# Book Series you can reread over and over **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [September 22, 2024, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580 "2024-09-22T06:24:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/41 "2024-09-23T00:02:43Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > (Aside: I’ve always wondered how two people can collaborate on writing a book.) While I haven’t read the books you mention, I have done some writing on various subjects and here’s some reasons why two people might collaborate: One is good at research while the other is better at writing One is better at ideas and brainstorming that the other can then develop into a story Two people are better at coming up with compelling ideas than one, and take turns writing and editing as they go along. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/42 "2024-09-23T00:03:43Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I started when the first one came out, so it was easy to keep up that way. I was bummed not only that she died, but that she never did Z. So, I have all the books on one shelf with a bookend made out of an old Reader’s Digest Condensed Books book carved in the shape of a Z. I like that. I didn’t get in at the very beginning, but at D. Then I went back and got the previous ones, and after that I kept up with them as they came out. And I just want to add that Henry is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/43 "2024-09-23T00:08:10Z")
The Sprawl trilogy (also known as the **Neuromancer** trilogy) is William Gibson’s first set of novels, and is composed of Neuromancer (1984), Count Zero (1986), and Mona Lisa Overdrive (1988). Excellent pioneer of the cyberpunk literature style by the author of the term ‘‘cyberspace’’. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/44 "2024-09-23T00:09:49Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > And I just want to add that Henry is awesome. I want his cinnamon rolls. But as someone of half-Hungarian ancestry, I’m not so sure about Rosie. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/45 "2024-09-23T00:21:52Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories > > Nero Wolfe > > C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower > > Robert Heinlein’s juveniles > > Lord of the Rings All good choices. > [@romansperson](#): > > And I’ve reread the James Herriot (Alf Wight) series multiple times. They are lovely. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/46 "2024-09-23T00:48:31Z")
I should also add in my ‘guilty pleasure’ author, Mercedes Lackey. I’m a sucker for her Valdemar novels, and continue to consume them, and reread them. As my eldest child once remarked upon seeing me re-read one volume yet again; “oh, you’re doing the whole ‘magical talking horsie will be my frieeeeeend’ schtick again”. To which I reply “Yes, yes I am”. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/47 "2024-09-23T01:12:35Z")
Ditto for me. I think of the Narnia books and characters, especially the middle versions (After TLWAW) often. If I have any religion left, it might be because of these books though this is not why I love them. My contribution to this thread is the Lonesome Dove series. I know some people complain about the prequels, but I love them all. Young Gus and Call, Bigfoot Wallace, Inish Scull and his ridiculous wife, and the mirror relationship (to Gus & Call) of Kicking Wolf and Buffalo Hump. The sequel, Streets of Laredo, I have a more difficult relationship with, but that hasn’t stopped me from re-reading it a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/48 "2024-09-23T13:53:23Z")
I like reading Charles Panati’s trivia books over again as well William Poundstone’s books about “big secrets”. And I read Charles Berlitz’s books on the paranormal repeatedly as well Brad Steiger’s books on the same subject. Also this author Cecil Adams had a series of books he wrote that were entertaining to read as well but the name of them eludes me at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/49 "2024-09-23T14:02:03Z")
The Martin Beck series by (another author pair) Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. I’m on my third or fourth pass now. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/50 "2024-09-23T14:10:47Z")
H.P. Lovecraft’s books and stories (despite racist language) Clark Ashton Smith’s books and stories Robert E, Howard’s non-Conan works Robert Heinlein’s “Future History” books and stories Jules Verne’s “Extraordinary Voyages” (I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve re-read 20,000 Leagues, for instance) Edgar Rice Burroughs’ various series, especially John Carter of Mars. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/51 "2024-09-23T14:17:39Z")
I’ve reread the Aubrey/Maturin series about 3 times (four read-throughs total) since about 1993. But haven’t looked at the books in about 5 years now. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/52 "2024-09-23T14:19:38Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series. This. I have the books on my ipad. I cannot count how many time I have reread them. I now read them at random if I need to escape for a bit, I can immediately immerse myself. And I keep finding some new detail nearly every time. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/53 "2024-09-23T14:35:02Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. Yeah, kids books, but comfort-reading. The first book is wonderful, the second very good. I continued to read the series, but as the series progresses, it descends into sentimentality and Anne loses all her agency until there is almost nothing remaining of the spunky independent thinker of her youth. I’ll throw in Richard Stark’s (Donald Westlake) Parker series. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/54 "2024-09-23T15:11:40Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > > [@madmonk28](#): > > > > Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series. > > This. I have the books on my ipad. I cannot count how many time I have reread them. I now read them at random if I need to escape for a bit, I can immediately immerse myself. And I keep finding some new detail nearly every time. I’ve tried to get into this series – I’ve read the first three novels – but they have no appeal for me. Whereas I can easily drop right into Forester’s Hornblower series. I’ve read other seafaring book series – Alexander Kent’s _Richard Bolitho_ books or C. Northcote Parkinson’s _Richard Delancey_ series or a half dozen other series I’ve completely forgotten. I find all of these easier going than O’Brian’s books. I don’t know why. I liked the film adaptation of **Master and Commander** well enough (better than the Hornblower movie with Gregory Peck), but his books just bring me to a skidding stop. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/55 "2024-09-23T15:21:13Z")
LOTR, dozens of times! Ed McBain series about the cops of the 187th precinct, dozens and dozens of them, getting longer, darker, and more violent as time went on. James Herriott, ‘All Creatures’ series. Probably my favorite series ever, after LOTR. James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux detective in Louisiana. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/56 "2024-09-23T15:43:58Z")
Has anyone mentioned the Dresden Files books yet? When I read these, I’m actually a bit surprised that I’ve forgotten so many of the details. And it doesn’t seem to matter that I “know what is going to happen” in later books. In fact, this makes it much easier for me to just pick one out at random and read it once more. OTOH, I’ll admit that the quality of the stories varies greatly, probably depending on whether Butcher had some other book on his mind while knocking out a contractual obligation. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/57 "2024-09-23T15:48:50Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Whereas I can easily drop right into Forester’s Hornblower series. Interesting. I find Hornblower much lighter material, with an almost completely unlikable main character. I have re-read, but just get more annoyed at Hornblower each time. Just can’t immerse myself. > [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Has anyone mentioned the Dresden Files books yet? When I read these, I’m actually a bit surprised that I’ve forgotten so many of the details. And it doesn’t seem to matter that I “know what is going to happen” in later books. In fact, this makes it much easier for me to just pick one out at random and read it once more. Same here. This was my #1 series before I read O’Brien (while waiting for new Dresden books to drop). I will also mention Ken Follett’s **Kingsbridge** series. Haven’t picked up the newest one yet. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/58 "2024-09-23T18:33:16Z")
Discworld and Lovecraft have been mentioned; I’ve also read and re-read The Wheel of Time (books 1-11) many, many times. I have now gone through the short list of Bobiverse books several times. For light, fast reading I like to revisit the Belgariad/Mallorean and Elenium/Tamuli series from David and Leigh Eddings. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/59 "2024-09-23T18:53:37Z")
The Vorkosigan Saga, yes, but I’m more a fan of Bujold’s “World of the Five Gods” series - _The Curse of Chalion_, _The Hallowed Hunt_, _The Paladin of Souls_, as well and especially the Penric and Desdemona novellas I’ll read almost anything William Gibson writes, but I frequently go back to the Bigend stories, his post-cyberpunk trilogy of _Pattern Recognition_, _Spook Country_ and _Zero History._ > [@romansperson](#): > > I recently reread the Hunger Games series. > > And I’ve reread the James Herriot (Alf Wight) series multiple times. They are lovely. My parents are regular viewers of a reality show called “The Yorkshire Vet”, which is about a vet who bought Wright’s practice from him. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580/60 "2024-09-23T19:45:36Z")
I always feel that going back and re-re-reading a series is admitting to myself that I’m not motivated enough to find new authors. And when I do try, I don’t get immersed enough for a new series to become “cherished” like my favorites. (The one exception: _Murderbot._ I kind of OD’ed on SF decades ago, but a cheeky cyborg and an intriguing future society is addictive… and I’m on my third go-round on those.) I’d highly recommend revisiting old favorites in a different medium. I’ve become addicted to audiobooks, and listening to Fry and Laurie portray Jeeves and Wooster is a treat. Or Darren McGavin’s breathy, world-weary take on Travis McGee. Or any “Full Cast” dramatization. A lot of Dick Francis and Terry Pratchett, Narnia and His Dark Materials (Golden Compass series). And did I mention Murderbot :~) ? I’ve listened to the “read” books and the “full cast/sound effects” versions. (The Murderbot Diaries: six books so far, first is _All Systems Red)_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-series-you-can-reread-over-and-over/1007580.md?page=4)