Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Ten Favorite Books from Ten Series.
I almost skipped this week’s TTT — this topic is a tough one! I love so many series, and choosing a favorite book from a favorite series is like choosing a favorite child. Don’t make me pick!!
I’d be tempted to just go with the first book from each series, because hey — if the first book didn’t hook me, why would I keep going? But, I feel like I’ve featured first books in series before (for example, here), so instead I’m focusing on books other than the first. The books I’ve chosen all have something about them that makes them stand out. I’m not playing favorites… but all these books are noteworthy!
My top ten are:
Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
Series: The Glamourist Histories
Book #: 3 (of 5)
Published: 2013
Why this book? The entire series is excellent, so picking a favorite is especially hard. Here in book #3, the setup is just so good, and I really enjoyed the introduction of new political realities and new directions for certain characters.
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi
Series: Old Man’s War
Book #: 4 (of 6)
Published: 2008
Why this book? I actually love the first book in the series best of all, but Zoe’s Tale is just so clever. Basically, this 4th book retells everything that’s already happened in the series, but from a different character’s perspective. I know some people who’ve stopped after book 3, but I always urge them to give Zoe’s Tale a try.
Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey
Series: The Expanse
Book #: 9 (of 9)
Published: 2021
Why this book? Because it pulls off the seemingly impossible feat of providing a stellar ending to a complicated (and excellent) series.
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire
Series: Incryptids
Book #: 4 (of 13 – so far)
Published: 2015
Why this book? This is a somewhat random choice, since the whole series is really fun. This one shifts the action to Australia, which is new for the series, and introduces new characters and monsters in a really engaging way. With this many books in an ongoing series, it’s notable when an earlier book really sticks with a reader, and this one does.
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
Series: The Rajes
Book #: 3 (of 4)
Published: 2021
Why this book? Each of the four books in the series retells a Jane Austen novel, and this one works especially well. I loved the setup, the characters, and the plot development.
Breakup by Dana Stabenow
Series: Kate Shugak
Book #: 7 (of 23 – so far)
Published: 1997
Why this book? For a series that goes to some pretty dark places, this 7th book is actually very funny. If you’re binging the series, it’s a really enjoyable moment of lightness before more tragic events come in the next few books.
A Twist of Fate by Kelley Armstrong
Series: A Stitch in Time
Book #: 2 (of 4)
Published: 2021
Why this book? The timeslip story in this installment resolves a mystery introduced in the first book. The characters are terrific, and there’s a lot of emotion mixed in with the adventure.
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons
Book #: 4 (of 8)
Published: 2002
Why this book? First of all, it’s the only one I’ve read twice! I love all the Bridgerton kids, but Colin and Penelope’s romance is a special treat. (And it’s my most recent foray into the series, since I just reread it, so it’s freshest in my mind…)
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children
Book #: 2 (of 9 – so far)
Published: 2017
Why this book? The story in this installment is particularly haunting and beautifully written. I’ve enjoyed each book, but this one is a stand-out.
A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon
Series: Outlander
Book #: 8.5 (of 9 – so far)
Published: 2012
Why this book? OK, let’s be real. My choice for a favorite in the Outlander series should absolutely be (and truly is) the first book, Outlander. But that’s kind of obvious… so instead I’ll highlight this excellent novella, which fills in the blanks of a particular character’s family history and is simply excellent storytelling. I know a lot of Outlander fans focus just on the main novels (or, Big Enormous Books, as the author refers to them) — but skipping the novellas and other related novels means missing out on a lot of content that adds so much to the overall Outlander-verse.
How did you do with this week’s topic? Did you have as hard a time as I did with narrowing down the choices?
If you wrote a TTT post this week, please share your link!
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I really must check out A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows.
If you’re an Outlander fan, it’s a must!
That I am. xo
I thought this was a tough topic, too. I could easily come up with enough series that I love, but then couldn’t decide on a favorite book from any of them. So I just gave up. ;D
I really was on the verge of giving up, but had time over the weekend to fiddle around until I came up with a list. 🙂
I haven’t read anything here LOL.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2024/08/06/top-ten-tuesday-ten-favorite-books-from-ten-series/
That’s the beauty of the book blogging community — we all have such interesting tastes in books, and there’s always something new I’m discovering!
Fab list! I need to read the whole of Outlander!
Absolutely! Such an amazing series!
It’s interesting to see how series develop. The first book in them isn’t always my favourite!
Very true — sometimes it can take a few books for a series to really hit its stride!
I had a hard time with the favorite book part of today’s prompt, so I just listed favorite series instead. (What can I say? I’m lazy.) I do feel like I usually like the first book in a series best. Authors have to do everything they can to hook you with the series opener, so it makes sense that the first book would be the most memorable.
I love Kelley Armstrong, but I haven’t read the Stitch in Time series yet. I need to!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Very good point, the first book has to be good enough to keep readers wanting more! The Stitch in Time series is so good!! I’m on the 4th book right now — listening to the audiobook, and I can’t wait for my commute tomorrow so I can finish it!
Down Among the Sticks and Bones is my favorite as well. I wish the entire series was at that level…
I’ve liked every book in the series, but Down Among is something really special.
I’ve never heard of the Incryptids series before but it sounds like a ton of fun! I’m eager to check out more of Seanan McGuire’s works, she’s so prolific it’s wild!
I agree that Down Among the Sticks and Bones is a standout of this series and I’ve loved all of them!
I’ve really enjoyed the whole series, but I do think that’s the best book! And yes, if you like Seanan McGuire, I recommend the Incryptid series… but even more so, the October Daye series!
Okay thanks, Noted! Yes I think the next Seanan McGuire books I’m interested in is Alchemical Journeys series but aside from that the October Daye one as well! So many of her premises are cool.
I need to get caught up on the Incryptid books asap.
Such a fun series!
Definitely agree that Down Among the Sticks and Bones is a standout in the series!