Series. That’s right, today we are talking about book series.
I was lucky enough to get to read Isla and the Happily Ever After last week about a month before it came out. To say I was dying for this final companion in this series is a huge understatement. But with that said when I was done the series was over and there was one burning question that I was asked: Which one is your favorite of the series?
That was my reaction. I mean how is one supposed to choose? Would you pick a favorite kid? A favorite cat? It’s impossible. Sure you can love one maybe a slight more than another, but pick one that is hands above the rest? I don’t think it can be done. Especially when talking about Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After. I mean…
So it may be diplomatic of me but I gave an answer that is really a non-answer. My reply was that I love them all for their own reasons as they all mean something different to me. And it is true. Each of those three books do mean something very different and are very special in their own way. It isn’t really possible for me to say one is better than the other, to rank them because they are 3 different books with 3 different plots and 3 different sets of characters.
But it did get me thinking about other series like Divergent or Delirium or Throne of Glass. Do people have a favorite that you can easily say tops the rest? Is this a thing that I’m missing out on? Is it really a cop-out with me saying I can’t choose? Tell me ABCers, can you readily say a book in a series is your favorite or are you a diplomat like me?
*all gifs were found on Tumblr. And the Theo James one does really fit 100%, but come on, it’s Theo FREAKING James winking and licking those sexy lips of his, so deal with it.
I almost always have a favorite and in trilogies it is almost always the second book. Sometimes if book 2 and 3 take poor turns it might be the debut. But always an easy and obvious choice for me.
I’m like that with movies a lot of the times. I always like the second better for some reason. But books, no can do!
Dear lord…that Theo gif is stuff dreams are made of! I agree that it’s hard to pick a fave book from a series you love so much. Just like my momma says about her kids… “I love them all the same but for different reasons!” 😉
EXACTLY! It just can’t be done in my eyes. Especially not when it comes to Stephanie Perkins. Just no.
I have a really difficult time picking favorites in series, but I am able to do it. I don’t read very many series at all, but every single one I think of I definitely have one book that I like more than the others. I’m also really decisive about things, so I think it’s more of a habit for me to pick one than anything else. I totally get why you’re more of a diplomat, though. Sometimes it can be really hard, especially if they’re all a bit different (like Perkins’ books).
I just can’t seem to do it. I think I can and then I start thinking about the other books and I can’t narrow it down. Some will say which book in the Divergent series is your favorite. I’ll go to say Allegiant (I know I’m in the minor on that one!) and then I’ll start to think about Divergent and Insurgent and how those books made me feel. I can do it for the Hunger Games though as Catching Fire was it for me. But usually, no can do.
I have to really like the first book in a series to want to continue, so with that being said more than likely it’s the FIRST book that is my favorite. However, there is always exceptions. For example, in The Infernal Devices series and the Jessica Darling series, it was the final books that became my favorites. They just rounded out the series with this feeling of “Oh man, that was REALLY REALLY GOOD.” So naturally those books took center stage.
There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you read and love the first book of a series. It creates a very special spot in your heart and does make it hard to choose.
My diplomacy vs. complete bias varies depending on the series that I’m reading for sure. With the Anna series, I love both equally, just like you. There’s no point in comparing because they’re two completely different books; they just so happen to focus on romance. But with the Throne of Glass series, I can easily say that The Assassin’s Blade is my favorite so far. Heir of Fire is really great so far though, so that one may be my new favorite once I finish that.
I always have favorites, so I guess I’m not diplomatic at all, ha! And it really varies what number book it is. With The Hunger Games, it’s the first book. With The Grisha, it’s the second book, Siege and Storm. With The Lunar Chronicles, so far it’s Cress, the third book. And I don’t have to think long and hard at all to think of these favorites. Divergent is a little trickier but I think ultimately the first book might be my favorite. I think for me, it’s a matter of just certain elements I like a lot being more prevalent in X number book, even though I really appreciate the other books and what they contribute to the story.
Most of the time, i would have a favorite book in a series. But I do understand your conundrum. I understand the feeling of having to choose a favorite among favorites. It’s just way too hard. And it’s not like they can be easily compared to each other.