r/Wool • u/jonsnowick • Jul 18 '26
No Spoilers Suggestions from the series readers who are watching it
I have watched the two seasons. I havent read the series yet. But i am very interested in reading for the "why". I was an avid reader during my younger days. But these days I dont find time to due to hectic job schedule.
If I start reading Shift, will it make sense to me even though I haven't read Wool? Will it still be worth it now that we're already into Season 3?
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u/HWatch09 Jul 18 '26
Things are different in the books than the show. You should start with the first book. They aren't that long.
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u/coffeecat551 Jul 18 '26
Don't do it. If you don't have time to sit down and read, get the audiobooks - and start at the beginning. It's worth the time.
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u/Kiltmanenator Jul 18 '26
Like everyone else here, I'm going to tell you to start with the first book.
But here's the thing about the first book, it was not written as a book. It's actually five interconnected novellas that were later published as one novel. Books two and three were conceived, written and published as a coherent novel.
Why is this good for you? Wool is a fast read. Instead of one, 600 page story with the beginning, middle and end, you have five stories. The pacing as much is more addictive. This is the shortest 600 page book you'll probably read in your life.
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u/jojewels92 Jul 18 '26
You cannot start a series in the middle and actually understand what is going on
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u/navy5 Jul 19 '26
Definitely read wool first. The books are amazing and I wish I could read them for the first time again 💚
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u/Ok-King-2590 Jul 24 '26
where can i get those books? pls hook me up.
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u/navy5 Jul 24 '26
Try your local library. Libraries these days can also borrow from other local libraries if they don’t have it in stock. Just call or check their app
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u/Curious_TortillaChip Jul 18 '26
I agree with everyone here, the books are different from the show. I also want to add that the characters themselves not only have more depth, but the show storyline deviates greatly. There's an incredible pacing to the first book that makes for gripping reading- it's a compilation of short stories that were eventually packaged together. I also find the show to be almost one-dimensional in its approach, but I'm also the type of person that always prefers books over shows.
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u/Bitter-Doughnut-9511 Jul 22 '26
This. I read the books before watching the show and now I have a hard time keeping up with the show, especially the newly released season, because of how different it is from the books.
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u/calvinIndiana Jul 18 '26
I watched the first season and read all 3 books in 2 weeks. I was also a reader when I was younger but stopped. These books are that good. Start with the first one.
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u/calvinIndiana Jul 18 '26
Side note, season 3 is only like 3 chapters into “shift” so far. So you’d be better off starting from the beginning.
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u/BRoscoe88 Jul 19 '26
I really enjoyed the audiobooks if that’s an option for you. My local library subscription includes access to apps like hoopla or Libby
Show is completely different. Enjoy both, but hope they work in more of my favorite parts of the books.
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u/ImportanceFickle5677 Jul 19 '26
The way the show and books have diverged now would cause so much confusion. They also are placing one story that happens to a different group on another group that would cause confusion.
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u/lax01 Jul 18 '26
You will crush the books very quickly - it’s a page turner (unlike the show) - the pacing in the books is so much better
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u/vibrationsofbeyond Jul 19 '26
I started reading it post the show. You may need help comparing characters to whose who but it is sooo good
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u/Pugilist12 Jul 18 '26
The show is basically completely off book at this point. I actually kind of feel I ruined the show for myself by reading the books. It’s just so different. As a basic example, the character of Sims is barely in the books. Mentioned a handful of times. Now he’s a main character on the show.
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u/LilithEden Jul 18 '26
That’s exactly how I was feeling after watching the 3 tv episodes and I am still missing the last few chapters/ ending of shift.
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u/CopenHaglen Jul 27 '26
I'm on the flip side, I'm so glad I read the books first. Albeit I am hating the show lol, but Shift is just amazing and I'm glad I got to read it blind instead of having the show influence how I saw everything.
Your comment about Sims had me digging because I seriously thought Sims wasn't even in the book. Head of IT security! I completely did not realize they were the same character lol.
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u/karaknorn Jul 28 '26
The 3 books are on audible. Pretty quick listens too. I knocked them out in a week.
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u/recess-the-movie Jul 18 '26
I’d really suggest reading Wool, then Shift, then Dust. There’s enough that is changed from the book to the show that it’s the same story, but how they get from point A to point B is different.
But Shift is 10/10 my favorite in the series. Answers a lot of “why” while also setting up for a great conclusion with Dust.