Let's face it—not every series is worth pushing past the first book. I've done this many times and have some examples where the second book is just as good. Happy reading.
Sections
3
Top shelf
Close second
Honorable mentions
Top shelf
The ones I'll be reading again someday
I can't properly describe how much I loved these books.
Southern Reach - Jeff VanderMeer
I read the whole trilogy in a week. No joke. That good.
Wayward Pines - Blake Crouch
Riveting from the start. Mind-bending space action.
The Expanse - James S. A. Corey
The games led me here. Better late than never.
The Witcher - Andrzej Sapkowski
Close second
Still worth your time and attention
Not many writers have made me laugh out loud. Multiple times.
Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells
I didn't want to like these. Alas, they're pretty awesome.
Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
Read them as a kid, as a teen, and as an adult. Still great.
Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
Sci-fi, humor, and philosophy all in one. Prepare yourself.
Hitchhiker's Guide - Douglas Adams
Honorable mentions
Still top shelf by other standards
Legendary books that still captivate me. So good.
Robot Series - Isaac Asimov
Genuinely surprised by how great these books were.
The Forever War - Joe Haldeman
I used to run to the library to check out these books.
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket
Literature which captivated me during grade school.
