Find the right book order before you start reading
Publication order, chronological order, and beginner-friendly reading paths for popular authors, series, and the books behind hit TV shows.
Books Behind the Shows
Watched the adaptation first? Find out which books inspired the show, where to start, and what to read next.
Film adaptation
See all Film & TV AdaptationsBrowse every adapted series currently featured on Reading Order.Dune
Dune universe by Frank Herbert
Explore the sci-fi masterpieces behind the films.
TV adaptationThe Expanse
The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey
Discover the sci-fi books that started it all.
TV adaptationOutlander
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
The historical romance books behind the hit Starz series.
Reading Order Team Favourites
A few hand-picked series we think are especially worth putting on your radar.
Series
Jack Reacher
The Jack Reacher series follows a former US Army Major and military police investigator who travels light, moves from place to place, and repeatedly steps into dangerous situations. Start with Killing Floor and follow publication order for the numbered books; this preserves the original character introductions and reveals. Four military-era prequels appear in publication position. The collected short stories, a crossover novella, and the Neagley spin-off have separate routes, so they do not interrupt the main sequence.
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Skyward
A young adult science fiction series about a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a starfighter pilot.
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The Expanse
The Expanse is a nine-novel science-fiction saga following humanity's expansion across the solar system and through alien ring gates. Start with Leviathan Wakes, then follow the main novels in publication order.
View series →What kind of reading order do you need?
I watched the show first
Find the books behind popular TV and film adaptations, and see where to start.
Browse adaptationsI want to start a big series
Beginner-friendly routes into long fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, and romance series.
Start a seriesI need the publication order
Read the books in the order they were originally released.
Browse publication ordersI want the chronological order
Follow the story timeline from beginning to end.
Browse chronological ordersI want an author's full bibliography
See complete book lists for popular authors and long-running series.
Browse authorsPopular Authors
Start a Big Series Without Getting Lost
Some series have prequels, spin-offs, side stories, and multiple possible reading orders. These guides help you start in the right place.