How Do I Read Janet Dailey Books In Order By Series?

Janet Dailey wrote so many series it can make your head spin. Her most famous ones are the Calder series and the Americana series, but she also did a bunch of short contemporary trilogies. Best bet is to check out her official website's bibliography section—it usually lists series in order, or use a site like Fantastic Fiction which is a lifesaver for this kind of thing.

Just avoid relying on Goodreads alone for series order, their lists can get a bit jumbled. Some of her older books are out of print, but you can find used copies or e-book versions pretty easily. Start with the Calder books if you want that big family saga feel; the first one is 'This Calder Sky.'

For the Americana series, each book is set in a different state and they're mostly standalone, so order matters less there. Honestly, once you dive into one, you'll get the hang of her style and can just pick based on what setting appeals to you.

The public library's online catalog is smarter than you think. If you search for 'Janet Dailey Calder series,' it will often group the results together and list them in the proper sequence. Librarians have cataloged these with series notes. You can then place holds on them in order.

It's a free, low-effort way to read the entire saga without spending a cent or worrying about storage. The wait times for popular books can be long, but that just builds the anticipation. It's how I read the entire 'Outlander' series, so the method definitely works for long family sagas.

My local used bookstore has a whole 'Dailey' section because she's so popular with certain readers. The owner has them grouped by series, which is a huge help. If you have a good indie bookstore nearby, ask them. They might already have them organized, or they can keep an eye out for specific titles for you.

Building a relationship with a bookseller is the old-school, most enjoyable way to collect a series. They get to know your taste and can give you a call when something comes in. It's slower than online shopping, but way more fun.

Let's be real, the only series where order truly matters is the Calder saga. The others are loosely connected at best. For the Calders, start with 'This Calder Sky' and just follow the publication list. The prequels, like 'Calder Born, Calder Bred,' are meant to be read after you know the modern family, in my opinion. They add depth but rely on you already caring about the legacy.

The biggest hurdle won't be figuring out the order—it'll be finding all the physical copies. A lot are out of print. I've had great luck with eBay lots where sellers sell an entire series together. Saves so much time and shipping cost.

You're asking the right question, because reading out of order can spoil some major family revelations in the Calder series. The emotional impact of certain events hinges on you not knowing the secrets ahead of time. So for that series, I'm a stickler for publication order.

For everything else, it's pretty flexible. Her writing evolved a lot over the decades, so you might notice a difference between a book from the 70s and one from the 2000s. The earlier ones can feel a bit more… of their time, let's say. But the core of strong-willed characters and dramatic settings is always there.