Suggested Reading Order

Everyone has their own opinion.  Personally, I agree with the author's suggestion to at least start reading the books in the order they were published, with perhaps a little modification.  The order you first read the books can really shape your view of the series, and which of the somewhat contradictory events you view as most "accurate."  Because the world of Pern developed and evolved as Anne wrote more and more about it, I think it's good to begin where Anne did so you can see for yourself how and why the evolution occurred--that way you're less likely to get annoyed with the inconsistencies.  After that you can try for a more chronological order.

An asterisk* is used to designate short stories.

1.  Dragonflight
2.  Dragonquest
3.  Dragonsong
4.  Dragonsinger
5.  Dragondrums
6.  The White Dragon
7.  Moreta
8.  Nerilka's Story
9.  Dragonsdawn
10. Chronicles of Pern
11. *The Impression (read anytime after 4)
12. *Smallest Dragonboy  (read anytime after 5)
13. *Girl Who Heard Dragons
14. Renegades of Pern
15. All the Weyrs of Pern
16. Dolphins of Pern
17. Dragonseye  (read anytime after 10)
18. Masterharper of Pern  (read anytime after 6)
19. *Runner of Pern  (read anytime after 1)
20. Skies of Pern (read anytime after 16)
21. "Ever the Twain" (read anytime after 17)
22. Dragon's Kin (read anytime after 17)
23. "Beyond Between" (read anytime after 8)

last modified: 8/13/2004