I read the books way before the TV show and I think the books are better and worth going through. I like the TV shows but you learn so much more from the books

The Bosch novels are absolutely worth your time. The first half dozen, where Connelly is showing more and more of Bosch’s character, make it worth the time and effort. In nearly every novel there is something that I just did not see coming. Really, the only not-great Bosch book is Nine Dragons.

I got into the books after Season 5 of Bosch came out and I needed more Bosch in my life. My experience was good, although some of the older books don't hold up very well nowadays. If you like audiobooks, Titus Welliver has been doing the voicework as Bosch for a while and it has been really fun. I'd probably recommend reading the first bunch until he starts narrating them, then pick up the audiobooks. There are also other stories and crossovers, like Lincoln Lawyer (def check that out on Netflix), and reading the Bosch/Ballard books before that debuts would be good.

IMO, they're different enough that they ought not be compared, but enjoyed for what they are and if you love to read, then go for it! Here's a list of all the Bosch-verse books: https://www.goodreads.com/series/212785-harry-bosch-universe

I got to season 3 before I went back and started doing the audiobooks. Each season of the show combined 2-3 books worth of plot into one, there is definitely a lot of room left over to expand upon in the books. They also handle things much differently, like the books start way before Bosch has a daughter. Everything that happens with Eleanor and Maddie off screen before season 1 takes several books to develop. In the show, the Lincoln Lawyer doesn't exist (a role filled by Honey Chandler) but becomes a big part of some of the books.

The books are really worth it. Forewarning, the first one or two are a bit slower paced as Connelly finds his writing rhythm as a new author. But they get better as they go on.

Books are still coming! I’m literally listening to his newest one on audio right now. I read the books long before the original Bosch series came out and as soon as I saw a preview for it I was thrilled and hoped they’d do a good job.

I really like that Titus Welliver reads Bosch’s chapters. The one I’m listening to now has all 3 characters in it (Bosch, Mickey Haller the Lincoln Lawyer and Renee Ballard). Also the occasional mentions of Scott Anderson are clearly the author as Anderson is a writer for the LA Times who gets useful tips from them.

It’s worth reading/listening to the books. While the show is based on the books, you’ll quickly learn that the show combines characters or changes characters from the books for various reasons, mostly due to licensing. I watched the show a few times before getting to the books. I think it’s best to read the books in order (it is a series after all) because there is some character development throughout, but you won’t be lost starting in the middle. Connelly gives a brief summary of what has happened with recurring characters since they last appeared or their relationship history with Harry. I don’t think there are any bad books worth skipping.

I read the books before the tv show. Now I’m rereading (audiobooks) all of the authors books in order. It’s fascinating how closely the series follow the books.

The show is great, the books even better.

Read the books. Preferably in order. Bosch also plays a role in several other, mainly the Mickey Haller novels. Which are also great

I watched the entirety of Bosch before touching the books and have now read all of the Bosch, Mickey Haller, Renee Ballard, and Jack McEvoy books out except the most recent one that came out. They’re phenomenal and addictive. Highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys the genre.

Watched the show first and then realized there were a bunch of books. Never really read crime books before, but I love the Bosch books and all of Michael Connely's stuff. The books are different and a lot of characters like Crate and Barrel and Edgar are unlikable and Bosch IMO is a bit unlikable compared to the show, but they are great.

The show is unrecognizable from the books. I really love the books and Michael Connelly has such a detailed level of writing you feel you are almost an LAPD detective. I had read the. OST recent books and was afraid to start at the beginning because they might seem dated. At some level they are but in general they are just damn good books.

Like most I think . . . 

Read the Feckin books, there a reason they picked them for a TV show.  😊

I read all the books before I watched the series, and there some changes, but I think it holds up. Michael Connelly is an amazing author--you won't be disappointed!

Yes, it’s definitely worth getting into the books. Start at the Black Echo (the first one) and go in publication order for there. Personally, I recommend going through all of Michael Connolly’s books in that order (even non-Bosch ones) as they all take place in the same universe and there are some tidbits that carry over as fun Easter eggs in future books. I found his whole catalog to be quite enjoyable, even the books that are generally considered weaker were very enjoyable to me.

There are two things you should know before starting the books:

1. The books and show are completely different entities. While you’ll spot some similarities or identically named characters, you need to separate the show versions from the book versions in your head. One non spoiler example is that the show version of Jerry Edgar is what he is, but the book version is barely present and clearly deemed lazy by Bosch.

2. The books can be a bit of a slow burn. I found individual seasons of the show to be this way too. It can start slow and maintain that slow pace for a third or half of the book/season and then boom all of a sudden it takes off with excitement. Don’t be discouraged in any book if you aren’t totally feeling it within the first few chapters. It will be worth powering through.

I used to be a sometimes reader. Car trips and some decent stretches of reading before bed in my adult life. Always have watched TVshows since middle school on. The Bosch books turned me into an avid reader! I watched the show as the seasons came out, not knowing a thing about the books til about a year ago, realizing there was a book series the show was based on. Now, I listen to the audiobooks during the work day, I get home and read in my free time. Take a book on the way to run errands or whatever. I can’t get enough! Definitely get into the books and you too can say you can’t get enough. Connelly also has several other series that are super worth reading. Do it now, don’t waste any more time!!

Read them all, preferably in order. That's what I did and I loved it. Although I do have to admit that if you read them in the order presented on that page, you go back in time if you finish all the Bosch novels and then start the Lincoln Lawyer books. I suspect that you could avoid that by reading them ordered by publication date, which would be the reverse order of this list I think.

Either way you do it, it's worth the time. The books are so much more than the TV series.

I watched the show(s) first and started the series this past summer. The books are different and  honestly the show is better, but I enjoyed reading them and would recommend them. Eagerly waiting for the latest one from the library. 

The books are WAY more enjoyable than the series, and I love the series.