Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wish Had Sequels

August 6, 2013 Top Ten Tuesday 31

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature/meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels.  

When I started putting this post together, I was surprised by how many books I’ve read that do have sequels.  I seem to prefer series — I like revisiting characters and settings/towns/worlds that I’ve come to love, but in the context of a new or continued story.  For this post, however, I  ruled out books that already have a sequel, or are likely to have one in the not-too-distant future, so you won’t find the Kingkiller Chronicles or Seraphina or the All Souls trilogy (A Discovery of Witches) on this list.  And as usual, these are in no particular order.

  • The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley.  OK, it has a prequel (The Hero and the Crown), but as good as that book is, what I really wanted was more Hari and Corlath.  And Mathin and Narknon, come to that.
  • Stardust by Neil Gaiman.  The story of Tristran and Yvaine is basically finished, but I would love to see another story set in this world.
  • Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley.  I’m not sure a sequel involving Rosie, Narl, and Peony is possible, but I loved these characters and wish I could see more of them.  Or failing that, at least more of that world, especially the Gig.  And Flinx.  And maybe Katriona and Aunt.

 

  • The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie.  I love Bundle Brent and Bill Eversleigh, and the whole idea of the Seven Dials organization was so deliciously over the top.  I dearly wish Christie had written a few more Bundle and Bill stories, a la Tommy and Tuppence.
  • Straight by Dick Francis.  Most of Francis’s mysteries were standalones, with the exception of the Sid Halley series and the two starring Kit Fielding.  I enjoy Straight and have reread it several times, but it always feels a little unresolved at the end. Derek Franklin is an interesting character;  I would have liked to see more of him. (Come to think of it, I could have done with another Kit Fielding mystery or two, as well.) 

  • Never Pick Up Hitchhikers by Ellis Peters.  Hardly anyone but me seems to know this book, but I love it, and unlike some of my other picks, this one actually could have led to a series.   Willie Banks is delightful, as is Calli, and since by the end of the book Willie is planning to go into the police force, there was plenty of scope for further mysteries involving him.  Alas, Ellis Peters never wrote them.
  • Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher.  I think this is my favorite of Pilcher’s novels, and that’s including The Shell Seekers and Coming Home, both of which I love.  There’s something so heartwarming and healing about this novel, which is at its core about love — all kinds of love, not just romantic love.  Each time I read it, I don’t want it to end; the people in it become as dear to me as family.

 

  • The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis.  I’m breaking my “no existing sequels” rule for this one, but The Horse and His Boy really does stand almost alone in comparison to the other books in the series.  The Pevensey children, now grown-up kings and queens, come into the book briefly, but they aren’t the focus of the story, and they’re onstage a remarkably short time.  I loved Shasta/Cor and Aravis, Bree and Hwin, and would have liked to see more of them.
  • Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild.  Theater Shoes mentions the Fossil sisters (Pauline, Petrova, and Posey) but they don’t really come into the story.  I’m not sure if a sequel would have been possible, given that the three girls go in three very different directions at the end of Ballet Shoes, but I wasn’t ready to let go of them.  And Petrova’s story, in particular, would have been interesting.
  •  Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge.  Another lovely book that probably couldn’t have supported a sequel, since the final chapter really answered all the questions.  But as a child, I was always sad to see the story end, and wanted to stay with the characters longer — and that’s still true, each time I re-read it.

What about you?  Which books do you really wish had sequels?

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31 Responses to “Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wish Had Sequels”

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      Thank you! I could have done with a few more Miss Marples, too; the last one wasn’t very final. Or maybe prequels — I would have loved to watch Miss Marple honing her skills in her earlier years.

      I’m glad you stopped by!

  3. readerholicnotes

    You picked some very good books for this post. I think it’s interesting that most (all?) of these books are fairly old. It seems that most books published today are part of a series…which I generally like, but series weren’t so popular 10 years or more ago.

    I haven’t read all of these, but have read most of these authors. I need to go back and read (and re-read) some of these books!

    I hope the road trip is going well!

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      I hadn’t really thought about it, but you’re absolutely right. Almost everything I’ve read this year either has a sequel or is a sequel — or if not, there’s a sequel planned or coming soon. Which is fine with me!

      As for the road trip, we’re leaving later this week. Right now we’re in the throes of laundry, packing, cleaning house, last-minute shopping, and in my daughter’s case, goodbyes to friends. But I appreciate the thought, and will carry it with me!

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      Hi, Jillyn! Welcome, and thank you for the follow! I loved Stardust, which (believe it or not) I read for the first time this year. Now I’m regretting all the years I let it pass by unread!

      I’m headed over to check out your TTT.

  6. Nicole

    Sadly I am not familiar with any of these books! But reading more Agatha Christie is on my to-do list!

    Thanks for stopping by!
    Nicole @ The Quiet Concert

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      Oh, by all means add Robin McKinley to your TBR list too! She writes the most gorgeous fantasy books; her use of language is wonderful. My personal favorites are The Blue Sword, Spindle’s End, Rose Daughter, and her first book, Beauty. Chalice was fascinating, too.

  8. Rita_h

    I never heard of Robin McKinley before, so thanks for the tip. Also, I am seeing more requests for sequel for Stardust and I never read that, so thanks for sharing!

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      You’re in for a treat, then! McKinley is one of my favorite fantasy authors. Stardust is magical, too, and less dark than some of Gaiman’s other work. It’s really a fairy tale for adults.

  9. Szever

    When I think about, it’s crazy how much I read is parts of a series these days. Is it cheating if I say books I wish had sequels is The Wise Man’s Fear and A Dance with Dragons? Come on Pat and George… get typing!

    I don’t think I’m familiar with much of your list… well, Gaiman. But otherwise, I suppose I have some reading to do!

    (picked up on your blog by searching out Codex Born, a book you were looking forward to. Seeing what other bloggers are reading it and will therefore be posting about it – I’m about 1/3 in).

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      The Wise Man’s Fear would have been top of the list if I had included books in ongoing (current) series, along with the sequels to Seraphina and Shadow of Night (Hartman and Harkness, respectively.) And Libriomancer, of course, but Codex Born is out now. I’ve got a copy on request from the library.

      I haven’t read Martin’s series yet; I’m a little put off by the multiplicity of viewpoints.

      Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll be back!

    • Szever

      You get used to the 4,957,363,987 viewpoints in Martin’s works. It’s just a great story in a DETAILED world.

      I’m really enjoying Codex Born. Already more than 50% through – good for my reading speed/free time.

  10. kimbacaffeinate

    This is a great list from so many genres. I often pine for sequels to books..but then wonder if it will somehow ruin the magic.

  12. Sandy Farmer

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier. I actually haven’t read any of these. 🙁 Makes me feel like I need to get my bootay in gear and read some more. Probably just need to branch out.

    WOW
    Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      Oh, do give Robin McKinley a try! And Stardust, too. I think, based on your review list, that you’d like those.

      When I wandered around reading other people’s TTT lists this week, I was embarrassed by how many I hadn’t read. But there’s only so much time, and none of us can read everything!

  13. George

    Interesting choice of The Horse and His Boy by Lewis. Good choice, though. The book has always been one of my favorites of the Narnia series.

  14. Ashling F

    I agree about The Horse and His Boy. As much as I love the Pevensies, I think another book with Shasta & Bree would have been amazing.

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT!

    Ashling @ Reading, Writing, & Anything but Arithmetic

  15. Belle Read

    I have not read a single one of these. As a mystery fan, I am ashamed to say that I haven’t read an Agatha Christie book. Not sure if I should start with Miss. Marple or Peroit.

    • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard

      I’m not sure which I would recommend first! Some people don’t like Poirot because he’s very precise and finicky, but he’s also brilliant. Here are a few of my favorite books, either because I love the characters or because they are so well-plotted or have a great twist or surprise:

      The Secret Adversary (the first Tommy & Tuppence, and as much a spy story as a mystery)

      The Body in the Library, A Murder is Announced and Nemesis (three really good Miss Marple mysteries)

      The ABC Murders and Murder on the Orient Express (two very good Poirot mysteries)

      The Boomerang Clue, The Secret of Chimneys and The Seven Dials Mystery (three fun stand-alones, though there is a slight connection between the second and third)

      And then there are the two that get perhaps the most attention because of their surprise endings: And Then There Were None and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Christie pioneered the twists in both of these.

      There are lots of other good ones, but that should give you a few places to start!