If there is one thing better than reading a new favourite book, it’s discovering that the book you love is part of a series.
Sometime, when you’re reading, the knowledge that the world you are all wrapped up in isn’t going to end, and the excitement that is starting the next book in the series is exactly what makes it a delight to experience. We’ve got to admit it, there’s nothing like a gripping book series to make the minutes, hours and even days fly by. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, historical fiction or children’s classics, there’s guaranteed to be a page-turner to keep you spellbound. But, finding a spectacular novel to keep you entertained can be hard enough, but discovering a whole entrancing fiction series can be the rarest of all.
So to help ease your excitement and get you started on your next best read, we’ve collated a list of 10 of the best book series to read in 2020:
Better yet, if you want to get your hands on any of these series, sequels or trilogies, we recommend puchasing them through Australian favourites, Booktopia. They are currently offering 25% off bestselling titles along with efficient home delivery so that you can get tucked into a good read, without leaving your sofa.
Image via Booktopia website.
A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin
If you have not heard of Game of Thrones, there is a chance that you have been living under a rock. The ever-popular, award-winning, action-filled eight part series, Game of Thrones, is based on seven-part book series A Song of Ice and Fire. Set in Westeros, the series transcribes how some of the most powerful families in the land fight over the iron throne. There’s battles, (spoiler) dragons and so much more. Thankfully, the now famous 2011 TV series have continued from where the sixth book left off, so you won’t be left wondering.
The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman currently has two volumes in the series, with a third and final installment coming in the near future. The first volume is a prequel to the His Dark Materials trilogy, while the second and third installments are both sequels. These books delve deeper into Lyras alternate, Oxford, and the world of humans and daemons. But if you haven’t read His Dark Materials yet and you’re a fan of fantasy novels, we would suggest that you clear your “to read” list and start with this series!
Harry Potter may be one of the most well-known book series out there. Even better, Harry Potter is family friendly; it’s both appropriate and entertaining for those of all ages. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Bewitching until the very last page, let the world of Harry Potter tantalise you like it has millions of others.
Set in a world of ominous landscapes and macabre menace, The Dark Tower series features one of Stephen King’s most powerful creations—The Gunslinger—a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages, from ancient myth to frontier western legend. As Roland crosses a desert of damnation in a treacherous world that is a twisted image of our own, he moves ever closer to the Dark Tower of his dreams—and nightmares.
The Inheritance Cycle follows the story of Eragon – farm boy turned dragon rider – and his quest through Alagaesia, the world of the novel. These books feature a mystical combination of magic, dragons, elves, dwarves and much more. The quartet is comprised of Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance, which together form the ultimate collection of one of the most spectacularly successful and beloved fantasy stories of our time.
The Handmaid’s Tale was first published in 1996, and is now considered a contemporary classic, while The Testaments, its sequel, was published last year. The Testaments was the joint winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. For those who aren’t submerged into Margaret Atwood’s creation yet, this apocalyptic-like story tells the tale of The Republic of Gilead which offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire – neither Offred’s nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.
Imagine a world where a witch decrees eternal winter; where there are more talking animals than people; and where battles are fought by centaurs, giants and fauns. The Chronicles of Narnia spans an impressive seven books. The series is well-loved and known, with the first installment The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe being the introduction to Lewis’ magical realm, and the basis of an acclaimed 2005 film.
The Robert Langdon series follows, as you might guess, Harvard professor Robert Langdon, who must decipher a labyrinthine trail of ancient symbols if he is to defeat the illuminati, a secret brotherhood presumed extinct for nearly 400 years but reborn to continue their deadly vendetta against their most hated enemy, the Catholic Church.
An all-rounder favourite for over 100 years, these classic novels follow the adventures of the spirited redhead Anne Shirley, who comes to stay at Green Gables and wins the hearts of everyone she meets. There are eight books in the series that have since inspired a multitude of adaptations of both films and television shows.
Immerse yourself in Middle-Earth with Tolkien’s classic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, telling the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the hobbits’ epic encounters with wizards, dragons and monsters, all in the quest to destroy the one, almighty ring. Starting the quartet is The Hobbit which begins with Bilbo’s fateful visit from Gandalf and then continues on to the The Lord of the Rings trilogy that culminate in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom and Bilbo’s departure to the Grey Havens.
Editor’s Note: Our writers and contributors have independently selected and curated this article, and all opinions are their own. This article does contain affiliate links which allows us to make revenue off some purchases made by our readers.
Sometime, when you’re reading, the knowledge that the world you are all wrapped up in isn’t going to end, and the excitement that is starting the next book in the series is exactly what makes it a delight to experience. We’ve got to admit it, there’s nothing like a gripping book series to make the minutes, hours and even days fly by. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, historical fiction or children’s classics, there’s guaranteed to be a page-turner to keep you spellbound. But, finding a spectacular novel to keep you entertained can be hard enough, but discovering a whole entrancing fiction series can be the rarest of all.
So to help ease your excitement and get you started on your next best read, we’ve collated a list of 10 of the best book series to read in 2020:
Better yet, if you want to get your hands on any of these series, sequels or trilogies, we recommend puchasing them through Australian favourites, Booktopia. They are currently offering 25% off bestselling titles along with efficient home delivery so that you can get tucked into a good read, without leaving your sofa.
Image via Booktopia website.
A Song of Ice and Fire - George R. R. Martin
If you have not heard of Game of Thrones, there is a chance that you have been living under a rock. The ever-popular, award-winning, action-filled eight part series, Game of Thrones, is based on seven-part book series A Song of Ice and Fire. Set in Westeros, the series transcribes how some of the most powerful families in the land fight over the iron throne. There’s battles, (spoiler) dragons and so much more. Thankfully, the now famous 2011 TV series have continued from where the sixth book left off, so you won’t be left wondering.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
The Book of Dust - Philip Pullman
The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman currently has two volumes in the series, with a third and final installment coming in the near future. The first volume is a prequel to the His Dark Materials trilogy, while the second and third installments are both sequels. These books delve deeper into Lyras alternate, Oxford, and the world of humans and daemons. But if you haven’t read His Dark Materials yet and you’re a fan of fantasy novels, we would suggest that you clear your “to read” list and start with this series!
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter may be one of the most well-known book series out there. Even better, Harry Potter is family friendly; it’s both appropriate and entertaining for those of all ages. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Bewitching until the very last page, let the world of Harry Potter tantalise you like it has millions of others.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
The Dark Tower - Stephen King
Set in a world of ominous landscapes and macabre menace, The Dark Tower series features one of Stephen King’s most powerful creations—The Gunslinger—a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of the lone hero through the ages, from ancient myth to frontier western legend. As Roland crosses a desert of damnation in a treacherous world that is a twisted image of our own, he moves ever closer to the Dark Tower of his dreams—and nightmares.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini
The Inheritance Cycle follows the story of Eragon – farm boy turned dragon rider – and his quest through Alagaesia, the world of the novel. These books feature a mystical combination of magic, dragons, elves, dwarves and much more. The quartet is comprised of Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance, which together form the ultimate collection of one of the most spectacularly successful and beloved fantasy stories of our time.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale was first published in 1996, and is now considered a contemporary classic, while The Testaments, its sequel, was published last year. The Testaments was the joint winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. For those who aren’t submerged into Margaret Atwood’s creation yet, this apocalyptic-like story tells the tale of The Republic of Gilead which offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire – neither Offred’s nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
Imagine a world where a witch decrees eternal winter; where there are more talking animals than people; and where battles are fought by centaurs, giants and fauns. The Chronicles of Narnia spans an impressive seven books. The series is well-loved and known, with the first installment The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe being the introduction to Lewis’ magical realm, and the basis of an acclaimed 2005 film.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
Robert Langdon Series - Dan Brown
The Robert Langdon series follows, as you might guess, Harvard professor Robert Langdon, who must decipher a labyrinthine trail of ancient symbols if he is to defeat the illuminati, a secret brotherhood presumed extinct for nearly 400 years but reborn to continue their deadly vendetta against their most hated enemy, the Catholic Church.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
Anne of Green Gables - Lucy Maud Montgomery
An all-rounder favourite for over 100 years, these classic novels follow the adventures of the spirited redhead Anne Shirley, who comes to stay at Green Gables and wins the hearts of everyone she meets. There are eight books in the series that have since inspired a multitude of adaptations of both films and television shows.
More info
Image via Booktopia website.
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien
Immerse yourself in Middle-Earth with Tolkien’s classic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, telling the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the hobbits’ epic encounters with wizards, dragons and monsters, all in the quest to destroy the one, almighty ring. Starting the quartet is The Hobbit which begins with Bilbo’s fateful visit from Gandalf and then continues on to the The Lord of the Rings trilogy that culminate in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom and Bilbo’s departure to the Grey Havens.
More info
Want something a bit more close to home? We’ve found 10 of the best Australian books you need to read. Or, if you’d like to take one from the team, flick through Hunter and Bligh’s top 15 reading list of 2020.
Editor’s Note: Our writers and contributors have independently selected and curated this article, and all opinions are their own. This article does contain affiliate links which allows us to make revenue off some purchases made by our readers.