The Malazan Fallen discussion

I've been taking a vacation from Malaz since the MBotF group read. Now I'm thinking of trying some of the Esslemont books. Are they a series that you're supposed to read in order? Or do they tie in to the Book of the Fallen more or less independently of each other?

In the Tor.com reread of the Malazan series, Esslemont's Return of the Crimson Guard was read before Reaper's Gale. I did not and wish I had. It is not a huge gap but it would have been nice.

they are independent MOSTLY....but they do follow a chronological order. Night of Knives is a prequel about Shadowthrone and Dancer's transfer from Empire to shadow. Return of the Crimson Guard is between Bonehunters and Reapers Gale. Stonewielder right before Dust of Dreams.
Orb Sceptre throne, Blood and Bone and assail in that order, after MBotF