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Other Works Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Dan Brown
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Other Works by Dan Brown with "187 Men To Avoid", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Non-novel length works or works targeting a specialized audience.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "187 Men To Avoid"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The discussion is primarily focused on the reading order for Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere and secondarily on T. Kingfisher's interconnected fantasy books. For the Cosmere, while publication order starts with Elantris, the overwhelming consensus is that Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire) or Warbreaker are the best entry points, as Elantris is often cited as a weaker novel that might dissuade new readers. Warbreaker is generally considered a mandatory prerequisite for The Stormlight Archive. For T. Kingfisher's works, the recommendation is to read books within a specific series in order (e.g., Saint of Steel, Clocktaur War), but the order between those series is flexible, as crossovers are minor Easter eggs."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with the Mistborn trilogy (Era 1) or Warbreaker. Ensure that Warbreaker is read before starting The Stormlight Archive. Read any internal series in order (e.g., Clockwork Boys before Swordheart, Paladin's Grace before Paladin's Strength).

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Other Works conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Other Works. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "187 Men To Avoid" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Other Works" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "187 Men To Avoid"Explore all by Dan Brown

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order2 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

187 Men To Avoid

Pub: 1995Optional

For women of all ages and stages, from those naively starting out on their quest for true love to those who have been married before and should know better, these one-line observations on the opposite sex serve as amusing warning signs that ultimately save time, effort, and heartbreak in the never-ending search for Mr. Right.

2

Wild Symphony

Pub: 2020Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "187 Men To Avoid".

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In his interactive picture book debut, the world-renowned author of The Da Vinci Code invites young readers to discover life lessons from the symphony that is the animal kingdom. Includes hidden puzzles plus a free app with music composed by Dan Brown! “Brown does not disappoint. . . . A delightful musical debut sure to be a hit at story hours.”—School Library Journal, starred review Travel through the trees and across the seas with Maestro Mouse and his musical friends! You’ll meet a big blue whale and speedy cheetahs, tiny beetles and graceful swans. Each animal offers a special secret: about emotion regulation, social awareness, mindfulness, and many more important life skills. Along the way, you might spot the surprises Maestro Mouse has left for you—a hiding buzzy bee, jumbled letters that spell out clues, and even a coded message to solve! Children and adults can enjoy this timeless picture book as a traditional read-along, or can choose to listen to original musical compositions as they read—one for each animal—with a free interactive smartphone app, which uses augmented reality to play the appropriate song for each page when a phone’s camera is held over it. The author will be donating all U.S. royalties due to him to support music education for children worldwide, through the New Hampshire Charitable foundation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Other Works series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Other Works?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "187 Men To Avoid" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Dan Brown intended.

Can I read Other Works books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Other Works universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.