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Standalone Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Standalone books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: April 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Standalone series? Start with "The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing" (1988) and follow publication order through all 11 books.
The complete Standalone reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
The Book of Ruth / The Frogs Are Still Singing
1988
A Map of the World
1992
The Short History of a Prince
1998
Disobedience
2000
When Madeline Was Young
2006
Laura Rider's Masterpiece
2009
The Excellent Lombards
2016
The Phoebe Variations
2025
Blue Christmas
2011
Why I Like This Story
2019
Apple, Tree: Writers on Their Parents
2019
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