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series Reading Order

Baumgartners Books in Order

16 Books
2008 – 2017 Published
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Reading order

How to Start Reading the Baumgartners Series

If you are diving into the steamy, contemporary world of Selena Kitt's Baumgartners for the first time, you have two primary options: Publication Order or Chronological Order.

Our Recommendation: We highly recommend starting with the book that launched the series' massive popularity, Babysitting the Baumgartners. Although it sits in the middle chronologically, it is the best introduction to the franchise's signature polyamorous dynamics, tone, and characters (Doc and Carrie). Reading in publication order allows you to discover the couple's history naturally as the author developed it.

Chronological Reading Order

If you prefer to follow the characters' lives in a linear timeline—starting with Doc and Carrie's early years—use this chronological sequence recommended by the author:

  1. Meet the Baumgartners (Prequel story)
  2. A Baumgartner Christmas (Short story)
  3. The Baumgartners Plus One
  4. Letters to the Baumgartners
  5. Babysitting the Baumgartners
  6. Adventures with the Baumgartners
  7. Crazy About the Baumgartners
  8. A Baumgartner Reunion
  9. Baumgartner Generations: Janie
  10. Baumgartner Generations: Henry
  11. A Baumgartner Valentine (Short story)
  12. The Baumgartner Dirty Show (Short story)
  13. A Baumgartner Anniversary (Short story)
  14. Baumgartners Empty Nest

Note: The print compilation Baumgartner Hot Shorts collects four of the key companion stories (Meet the Baumgartners, A Baumgartner Christmas, A Baumgartner Valentine, and The Baumgartner Dirty Show) in a single volume.

Publication (Writing) Order

If you want to read the series in the order each book and short story was written and released to the public, follow this sequence:

  1. Babysitting the Baumgartners (2008)
  2. Sitting for the Baumgartners (2008)
  3. A Baumgartner Reunion (2009)
  4. Baumgartner Generations: Janie (2010)
  5. Meet The Baumgartners (2010)
  6. Baumgartner Generations: Henry (2010)
  7. The Baumgartners Plus One (2011)
  8. Letters to the Baumgartners (2011)
  9. A Baumgartner Christmas (2011)
  10. Baumgartner Shorts / Hot Shorts (2012)
  11. The Dirty Show (2013)
  12. Crazy About the Baumgartners (2014)
  13. A Baumgartner Valentine (2015)
  14. Baumgartners Empty Nest (2015)
  15. Adventures with the Baumgartners (2017)
  16. A Baumgartner Anniversary (2017)

Subseries & Generations

The universe expands beyond Doc and Carrie with the Baumgartner Generations subseries. These books (beginning with Janie and Henry) shift the focus to the next generation of the family as they grow up and navigate their own passionate, unconventional relationships. They are best read within the main list order to avoid spoilers regarding the core couple's timeline.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting book for the Baumgartners series?

We recommend starting with Babysitting the Baumgartners (2008). It is the book that made the series famous and offers the perfect introduction to the characters and the polyamorous themes.

QIs the Baumgartners series written in chronological order?

No. Selena Kitt wrote prequels, sequels, and companion stories out of order. For example, the prequel Meet the Baumgartners was written in 2010 but takes place first chronologically.

QWhat is the Baumgartner Generations subseries?

It is a spin-off series focusing on the next generation of the family (such as characters Janie and Henry) as they navigate their own romantic and erotic lives.

QWhat is included in Baumgartner Hot Shorts?

Baumgartner Hot Shorts is a print compilation that collects four shorter companion tales: Meet the Baumgartners, A Baumgartner Christmas, A Baumgartner Valentine, and The Baumgartner Dirty Show.

QWas Babysitting the Baumgartners adapted into a movie?

Yes, the popular 2008 novel was adapted into an adult film in 2011.

QDo I need to read the short stories to understand the main novels?

While the main novels can stand on their own, the short stories fill in essential background details, especially Doc and Carrie's origin story in Meet the Baumgartners.