Books That Didn’t Need a Sequel

I love a good series. Who doesn’t? I’ve recently started reading a bunch of series and have been plowing through them in record time—Simon Snow, Shades of Magic, Chaos Walking, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, to name a few. These series are amazing. The stories are interesting enough to warrant 3+ books. Fantasy and sci-fi do so well as series. Sometimes, even contemporaries do well!

But other times…they’re just completely unnecessary. Not every book needs a sequel. Not every story needs continued. Sometimes, an up-in-the-air, open-to-interpretation ending is good enough. Sometimes, wrapping everything up in a neat little bow is good, too! I just want to take some authors by the shoulders and shake them, saying PLEASE DON’T WRITE ANOTHER. Just let it go, fam.

Here are a few books that, to me, did not need a sequel.

And please note: there are some spoilers in my discussion of the books. You’ve been warned.

Book That Should Have Remained Standalones

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares (Dash & Lily)

Did I love this book when I read it? Absolutely. Yes. I was obsessed. But did we really need more of their love story? I mean, obviously love stories aren’t perfect. We don’t assume that everything will be sparkles and rainbows. But we didn’t need a novel showing us. Especially six years after the first book was published.

The Giver (The Giver)

I read The Giver in school like all American students. I had no idea it was the first book in the series. I though it was a standalone, and that Jonah and the child die at the end, and that’s that. When I found out about the sequels, I decided to do what any normal person would do: reject their existence. And that’s what I’ve done my whole life since.

If I Stay (If I Stay)

A perfect ending ruined by an unnecessary sequel.

Every Day (Every Day)

Such a unique book! A cool concept! David Levithan at his finest. And then…not only a sequel, but a sequel that’s concurrent with Every Day, just told by another character’s perspective. BORING. There’s even a prequel… How sad.

Me Before You (Me Before You)

Talk about a fantastic romance novel… This book had me sobbing. Obviously Louisa was going to have a life after Will. But we didn’t need it spelled out for us! My imagination was way better than the weird story that played out in book 2. I didn’t even bother with book 3.

Bird Box (Bird Box)

Bird Box is a great horror story. I loved every minute of it. I don’t really think a sequel is necessary at all. I still don’t even know what the sequel will be about. I’ll most definitely give it a chance, and it may turn out to be good, but I don’t think it needed a sequel.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Creekwood)

I didn’t care about anyone other Simon and Blue in this novel. Leah did not need her own novel. And if any more books come out, even if they are about Simon or Blue, I won’t read them. The story was fine ending as is, people!

In the Hall with the Knife (CLUE Mystery)

This book was not good. But what makes it even worse is that there are more.

You (You)

Though I liked the crazy-ness of Hidden Bodies, serial killer thriller You really didn’t need a sequel. I kind of liked how it ended. But I won’t lie, I’m happy to read more about Joe’s ridiculous adventures any day.

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Do you disagree with any of my picks? Or do you have other books you’d add to my list? Let me know in the comments!