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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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