John Irving Reading Order
5 series · 20 books · Born 2 march 1942
John Irving is a celebrated American author known for his intricate storytelling and rich character development across various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and short stories. With a prolific career spanning from 1968 to 2025, he has published 20 works across five series, featuring notable titles such as The World According to Garp. Irving’s unique narrative style has earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards, solidifying his status in contemporary literature.
Cider House Rules Series
Ongoing2 books (1985–2025)
Start with The Cider House Rules and read in order.
Non-Fiction Series
Complete2 books (1996–1999)
Start with The Imaginary Girlfriend and read in order.
Picture Series
Complete1 book (2003–2003)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
Short Story Collections Series
Complete1 book (1993–1993)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Trying to Save Piggy Sneed 1993Buy 🇺🇸 |
Standalone Novels Series
Likely Complete14 books (1968–2022)
Start with Setting Free the Bears, the first of 14 books in the Standalone Novels series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Setting Free the Bears 1968Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  The Water-Method Man 1972Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  The 158-Pound Marriage 1974Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | The World According to Garp 1978Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | The Hotel New Hampshire 1981Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  A Prayer for Owen Meany 1989Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  A Son of the Circus 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | A Widow for One Year 1998Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  The Fourth Hand 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  Until I Find You 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  Last Night in Twisted River 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  In One Person 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Avenue of Mysteries 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  The Last Chairlift 2022Buy 🇺🇸 |
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.