A Book Series Versus A Standalone // Let's Talk Bookish

Let's Talk Bookish

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books and Dani @ Literary Lion where we discuss certain topics based on prompts allocated for each Friday of the week. You basically share your opinions and get into the conversation by visiting each other’s posts. You can find the September schedule here or here.

Today’s Let’s Talk Bookish topic is Series vs. Standalone, which was suggested by M.T. Wilson @ Last Book On The Left.

With the unexpected blogging slump I had slogged through the past few weeks, coming up with discussion content felt near impossible. I ended up waiting till a topic that resonated with me came up or until I actually felt like picking up the metaphorical pen and writing my thoughts. I guess today is that day!

DO YOU PREFER STANDALONES OR SERIES?

Personally, this depends on the genre I am reading. I prefer my fantasy books to be a series because all that world-building and story progression is best done unrushed. And when it is high fantasy, I expect a series of epic proportions! But if I pick up a rom-com, I would like to read standalones. I love the emotions and chemistry that one book can pack.

WHEN YOU READ A STANDALONE DO YOU WISH THERE WAS MORE OR ARE YOU CONTENT THAT THE STORY HAS FINISHED?

Wouldn’t this depend on the standalone? I believe that the success of a standalone lies in how well the author can weave the complete story within that one. Sure, I have read some standalones that left me wanting more, but upon deeper reflection, I usually come to the realisation that there isn’t really any point in dragging on the story.

ARE SERIES SOMETIMES TOO LONG?

I think everyone will answer that sometimes a series can get too long. Personally, I love it when the author writes multiple books based in the same universe, which makes it a series. But this is when I love that universe and that author. Sometimes I can get too picky about a series and wanna collect all twenty plus books before I start reading it. That is when it becomes a problem to me!

DO YOU FEEL LIKE SOME GENRES WORK BETTER IN SERIES WHILE OTHERS WORK BETTER IN STANDALONE?

Like I said before: yes, some genres work better as book series, like high fantasy or usually fantasy in general. But genres like thrillers, mysteries and romances work better as standalones for me.

WHAT ARE SOME STANDALONES YOU WISH HAD CONTINUED?

Hm, I can’t really think of any off the top of my head. Almost every standalone I want more has ended up with a novella or a companion novel so far.

ARE THERE ANY SERIES YOU THINK SHOULD HAVE STOPPED AT THE FIRST BOOK?

Wow, I feel like this is one really harsh question! LOL! Keep in mind that my answer is completely subjective and is in no way meant to insult the author or the fanbase.

The one series that pops into my mind is the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. I liked the series overall and I stuck through the whole trilogy, even picking up the novellas. But looking back, the story was at its best for me in the first book and did not really get any better for me after that.