Best Book Series for Adults: 4 Series That Should Be On Your Radar

The front door of a Hobbit’s abode in The Shire.

While many of us dabble with reading as kids and teens, it’s not uncommon to shed the habit at some point. Regardless, it’s never too late to reignite your relationship with books and become an avid reader once again.

If you’re an adult looking for some book series to get you engulfed in literary realms again, we’ve got some recommendations we think will do you some good. 

Here are the four best book series for adults we think should be on your radar. 

1. The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien

No list of the best book series for adults would be complete without this world-famous classic collection of stories. Chances are, you’ve probably already seen the movies, but, believe me, that’s alright. Even knowing the broad strokes of the story you’ll still be able to easily lose yourself in Tolkien’s extraordinary realm of distant lands and compelling characters. 

If you’re really wanting to go full hog, I suggest starting with The Hobbit. It provides some great context for the three main Lord of the Rings novels and allows you to be more invested in the story and its characters. 

Now, if you complete all of these books and really want to dive into the deep, nitty-gritty of Tolkien’s realm, then there is the almighty Silmarillion. However, be warned, it’s no walk in the park. To be honest, I’ve tried to tackle it three different times and have been unsuccessful on every occasion. But, hey, where there’s a will there’s a way. 

2. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King

Jee whizz is the Dark Tower series absolutely tremendous. Written over the course of decades, this collection of books allows you to watch Stephen King grow into the absolute powerhouse of the writer that he is today. With mystery, fantasy, intrigue, and adventure, this seven-volume tour de force is well worth your time if you want a book series you won’t be able to put down. 

Inspired by seeing Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in a cinema and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series, a young Stephen King knew that a day would come when he would write his own epic tale. And, with The Dark Tower series, he really delivers. 

If you go into a bookstore and look for it, who knows which section you’ll find it in? This masterclass in fiction contains elements of so many genres that it really can’t be pigeonholed into just one. So, when you’re ready to take the leap and commit to a good, long series, this is one you should definitely check out. 

3. The Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith

If you’re looking for an easy-to-read series that really engrosses you, Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike novels are absolute gems. Following private detective Cormoran Strike, these novels each contain compelling mysteries along with a fantastic cast of interesting characters — Strike himself included. 

What’s nice about this series is that, at the time of writing this, there are currently seven out. From what I know, the author’s plan is to only release ten in total, which honestly makes me sad. 

Believe me when I say these really do suck you into their narratives and make you want to keep reading. If you’re trying to hit a certain number of books you’d like to read in the year, I highly recommend tackling this series first as it won’t feel like work at all and you’ll blow through all of the ones you can get your hands on. 

4. The Dune Series by Frank Herbert

You’ve probably had Dune on your radar recently due to the rollout of the awesome movies. And, if you love the world and can’t get enough of it, you’re really in for a treat. Believe it or not, there are six main books in the Dune series with several other prequel books and even a few other standalone novels that take place in the same world. 

Much like other authors on this list, Frank Herbert is an absolute master of world-building. If you love details and truly vivid pictures being formed in your mind, then this really is an amazing book series to read. Plus, given its popularity in current times, you’ll have plenty of others to talk to about this awesome series. 

While the story is compelling, I will say that some parts of the book can get long. If you haven’t read for a while and are just getting back into it, maybe start with another series before hopping over to Dune. But, if you love the world and just can’t wait to dive back after watching the movies, then by all means I encourage you to dive headfirst into Herbert’s masterfully written series.