Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
John Irving

John Irving Reading Order

5 series · 20 books · Born 1942-03-02

Non-Fiction

John Irving is an American novelist born in 1942 whose literary career spans from the late 1960s to the present day. His densely plotted, character-driven narratives often weave together themes of wrestling, mortality, and unconventional family dynamics, drawing on his two decades of personal wrestling experience. Irving achieved major recognition with The World According to Garp, which won the National Book Award, and further cemented his status as a significant American author through his screenplay adaptation of The Cider House Rules, which earned him an Academy Award.

Cider House Rules Series

Ongoing

2 books (1985–2025)

Start with The Cider House Rules and read in order.

Start this series with The Cider House Rules

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Cider House Rules
The Cider House Rules
1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Queen Esther
2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

2 books (1996–1999)

Start with The Imaginary Girlfriend and read in order.

Start this series with The Imaginary Girlfriend

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of The Imaginary Girlfriend
The Imaginary Girlfriend
1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of My Movie Business
My Movie Business
1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Picture Series

Complete

1 book (2003–2003)

#Title
1
Cover of A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound
A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Short Story Collections Series

Complete

1 book (1993–1993)

#Title
1
Cover of Trying to Save Piggy Sneed
Trying to Save Piggy Sneed
1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Likely Complete

14 books (1968–2022)

Start with Setting Free the Bears, the first of 14 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Setting Free the Bears

Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
#Title
1
Cover of Setting Free the Bears
Setting Free the Bears
1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Water-Method Man
The Water-Method Man
1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of The 158-Pound Marriage
The 158-Pound Marriage
1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
The World According to Garp
1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
The Hotel New Hampshire
1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of A Prayer for Owen Meany
A Prayer for Owen Meany
1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of A Son of the Circus
A Son of the Circus
1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
A Widow for One Year
1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Fourth Hand
The Fourth Hand
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
Cover of Until I Find You
Until I Find You
2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of Last Night in Twisted River
Last Night in Twisted River
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of In One Person
In One Person
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of Avenue of Mysteries
Avenue of Mysteries
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of The Last Chairlift
The Last Chairlift
2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has John Irving written?
John Irving has written 20 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 1968 to 2025.
What is the first book in each John Irving series?
Here are the first books in John Irving's series: Cider House Rules: The Cider House Rules; Non-Fiction: The Imaginary Girlfriend.
What order should I read John Irving's books?
We recommend reading John Irving's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is John Irving still writing new books?
Yes, John Irving has 1 ongoing series: Cider House Rules.

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