Suggested Reading Order
for first-time readers

Everyone has their own opinion on the order a first-timer should read the series - quite often suggesting the order they themselves first discovered the books.  Anne McCaffrey herself has always suggested reading them in publication order, which I endorse for the earliest books, with perhaps a little modification for the later ones.  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, when you're ready to read them again (as most fans are!), you can try them in chronological order if you prefer.

My suggested order allows for some variation, which will be helpful if you can't get your hands on the book in an exact order - as is often the case whether they come from the library or a bookstore.

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

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All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey’s fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967-2007,
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