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Standalone Books in Order
Below you'll find the complete list of Standalone books in publication order. This is generally the recommended reading order for the series.
Reading order verified: March 2026
Quick Answer
What order should I read the Standalone series? Start with "Decline and Fall" (1928) and follow publication order through all 21 books.
The complete Standalone reading order is listed below in publication sequence.
Publication Order
Decline and Fall
1928
Vile Bodies
1930
Black Mischief
1932
A Handful of Dust
1934
Scoop
1938
Put Out More Flags
1943
Brideshead Revisited
1945
The Loved One
1948
Helena
1950
The Holy Places
1952
Love Among the Ruins
1953
Tactical Exercise / The Wish
1954
Basil Seal Rides Again
1963
Mr Loveday's Little Outing & Other Early Stories
1936
Work Suspended and other stories including Basil Seal Rides Again
1938
The Ordeal Of Gilbert Pinfold
1957
Selected Works
1977
Charles Ryder's Schooldays and Other Stories
1982
Complete Short Stories
1997
The Complete Stories of Evelyn Waugh
1997
On Guard, Bella Fleace Gave A Party
2000
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