improved his writing style. I currently have Sue Grafton's P is For Peril, and am looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately my husband snatched it, and I am waiting for him to finish it!

Cairo1953@aol.com
I must read in order. I'm currently reading the Harry Potter collection. I wouldn't dream of picking up book 2 before completing The Sorcerer's Stone. It would take away the fun, adventure and full effect of the story.

KMF629@aol.com
I may read the first few out of order but then feel I must read in order. This way I can better understand the development of the characters.

DCCJ1@aol.com
I prefer to read in order, although I can still enjoy a series if I start somewhere other than the beginning.

KBWOW@aol.com
I have to read series in order. Afraid I've missed important characters or the protaganist's development.

Sheppard1@aol.com
I've picked up a Grafton out of order and then had to start from the beginning. Then because I liked her so much, I started the Evanovich series from the beginning.......I liked doing that as each book built a little bit on the one before it. (Although each book could stand alone)

Demast@aol.com
I like to read the books in order. Currently I'm reading through PD James' Adam Dalgleish mysteries and I prefer to read them in the order in which they were written. I mean, Harry Potter would be hard to follow if you read Volume 4 before The Sorcerer's Stone.

PrisJane@aol.com
I have to read them in order, it drives me crazy otherwise.

GeriDos@aol.com
Ideally, I would like to read the series in order. However, depending on the author whose works I am reading, that is not always possible. Sometimes, it is not easy to obtain the works in order, particularly if you are getting the books from the library. If the author is really popular, you may have a hard time getting the books at all. Also, if it is an older author, sometimes the previous books are not readily available. To sum up, I am willing to read books out of order, provided the author has not been too regimented in their writing. Most books are self-contained and the story can be enjoyed in its own right. Granted, the value may be enhanced when reading in order, but why pass up a good author, just because you can't get Book 1.

DRMOLSEN@aol.com
I do like to read a series in order, but sometimes start with a middle one and then when I like it, I start back at the beginning.

Msreb@aol.com
I feel like I would miss too many of the small details that go into defining the main character and would want to start at the beginning of the series. But on the other hand, Sue Grafton has written so many before this current book that it might not matter. With Patricia Cornwell, I would definitely start at the beginning of her series.

Pamijo05@aol.com
I have to read the books in order!!

LeannaDudette@aol.com
Honestly it doesn't matter to me. If I have a chance to read all the books in order, sure I'd take it. But if I see #55 and #24, I would read #24 first and then read #55. It's not really that big of a deal to me.

JMath2244@aol.com
No doubt about it. I must read in order. Why? I don't have the foggiest.

MOMACALADA@aol.com
I like to read books in order but sometimes you find a great book in a series by accident. Then I go back and read the series in whatever order I can find them in a book store --- quite often you can't find a book in a series for a long time --- and then it seems to magically appear in some remote store. That happened to me with the Lawrence Block, Matt Scudder series. I read them totally out of order and they were just wonderful any which way. Can't wait for his next book!!!!

Sblokzyl@aol.com
I like to read in order, but I didn't start mid series of Jan Karon's Midford series and it was fine. I was just so happy to learn this was one of 5 other books.

Tucson7836@aol.com
I prefer reading in order. This way I feel I am reading as the author meant it to be read.

AnnRumsey@aol.com
I know that I may miss some nuances this way, but I do not have any problem reading out of order. I prefer to read the latest books in a series and then if I like what I read, I go back and read the previous books and not always in order then either. This probably stems from my borrowing books from the library and especially audio books which are not always available in exact order when I want them. Just sign me an unrepentant out of order reader (who has been known to go back and read later books again to get the full impact later after catching up with earlier books).

JSkold4728@aol.com
I sometimes find a new author by reading a later book in the series. If I liked that book I start from the beginning of the series as I can enjoy the continuity that usually follows from one book to the next. Elizabeth Peters is one author that comes to mind as it is so enjoyable watching Amelia Peabody change and grow. It also helps when there are other regulars in the series to read their stories as they change. I frequently recommend books to friends and if it is a series I think they'd like I tell them to start from the beginning of the series. I am a volunteer with Senior Outreach and get the books for my readers in order. When I read about a new book to me I'll usually try to get the first book to see if I'll like it.

ToTMgcmom@aol.com
I like to read the books in order.

MEarle4208@aol.com
With Sue Grafton's series books it is very easy to read them in order because it is so long between books. But I find the wait worth it. If I find a new author, I don't care which book it is that they have written. If I like them, then I want to read everything they have written in order. This way you can better understand the characters that the authors are developing. But that too is another question. Is the author good at developing their characters? Does it make you want to read all the others in that series? J.A. Jance writes two different types of books, one is a series, the other is a story in itself. The Sheriff Brady series needs to be read in order, but the Beaumont series contains a complete story within each book. Jance gives you enough info in the Beaumont books that you can pick up the bits of information you need. With the Sheriff Brady stories, it makes you go back to find out what has happened. The hints are there in every book, but not all the information. I feel that a good author will always make you want to go back and read everything they have written, in order.

DKATHYG@aol.com
If I read a book out of order, I will attempt to go back and get the first in the series and continue on from there. What I actually try to do on a regular basis is check to find out which was the first and then begin the series. You get a better feel for the characters and how they get to each circumstance and what leads them down a particular road. Thanks for all your provocative questions regarding books and reading. I really enjoy them.

Klynnm@aol.com
I prefer to read them in order.

marie@the-armory.com
Compelled to read it in order! I hate it when the library doesn't have some of the previously published books from a new author I have found.

Annie161@aol.com
I guess I'm anal, I absolutely must read them in order.

GThomas435@aol.com
I prefer to read in order. If I do read one book out of order and like the series, I will go back and read the rest in order.

Kreckmd1@aol.com
Sue Grafton's books aren't really in order just because the titles are alphabetized. Wouk's "Winds of War"and War and Remembrance" are sequential. However, reading them out of order really doesn't make any difference because the author always wants you to understand what he/she is telling you. Even the Ten Commandments are in sequence and you gotta...Oh, that's another subject.

SAK24@aol.com
OK --- I admit it. When I find a new author that I like, I try to go back and read the books in order.

JoyZoo@aol.com
I think I may have begun Sue Grafton's series with C Is for Corpse and liked that so much I went back and read the first two in order and then all after that. If I get into a series, I prefer to begin with the first book, and then I read them in order, as soon as they come out. I am buying the Grafton books in paperback (fits into the bookcase better) and it is killing me to hear all the talk about P Is for Peril while I am waiting to get O Is for Outlaw!

MaryAllred@aol.com
I like to read a series in the order written. This way you can watch the character grow. There are some series that I have noticed that it would not matter very much but most, I never read out of order. I started the Randy White books and read the first one. I have the third but did not realize it was the third until I checked his web page. Now I have to purchase the second book before I can go any further. When I first started reading Kinsey Millhone, I did read one out of order but went back and started with A and have continued through the alphabet. I am waiting for my copy of P to arrive any day. Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott series is another that I have enjoyed reading in order. I think I know enough about Kellerman's Alex Delaware that I can read those out of order and still enjoy them. All of the above are great books and I thoroughly enjoy these, especially in the summer months. Another that comes to mind that is best read in order is E.F. Benson's Queen Lucia series. Excellent reading and so much fun. Happy Reading to all!

Major825@aol.com
I have to read them in order. Only if you pick up a book and start it before you know that it is one of a series can you justify not starting from the beginning.

ARomano895@aol.com
MUST READ in "ORDER"

DOLORA647@aol.com
No, I am too obsessive to read out of order. In fact if the sequel takes too long to come out, I reread the first book before the sequel.

PW38@aol.com
I HATE it when I discover I'm reading a series out of order! I've even gone so far as to reread the book I've finished when it comes in order.

AlisonAD@aol.com
When reading books from a newly discovered author, I attempt to read them in order, not only when they are in a series (A is for Alibi, etc.) but I also like to read books in order of when the author wrote them. I recently started reading books by Elizabeth George (wonderful English mysteries!) and it was fun to find several of her older ones in a used book store first, then I sorted them by date published and sat down to start reading!

Fafajane@aol.com
I am comfortable reading them out of order.

EKOONTZ@stny.rr.com
Would I read a series out of sequence? It would depend on how the series was written. If the books don't make too many references to the books before or if previous books don't totally influence the rest of the series, then I have no problem in reading out of sequence, but if every book in the series hinges on the one before, then it might be a problem because you have to go back and read what happened before in order to understand what goes on in the book you're currently reading.

DDobrjansk@aol.com
I usually try to read in order, specifically since I am a big fan of Harry Turtledove's alternative histories and they must be read in order to understand the chronology and maintain consistency. However, some authors such as J. A. Jance's Joanna Brady novels can be read out of order and not lose the meaning of the series.

IRMJAY@aol.com
I must read in order.

Dianem9235@aol.com
Compelled is too strong a word. Sue Grafton's series "A, B, and C" were already published and I decided to read them in order and I'm glad I did. I have also read, in order, the Janet Evanovich series. I consider this a preference, not a compulsion.
I really enjoy your e-mail and find it very informative and well written.

Paldrich31@aol.com
I like to read them in order. It answers a lot of questions that way!

SUSAN909@aol.com
I like to read in order, but will read out of order if I can't get the books in the right order. I just read the Mitford series out of order but was so excited to get to the next one in the series I didn't mind.

pnichols@woodruffelectric.com
I'd rather read series in order. I have read them out of order and sometimes know I've missed important background information.

Sassy98995@aol.com
I prefer to read in order and that goes for any new author I discover. If I want to read a book by an author I have never read and discover the book I want to read is any sort of a serial, I must find that author's first book, and read all in order until I get to the book I wanted to read. Book publishers frustrate my compulsion by listing author's works (in the front of the current book) alphabetically, rather than by date, so I often have to open all the books on the shelf and compare publishing dates until I find the earliest work. Heaven help me if there is a book or two missing on the shelves!

bookflo@webtv.net
If I start a book in the middle of a series and like it, I will go back to the beginning of the series and read them in order.

Goldwilson@aol.com
I prefer to read in order if I can. Especially if, in the latest book, the author refers to previous characters and events. I loved Griffin's Brotherhood of War and it was with great pleasure that, after reading all the books and waiting awhile, I could go back and reread from beginning to end.

PHoyme@aol.com
Reading a series in order is preferable, but not necessary with some exceptions as in the Left Behind series.

Lernr730@aol.com
I always like to read them in order. Many times they build upon each other, and they're easier to understand if they're in order.

Whychild14@aol.com
Like a true perceiver, I'll have to say, "It depends." Generally, the first book in a series will indicate in some way whether the story line is dependent upon reading the series in order. Simplistically, the Nancy Drew series is not order dependent, whereas Jan Karon's Mitford series are fairly order dependent. And that's how I see it!

liylyann@yahoo.com
I have to read all the books in order. If I don't I feel like I'm missing out on something.

ELLERBAKER@aol.com
I read it in order, so that I have all the facts.

Schnoon@aol.com
When reading a book in a series, I prefer to read them in order. However, that is always not possible so I do skip around sometimes. That is one reason it is good to come across a series after it has been around for a while. Then you don't have to wait so long for the next in the series to be written.

SharonEK@aol.com
It has to be in order, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

HeyJoR@aol.com
I feel compelled to read them in order. If they are read out of order you might find something out too early.

yahootoo@rochester.rr.com
I always try to read the series in order and enjoy it much more when I do.

jvogler@indiana.edu
Yes, I have to read them in order of publication. I guess I think I must follow the writers progress in his field.

JHenthorn
I like to read a series in the order written - you grow with the characters and their relationships.

ALEXII6@aol.com
I like to read them in order so you have the full picture from start to finish!

WolffiesHJ@aol.com
I really prefer to read in order as you sometimes get background for the next book. Reading out of order gives me an incomplete feeling of not knowing what went on before.

NFrazelle@aol.com
I am not "compelled" but if I do read a good book that has a recurring character in it I am much more inclined to read the series from the beginning .... Sue Grafton (Kinsey), James Patterson (Alex Cross), Sara Peretsky (Warshawski), Lee Harris for the Chris Bennett Series, Crais (Elvis!) and the new kid on the block George Pelecanos (Derek Strange), Steve Martini and others for the recurring main and ancillary characters; they seem to build from the beginning! Have just started Ridley Pearson's series and am looking forward to more!