Where to Start
Reading Orders
Curated paths through Sanderson's bibliography. Each order offers a different lens on his interconnected worlds — pick the one that fits how you like to read.
Beginner-Friendly Order
RecommendedStarts with more accessible books before moving to more complex series, ideal for new Sanderson readers.
Strengths
- Eases new readers into Sanderson's writing style and worldbuilding
- Starts with highly engaging, standalone stories
- Gradual introduction to Cosmere concepts
Trade-offs
- Not chronological or publication-based
- Experienced fantasy readers might prefer diving into the epics
- Some connections might be missed on first read
Cosmere Chronological Order
Experience the Cosmere in the order events happen within the universe. Best for rereads or readers who want to see the timeline unfold naturally.
Strengths
- See the Cosmere timeline unfold in order
- Connections between worlds become clearer
- Great for rereads after finishing the major series
Trade-offs
- Not ideal for first-time readers (spoiler risks with Secret History placement)
- Some early books are slower-paced
- Jumps between unrelated series can be jarring
Jofwu's Cosmere Reading Guide
RecommendedA community-favorite reading guide organized into phases. Read everything in a phase before moving to the next — within each phase, the order is flexible. Phase 1 covers the foundational standalone works and Mistborn Era 1. Phase 2 tackles the two big series (Mistborn Era 2 and Stormlight Archive) plus the collection. Phase 3 covers the Secret Projects and far-future stories. Based on the reading guide by u/jofwu on Reddit.
Strengths
- Flexible within each phase — read series in whatever order appeals to you
- Avoids spoilers by grouping interconnected works together
- Phase structure makes it easy to take breaks between commitment levels
- Community-tested and widely recommended on r/Cosmere
Trade-offs
- Phase 1 has a lot of books before you reach Stormlight Archive
- Some readers may want to start with Stormlight rather than Mistborn
- Short stories and novellas mixed in may not appeal to all readers
Publication Order
Read in order published. All books.
Strengths
- Experience reveals as intended
- Follow writing progression
- Simple
Trade-offs
- Early books less polished
- Slow to reach popular series
Cosmere-Optimized Order
Designed to maximize understanding of the Cosmere connections and the broader universe.
Strengths
- Reveals Cosmere connections in the most meaningful order
- Optimized for spotting worldhoppers and crossover elements
- Best for understanding the deeper cosmology
Trade-offs
- Not ideal for first-time Sanderson readers
- More complex reading path with frequent series switching
- Prioritizes interconnections over individual series momentum
Series-Focused Order
Read each series completely before moving to the next, avoiding switching between different storylines.
Strengths
- Maintains narrative momentum within each series
- Easier to keep track of characters and plotlines
- Provides complete story arcs before moving on
Trade-offs
- May miss some cross-series connections and references
- Doesn't follow the evolution of the Cosmere as a whole
- Some later books in a series might spoil aspects of other series
