The Challenge of Prolific Authors
Many beloved authors have written dozens or even hundreds of books across multiple series, standalones, and genres. When faced with such an extensive bibliography, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you find the perfect entry point based on your preferences and the author's work.
General Strategies for Getting Started
1. Start with Their Breakthrough Work
Often, an author's breakthrough novel is a great entry point. It's usually:
- Representative of their style
- Highly polished and engaging
- The book that made them famous for good reason
- Widely available and discussed
2. Begin with Standalone Novels
Starting with a standalone book offers several advantages:
- Lower commitment - just one book to try
- Complete story with satisfying ending
- Good taste of the author's style
- No worry about reading order
3. Choose Based on Your Favorite Genre
Many authors write across multiple genres. If an author is known for both fantasy and mystery, start with whichever genre you prefer. You can always explore their other work later.
4. Consider Chronological Development
Some readers prefer to start with an author's first published work and read chronologically to see how their writing evolves. This works best for authors with smaller bibliographies.
Specific Author Scenarios
Authors with Multiple Series
Example: Brandon Sanderson
- For epic fantasy fans: Start with The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive)
- For shorter commitments: Try Mistborn: The Final Empire
- For YA readers: Begin with Skyward
- For a standalone: Read Warbreaker or Elantris
Authors with One Major Series
Example: J.K. Rowling
- Start with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Read in publication order
- Save companion books (like The Tales of Beedle the Bard) for after the main series
Authors Who Write in Different Names/Genres
Example: Stephen King / Richard Bachman
- For horror: Start with Carrie or Pet Sematary
- For suspense: Try Misery or Gerald's Game
- For fantasy: Begin The Dark Tower series
- For drama: Read The Shawshank Redemption or The Green Mile
Authors with Interconnected Universes
Example: Terry Pratchett's Discworld
- Option 1: Start with publication order (The Colour of Magic)
- Option 2: Begin with a sub-series:
- City Watch: Start with Guards! Guards!
- Death: Start with Mort
- Witches: Start with Equal Rites
- Option 3: Start with a highly-rated standalone like Small Gods
Red Flags to Avoid
Don't Start With:
- The latest release - It might reference earlier works or be part of a series
- Prequels written later - These often contain spoilers
- Short story collections - Unless you love short fiction, save these for when you're already a fan
- Co-authored works - These might not represent the author's solo style
Quick Decision Framework
- Do they have a famous series?
→ Start with Book 1 of that series - Do they write standalones?
→ Pick their most acclaimed standalone - Do they write in multiple genres?
→ Choose based on your genre preference - Are they known for one specific book?
→ That's your starting point - Do they have multiple series?
→ Research which series matches your interests best
Using Reviews and Recommendations
Where to Find Guidance:
- Author's website: Many authors suggest starting points for new readers
- Fan communities: Reddit, Goodreads groups often have "Where to start" guides
- Book reviews: Look for reviews that mention "good for newcomers"
- Our series pages: We often note which books work well as entry points
Remember: There's No Wrong Choice
While some starting points might be better than others, any book that gets you reading an author you enjoy is the right choice. If your first pick doesn't grab you, don't write off the author entirely - try a different book or series. Many readers find their favorite authors on the second or third attempt.
The most important thing is to start somewhere. Pick a book that sounds interesting, dive in, and enjoy the journey of discovering a new favorite author!