10 Best Book Series to Read Over the Holidays

By Rebecca Yarros

The Empyrean series is a fantasy series that follows Violet Sorrengail, a young woman who is forced to join Basgiath War College and train to become a dragon rider. Violet Sorrengail is expected to become a Scribe, but her plans change when she is ordered to join the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College and train to become a dragon rider. As she learns to survive, she discovers that there is much more going on around her than she first realised. The series combines fantasy, romance, dragons and action, making it a popular choice for readers looking for an immersive series.

• Fourth Wing (2023)
• Iron Flame (2023)
• Onyx Storm (2025)

By Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club is a mystery series that follows four friends living in a retirement village who meet every Thursday to investigate unsolved murders. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron enjoy discussing old cases, but their hobby becomes much more serious when a real murder takes place close to home. The group decide to use their combined skills and experience to help solve the case, putting themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. The series combines mystery, humour and friendship, making it an entertaining read for fans of cosy crime.

• The Thursday Murder Club (2020)
• The Man Who Died Twice (2021)
• The Bullet That Missed (2022)
• The Last Devil to Die (2023)
• The Impossible Fortune (2025)

By J. K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they learn about the magical world and attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry discovers that he is a wizard shortly before his eleventh birthday and begins a new life at Hogwarts, where he learns magic and makes lifelong friends. Throughout the seven books, the trio face magical creatures, dangerous challenges and the growing threat of Lord Voldemort, the dark wizard responsible for Harry’s mysterious past. The series follows their journey from childhood through to their final battle against Voldemort.

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

By Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is a series of young adult dystopian novels set in the fictional nation of Panem. The key protagonist of the series is Katniss Everdeen, a young woman whose story begins when she volunteers in her sister’s place for the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is an annual event in which each of the 12 districts must send one boy and one girl aged between 12 and 18 to compete in a televised fight to the death. As Katniss becomes involved in the games and the political conflict surrounding them, she finds herself at the centre of a growing rebellion against the Capitol.

• The Hunger Games (2008)
• Catching Fire (2009)
• Mockingjay (2010)
• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020)
• Sunrise on the Reaping (2025)

By Diana Gabaldon

Outlander follows Claire Randall, a nurse who served in the British Army during the Second World War. While enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband, Claire unexpectedly travels back in time to 1743. Separated from her own time, she is forced to adapt to life in eighteenth-century Scotland and becomes involved with Jamie Fraser. As the series continues, Claire and Jamie face political conflict, war, family challenges and the difficulties of living across different periods of history. The series combines historical fiction, romance, adventure and time travel.

• Outlander (1991)
• Dragonfly in Amber (1992)
• Voyager (1993)
• Drums of Autumn (1996)
• The Fiery Cross (2001)
• A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)
• An Echo in the Bone (2009)
• Written in My Own Heart's Blood (2014)
• Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021)

By Philip Pullman

His Dark Materials is a fantasy trilogy that follows Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry as they travel between parallel worlds. Lyra begins her story in a world where people are accompanied by animal companions known as daemons, while Will comes from a different world and becomes involved in Lyra’s journey. Together they encounter witches, armoured polar bears and mysterious organisations as they become caught up in a much larger conflict. The series combines fantasy and adventure with themes of friendship, freedom and growing up.

• Northern Lights (1995)
• The Subtle Knife (1997)
• The Amber Spyglass (2000)

By George R. R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire is an epic fantasy series set primarily across the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. The story follows numerous families and characters as they become involved in a struggle for power, with political alliances, war, betrayal and murder all playing a part. At the same time, a mysterious threat is growing in the north, while dragons begin to return to the world. The series is known for its large cast of characters and unpredictable storyline, with no character guaranteed to make it to the end.

• A Game of Thrones (1996)
• A Clash of Kings (1998)
• A Storm of Swords (2000)
• A Feast for Crows (2005)
• A Dance with Dragons (2011)
• The Winds of Winter (not yet published)
• A Dream of Spring (planned)

By Stephenie Meyer

The main Twilight Saga consists of four novels, with additional companion books expanding the story. The Twilight Saga follows Bella Swan after she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington. Bella soon becomes fascinated by Edward Cullen, a mysterious student who turns out to be a vampire. As their relationship develops, Bella becomes increasingly involved in the supernatural world and finds herself caught between vampires, werewolves and other dangers. The series follows Bella and Edward’s relationship as they face challenges from both inside and outside their own worlds.

• Twilight (2005)
• New Moon (2006)
• Eclipse (2007)
• Breaking Dawn (2008)
• The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (2010)
• Midnight Sun (2020)

By Robert Jordan

The Wheel of Time is an epic high fantasy series that follows Rand al’Thor and his friends after their lives are changed by the arrival of a mysterious woman named Moiraine. They soon discover that Rand may have an important role to play in an ancient prophecy and the coming battle between good and evil. As the series develops, the characters travel across a huge fantasy world, encountering different cultures, political conflicts, magical powers and dangerous enemies. The series is known for its large cast of characters and detailed fantasy world.

• The Eye of the World (1990)
• The Great Hunt (1990)
• The Dragon Reborn (1991)
• The Shadow Rising (1992)
• The Fires of Heaven (1993)
• Lord of Chaos (1994)
• A Crown of Swords (1996)
• The Path of Daggers (1998)
• Winter's Heart (2000)
• Crossroads of Twilight (2003)
• New Spring (2004)
• Knife of Dreams (2005)
• The Gathering Storm (2009)
• Towers of Midnight (2010)
• A Memory of Light (2013)

By Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is a young adult mystery series that follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a sixth-form student who decides to investigate the murder of a local girl as part of her school project. Although the case was considered solved, Pippa believes there is more to the story and begins looking into what really happened. As she uncovers new information and follows a trail of secrets, she finds herself getting closer to the truth while putting herself in danger. The series combines mystery, suspense and teenage drama, with plenty of twists along the way.

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2019)
• Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020)
• As Good As Dead (2021)