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Chill Out With a Cool Series

Nothing feeds a hungry reading appetite like a book series. If you ever find it hard to part with characters you’ve come to love or wonder what happens next in the story, delving into a book series may be the thing for you!

Whether it’s a two-book duology, a three-book trilogy, or a mega-sized 30-book series, usually, the books follow the lives and (mis)adventures of a few main characters over time. Some books build on earlier stories in the series, so they are better read in order, while other series have loosely connected stories and are enjoyable as stand-alone reads.

Whatever your genre preference—fantasy, horror, mystery, and romance, to name a few—there are countless series from which to select. And because a great series withstands the test of time, revisiting a favourite series from your youth is a wonderful way to indulge in some nostalgia, reconnect with your younger self, and discover a new appreciation of the stories as an adult reader.

Seriously Good Series

So, next time you’re looking for a good book binge, reach for a series. Here are a few to get you started.

Murder, They Wrote

There's no mystery about it. Whodunits are compelling reads packed with twisty plots, cryptic clues, and red herrings. Match wits with these talented literary sleuths!

Detective Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie – The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Book 1

Commissario Guido Brunetti series by Donna Leon – Death at La Fenice, Book 1

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 1

Spenser series by Robert B. Parker - The Godwulf Manuscript, Book 1

Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro – 1st to Die, Book 1

Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny – Still Life, Book 1

In Days of Old

Royal dynasties, politics, power, corruption, court intrigue—and a few beheadings and wars for good measure. Try these absorbing historical fiction series set in England during a particularly tumultuous century from the mid-1400s to the mid-1500s.

Wars of the Roses series by Conn Iggulden – Stormbird, Book 1

Wolf Hall trilogy by Hilary Mantel – Wolf Hall, Book 1

War of the Roses trilogy by Livi Michael – Succession, Book 1

Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom – Dissolution, Book 1

Magic & Make-Believe

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From mystical creatures making merry and mayhem to fantastical worlds at war and peace, fantasy fiction has it all—and there are plenty of excellent fantasy series to devour. From time-honoured classics to trending tales, many fantasy books have been adapted into blockbuster movies and streaming series. Our recommendation—read the books first!

Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - City of Bones, Book 1 (Register for a live virtual author talk, Aug 23!)

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins – The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (prequel), The Hunger Games, Book 1

Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse) series by Charlaine Harris – Dead Until Dark, Book 1

Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Book 1

Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas – House of Earth and Blood, Book 1

A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin – A Game of Thrones, Book 1

The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit (prequel), The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 1

Leave the Lights On

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What’s better than one nail-biting-hair-raising-spine-chilling-horror-to-the-max thriller? More!

Dollanganger series by V.C. Andrews – Flowers in the Attic, Book 1

Dark Tower series by Stephen King – The Gunslinger, Book 1

Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Book 1

The Three series by Sarah Lotz – The Three, Book 1

Fun & Frisky Romps

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Check out these racy reads when looking for a light-hearted series with cheeky characters you'd love to meet. 

Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich – One for the Money, Book 1 (Book #30 is currently on order!)

Bridget Jones series by Helen Fielding – Bridget Jones’s Diary, Book 1

Crazy Rich Asian trilogy (Rich series) by Kevin Kwan – Crazy Rich Asians, Book 1

Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee – The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Book 1

How Do I Love Thee

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Like fantasy and historical fiction, the romance genre is chockfull of epic series. From sweet and sassy contemporary love stories to sizzling hot historical romance, there’s a veritable smorgasbord of series to savour.

Outlander novels by Diana Gabaldon – Outlander, Book 1

Dangerous Damsels series by India Holton – The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, Book 1

Hopeless series by Colleen Hoover – Hopeless, Book 1

The Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas – Cold-hearted Rake, Book 1

Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn – The Duke and I, Book 1

Anatomy duology by Dana Schwartz – Anatomy, Book 1

And Don’t Forget

We can suggest a series just for you! Submit your completed Handpicked For You online request form, and we’ll pull together a curated list of suggested titles or a bundle of books for you to borrow. And there is still time to join BPL's Summer Reading Club, running to September 3. The more weeks you participate, the more chances you have to win great prizes—just for reading!
https://bpl.on.ca/news/summer-series
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