Thinking of starting the books After Season 2? Start with book one, WOOL.

Now that season two has ended, there have been a lot of posts asking: “Where should I start reading the books?”

The answer is simple: start at the beginning with book one, WOOL. While the books and the show share the same overarching story, the details are quite different, especially in season two. Some prominent characters from the show barely appear in the books—or don’t exist at all—and several major storylines in the show aren’t in the books.

Season two of the show covers the entirety of WOOL, but if you try starting with book two, SHIFT, you’ll likely feel confused. A lot of the answers you're looking for from the show just aren't there.

It’s also worth noting that the books and the show seem set to diverge even further in season three. In a recent AMA, Hugh Howey shared this insight:

“SHIFT was originally three separate novels when I first published them. Each was on the short side, but together they make for a book that’s thicker than WOOL or DUST. There are entire storylines in SHIFT we had to cut to make the show work. To tell all of SHIFT would require a few seasons on its own, plus tons more sets and cast. Such is the challenge of adaptation.”

The books are fantastic and absolutely worth reading, but they aren’t interchangeable with the show. If you plan to read them, start with WOOL and work your way through the series. You’ll be glad you did!