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here are plenty of reasons to love book series -- there's plenty of time for characters, relationships, and plot with more depth. And despite having a reputation as being mostly a sci-fi or fantasy thing, series and serialized books have been around for centuries. And although adults can absolutley read and enjoy iconic kids' and YA series -- like The Hunger Games, Twilight, Uglies, Heartbreaker, Harry Potter, Deltora Quest... the list goes on -- there are also plenty of adult book series out there across genres just waiting to be read.

Today we're breaking down some of the best and most influential book series for adults, including:

  • Romance and romantasy book series that have made the jump from #Booktok to modern classics
  • Iconic book series that have defined their respective genres for decades
  • Pulse-pounding mysteries and thrillers you won't want to put down

And so much more. So without further ado, let's get to it!

Dungeon Crawler CarlĀ 

Dungeon Crawler Carl LitRPG book series by Matt Dinniman

šŸ–‹ Matt Dinniman | šŸ“š LitRPG | šŸ“– 8 books

Get ready to team up with Coast Guard veteran Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, on a wild adventure through a video game-like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon! Their mission? To survive the end of the world… or at least, to make it to the next level.Ā 

But here’s the twist: this dungeon is actually the set of a reality TV show, watched by millions of viewers from all over the galaxy. Brace yourself for explosive goblins, magical potions, and deadly, drug-dealing llamas.Ā 

This isn’t your typical game show.

Buy Dungeon Crawler Carl on Amazon >>

Buy Dungeon Crawler Carl at Barnes & Noble >>

Rabbit NovelsĀ 

Rabbit, Run by John Updike

šŸ–‹ John Updike | šŸ“š Literary Fiction | šŸ“– 5 books

Sometimes, adulthood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Former high school basketball star Harry ā€œRabbitā€ Angstrom is feeling more than a little bit let down by the American dream. He’s got a wife and daughter with another baby on the way. He’s a mid-century suburban success, selling a kitchen gadget called the MagiPeeler. It’s the kind of quiet, middle-class life he should enjoy, right?Ā 

But where’s the excitement? Where can he find meaning? Not in his boring job, and not in his loveless marriage. So what’s Rabbit to do?

He decides to make a run for it. Maybe he’s not such good guy. Maybe he’s not meant to be a family man or an upstanding citizen. He packs up the car, leaves his family behind, and returns to his hometown — not to be with his family, but to search for the glory and excitement that’s missing from his life with messy and even tragic results.Ā 

Buy Rabbit, Run on Amazon >>

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A Court of Thorns and Roses

cover of A Court of Thorns and Roses, first book in one of the best book series for adults

šŸ–‹ Sarah J. Maas | šŸ“š Fantasy Romance // Romantasy | šŸ“– 5 books

It's hard to talk about book series for adults without discussing Sarah J. Mass. She is the queen of fantasy romance (aka romantasy) books, and the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is right at the center of her work. The series follows huntress Feyre Archeron as she finds herself beyond the wall separating humans from the lands of the Fae. She quickly becomes tangled in events that will change the course of her life... not to mention the course of history. And with gorgeous Fae running all over the place, you can be sure the books get spicier as they go on. That's why this series that started out as YAĀ now falls firmly in adult territory. There are currently 5 books, with more on the horizon.

ACOTARĀ is also widely recommended as the first of the author's three series that new readers should tackle. But if this one isn't your style or you want to dive in elsewhere, you can also try:

šŸ‘‘ Throne of Glass: Tells the story of assassin Celaena Sardothian. When the series begins, she's a prisoner doing slave labor in the salt mines, but thanks to a royal competition, she is whisked away to the King of Adarlan's glass castle for a shot at becoming his personal assassin... and meeting an unforgettable cast of friends and enemies as she takes her place in history over the course of 8 pulse-pounding books. The series is completed and falls firmly in YA territory, but has great characters, closed door romance, and a world you won't want to leave. PSĀ - Time considers it the best fantasy book series of the past decade!

šŸŒ™ Crescent City:Ā An adult urban fantasy series with 3 books and a 4th under contract. Follows the adventures of half human, half fae Bryce Quinlain, who thinks that being twenty-something and assistant to a powerful (and demanding)Ā sorceress is hard enough... until an unthinkable crime shakes the very foundation of the life she's tried to build for herself. When it becomes clear that she might be the only one who can uncover the truth of what really happened, she's partnered up with broody, sports-loving fallen angel Hunt Athalar to crack the case and sucked into a magical adventure that takes her into the city's seedy underbelly, ivory towers, and places she couldn't even have imagined. This would be our primary recomendation as a series for adults, however books 2 and 3 of CCĀ start a crossover between the worlds of ACOTAR. CC1 is a great standalone book, but you'll want to read Ā at least the first 3 ACOTARĀ books before continuing with the series.

Buy AĀ Court of Thorns and Roses on Barnes &Ā Noble >>Ā 

Buy a Court of Thorns and Roses on Amazon >>

The Lord of the Rings + The Hobbit

beautiful edition of The Lord of the Rings with elvish writing on the side of the book and a cover featuring the ring and eye of sauron

šŸ–‹ JRRĀ Tolkien | šŸ“š Epic Fantasy | šŸ“– 4 books

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are classics. Pretty much every modern fantasy series -- from Harry Potter to ACOTARĀ -- is aware of and to some degree inspired by this masterwork. If you don't know already or haven't seen the movies, it's the tale of a fellowship of guardians, from hobbit to human, who set off on an epic journey to destroy the dangerous Ring of Power before it can fall into the wrong hands. Along with that?Ā An allegory about how industrialization changed England while Tolkien was away fighting in WWI. With characters you'll love and layers and layers of depth, this is a series that is definitely worth the read if you haven't already.

Not to mention, JRR's son Christopher Tolkien worked with Tolkien scholars to compile his father's notes, letters, and other writings into additional texts to expand the already expansive world. JRRĀ Tolkien set out to create a "mythology"Ā for England... and with The Lord of the Ring's blend of Arthurian legend, mystical creatures, and high-stakes adventure, he creates one that will resonate with audiences for untold decades to come.

Buy The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Special Edition >>Ā (pictured above)

Buy The Lord of the Rings + The Hobbit box set on Amazon >>

The Idiot +Ā Either/Or

composite image showing the cover of Elif Batuman's novels The Idiot and Either/Or

šŸ–‹ Elif Batuman | šŸ“š Literary Fiction | šŸ“– 2 books

Since the 2017 publication of Elif Batuman's Pulitzer Prize finalist novel The Idiot, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment. The books tell the semi-autobiographical story of student Selin as she navigates the complexities of college in 1990s, falls hopelessly in love with a classmate without understanding why, travels to Hungary, and analyzes her own every move.

As suggested by the name of the first novel, Batuman's writing was heavily inspired by the works of the Russian masters. "[They] really saw what was unfair in life for women and children in a way that no other part of serious discourse that I could see was talking about," Bauman commented in an NPRĀ interview following the publication of Either/Or. No wonder the tales are set in academia. She goes on, "What I really got from those Russian novels is a potential way that I could take this threatening and menacing chaos of stories, and at least theoretically, reconcile them all into one single story."

This series is essential reading for anyone who remembers what it's like to be searching for your place in the world, or perhaps who feel like they might never be quite done "growing up."

Buy The Idiot on Barnes & Noble >>

Buy The Idiot on Amazon >>

The Alex Stern Series

composites image showing the covers of the Alex Stern book series for adults

šŸ–‹ Leigh Bardugo | šŸ“š Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy| šŸ“– 2 books

This dark academia series is packed with murder, mystery, and ghosts that will thrill any reader. There are currently two books out, with one more novel and a novella also under contract -- but don't rule out additional books after those are finished. Galaxy "Alex"Ā Stern has moved from her hippie mom's house in LA to the elite grounds of Yale to begin her freshman year of college. From quiet New Haven, Alex searches for answers -- unraveling the tangled web of shady boyfriends, crappy jobs, and the horrific multiple homicide that she survived. She'll explore Yale's secret societies -- whose occult practices keep the world's rich and powerful, well, rich and powerful -- uncovering secrets ordinary and paranormal as she does.

Buy Ninth House on Barnes &Ā Noble >>

Buy Ninth House on Amazon >>

Mistborn

cover of mistborn showing a thief sailing through the sky

šŸ–‹ Brandon Sanderson | šŸ“š Fantasy| šŸ“– 9 books

Brandon Sanderson is a big name in the modern fantasy scene. I mean, a big, big name. With over 70 books (including 15+Ā New York Times Bestsellers), it can be tough to figure out where to start. The Mistborn trilogy includes some of Sanderson’s most beloved books, and it’s frequently recommended as a great place to jump into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe thanks to the fast-paced story, unforgettable characters, and incredible adventure.

But Brandon Sanderson isn’t just a talented writer: he just seems like a cool guy. When his favorite writer passed away before completing the series he was working on, Sanderson was brought on to finish the series because he wrote a heartfelt letter about how much the series had meant to him… which is super relatable for anyone who has ever fallen in love with a book.

And in a world where there’s lots of negativity going back and forth online, he has some refreshing opinions. He has famously and repeatedly shut down gatekeeping in the fantasy genre, saying that even if certain fantasy writers aren’t your cup of tea, it’s cool that they exist because more writers means more readers, which ultimately means a bigger community of people who share this hobby. He also recently explained AI art as ā€œart direction,ā€ at best — comparing using AI to produce writing or art to commissioning a piece. It doesn’t give you true ownership of what was created because you only provided the prompt.

But okay, enough about Sanderson. What is Mistborn about?

For thousands of years, there has been ash instead of flowers. But all of that might be about to change. A rebellion is kicking up, ready to challenge the Lord Ruler. And all of it hinges on expert thief Kelsier, his team, and his new apprentice, Vin. Will they be able to pull it off?

Buy Mistborn at Barnes &Ā Noble >>

Buy Mistborn at Amazon >>

The Godfather

the classic book the godfather by mario puzo

šŸ–‹ Mario Puzo | šŸ“š Crime | šŸ“– 5 books

Read the iconic mafia book series behind the Francis Ford Coppola film. The saga follows American crime family the Corleones, starting in Sicily and ending up stateside. It is the definitive mafia novel, which has stood the test of time. A tale of family and society, law and order, obedience and rebellion, it reveals the dark passions of human nature played out against a backdrop of the American dream.

Buy The Godfather at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy TheĀ Godfather at Amazon >>

The Dresden FilesĀ 

book 1 of the fantasy crime thriller series The Dresden Files

šŸ–‹ Jim Butcher | šŸ“š Fantasy Thriller | šŸ“– 18 books

Harry Dresden, a professional wizard, knows the ā€œeverydayā€ world is full of strange and magical things, most of which don’t play well with humans. He’s the best at his job, technically the only one, but business is bad.

When the Chicago P.D. consult him on a double homicide with black magic, Harry sees opportunity. But there’s a black mage behind it… and now he knows Harry’s name.

Buy Storm Front on Amazon >>

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Bloodsucking FiendsĀ 

Bloodsucking fiends

šŸ–‹ Christopher Moore | šŸ“š Horror Comedy | šŸ“– 3 books

Jody, a typical nine-to-five employee, finds herself in a rather unusual situation: she wakes up in an alley dumpster with a burned arm, a sore back, incredible strength, and a craving for blood. It turns out she’s become a vampire!

Adjusting to her new life of nocturnal adventures is tough, which is where Tommy steps in. Tommy, a dreamer from Indiana, works as a night clerk and bowls frozen turkey at a Safeway in San Francisco. His world is turned upside down when a stunning undead redhead enters the store and shakes things up, rocking both his life and his afterlife.

Buy Bloodsucking Fiends on Amazon >>

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Aubrey-MaturinĀ 

aubrey maturin series

šŸ–‹ Patrick O’Brien | šŸ“š Historical Fiction | šŸ“– 21 books

Considered the ā€œbest historical novels of all time,ā€ by the New York Times, the Aubrey-Maturin series is made up of 21 meticulously researched and ridiculously fun novels about an ardent, gregarious British navel officer named Jack Aubrey during the Napoleonic Wars.Ā 

After a heated first encounter that nearly ends in a duel, Aubrey and a brilliant but down-on-his-luck physician, Stephen Maturin, form an unexpected bond. Aubrey invites Maturin to join his crew, and their adventures include witty banter, formidable ship battles, and a mix of comedic, grim, farcical, and tragic surprises. Patrick O’Brian creates a vibrant world that captivates the imagination, as described by A. S. Byatt.

Buy Master and Commander on Amazon >>

Buy Master and Commander at Barnes & Noble >>

Flavia de Luce Mysteries

Flavia de Luce Mysteries series #1 cover The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie featuring a british postal stamp and a black bird lying on its back against a green background

šŸ–‹ Alan Bradley | šŸ“š Mystery | šŸ“– 9 books

After a terrible tragedy leaves young Flavia de Luce all on her own, the aspiring chemist with a special interest in poisons finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw in 1950. Can the young girl solve this case, and the others that spring up in the rest of the series?

Buy The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie on Amazon >>

Little Women

hardback book collecting the little women series

šŸ–‹ Louisa May Alcott | šŸ“š Classic Literature | šŸ“– 4 books

Little Women is a classic piece of American Literature, telling the story of four sisters coming of age while their father fights in the Civil War. But the adventures of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy aren't over on the last page -- the series contains three other books as well. Little Wives, Little Men, and Jo's Boys follow the characters well into their adult lives.

Buy Little Women at Barnes &Ā Noble >>

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Outlander

outlander book cover

šŸ–‹ Diana Gabaldon | šŸ“š Historical Fantasy Romance | šŸ“– 9 books

With 9 out of 10 planned novels published and the last rumored to be complete any time now, it's the perfect time to get into this steamy fantasy series. The story follows Clare Randall, a former combat nurse enjoying her second honeymoon in the British Isles in 1945. That is, until she tosses a stone in to a circular formation common in the area and finds herself catapulted to the war-torn Scotland of 1743.

Her only chance of safety in this frightening new reality is a heroic young warrior named Jamie Fraser. Before long, Clare finds herself torn between two men, two lives -- as she struggles to find her place in time.

The series made a huge splash when the first book Outlander was released in the early 1990s, but a recent Stars tv show adaptation has once again catapulted the series back into the spotlight.

Buy Outlander at Barnes & NobleĀ >>

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Dune

abstract dune book cover showing a white cloaked figure walking through waving red sand dunes toward a star flecked horizon

šŸ–‹ Frank Herbert | šŸ“š Science Fiction | šŸ“– 23 books

If you're looking for an immersive sci-fi series that you can truly get lost in, Frank Herbert's Dune will be the perfect escape from the stresses of every day life. This series -- with its intricate world building, memorable characters, and incredible scope -- is to science fiction what The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy; the genre's seminal text.

This master work of science fiction includes family politics, religion, environmental concerns, and a mesmerizing battle for power. The saga begins on the desert planet Arrakis, as the hero known as the Maud'dib, prophesied to guide humanity in its goal of achieving the perfect society, is uncovered.

Buy Dune at Barnes & Noble >>

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Crazy Rich Asians

crazy rich asians

šŸ–‹ Kevin Kwan | šŸ“š Humor // Urban Fiction | šŸ“– 3 books

Relaxing vacation trip?Ā Not quite. If you thought meeting your partner's parents was hard, imagine finding out that they're one of the wealthiest families in Asia, and he's the most eligible bachelor. That's exactly how New Yorker Rachel Chu's summer trip to Singapore starts. Thus begins a vacation that's more scheming social ladder climbers and nosy relatives than chilling out on the beach.

Buy Crazy Rich Asians at Barnes &Ā Nobles >>

Buy Crazy Rich Asians at Amazon >>

The Border Trilogy

Cormac McCarthy All the Pretty Horses The Border Trilogy Book 1

šŸ–‹ Cormac McCarthy| šŸ“š Western | šŸ“– 3 books

Cormac McCarthy is known for his intense, darkly humorous, award-winning literature, and this series is no exception. It follows two young cowboys as they cross the US-Mexico border. The two boys come of age, watching their friendship change as well as their plans, in the dying American West. The first book in the series, All the Pretty Horses, took home the National Book Award.

If you can't tear yourself away from McCarthy's western adventures, he also has a variety of standalone novels and another series you can check out.

āœˆļø The Passenger Series: A two-volume series that follows a salvage diver looking for clues about the demise of a jet plane and the location of one of its passengers, and a mathematics doctoral candidate who has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.

Buy All the Pretty Horses a Bones &Ā Noble >>

Buy All the Pretty Horses on Amazon >>Ā 

Ultimate Spider-Man

ultimate spider man graphic novel vol 1 cover

šŸ–‹ Brian Michael Bendis | šŸ“š Comics | šŸ“– 160 issues

It's the 2020s, and comics aren't just for kids anymore. Some titles, like alternate history Watchmen, make lists like Time magazine's most important books of the last century (not to mention our very own list of essential books to read in your 20s). They inspire multi-billion dollar movie franchises and tv shows. And this early 2000s comic run focuses on a fan favorite character, the uniquely American Spider-Man.

An unexpected commercial success, Ultimate Spider-Man sold roughly 20 billion copies and reached critical acclaim. The series contains several story arcs, following Queens-native Spider-Man Peter Parker until Miles Morales picks up the mantle. The series is available in 160 individual comics or 22 volumes of the comics bound into books. And if you want to get your hands on an original copy of the first comic, good luck -- it's considered one of the most valuable comic books of the Modern Age.

If you grew up on the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoons, this is definitely the series for you.

Buy Ultimate Spider-Man on Marvel >>

The Vampire Chronicles

interview with the vampire a novel in gothic print on a red background

šŸ–‹ Anne Rice | šŸ“š Gothic Fiction | šŸ“– 13 books

What would you ask first if you could sit a vampire down for an interview?Ā The vampire Louis recounts his life with mesmerizing beauty -- the dangerous, the erotic, the love and loss, and everything in between.

Buy Interview with The Vampire at Barnes & NobleĀ >>

Buy Interview with The Vampire at Amazon >>

Robert Langdon Series

angels and demons book cover

šŸ–‹ Dan Brown | šŸ“š Crime Thriller | šŸ“– 4 books

Robert Langdon is a world-renowned Harvard professor specializing in symbology and religious iconography. When a series of deadly puzzles are revealed, the CIAĀ hires him for work that takes him from The Vatican to Paris to Washington DC and beyond in this 4 book series and several subsequent standalone novels.

Buy Angles & Demons via Barnes & Noble >>

Buy Angles & Demons via Amazon >>

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

hitch-hikers guide to the galaxy book 1 in the series

šŸ–‹ Douglas Adams | šŸ“š Science Fiction | šŸ“– 5 books

Ford Perfect has been posing as an out-of-work actor for fifteen years. In reality?Ā He's been conducting research for the next edition of an intergalactic guidebook. When Earth is scheduled for demolition, he plucks his ordinary (and very much human)Ā friend Arthur Dent out of his daily life and the duo sets off on a series of adventures around the galaxy.

Buy Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on Barnes &Ā Noble >>

Buy Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on Amazon >>

The Dark Tower Series

the gunslinger

šŸ–‹ Stephen King | šŸ“š Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy | šŸ“– 7 books

Before the Dark Tower series, I don't know that anyone would have called Stephen King's many works a universe. But The Gunslinger introduces one of King's most powerful villains -- and connects to several of the other books in King's impressive collection. Some of these inclde:

  • Salem's Lot
  • Insomnia
  • Hearts in Atlantis
  • The Shining
  • Cell

And more. If you're a fan of spooky paranormal fiction, this series is one you won't want to miss.

Buy The Gunslinger on Barnes & Noble >>

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Parable of the Sower

Post-Apocalyptic series Parable of the sower

šŸ–‹ Octavia E. Butler | šŸ“š Dystopian | šŸ“– 2 books

Fans of The Handmaid's Tale will absolutely obsess over this harrowing tail of a dismal, post climate change future. It is a warning of what the not so distant future could look like if environmental concerns are not taken seriously. From water shortages to desperate vagabonds, a fifteen-year-old girl will do anything to survive as she chases her destiny.

Buy Parable of the Sower on Barnes &Ā Noble >>

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The Witcher Saga

the blood of elves cover

šŸ–‹ Andrzej Sapkowski | šŸ“š Fantasy | šŸ“– 8 books

After an era of tentative peace between the creatures -- dwarves and humans, gnomes and elves -- the creatures are fighting once again. As famed hunter Geralt of Rivia awaits the birth of a prophesied child, the situation only deteriorates. But the child, it is said, will have powers than can change world.Ā Whether for good or evil remains to be seen. You'll want to binge read the whole thing -- and then maybe the Netflix series too!

Buy The Blood of Elves from Barnes &Ā Noble >>

Buy The Blood of Elves from Amazon >>

A Discovery of Witches

deborah harkness a discovery of witches

šŸ–‹ Deborah Harkness | šŸ“š Paranormal Romance | šŸ“– 3 books

Get ready for your new favorite fantasy romance series. Diana is a witch who does the unthinkable -- she falls in love with a vampire. Lured into a magical underworld by an ancient alchemic manuscript, she finds herself tangled in events centuries in the making.

Buy A Discovery of Witches on Barnes & Noble >>

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The Brown Sisters Series

get a life chloe brown

šŸ–‹ Talia Hibbert | šŸ“š Ā Romance | šŸ“– 3 books

Looking for a charming rom com of a book series?Ā Then this is for you. Three quirky sisters each get their own happily-ever after. Not to mention the diverse cast -- The Brown Sisters contains characters who are differently abled, dark-skinned, and plus sized, offering spicy romance that's not just about white people. Many readers consider it an excellent example of just how diverse and inclusive the romance genre is.

The series includes LGBTQ+ romance (specifically, a character who is openly bisexual and Ā allowed to simply exist as such) as well as beloved tropes like enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and more.

Buy Get a Life, Chloe Brown at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy Get a Life, Chloe Brown at Amazon >>

Stone Maidens

covers of the books in  Lloyd Devereux Richards’s debut crime thriller series, Stone Maidens and Maidens of the Cave

šŸ–‹ Lloyd Devereux Richards | šŸ“š Thriller | šŸ“– 2 books

Sometimes zany, over-the-top, outlandish crime thrillers hit the spot… but other times, you want something that feels a bit more grounded.Ā 

Lloyd Devereux Richards was an attorney for decades, and his writing is based on unsolved crimes he encountered during his career. Now retired, he wrote his debut novel Stone Maidens while practicing law and supporting his family, finding time late at night or early in the morning while his family slept to write an ending where the victims of the crimes that haunted him were given justice.

Stone Maidens follows a forensic anthropologist for the FBI, Special Agent Christine Prusik, as she tries to unravel a string of murders in the forests of Indiana. The killer — a suspected serial killer — leaves a gruesome calling card, small stone figurines lodged inside the victims’ throats. Full of page-turning, pulse-pounding suspense, Stone Maidens is a must-read for fans of thrillers and anyone who loves a true crime podcast.

The books have become a viral sensation, but the sudden success hasn’t gone to the author’s head. He’s continued writing and is involved with his fan community, sending personal messages and doodles in autographed copies to his readers or leaving them in Little Libraries, which he cleans up and restocks in his spare time. He also famously uses the profits from his book sales to give back in the community, supporting animal shelters, assisted living facilities, and fulfilling angel tree wishes, due to the belief that he made it to the age of 70+ without making money off of his writing, and he doesn’t need to pocket it himself to be happy.Ā 

Buy Stone Maidens from indie shop Bear Pond Books (autographed copy) >>

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A Song of Ice and Fire

a game of thrones illustrated edition

šŸ–‹ George RRĀ Martin | šŸ“š Historical Fantasy| šŸ“– 5 books

George RRĀ Martin might be a notoriously slow writer, but most of the series that inspired HBO's hit show Game of Thrones is complete and ready to read. Follow several kingdoms and the power brokers in each as the battle for supremacy... and to conquer the evil magic that threatens their land.

Buy A Game of Thrones at Barnes &Ā Noble >>

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The Maple Hills Series

icebreaker book

šŸ–‹ Hannah Grace | šŸ“š Romance | šŸ“– 3 books

Booktok sensation and enemies-to-lovers sensation, Icebreaker is the story of a competitive figure skater and hockey player who start out at odds but end up together. When she has to look to him to take her shot at the spotlight, will she achieve her dreams?

Buy Icebreaker at Barnes &Ā NobleĀ >>

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George SmileyĀ 

george smiley novel

šŸ–‹ John le CarrĆ© | šŸ“š Spy Thriller | šŸ“– 9 books

John le Carré’s debut novel introduces George Smiley, a master spy whose unconventional methods suit the Cold War espionage genre. Despite his seemingly harmless demeanor, Smiley discovers Samuel Fennan’s suicide during a routine security interview, raising questions about his true intentions and the possibility of foul play.

Call for the Dead is a gripping tale of intrigue that launched le Carré’s career and established him as a master of espionage fiction. It introduces readers to his chillingly amoral universe, where moral ambiguity and complex characters define the narrative.

Buy Call for the Dead on Amazon >>

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Jeeves SeriesĀ 

the inimitable Jeves

šŸ–‹ P.G. Woodhouse | šŸ“š Humor | šŸ“– 11 books

P.G. Wodehouse’s comic novel series revolves around young British dilettante Bertram ā€œBertieā€ Wooster and his witty valet, Jeeves. Jeeves frequently saves Bertie from increasingly… complicated social situations, to hilarious results.

Buy My Man Jeeves on Amazon >>

Buy My Man Jeeves at Barnes & Noble >>

Dublin Murder Squad

dublin murder squad books

šŸ–‹ Tana French | šŸ“š Mystery | šŸ“– 6 books

For the first book in the series, the Dublin Murder Squad seeks to uncover a string of girsly child murders stretching back decades.

Buy In the Woods at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy In the Woods at Amazon >>

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

sherlock holmes book

šŸ–‹ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | šŸ“š Classic Literature | šŸ“– 62 stories

It's elementary, my dear Watson, to include Sherlock Holmes on this list of iconic series for adult readers. With mysteries spanning 4 novels and 48 short stories, there are plenty of daring tales to keep you hooked.

Buy The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes from Barnes & Noble >>

Buy The Adventures of SherlockĀ Holmes from Amazon >>

Midnight Riot

rivers of london

šŸ–‹ Ben Aaronovitch | šŸ“š Fantasy | šŸ“– 9 books

In a delightful cross between crime drama and fantasy tale, the Midnight Riot follows plain clothes constable Peter Grant, who also just happens the first wizard apprentice in 50 years.

Buy Rivers of London at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy Rivers of London at Amazon >>

Red Rising

red rising 1 book cover

šŸ–‹ Pierce Brown | šŸ“š Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy| šŸ“– 6 books

In the future, castes are color coded... and Darrow is a member of the lowest Red class. He toils all day to make sure the planet Mars will be inhabitable for future generations. But the Red won't stay down for long.

Buy Red Rising at Barnes & Noble >>

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The Neapolitan Quartet

book 1 of the neopolitan quartet book series for adults

šŸ–‹ Elena Ferrante | šŸ“š Bildungsroman | šŸ“– 4 books

Two girls - Lila and Elena -- meet as children. The first installment leaves the friends in adolescence, but the series covers 60 years of their lives. It goes from their childhood in the 1950s through the girls becoming women, wives, mothers, and leaders.

Buy My Brilliant Friend at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy My Brilliant Friend at Amazon >>

One for the Money

one for the money 5th anniversary edition

šŸ–‹ Janet Evanovitch | šŸ“š Crime | šŸ“– 28 books

Stephanie Plum's first assignment is to catch a murderer -- but not just any murderer. This one happens to be her ex.

Buy One for the Money at Barnes & Noble >>

Buy One for the Money at Amazon >>

Tropic SeriesĀ 

tropic of cancer by henry miller

šŸ–‹ Henry Miller | šŸ“š Literary Fiction | šŸ“– 3 books

Tropic of Cancer, Henry Miller’s masterpiece, was banned as obscene in the US for 27 years after its 1934 Paris publication. A historic court ruling changed American censorship standards, allowing the book’s publication.Ā 

This memoir-fiction blend that chronicles a young, misanthropic expatriate writer’s adventures in Paris in the 1930s. Be warned, you won’t find any particularly likable characters between the pages of Tropic of Cancer. But the prose is excellent.Ā 

The title is followed by Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring.

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As you can see, book series for adults come in all variety of genres.

We've done our best to include a sampling of the best book series for adults, period. From Romance to Crime, Fantasy to Literary Fiction to Sci-Fi, we hope you've found a series or two for your TBR. Don't see your favorite series here?Ā Drop us a line!Ā You might see it in a future update of this article.

Happy reading! šŸ“š

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Originally published 4/19/24.

PostedĀ 
Feb 4, 2026
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