Clean,Non Religious-Reads discussion

Which do you prefer? I much, much,much prefer stand-alones... or no more than a trilogy.

Depends on how much I love the characters.

very difficult to say....if I'm really into a story I don't want it to end; but id much rather read one 600 page book than a 'trilogy ' of 200 pages each. my opinion is if you have a story to tell, tell it in however many pages it takes. No more. No less. And preferably in one binding.

That is how I feel Dorcas.I certainly can understand coming to love the characters.When I was reading Christian romance I totally loved the Mule Hollow series by Debra Clopton,and I thought it was wonderful the way that previous characters were often mentioned.I felt like I was revisiting the familiar community of Mule Hollow with each new book. Now if all book series were written like that one,where each book is 'a complete new story' with a beginning,middle and ending,I could tolerate series more.

However, I run into far too many where the author forgot an important fact about a recurring character,even many times changing their name,or their history, or having them do something totally out of character,that just ruined the book for me!

Amazingly, in the 13 or more books in the Mule Hollow series that never once happened! It has happened too often in series with far fewer books,so that I would rather avoid them,and that isn't even mentioning the aggravation of reading a book that has no real ending,because they want you to have to get the next book!

if im enjoying a book and never want it to end - I love it when there are sequels. im not too fussy for short stories though. I like it when the books overlap a little. a continuation of characters but from a different perspective adds dimension and makes the story rich.

I don't care much for short stories either,except I have enjoyed some Novellas, those books with like 2-4 different stories on the same topic[like mail order brides].

Can't believe how many romances there are for Kindle that don't even have 100 pgs! I don't bother with those.

I love a good series. Some of my favorites are:

'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King (7 books)
'The Earth's Children' series by Jean M Auel (6 books)
'The Harry Potter' series by J. K. Rowling (7 books)
'Lord of the Rings' series by J.R.R. Tolkien (3 books)
'The Hunger Games' series by Suzanne Collins (3 books)

Jim wrote: "I love a good series. Some of my favorites are:

'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King (7 books)
'The Earth's Children' series by Jean M Auel (6 books)
'The Harry Potter' series by J. K. Rowling ..."

Of those the only one I've read is LOTR and I sure loved it.Have only read the first two HPotter books,and enjoyed them,but just haven't got around to the others.

Christine wrote: "Jim wrote: "I love a good series. Some of my favorites are:

'The Dark Tower' series by Stephen King (7 books)
'The Earth's Children' series by Jean M Auel (6 books)
'The Harry Potter' series by J...."

Based upon the books on your shelf, of those series which I recommended, I think that you would like "The Earth's Children" series best.

Jim wrote:"Based upon the books on your shelf, of those series which I recommended, I think that you would like "The Earth's Children" series best."

Oh no,after checking out that series at Amazon,there is no way! I have no interest at all in Pagan or Wiccan beliefs,but now the ancient Druids fascinate me,lol!

Stephen King is too perverted and vulgar for my tastes so that leaves him out,and The Hunger Games just sound too depressing.

As you can tell,I am a picky reader,lol!Then when I find a topic I enjoy, I do it to death,searching for every book that is similar,lol!

I like it when an author writes books that stay in the same world, maybe in the same family, but each book is about a different set of main characters. Sarah M Eden and Donna Hatch both have series like that. I enjoy seeing previous main characters as side characters.

However, real series where it's multiple books with the same main character, I have mixed feelings.I don't like romance series about the same main characters because they have a happily ever after moment in book 1, then in order for book 2 to happen they have to mess up the relationship. I'd rather have one happily ever after and then move on to a different character.

I agree with your assessment of serials. I like to have different main characters in each book. I appreciate a series when I have just finished book #1 and really enjoyed it - and I know its not finished - there is more to follow.