There’s something magical about diving into a book series. The way the characters evolve, the plot thickens, and the universe expands with each installment is an experience unique to reading series in order. Whether you’re an avid fantasy reader, a thriller enthusiast, or a completionist who can’t sleep without finishing everything in its rightful place, this complete reading guide is here to help you navigate the sprawling worlds of multi-book sagas.
But here’s the thing: with hundreds of series out there and so many books to read in order, how do you know where to begin, what order to follow, and when it’s okay to deviate? That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this guide—from understanding books in chronological order vs. publication order, to tips on building your own book series checklist and exploring the best book series recommendations for 2025 and beyond.
Why Reading Series in Order Matters
Let’s start with the obvious question: Why bother reading series in order at all? For some genres—especially fantasy and thrillers—the answer is simple. Authors often weave complex character arcs and intricate plots that unfold over multiple books. Skipping around can lead to major spoilers, confusion, and a general sense of missing out.
Take Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings for example. This fantasy series in order spans multiple trilogies and standalones, but if you read them out of sequence, you’ll miss emotional payoffs that were built up over thousands of pages. Similarly, Michael Connelly’s Bosch Universe connects characters across books, and the thriller series reading order deeply affects your understanding of motivations, outcomes, and crossovers.
Reading books by series ensures you don’t just read a story—you live it fully.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Reading
One of the biggest dilemmas readers face is choosing between books by publication order or books in chronological order. Here’s the difference:
- Publication Order: This is the order the author released the books. It reflects the intended pace of character development and plot revelations.
- Chronological Order: This is the timeline-based sequence of events in the story world, which might differ from how the author released them.
Let’s look at an example: The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski. If you follow the chronological reading of events, you’ll start with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny (both short story collections) before diving into Blood of Elves and beyond. But the publication order might throw you into the novels first, leaving you confused about who Geralt even is.
So which should you choose? If it’s your first time, stick to the author series order. It’s usually more polished and intentional. But if you’re rereading or looking to deep-dive into the books universe order, then a reading timeline guide is your best friend.
Building the Ultimate Book Series Checklist
Ready to start your own book series checklist? Here’s how to do it the right way:
- Pick Your Genre
Are you into fantasy series timelines like A Song of Ice and Fire or long-running thriller series like Jack Reacher? Start by narrowing your focus. - Use Series Tracking Tools
Websites like Goodreads, The StoryGraph, and FictFact let you organize your reading books by series. You can even label them by long book series order, mark what’s completed, and what’s next on your list. - Keep a Series Spreadsheet
Some readers create Excel or Notion trackers to manually maintain a complete reading guide. Include columns for book title, author, series name, order, and status. - Follow Author Websites
Many authors share their official series reading guide online. It often includes both chronological reading and books by publication order options.
Top Must-Read Series (and Their Best Reading Orders)
Let’s explore some popular and must read series where reading series in order makes all the difference:
🗡️ The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
- Genre: Epic Fantasy
- Books: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, Rhythm of War
- Order Tip: Stick to publication order. Interludes and flashbacks are layered intentionally to build a massive, interconnected story.
Sanderson’s books universe order includes crossover characters from his larger Cosmere, so if you’re a completionist, you’ll love exploring the fantasy series in order across all Cosmere books.
🔍 The Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
- Genre: Crime/Thriller
- Books: Start with The Cuckoo’s Calling
- Order Tip: Definitely follow the thriller series reading order. Each book builds the relationship between Strike and Robin, while layering long-term mysteries.
👑 Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- Genre: YA Fantasy
- Books: Read The Assassin’s Blade first (prequel), then move on to Throne of Glass
- Order Tip: This is one of those rare times where books in chronological order actually improves your experience. Maas herself recommends reading the prequel novellas first.
🛸 The Expanse by James S.A. Corey
- Genre: Sci-Fi
- Books: Leviathan Wakes, Caliban’s War, etc.
- Order Tip: Publication order is best. There are novellas and short stories that expand the books universe order, but they’re optional unless you’re creating a complete reading guide.
👮 Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny
- Genre: Mystery
- Books: Starts with Still Life
- Order Tip: Follow the author series order. The emotional arc of Gamache and the village of Three Pines is best appreciated in sequence.
2025 Book Series Recommendations: What’s Hot Right Now?
If you’re planning your reading guide 2025, here are a few hot titles and book series recommendations to look out for:
- “The Empyrean” by Rebecca Yarros (start with Fourth Wing) – exploding in the fantasy world
- “The Atlas Series” by Olivie Blake – dark academia meets magic and betrayal
- “The Locked Tomb” by Tamsyn Muir – necromancy and sci-fi collide in a truly unique saga
Make sure to check the book series list from publishers, BookTok, and blogs like Riya’s to stay on top of what to read next.
Tips for Tackling Long Book Series
Sometimes, the sheer length of a series can be intimidating (looking at you, Wheel of Time). Here’s how to manage long book series order without burning out:
- Set a schedule: Read one book per month to stay consistent.
- Mix genres: Break up dense fantasy or historical fiction with lighter reads in between.
- Join reading groups: Online communities often read books to read in order together, making it more fun and engaging.
Wrapping Up: The Joy of Reading Books in Order
There’s no right or wrong way to read—but if you’re someone who thrives on deep world-building, consistent character arcs, and storylines that reward your memory and patience, then reading books by series in order is pure joy. Whether you’re building a reading timeline guide, trying to understand a books universe order, or following an author series order from start to finish, there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing it all come together.
So pull out your book series checklist, grab that first book, and dive in. The adventure is always better when you start at the beginning.
Want to read a bit more? Find some more of my writings here-
Discovering Brazil: A Colorful Land of Culture, Nature, and Surprises
Book Review: King of Sloth by Ana Huang
The Delusion Game: A Scary Short Story
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Thank you for being keen readers to a small-time writer.
