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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 "Careless Love" (1966) and follow publication order through all 19 books.
The complete Standalone reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
Careless Love
1966
Families and Survivors
1974
Rich Rewards
1980
Superior Women
1984
Roses, Rhododendron
1987
Second Chances
1988
Almost Perfect
1993
A Southern Exposure
1995
Medicine Men
1997
After the War
2000
Listening to Billie
2011
Caroline's Daughters
2011
Beautiful Girl
1979
To See You Again
1982
Return Trips
1985
After You've Gone
1989
The Last Lovely City
1999
The Stories of Alice Adams
2002
Poolside (With: Julie Orringer)
2007
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