Start a Series
Most of the books I read are part of a series. I have a hard time 'getting into a book.' It takes me a while to care about a new topic or remember names. It feels like too much concentration to remember new stuff. When something is familiar and I know what to expect, it's less overwhelming and less I have to focus on.
On Bookshop.org, I have a list of suggestions to read to start a book series. Each book in the list is the first in a series. Each series included is a series I love currently or at least loved at a certain point in my life.
1st Book: Only Time Will Tell
Series: The Clifton Chronicles
Author: Jeffrey Archer
For: Historical Fiction Lovers, Adults, AnglophilesIf you are an adult that loves intertwined storylines and historical fiction, this is the book for you. The beauty of how a person's life journey can weave and build is incredible. The about 20 years that this book spans, covers a lot of history that makes my historical fiction heart happy. The way our lives are intertwined with history in small and big ways is demonstrated spectacularly in this book, and throughout the series.
1st Book: Mr. Churchill's Secretary
Series: Maggie Hope Mysteries
Author: Susan Elia MacNeal
For: Historical Fiction Lovers, WW2 Era Nerds, Masterpiece Mystery Viewers, Feminists, Adults
Each time I read this book, I am reminded how much more of a thriller it is than I expected. Maggie's intelligence and academic prowess combined with her pushing back as a woman in this era, is empowering and beautifully crafted. Plus, the kid who grew up on Masterpiece Mysteries is thrilled....aka...me.
1st Book: Every Crooked Nanny
Series: Callahan Garrity Mysteries
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
For: Mystery Lovers, Female Detective Admirers, Southern Setting Fans, Adults
The present day mystery feels like all the crime dramas I watch on TV. The flow of someone taking their seemingly unrelated skills and combining them with their current situation makes all our random skills we acquire in life feel less disjointed. Plus, I love her team's dynamic.
For: Time Travel Enthusiests, Historical Fiction lovers, Romance Fans, Medical Drama Fans, Adults
The time travel, intertwining and then clash of perspectives, and the choices made to stay alive, lead to an absolutely fascinating tale. This is actually a series I watched on TV before reading the book. I'm actually glad I did, because I would have a much harder time reading the Gaelic accent and names if I hadn't. I didn't know much Scottish history before this series, but now, I know dramatically more. Ever since I saw the animated Anistasia movie and found out it was based on a real persona and then read everything I could about her in our encyclopedias, I go all in on Googling everything I can and compare to real life events, places, and people. I just adore this series and the intertwined stories. So fascinating.
1st Book: Maisie Dobbs
Series: Maisie Dobbs
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
For: WWI Nerds, Anglophiles, Historical Fiction Fans, Female Detective Admirers, Adults
This series has interesting parallels to both Only Time Will Tell and Maggie Hope. Maisie is a bit of a Tom from Downton Abby. Her determination, confidence, and academic focus is a fascinating read. The massive amount of backstory covered in this book is great world building.
1st Book: Anne of Green Gables
Series: Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M. Montgomery
For: Families Reading Together, Girls & Women, Canada Lovers, Historical Fiction Fans
For years, this was the only book in the series I had read. I had read it with my mom, and watched all the Megan Follows adaptations of the series on IPTV. I felt like I had the whole story put together at that point. I still picture all those actors when I read these books. I loved the bits of history intertwined in these books that I didn't have much background knowledge about.
For: Families Reading Together, Upper Elementary Students, Fantasy or Magic Lovers, Adventure Fans, People That Feel Like They Don't Belong
Honestly, the first book I didn't want to read with my family because I was annoyed with the first couple chapters feeling like a boy book. After I went to the first movie in theaters, I changed my mind and immediately read the first book on my own. My family had already finished the first one. The rest, I read them mostly with my family. The last book, we weren't all available at the same time that summer, so that one we just had four bookmarks in the book. Well, for two days because my dad finished first, of course. The world building in the first book and then the world expanding in the other books made me fall in love with the Wizarding World as well as the UK.
For: Adolescent Girls, People Fascinated With Royalty, Anyone Who Has Ever Written In Their Own Diaries, Kids in The Midst Of Growing Up
The diary format is such a fun read. Due to reading mostly historical fiction as a kid, I didn't read these books until adulthood. I had only seen the movies. It would have been a good thing to read as a kid, though, because it's nice to read a book and be in someone else's head. When you wonder if other people think the same weird stuff as you, it's cool to read someone else having the same sorts of thoughts. It can make you feel less alone.
For: Families Reading Together, Fantasy & Magic Lovers, Adventure Fans
The family bonds explored in this book is an interesting dynamic to explore. Some people no longer view this as the first book, but I still find the publishing order a solid order to read the series. While reading in published order will go back and forth in time, I think so much groundwork and background knowledge is really shown in this book. It's why stories like the show This is Us isn't told in chronological order. Going back in forth in time can be much more interesting and impactful.While these are just some of my favorites over time, there are so many series' out there. If you struggle to get into a new book, consider reading a series. Reading one of these or maybe an author you've already read has a similar series that you'd get into. Good luck, and happy reading!
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