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Outlander Books in Order & Books to Read After the Outlander Series

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Looking for a new book series to dive into? Outlander might just be the perfect fit for you! With time travel, romance, and adventure, this series has something for everyone. In this post, we’ll guide you through the best order to read the Outlander books for maximum enjoyment and understanding of the story’s timeline.

Plus, we have some recommendations for books similar to Outlander after you’ve finished the series! If you want to skip right to those recommendations, use the table of contents button below.

Three slanted book covers with Outlander in the middle

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Tips for Reading the Outlander Series

If you’ve decided to embark on the journey of reading the Outlander series, there are a few tips you might find helpful. First and foremost, be prepared for a lengthy and immersive reading experience. Each book is over 600 pages, so it’s not a quick read. You might want to set aside some dedicated reading time each day to truly get lost in the story.

One thing to keep in mind while reading the series is that there are multiple timelines and storylines happening simultaneously. It can be confusing at times, but each book has a helpful timeline at the beginning to keep you on track. Additionally, there is a large cast of characters, so it might be worthwhile to keep a list of who’s who as you read.

Another thing to be aware of is that the series spans multiple genres, including historical fiction, romance, and even elements of science fiction and fantasy. While the overarching plot follows Jamie and Claire’s time-traveling love story, there are plenty of subplots and historical events to keep things interesting.

Lastly, if you’re sensitive to graphic or disturbing scenes, this might not be the series for you. The book comes with a long list of trigger warnings.

The Best Order to Read the Outlander Books

While some readers may debate the best starting point for the Outlander series, we recommend beginning with the very first book, “Outlander.” This novel sets the foundation for the entire series and introduces the main characters, Claire and Jamie.

By starting with “Outlander,” readers can fully appreciate the character development and relationships that unfold throughout the series. Additionally, readers are introduced to the concept of time travel, which plays a significant role in the overarching plot.

Three books in outlander series with outlander on top

The Major Outlander Novels

Book 1: Outlander
Setting: 1946 & 1743
Originally titled Cross Stitch in the UK

Book 2: Dragonfly in Amber
Setting: 1968 & 1744-1746

Book 3: Voyager
Setting: 1968 & 1766-67

Book 4: Drums of Autumn
Setting: 1969-1970 & 1767‐70

Book 5: The Fiery Cross
Setting: 1770-1772

Book 6: A Breath of Snow and Ashes
Setting: 1773-1776 & 1980

Book 7: An Echo in the Bone
Setting: 1776‐1778 & 1980

Book 8: Written in my Own Heart’s Blood
Setting: 1778 & 1980

Book 9: Go Tell the Bees I’m Gone (2022 release)
Setting: 1779

Author Diana Gabaldon has said that Book 10 will likely be the last major novel in the series, and that it will take her several years to research and write it. Stay tuned!

OPTIONAL NOVELLA Collection:
SEVEN STONES TO STAND OR FALL – Seven novellas set in different time periods

There are also additional spin-off series, such as the Lord John collection. For more details on how these side novels fit into the full series, check out the full chronology by the author.


Books for Fans of Outlander

For more books that transport you to another time or place, check out this list next!

For more book recommendations based on your favorite things, check out the index below.

Dawn Arbogast

Tuesday 26th of April 2022

There’s nothing like a Diana Galbaldon book! I can’t wait for book 10.