When I began compiling this list, I was surprised how hard it was for me to muster up a group of series that I have loved. I realized that I have started a lot of series (hmm maybe that could be a future list), but there are very few that I have finished, or stuck with throughout its publishing. Series so often fail to maintain quality and meet my expectations throughout each book, but the following are series that I have enjoyed through completion or to where it stands as of now. I also didn’t include the Harry Potter series here not because it isn’t a favorite series, but rather I find it to be obvious and doesn’t need a shout out. I hope this list grows and would love to hear if you have any series recommendations!

Series: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Published: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016…

Summary: This series is actually really hard to summarize since so much happens and changes, but here is a very tiny taste of the series. It follows a trained assassin, Celaena Sardothien, as she navigates trying to win her freedom and discover her destiny. This fantasy series is excellent. I have happily endured the lengthy reads and begged for more at the end. I rarely encounter a series that has such a high level of quality throughout. See my book recommendation for the 5th book, Empire of Storms here. Looking forward to the 6th installation released later this year!

 

 

Series: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass (#1-3)

Published: 2012, 2013, 2014

Summary: Much to her chagrin, America Singer is competing to win the heart of Prince Maxon along with 34 other girls. Set amidst a class system, America has to choose between competing for a life at the top of the food chain, or staying true to her first love and her humble upbringing. Billed as a YA, dystopian Bachelor, I can’t help but love this super fun, cotton candy read. America is sort of annoying, and the concept is easy to pick apart, but I don’t care. I love this series. I would add a caveat that I only like it through the first 3 books, I do not at all enjoy any of the subsequent books and find it annoying that they are being lumped into this series. So as far as I am concerned, this is a 3 book series.

 

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: 2008, 2009, 2010

Summary: I mean…do I really need to even explain the plot of this series or the amazingness that ensues?

Game changer.

 

 

 

 

Title: The Queen of the Tearling

Author: Erika Johansen

Published: 2014, 2015, 2016

Summary: Kelsea Reigh has been protected and squirreled away from her aunt the Queen in anticipation for when the time would come for her to assume her birthright, the throne. This unexceptional young girl embarks on a journey to become the leader her kingdom desperately needs and gain the courage to fix the mess her aunt made. This is an understated series that is well-done and interesting. A strong focus on the power struggle and the broken kingdom, it has a more subtle approach to developing this world, but the story telling is top notch.

 

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Published: 2015, 2016, 2017

Summary: When Feyre kills a wolf on her daily trips to find food for her impoverished and helpless family, she inadvertently changes the trajectory of her life. Her new trajectory includes being forced to live among the faeries, the very creatures who have a long standing war with her own people, humans. It might be a little early to have this on a list of my favorite series being that it is in its first half of releases, but Sarah J. Maas is a boss and I know her writing quality I have come to experience in this series as well as the Throne of Glass series all but guarantees this series to be another great one.

 

Title: Stephanie Plum

Author: Janet Evanovich

Published: every year since 1994

Summary: Stephanie Plum is struggling at adulting throughout this series as she works as a bond enforcement officer (bounty hunter), experiences varying degrees of success and failure with her love-life, and gets her cars destroyed in the most creative ways. I do not claim this extensive series (23 and counting…) to be anything spectacular in the world of literature, but I can’t help but continue to come back for more. I have read and listened to this series all the way through 22. There are some repetitive elements and you can often predict the story, but I sometimes need a frothy, fun read like these. I think Stephanie is totally lovable, I love her sassy side-kick, and I have a deep love in my heart for Joe Morelli. Judge me if you wish, but I will keep on with my favorite guilty pleasure.