Trilogies: The Hottest Trend in YA Lit

Since becoming a librarian I have noticed that the more I recommend books the more I see that I am recommending the first book of a trilogy. When did this happen? Does every good book have to continue on? Here are my thoughts on this:

The trilogy did not start with Hunger Games, although I think that is why my students like them so much. One of the most popular trilogies is The Lord of the Rings, and that came out way before Hunger Games. Why do students like them so much? I think that it is because they see a defined beginning, middle, and end. And there is also an end in sight. When books are put into a trilogy, there is no dragging out. Most of the time it is straight to the point.

I also think that authors like trilogies because it builds their fan base, but they do not have to write 10 books with the same characters. By labeling it a trilogy, the reader knows what to expect.

I personally have read a lot of trilogies, but I have noticed that many authors are struggling to fit the story into three books. Take The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. This trilogy was intended to be just three, but because of popularity and more story to tell, has been turned into a six book series. You will also notice that a prequel for a trilogy is finding its way onto reading list. The Maze Runner series is an example of this.

So whether you like them or not, three seems to be a magic number when it comes to young adult books.  Below you will find a list of some of my favorite trilogies, in no particular order:

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Book 2 just came out.)
3. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
4. Uglies by Scott Westerfield (There is technically four, but Extras is kind of an extra book.)
5. Airhead by Meg Cabot
6. Graceling ( Only three books right now...I do not know if there are plans for more.)
7. Crispin by Avi
8. Maze Runner by James Dashner
9. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
10. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
11. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
12. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
13. Matched by Ally Condie
14. Delrium by Lauren Oliver (I believe this is meant to be a trilogy.)
15. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
16. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
17. Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (Only three right now. Could be more and bump it out of the trilogy race.)
18. Divegent by Veronica Roth (One of my favorites.)
19. Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry (Right now only three.)
20. Ashes by Ilsa Bick
21. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
22. Ruby Red by Kerstein Gier
23. Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

That is just the ones I read. There are plenty more trilogies in the library. Come by and check it out!