Today I want to talk about novellas, those shortish stories authors love adding to series. People seem to either love or hate them, so I thought it'd be interesting to talk about them.
Personally, I usually enjoy novellas. I (usually) like what they add to the story, and I'm always up to read more of a favorite series.
I've found that there's three categories novellas tend to fall into, regardless of how good the story itself was. Have you noticed this pattern?
1. Wow, that blew my mind and truly improved my reading
This is for those gorgeously rare novellas that really, truly add something to a beloved storyline. Whether it's an integral backstory that puts a character in a new light, a glimpse into the future, or an offshoot event that opens your eyes, these stories are incredible and vital. I've only read one so far!
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| I viewed the rest of this trilogy in a completely new way after reading this. |
2. Enjoyable, but optional
These stories are enjoyable on their own, and add icing on the cake to the series. However, it's entirely possible to read the full length novels and not miss much at all.
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| I really loved getting a peek inside Reyes' head! |
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| 5 star read, and well deserved for the couple. Not necessary to read, though! |
3. Not worth reading
These don't add anything to the series, and you're better off rereading a full length story.
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| I adore both these authors and series, but I didn't really feel anything for these two stories. |
What do you think of novellas?
I could take them or leave them. I don't have enough time to read all the full length books I want, let alone a novella. But when I'm in the mood for something quick, they are nice to have on standby!
ReplyDeleteIf it's an extra peek into a series I'll mainly ignore them, though I will occasionally buy one. If they're standalone novellas they're hit or miss with me depending on the pacing and plot. Great topic :)
ReplyDeleteOooooh, good topic. I tend to like novellas, but I appreciate the standalone ones more than I do the ones that are part of series... for the most part. There are some pretty notable exceptions to that though: the "novellas" in Krista & Becca Ritchie's Addicted series are really full-length books and you couldn't really enjoy the series to the full extent without them. Emma Chase's Sidebarred was WONDERFUl. I also like the novellas I've read (so far) in Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard series. The Shatter Me series also had excellent novellas. As a general rule, if I love the series and the characters, I'll read the novellas.
ReplyDeleteI don't like when a novella is NECESSARY! I mean, I like the concept, but I just feel bad for people that don't know about these novellas or who think they are an optional. They won't know the full story or understand certain characters better, etc. But in general, if they are fun and enjoyable but not necessary, I like them sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way you do. I'm happy if they add something to the story.
ReplyDeleteI do get irritated if you won't know what's going on if you don't read the novella, though! I think they should always be optional.
Depends. I love it when novellas enhance a series. I also love it when some authors can write standalones in novella format. I think it takes great skill to say so much with so little (I'm obviously not one of them, but I can admire it! LOL).
ReplyDeleteI am kind of eh on them in general. I usually skip the but I do want to read Sidebarred!
ReplyDeleteI like when they add to the story, like On Every Street, but it does kind of stink when they're a must read for the series. So many people might miss them. Like The Drafter by Kim Harrison, I loved it, but know I would've been so lost had I not read the prequel.
ReplyDeleteI rarely read them, but if it is a series/trilogy I want more of I will.
ReplyDeleteI love novellas! I used to do a November Novellas feature, but everybody just commented how much they hated novellas. *snort*
ReplyDeleteI've been disappointed by the ones I've read, more often than not. However, the two that jump to mind that added to their respective series are Diana Gabaldon's Lord John Grey novellas and Cassandra Clare's Magnus Bane. I thoroughly enjoyed those novellas, as they showed the main character in a different light. I also loved that they added something more to the main series. Yet, they're not required to enjoy the main series.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting into novellas recently - they are a quick fix when I want to get involved in a fully realized story, but I don't have time for a 700 page whatever. When I've finished a novella, I still feel like I've accomplished something!
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