!! Order!! Order!! .....

Avatar for cl_ladibbug
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Registered: 03-26-2003
!! Order!! Order!! .....
17
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 11:29am

Where do you stand on the question of whether or not to read series books *in order*?


Are you a stickler for RIO (reading in order), or do you prefer to do your own thing (ROO, read out of order)?


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Avatar for cl_ladibbug
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 11:37am

May I just say I prefer to read in order, but thought I was loosening up a little bit the last couple of years...usually with new to me series ... I'd read a book from wherever in a series, and if I liked it, I'd go back to the beginning.


But, my ROO streak (Read in Order!), has left me just about sleepless the last few days ... ~ sigh ~.


Michelle mentioned getting Circus of the Damned (Laurell K. Hamilton), #3 in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series ... and I've been quietly having a FIT wanting to contact her to urge that she read this excellent series starting with #1!!!


Michelle, LOL, if you are reading this, #1 is Guilty Pleasures!

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 12:27pm

I've read some in order but for the most part I go out of order. Only because I don't usually realize that the book is part of a series when I get it. I often just grab, go and hope it's a good book.

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Registered: 04-09-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 12:33pm
Typically I like order. However, I make the exception with Robert B. Parker. You can read them out of order IMO. If he refers to something in a previous book just makes me want to go back and see what I missed. It's kind of like visiting with a friend. They are telling you about their life and suddenly something comes up you didn't know about and they have to fill in the blanks.

Gretchen


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Avatar for catgrl2
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 5:14pm
For me, I have to read them in order. I'm "anal" that way! LOL I hate starting in the middle and then having to wonder, who are these people, and what significance do they have? I cannot start anywhere than at the beginning!! Gae
Gae
Avatar for qmquack
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Registered: 10-13-2004
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 6:09pm

Gae, are you also one of "these people" who have to see a movie from the very beginning too?

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Registered: 02-09-2000
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 9:35pm
I usually prefer to read them in order, but it kind of depends on how "into" the series I am.
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 11:31pm

Order, definitely. I hate picking up a book in the middle of the series. Especially if you're reading a LOOONG series like Goodkind's, or Jordan's or George RR Martin's. Way too confusing figuring out who's done what to who in the past!


That said, if I see a book that sounds really good and interesting in the bookstore that's part of a series I haven't read, I may get it anyway, especially if it's only number two or three or four in the series and I think I have a good chance of getting the others (i.e, that they're not out of print!) In those cases, I just won't read that book until I have the earlier ones and then I read them all straight through.


There are some series where you can read the books as stand-alones. Like Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries or Laurie King's stuff. Those I don't mind reading out-of sequence.

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Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 7:18am
Okay I'm in that anal category of if I can't read them in order I don't want to read them at all. Even if a series tends to have "stand alones" they have to be done in order. I also hate to come in on a TV program. My husband will start watching something like Law and Order and if I didn't see the very beginning to knw what's going on- I just won't watch. What I really hate is if I'm watching something and he comes in and starts asking questions. One reason I don't watch if I don't know what's going on- I hate to be the annoying one asking all the questions:)

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Registered: 05-23-2001
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 6:36pm

I admit, I generally try to read them in order. In fact when looking at the New Releases shelf, if something catches my eye & turns out to be the latest in a series, I will go look for or request the first book & start there, rather than grab the one that's handy. But I will admit to being somewhat compulsive about some things.

Liz

Liz

Avatar for arizonagal
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 10-13-2005 - 9:03pm

In order if I can.

Donna

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