This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is the Series I’ve Given Up On . . . Or Not. I am a series junkie, it's true. I start series constantly and follow through with so few. Not because I do not want to. Just because I am always starting new ones . . . I really need to focus on the series I have started and stick with them. Someday, perhaps.
I am only including series of which I read more than one book otherwise the list might be much longer.
Series I have given up on and do not plan to continue
1. The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice ~ I really liked the books I read many years ago, but I lost interest in the them over time. Add to that the author's behavior towards readers who might have something negative to say about her books, and I would rather stay away.
2. Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series ~ This was once an auto-buy series for me. Until it wasn't. I burnt out on this series around book 13. By then I had lost interest in the series, kept finding fault with the writing, and did not like the direction the author had taken some of the characters.
3. The Anita Blake series by Laurel K. Hamilton ~ This series was my introduction into urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I devoured the early books in the series, but when the books veered more toward romance and less toward mystery, I lost interest. I read fourteen of the books in the series, which I believe is up to 28.
4. Deadly Angel series by Sandra Hill ~ I read the first two books in this series and that was enough for me. I just didn't see the appeal. (And I couldn't stop giggling every time I came across the word "Vangels" used to describe the vampire/angel male leads.)
5. Greg Rucka's Atticus Kodiak series ~ Atticus is a kick-ass bodyguard in New York City for those who may not know. I read almost all of the books in this series and am not really sure why. I liked them to a point, but they really were not to my taste. A bit too much testosterone, maybe.
6. The Flame Sea series by Jean Johnson ~ I read the first two books in this fantasy series earlier this year. It just wasn't for me.
7. James Patterson's Alex Cross series ~ I enjoyed his books for a time, but I think I just burnt out on the series.
Series I am on the fence about whether to stop or continue
8. Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware, child psychologist, series ~ Another favorite series of mine for awhile there until I got burnt out on it. I think I stopped after reading the 20th book in the series. I sometimes think of going back and reading more, but it has not happened yet.
9. Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, series by Janet Evanovich ~ This one had me under it's spell for awhile. I could count on a good laugh just about every time. And it was a guarantee a car would blow up in every book. After awhile though, the books felt the same and I grew tired of Stephanie's playing both Ranger and Joe Morelli. I sometimes think of trying again this one. Maybe she finally chose a guy in a later book? One can hope . . .
10. Anne Perry's Charlotte and Inspector Pitt series ~ I used to binge read this series, reading multiple books at a time. I love the attention to period details Perry puts into each book. I am not really sure why I set this series aside. The series was beginning to become more political than it had been, and that may have ultimately been the deciding factor. Now that the author has started a series about their son, I have been considering going back and picking up where I left off with this one.
Series I said I would stop reading after the first book, but am still reading
In Death series by J.D. Robb ~ After reading the first book in the series, I had decided not to read any further. Then I listened to the audio version and enjoyed it much more. I have since listened to the second book and also liked it. I have the next several books on my phone to listen to now. It wasn't so bad after all . . .
Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series - Another series in which I decided not to continue after reading the first book. And then I heard the author speak at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and decided to give her series featuring Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper another try. I have been hooked ever since. I have read sixteen books in the series to date.
Have you read any of these series? Are there any series you have given up on that you read more than one book in?
I am only including series of which I read more than one book otherwise the list might be much longer.
Series I have given up on and do not plan to continue
2. Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series ~ This was once an auto-buy series for me. Until it wasn't. I burnt out on this series around book 13. By then I had lost interest in the series, kept finding fault with the writing, and did not like the direction the author had taken some of the characters.
3. The Anita Blake series by Laurel K. Hamilton ~ This series was my introduction into urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I devoured the early books in the series, but when the books veered more toward romance and less toward mystery, I lost interest. I read fourteen of the books in the series, which I believe is up to 28.
4. Deadly Angel series by Sandra Hill ~ I read the first two books in this series and that was enough for me. I just didn't see the appeal. (And I couldn't stop giggling every time I came across the word "Vangels" used to describe the vampire/angel male leads.)
6. The Flame Sea series by Jean Johnson ~ I read the first two books in this fantasy series earlier this year. It just wasn't for me.
7. James Patterson's Alex Cross series ~ I enjoyed his books for a time, but I think I just burnt out on the series.
Series I am on the fence about whether to stop or continue
8. Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware, child psychologist, series ~ Another favorite series of mine for awhile there until I got burnt out on it. I think I stopped after reading the 20th book in the series. I sometimes think of going back and reading more, but it has not happened yet.
9. Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, series by Janet Evanovich ~ This one had me under it's spell for awhile. I could count on a good laugh just about every time. And it was a guarantee a car would blow up in every book. After awhile though, the books felt the same and I grew tired of Stephanie's playing both Ranger and Joe Morelli. I sometimes think of trying again this one. Maybe she finally chose a guy in a later book? One can hope . . .
10. Anne Perry's Charlotte and Inspector Pitt series ~ I used to binge read this series, reading multiple books at a time. I love the attention to period details Perry puts into each book. I am not really sure why I set this series aside. The series was beginning to become more political than it had been, and that may have ultimately been the deciding factor. Now that the author has started a series about their son, I have been considering going back and picking up where I left off with this one.
Series I said I would stop reading after the first book, but am still reading
Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series - Another series in which I decided not to continue after reading the first book. And then I heard the author speak at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and decided to give her series featuring Assistant District Attorney Alex Cooper another try. I have been hooked ever since. I have read sixteen books in the series to date.
Have you read any of these series? Are there any series you have given up on that you read more than one book in?
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I haven't read any of these series. I do believe that life's too short for bad series though! Great list! My TTT
ReplyDeleteChrissi - With so many books out there and time being precious, I have to agree! Life is too short to read books I am not enjoying. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI haven't read any of these series yet. I am one of those readers that pushes through a bad book or series because I hate leaving things unfinished. I am TRYING to stop it since time is short to read bad books but it is hard!
ReplyDeleteElle - I think with the series I have given up on, each book was enough of a stand alone that I didn't feel I was leaving anything unfinished, but I get what you mean. Sometimes I do continue one longer than I probably should because I hope the book or series will get better . . . Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI haven't read any of those. I don't think I will be continuing Illuminae. I certainly won't ever read the followup books on the Kindle.
ReplyDeleteBrooke - Just looking at the print version of Illuminae, I can understand why reading it on the Kindle wouldn't be ideal. Thanks for visiting, Brooke!
DeleteI’ve continued to follow Stephanie Plum even though she really, really annoys me with her troubles with cars and men.
ReplyDeletehttps://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/06/why-i-dont-finish-books-in-series.html
Deb - Stephanie Plum needs to make better choices. Haha. Thanks for stopping by, Deb.
DeleteI'm with you on Kay Scarpetta but I've heard the series has gotten better. After my last Alex Cross book, I might be over it too. The Stephanie Plum books have gotten old for me too.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I have heard the Scarpetta series has gotten better too. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've read parts of a few of these and left off. The ones that I used to read every book - Jonathan Kellerman, Patricia Cornwell, Patterson's Alex Cross. I read a few of the Anita Blake series and always meant to go back. Have also read more than a few of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series as well as her Monk series. I like the idea of completing it too and then going on to her new one with Daniel Pitt. I've read every single book in JD Robb's 'In Death' series. All 40+. I keep meaning to try Linda Fairstein's books, but I'm not sure at this point. Never got into a few of the others. I usually have under 10 series that I am completely caught up. And they keep changing. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteKay - I never did try the Monk series. I have heard that is even better than the Charlotte an Thomas Pitt series. I am sure I have under ten I am caught up on too. Probably less than that. LOL Thanks for visiting, Kay!
DeleteI haven't actually heard about any of these books! But it's interesting to hear that you don't plan on finishing them. Great list.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://rockyreads.wordpress.com/2018/06/26/top-ten-tuesday-13/
Victoria - Thank you! I am such a series addict. I can't read them all though, right? :-) Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI gave up on Cornwell's series several years ago. I used to enjoy Fairstein's books, but the last couple haven't done much for me. I will still read the Alex Delaware books, but I've enjoyed some of Kellerman's recent stand-alones more. I like Perry's series with William Monk and Hester Latterly more than the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. One Anita Blake book was more than enough for me, though a good friend loves it. :)
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I need to catch up in Fairstein's series. I haven't tried the Monk series, although I have heard readers like it more. Maybe someday. :-) Thanks for visiting, Jenclair!
DeleteI gave up on the Anita Blake series too! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
ReplyDeletePoinsettia - I enjoyed it in the beginning. Mystery combined with fantasy--what wasn't to love? But the series definitely jumped ship somewhere along the way. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI'm seeing the Anita Blake books mentioned a lot today - on my blog as well. They were so much fun when I started them, and then they just turned into so much! Great list.
ReplyDeleteBarb - Yes, I liked Hamilton's series in the beginning, but I just couldn't work up the interest to continue with it after awhile. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI haven't read any of these. So far the only two series' I really gave up on were Divergent and 50 Shades. Here's my TopTen: https://myendlessshelf.weebly.com/home/toptentuesday-series-id-like-to-finish-someday
ReplyDeleteKayleigh - I forgot about 50 Shades. Technically, I did read two of the books, so it could have made this list as I don't plan to read more. I did finish the Divergent books (although I didn't read all the short stories). I was disappointed with the final book. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI read most of the Vampire Chronicles, but have no intention of picking up the newest ones. The one with the female saint put me over the edge.
ReplyDeleteLikewise with the Anita Blake ones. I read the first few, liked the angle of raising the dead etc, but the sex took over the mystery and, while I've not a thing against sex scenes, it's got to be *part* of the story, not the whole thing. Bah.
Laurie - I am with you on the Anita Blake series. I liked the series when there was more of a mystery slant to them, but found the sexual aspect too heavy for my tastes in the later books. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWe're pretty identical on our lists (if I actually made one, but I didn't this week). I used to love and auto-buy Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, & Jonathan Kellerman. Now I don't read them, kind of sad about it. I never tried Anita Blake because I don't think it's my cuppa tea.
ReplyDeleteI did try a couple of Linda Fairstein's series and thought I would like it because I'm originally from NY, but I didn't care for the MC, Alex. I also wish I could like the JD Robb, but after first two I'm still not too sure about it. Of your whole list the only ones I would attempt again would be Kellerman and Robb.
Rita - Sometimes I look back on my old favorites and remember the good times we had together. :-)
DeleteI enjoy the Fairstein novels mostly because of the tie in to historical sites in New York and also the secondary stories/cases. Alex will never be my favorite heroine. She annoys me on occasion too. And it's been only in the later books that I've warmed up a tiny bit to Mike Chapman. It's not a favorite series, but I enjoy it enough to keep reading. Thanks for visiting!
Series are a commitment, for sure, and with so many books to read, it's tough. I tend to want to avoid them for that very reason! lol But that's only 'cause I'm a slow reader AND rarely get to read fiction the way I want/need. I own the few I've read, which of course includes Harry Potter which I've read 4 times fully, plus picked at them in between. Love THE HUNGER GAMES but have only read it once, along with the LEGEND series. All SOOooo good!
ReplyDeleteDonna Marie - I am not a re-reader, but I do find comfort in visiting familiar characters in familiar settings. I enjoy following and seeing characters grow over the course of several books. I wish I was a faster reader so I might attempt to stay on top of more of the series I enjoy. :-) Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI quit on the Kay Scarpetta series after awhile, too. The books got too dark and felt too similar to me to want to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteLark - They did tend to get darker and more violent, didn't they? I felt that way too.
DeleteI abandoned Stephanie Plum for basically the same reasons your mentioned. I just felt that she was stuck in a repetitive time warm where very little ever changed and each book was just a knockoff of the previous. I love this series once upon a time, though.
ReplyDeleteVisting from TTT
Ericka - Yes! That's exactly how I was feeling about the Stephanie Plum series. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteStephanie Plum - I'm on book 22 and it's one of those guilty pleasure reads. I like to read it when I'm feeling slumpy because I know it'll make me happy. Even if it's very formulaic writing. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah - Someday I may pick up where I left off with the Stephanie Plum books. They are pretty funny. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteThat last category made me laugh. Yeah I definitely have a few of those. I dropped the Anne Perry series after only a couple of books. I loved the covers but something just never quite clicked me. The Kay Scarpetta series was such a disappointment. I loved the first few books but it just felt like it was getting so over the top crazy I had to call it quits!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - It seemed like Cornwell was trying to out do herself with each book, upping the violence and gore. I hear the series has gotten better, but I don't think I will ever go back to it. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI read Cornwell for a long time, but then it devolved into The Same Villain Every Time, (Perry's Pitt was trending that way, but the latest ones have quit that.) Carol Nelson Douglas's Midnight Louie has the same villain as a background, but a stand-alone mystery in each new book. Plus I love Louie.
ReplyDeleteI was enthusiastically recommended Stephanie Plum, but I got as far as her "relaxing and enjoying" the rape early in the book and that did it for me. (It get bored with descriptions of clothing too.)
Mary - I haven't read anything by Nelson and am not familiar with her series. I do think sometimes series that have gone on awhile can fall into the trap of being too much the same. That was what turned me off of the Stephanie Plum series after awhile. It's one of the reasons I cannot read series books back to back for too long. Burn out is inevitable. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've given up a few series you listed here, Wendy. One reason is they didn't interest me anymore; and another is it's hard to catch up with so many new series out there. :p
ReplyDeleteMelody - It really is hard to stay on top of any series with how many other books catch our eye in between publication of new books in each series. I am behind before I know it!
DeleteAnita Blake was so good in the beginning! I am still reading Stephanie Plum because it's my guilty pleasure.
ReplyDeleteSarah - Those early books were really good! I do want to give Stephanie Plum another try. Maybe one of these days.
Delete