This month’s Musings post was thought up thanks to my unofficial name for this July – Catch Up On Series Month – and the way it’s gotten me thinking about my reading habits regarding series in general. In the past 16 days (as well as the last two weeks of June), I have read nothing but series books in an attempt to clear out my TBR list/pile and also take care of some overdue e-galleys that I shamefully fell behind on. It got me wondering about how often others partake in series books, and how they go about reading them. So. Here we go!
First off, let me ask: Series, yay or nay?
I am wholeheartedly in the “yay” category myself, probably to the detriment of my ever-growing TBR list. I like series – getting to spend more than one book with the same characters, watching as the story weaves itself together through multiple installments, and seeing a problem come to its conclusion – and am not shy about adding first books of series to my to-read list at Goodreads. The downside to this, however, is that – if you read series upon their release – you usually have at least a year’s wait between books. And that’s where I usually stumble and start having issues.
See, there are just SO MANY books to read! So in those year-long waits, I tend to find even MORE new series being started that I want to read – and do read – while also trying to read the books that aren’t parts of series. Not to mention any e-galleys or ARCs that I might have requested (although I have only requested two galleys this year and have actually read them both). In other words, books pile up, and – unless it’s something I am super excited about – I tend to buy the sequel book and then let it sit for a (long) while on my shelf. Books that have suffered this fate of late include The Blood of Olympus, Ruin and Rising, The Winner’s Crime, Fairest, and the last two Throne of Glass books. Not to mention some e-galley sequels that are sitting on my Kindle unread.
I know that some people wait to read series until all the books are published. I, however, am not that patient and – even if I KNOW I’m not going to get to it in any timely fashion – I still buy it upon its release. (I’ve never been accused of having good impulse control when it comes to books.) I also borrow a lot of books from my local library – I’ve read both the Rebel Belle books and the entire Dispossessed series through library loans – and oftentimes have to wait past a book’s release date in order for the library to get it in. Which means even more time between releases to add even more books to my TBR. I’m sure you can see my problem.
So. Talk to me about your series-reading habits! Do you read them as they’re released? Do you wait until they’re all available? How do you stay on top of books that you have to wait a year+ to read? Feel free to tell me in comments!
Read and Reviewed 
I’m a bit horrible with series as well. I don’t finish many, though not for a lack of trying. I just get distracted by other series. Most of the time they aren’t even new releases. I’m trying to read books of series that have some out closer together. One of my goals this year is what you are doing this month. I’m doing okayish, I suppose.
I agree, I adore a good series! Just wrote about my series addiction yesterday, actually. I found a new one (new to me, not the world) and have been plowing through it; I love the progression and continuation that you just don’t get from a solitary novel. Love your insights and totally agree!
Lindsay
https://untamedshrews.wordpress.com
I generally don’t read series since many contemporary books are just standalones, but I feel like it’s a burden when I do, unless all the books in the series have come out. If I like it, I’d agonize over how many more days before the next book gets published; if I don’t like it, I’d feel guilty for not finishing the whole series. There’s also the point of expecting too much and having the series disappoint you in the end.
Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor: BLOG || VLOG
Most recent post: The Book Shelf Tag
How funny, I’m actually in the middle of writing a blog post right now about how bad I am at finishing series, which is all down to one particular trilogy whose last book disappointed me so much I’ve been suspicious of final books ever since. In recent years I’ve found myself reading more and more standalones, and I love them, but I must admit I do love series, too; I love getting to know a cast of characters so well and I love the familiarity of it, too. When a new book comes out in a series you love, it can be just as comforting as it is exciting because, while the story’s new, it’s like having an adventure with old friends.
Something I’m trying to work on this year is getting better at finishing series, because like you I tend to buy a whole bunch and then never get around to them; there are a few series I absolutely love and yet I still haven’t read the final book because I’m terrified it’ll be bad. At the same time, there are times when I have to call it quits. When I was younger I really enjoyed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, but then from around book 5 onwards the series just started getting ridiculous and boring so, despite once loving it, I know I’m never going to finish it. Actually I’d much rather pretend the later books don’t exist!
One series I have managed to keep on top of, however, is The Lunar Chronicles. The wait for Winter has been torturous – I need it now!
Great post. :)
If my username/blog wasn’t indication enough, I LOVE book series! I used to be pretty exclusive to series but now I’ve been reading a lot more standalones.
Like you said, the wait between books is killer! I mostly read books as soon as they come out so I often forget what happens. I actually have a word doc that I summarize all the plot events in (which in turn becomes my Series Recap section of my blog) so I don’t have to reread books and can dive right in. And when that sequel comes out, I try really hard to read it ASAP but I often don’t get to it for a few months.