The Curious Case Of The Disappearance Of The Standalone Novels | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Curious Case Of The Disappearance Of The Standalone Novels

Are standalone novels a thing of the past? Why are so many books being made into series?

57
The Curious Case Of The Disappearance Of The Standalone Novels
Janko Ferlic

Do you remember when you would go to the bookstore or library and find that one good book? And you would read it and you were completely satisfied and fulfilled. You remember that feeling? And just that one stand-alone book was enough. My question is, what happened to them? What happened to all the standalone novels?

I mean now whenever I look for a book there’s a sequel or trilogy attached along with it. Why is that? Why aren’t there more standalone books? If you haven’t guessed, I’ve read a lot of series: Harry Potter, Twilight, Vampire Diaries, Percy Jackson, etc. The list goes on. There used to be a time when I would pick up a book and that would be it. Just that one good read in my hands.

I know some of these books need series, I get that! And don’t get me wrong, I love a good book series. But I crave for those standalone novels that fill you up with magic and by the end you’re satisfied. No left-over feelings. Just pure goodness made for one. I won’t lie, some of those standalone novels make me wish they were series. But I think if they were made into a series it wouldn’t be as good as it was before.

Let’s not forget the waiting period between novels. I remember whenever I finished a Harry Potter book, I felt like a hundred years would pass until the next one would come. And what’s worse the book would come out and then, I would finish it, and I would have to start the process of waiting all over again. Harry Potter was crafted beautifully but I’m talking about other book series (which will go unnamed. But you know who you are.)

Which let’s face it, a lot of these trilogies and longer book series can be resolved in one book. But I feel some authors drag out their stories by doing a book series. They tend to ruin their plots and characters and what the book was supposed to be about. I hate having loved the first book at the beginning to eventually not liking it by the end of the series. And let me tell you, I haven’t finished a lot of series because of that very reason.

My personal thought is that I think the authors of these bad series, just honestly want to make an extra buck. I think they see authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer and think a series is the way to go. Which means more money for them, heck maybe even a movie deal…I could be wrong, though!

I’ve also noticed that these series are particularly popular in YA fiction. Sure, a lot adult books have series as well but not as much as Young Adult. I can name 20 books in YA that has a series attached to it. But you guys know what i'm saying, right!

I’m in need of a good standalone novel. If any of you have any suggestions, drop me a line.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Syllabus Week As Told By Kourtney Kardashian

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

577
Kourtney Kardashian

Winter break is over, we're all back at our respective colleges, and the first week of classes is underway. This is a little bit how that week tends to go.

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Now it's time to get back into the REAL swing of things. Second semester is really here and we all have to deal with it.

panera bread

Whether you specialized in ringing people up or preparing the food, if you worked at Panera Bread it holds a special place in your heart. Here are some signs that you worked at Panera in high school.

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

Definitely the worst part about working at Panera was the uniform and having someone cute come in. Please don’t look at me in my hat.

Keep Reading...Show less
Drake
Hypetrak

1. Nails done hair done everything did / Oh you fancy huh

You're pretty much feeling yourself. New haircut, clothes, shoes, everything. New year, new you, right? You're ready for this semester to kick off.

Keep Reading...Show less
7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments