📚 Where to Start?

Publication Order of Culture Books Best for beginners - Start with "Consider Phlebas" (1987)
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Popular choice - Start with "The Wasp Factory" (1984)
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books Popular choice - Start with "Raw Spirit" (2003)
Publication Order of Anthologies Popular choice - Start with "Tales From the Forbidden Planet" (1987)

About the Author

Iain M. Banks was a Scottish author of fiction. He used this as his pen name for science fiction and goes by Iain Banks for some of his books. The Crow Road was turned into a 1996 t.v. miniseries. Complicity became a film in 2000 and a t.v. series called Stonemouth came out based on his novel. Banks was born on February 16, 1954 in Fife, Scotland. His father was an Admiralty officer and his mother ice skated professionally. He attended the University of Stirling and studied philosophy, psychology, and English literature. After school, Banks decided that he would move to London. He resided in the southern area of England until he decided to move in 1988 to Scotland. He lived in Edinburgh before eventually moving to Fife. He had met his wife in London and in 1992, they got married in a cerem. Iain M. Banks is the author of over 33 books across 4 series. Their most famous work is the Publication Order of Culture Books series, which has garnered millions of readers worldwide. With such a prolific career, Iain M. Banks has established themselves as one of the most influential authors in contemporary fiction.

Book Series in Publication Order

Publication Order of Culture Books

11 books
  • Consider Phlebas Join the adventure in 'Consider Phlebas' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Culture Books series by Iain M. Banks.
    (1987) ⭐ Start here
  • The Player of Games Join the adventure in 'The Player of Games' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Culture Books series by Iain M. Banks.
    (1988) ⭐ Start here
  • The State of the Art The Publication Order of Culture Books series continues with 'The State of the Art', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1989) ⭐ Start here
  • Use of Weapons The Publication Order of Culture Books series continues with 'Use of Weapons', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1990) ⭐ Start here
  • Excession In 'Excession', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Culture Books saga.
    (1996) ⭐ Start here
  • Inversions The Publication Order of Culture Books series continues with 'Inversions', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1998) ⭐ Start here
  • Look to Windward Join the adventure in 'Look to Windward' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Culture Books series by Iain M. Banks.
    (2000) ⭐ Start here
  • Matter 'Matter' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Culture Books series, set in the world Iain M. Banks has created.
    (2008) ⭐ Start here
  • Surface Detail The Publication Order of Culture Books series continues with 'Surface Detail', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (2010) ⭐ Start here
  • The Hydrogen Sonata In 'The Hydrogen Sonata', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Culture Books saga.
    (2012) ⭐ Start here
  • The Culture: The Drawings 'The Culture: The Drawings' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Culture Books series, set in the world Iain M. Banks has created.
    (2023) ⭐ Start here

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

14 books
  • The Wasp Factory Join the adventure in 'The Wasp Factory' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iain M. Banks.
    (1984)
  • Walking on Glass The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Walking on Glass', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1985)
  • The Bridge The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'The Bridge', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1986)
  • Espedair Street In 'Espedair Street', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.
    (1987)
  • Canal Dreams Join the adventure in 'Canal Dreams' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iain M. Banks.
    (1989)
  • The Crow Road In 'The Crow Road', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.
    (1992)
  • Complicity Join the adventure in 'Complicity' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iain M. Banks.
    (1993)
  • Whit Experience the magic of 'Whit' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.
    (1995)
  • A Song of Stone Experience the magic of 'A Song of Stone' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.
    (1997)
  • The Business The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'The Business', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1999)
  • Dead Air In 'Dead Air', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iain M. Banks.
    (2002)
  • The Steep Approach to Garbadale Experience the magic of 'The Steep Approach to Garbadale' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.
    (2005)
  • Stonemouth The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Stonemouth', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (2012)
  • The Quarry 'The Quarry' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Iain M. Banks has created.
    (2013)

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

1 books
  • Raw Spirit The Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series continues with 'Raw Spirit', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (2003)

Publication Order of Anthologies

7 books
  • Tales From the Forbidden Planet Join the adventure in 'Tales From the Forbidden Planet' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Iain M. Banks.
    (1987)
  • Arrows Of Eros The Publication Order of Anthologies series continues with 'Arrows Of Eros', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (1989)
  • Dark 'Dark' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, set in the world Iain M. Banks has created.
    (2000)
  • The Space Opera Renaissance Experience the magic of 'The Space Opera Renaissance' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Anthologies universe.
    (2006)
  • Crime Scenes Revisited: Scottish Popular Fiction 'Crime Scenes Revisited: Scottish Popular Fiction' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Iain M. Banks.
    (2006)
  • Shoreline of Infinity 8½: Edinburgh International Book Festival Special Edition The Publication Order of Anthologies series continues with 'Shoreline of Infinity 8½: Edinburgh International Book Festival Special Edition', another thrilling entry from Iain M. Banks.
    (2017)
  • Burning Brightly Join the adventure in 'Burning Brightly' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Iain M. Banks.
    (2021)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Iain M. Banks?

Iain M. Banks is a bestselling author known for 4 book series containing over 33 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Culture Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books. Their work has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

Q: What is the best Iain M. Banks book series to start with?

For readers new to Iain M. Banks's work, we recommend starting with the Publication Order of Culture Books series. This series showcases the author's signature style and is considered one of their most accessible and engaging works. With 11 books, it offers a perfect entry point to Iain M. Banks's writing.

Q: How many books has Iain M. Banks written?

Iain M. Banks has written over 33 books across 4 different series. From thriller mysteries to fantasy adventures, their diverse body of work offers something for every reader.