ParchOutlander Reading Order
Diana Gabaldon · 9 books · about 257 hours of reading
The main Outlander novels are straightforward — nine big books, read in publication order, which is also chronological. What confuses people is the surrounding material: the Lord John novels, the novellas, and a show that diverges from the books.
Start with Outlander and read the nine in order. The spin-offs are genuinely optional — they follow a side character and can be read later, or never, without leaving a gap in the main story.
Publication order, which is also chronological. This is the complete main story as it stands.
This order is about 257 hours of reading — roughly 17 months at half an hour a day.
Average is about 250 WPM. Measure yours in two minutes and every time below recalculates.
Estimated from the unabridged audiobooks at a typical narration pace of 155 words a minute — close, not exact. Reading times are estimates — editions, translations and your own pace all move them.
How long the 100 most popular books take to read
Gabaldon has also written the Lord John series and several novellas, which follow Lord John Grey through events running alongside the main books. They add colour but aren't required — most readers start them only after finishing several of the main novels.
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Frequently asked questions
How many Outlander books are there?
Nine main novels so far, beginning with Outlander (1991) and most recently Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (2021). Diana Gabaldon has said a tenth book will conclude the main series, alongside the separate Lord John books and novellas.
Do I need to read the Lord John books?
No. They follow a supporting character through events that run parallel to the main novels, and the main series stands complete without them. Read them if you finish several Outlander books and want more of that world.
Should I read the books or watch the show first?
Either works, but the show diverges increasingly from the books after the early seasons — characters' fates and timelines differ. Book readers often prefer starting with the novels, since the show's changes are easier to accept than the reverse.
How long does it take to read Outlander?
About 257 hours at an average reading speed of 250 words a minute — roughly 3.8 million words across all 9 books. At half an hour a day, that's about 17 months. Your own pace changes that a lot, which is why this page lets you set your speed and shows what's left as you tick books off.
Does my progress save?
Yes — ticking a book saves it in your browser, no account needed. Clearing your browser data resets it, so for a permanent record with dates, ratings, and notes, track the series in the Parch app.
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