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I’ve had people buy books for me many times by accident because there was no indicator that it was the middle of a series! I’ve been confused myself and had to google to figure it out!
I miss when books in a series had the number on the spine, and/or the whole series on the back cover in order with little images on the cover.
There’s still sometimes lists on the inside pages of a series but even when there is so many of them leave out whichever book the one you’re holding is so you don’t actually know where it fits in like please just tell me what order I’m meant to read this stuff in I’m so confused TT
And even when books in a series didn’t necessarily have a number or anything back when blurbs were actually blurbs and not five star reviews it would show if it was the middle of something else at least
I shouldn’t have to get my phone out and search the internet when I’m in a bookstore or library :C I just want to hang out with and browse the books, not google.
Speaking of which it’s nearly as bad trying to buy books online, I swear they never say which number in the series they are either, just that they’re in the series. Sometimes you’ll be lucky enough for “the # installment to the xyz series” but more often it’s just the “next” installment and I don’t know if I’m looking at a sequel or a seventh installment.
Anyone else feeling this way? Or am I just missing new ways that they’re indicating this and not getting the memo?
By using numbers on the spine or making it clear that it's part of a series means they sell less books, as it puts people off.
which ends in a literal cliffhanger
Why did it take me 30 years to get this
I also had the Harry Potter Syndrome where I moved to the UK as an adult and realised a lot of the fantasy stuff was just how England actually is
And also the vast majority of low value items people buy in shops and online which turnout to be incorrect, people never actually return as it's too much hassle. These items end up being donated to charity shops or just trashed.
I guess they win either way. Some people enjoy reading a series, so they will make money off these people, and by removing the numbers and info it's a series they can also sell books to people who are intimidated by books which are part of a series, as they will buy some of these books thinking they are standing alone, and some might convert and keep reading the later books. Win win I guess.
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I agree, but I think the publishers believe that it's worth it. Because it's clear they have deliberately removed these numbers and info about being a series, so it's for a reason.
And this is how I ended up reading the 3rd true blood novel with no idea it was the third one. (This series is really bad with not making it clear it's a series and the order).