Book Sanctuary discussion

Pretty much what the title suggests. Do you prefer series or stand-alones?

I myself prefer a nice stand-alone book. Not that I have anything against book series. I like having a completed story in one book. I've noticed that a lot of books lately, even and perhaps especially from new authors, are series. I suppose you could mostly attribute my preference due to the cost of buying a book series over a single book but it's not completely why either. I just like them.

I perfer series because you get to know the character better. When something sad happen in a series I normally cry if I love the character alot but in stand-alone I don't cry even if I do love the character.

Hi, newbie here:) Fun question.

I love series because I can continue the relationship with the characters and I look forward to the next book with such anticipation.

I love stand alones because they are normally long sweeping, in depth stories that keep me up all night till I finish the book.

I tend to like stand alones better because most of the series that have come out recently don't really need to be a series. I don't mind series but I have a problem when the author only created a series in order to generate revenue and there is no suspense and no need at all.

@Deidre: I can imagine how frustrating that can be. I literally waited till I had all seven of the Harry Potter books before I started reading it.

@Susieqkw: Hello!

@Joi: I can agree with you there. I don't mind companion novels set within the same world, or a series of standalones with the same theme, but making a sequel to a perfectly find stand-alone just because it did well makes me want to go smash sometimes.

@Cheyenne : I do that for alot of the series I read. I wait till most of the books are out first then read it. This way I don't have to wait till the books come out 1 by one.

I normally read it when it's hype up but I perfer paperback copies over the hardcover so I wait till the paperback is out then buy it. There are a few exception tho. I got a few hardcover books. If it a book I been waiting for ill tent to buy it the day it comes out if I know about it.

@Airi: Exactly. That's what I did for 'a song of ice and fire' series. I went ahead and bought the first three books. I prefer hardbacks myself. I think they look better and they're more durable. Not that I won't buy a paperback. I can't stand having a series in different formats though.

@Deidre: I'm like that but I'm not. It really just depends on when I can get it cheaper. Most of the time it's years after. Sometimes it can be months or week because a lot of people pre-order a book and then rush to sell it.

@Cheyenne - I don't live the sleeve on the hardcover and most of the time I remove the sleeve to read the book I end up loosing it. I'm use to reading and keeping my manga in very good condition so I just buy the paperback ones now.

For me it kind of depends on the genre, for example, if we're talking about Urban Fantasy I prefer series because you get to know the characters better and see what kind of creatures the author will throw out next. However, if we're talking about romance, whether regency, contemporary, or historical fiction I would have to say stand alone, but there are always room for exceptions when it comes to books.

Airi wrote: "@Cheyenne - I don't live the sleeve on the hardcover and most of the time I remove the sleeve to read the book I end up loosing it. I'm use to reading and keeping my manga in very good condition so..."

Whenever I buy Hardcover I tape down the book jacket, but I tend mostly to buy paperback or mass market paperback if I can help it.

So are you guys more focused on how a book/series will look on your shelf than how good a book is?

Joi - How good the book is. Do you perfer to read series or Stand alones?

I was asking because I saw Cheyenne say that hardbacks look better. That's all. I prefer stand alones because in recent times, there have been more and more series for no reason. I tend to like series when they are needed, not just when the author feels like they can make more money if they make one big book into a trilogy.

The only series of books I've read are Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley novels. Enjoyed them a lot.

I prefer series, since most of the time depending on the nature of the story, it is a good way to plunge deeper into the topic. I also feel more attached to the characters and the story itself. However, I do prefer stand-alones when it comes to the Romance genre.

Joi wrote: "I was asking because I saw Cheyenne say that hardbacks look bet..."

I do think they look better, but that's not my only reason for liking them. They're more durable, which appeals to me who likes to keep books in like-new condition. There's more in the first post I made about why I like them. I also said this in an earlier post incase you didn't see.

@Joi: I can agree with you there. I don't mind companion novels set within the same world, or a series of standalones with the same theme, but making a sequel to a perfectly find stand-alone just because it did well makes me want to go smash sometimes.

Airi wrote: "@Cheyenne - I don't live the sleeve on the hardcover and most of the time I.."

I leave the sleeves on my hardbacks. I've never even thought about taking them off. And when I buy books from Amazon I prefer that it comes with the cover.

Cheyenne wrote: "Joi wrote: "I was asking because I saw Cheyenne say that hardbacks look bet..."

I do think they look better, but that's not my only reason for liking them. They're more durable, which appeals to m..."

Okay, I was just wondering because I really don't understand the purpose of having a book look brand new if you have to be careful when reading it. Unless, of course, it's A B&N or Penguin classic edition, which are made to be beautiful.

I can't help myself with how I treat my books. I've always been like that. The books I had when I was little are like new too. And most of the time price is king. So unless it's a book I really want, or if there's not much of a difference, I'll go with a paperback because it's cheaper.

I like both but try not to start new series until I finish one other. and I read regular books, e-books, and online web novels I like Monica S. Kuebler's online Web novel book series the blood magic saga which is a YA vampire series. You can read all three books at http://www.blood-magic.net . They are pretty good. Was reading her third book when she did a chapter a week for it but it's on hiatus right now but the first two books are finished though which are Bleeder, Letters from New York, and then you got ruler.

Thanks for the link Amber!

No problem Cheyenne. Enjoy! :)

I like series and stand alones.