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The Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey
These books are in the order in which I think makes the most sense. Use your own judgement the second or third times you read them though. :)
Dragonflight This book introduces us to Pern, and the first character we meet is Lessa, who immediately goes on to Impress (bond to for life) a gold dragon, Ramoth. She goes through many dangerous trials to save Pern from an evil life-destroying entity called Thread, and risks her and her dragon's life by going back four hundred Turns (years) to get help.
Dragonquest This explains more of what life is like on Pern, introducing us to more dragonriders and people of Pern. But it also tells how getting help from the past wasn't such a good idea after all...
Dragonsinger This book is a different perspective from dragonriders of life on Pern. It is based on Menolly, a musically talented girl who is denied the right to make music, for one reason: girls aren't harpers. So what is she to do? She carves her own path in this book.
Dragonsong This is more of Menolly, about her life in the Harper Hall and how she must adjust her way of living, because most people scorn a female apprentice.
Dragondrums This is the story of Menolly's friend, Piemur. He is a singer, but his voice changes, leaving him out of a place in the hall. But they find something for him to do, and it isn't nearly so easy...
The White Dragon This is the story of Jaxom, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold, and his new friend for life, Ruth, a dragon. But this dragon is different from any other dragon on Pern: he is a white dragon, and all other dragons are Gold, Green (females), Bronze, Brown, and Blue (males). But they quickly find their niche among the other dragons, and make a reputation for themselves.
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern This is hundreds of years before Lessa's time, and Moreta is a Queenrider. But when a strange animal comes from the secluded Southern Continent, a strange sickness spreads throughout the land, creating an epidemic, then getting the final name: Plague. How will they survive? Only time will tell... time that they might not have...
Nerilka's Story This is the story of the plague from a different point of view. Nerilka is the daughter of a Lord Holder, and a healer, and she does what she can to ease the ravages of the plague.
Dragonsdawn This is the story of how people got to the planet of Pern, how they handled the various problems they encountered when they got there, and how dragons came to be.
The Renegades of Pern This tells about a group of nomad traders, and the troubles some of the holdless (homeless) people cause. It is how they accepted the coming of Thread during Lessa's time.
The Girl Who Heard Dragons This is a collection of stories, but the namesake of this book is the one that goes with the Pern series. It is the story of Aramina, a girl who can hear the mighty dragons speak.
All the Weyrs of Pern This is the story of how all the Weyrs (groups of dragons) had to get together to end the threat of Thread once and for all!
First Fall: The Chronicles of Pern This is during the first Pass of the Red Star, the bringer of Thread, and the people' reactions to the new threat.
The Dolphins of Pern The dolphins of Pern are the descendents of dolphins who paired up with humans, and talked to humans. Well, the dolphins are still talking, and now Pern has rediscovered them!
Dragon's Eye This is the second Pass of the Red Star. The people of Pern decided they needed a way to warn the future generations of Thread's coming, and this is what they did about it.
The Masterharper of Pern This is the latest book written by Anne McCaffrey- it came out in the beginning of 1998.
It is about Masterharper Robinton's life, from childhood right up to when F'lar first met Lessa- in Dragonflight. It is very enjoyable. The great thing about these books is that you don't have to have read them all to be able to understand one in the later part of the series. :)
Click to see a poem based on Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series.

The Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey
Crystal Singer This is the story of Killashandra Ree, and how she met a man who changed her life. She took up Crystal singing, a profession that can do you much good, but can cost you even more.
Killashandra This tells more about Killashandra, and her adventures to help her business.
Crystal Line This tells how the hazards of Crystal singing were reduced, but how Killashandra was hesitant to change her ways.


The Rowan series by Anne McCaffrey

The Rowan This tells of a young girl with amazing powers and her life among others who don't understand... until she meets her true love, another who matches her powers and helps her rediscover her own...
Damia This tells of the Rowan and Jeff's children, but particularly about their troublesome daughter Damia who must learn to control her whims, or hurt herself and others through carelessness.
Damia's Children This story is of Damia's children and the triumphs and trials they face growing up.
Lyon's Pride This is the story of Damia's younger children's lives.


The Ship series by Anne McCaffrey

The Ship Who Sang This is the opener in a series about people who run ships. At birth, they are unable to support themselves like regular children, so they are inserted into a contained environment in which they can live, and become useful citizens in a world of growing technology and adventure - namely, space exploration. Paired with a regular human, called a "Brawn," a "Brain and Brawn" team can conquer any obstacle.
PartnerShip - with Margaret Ball This story tells of one ship’s courageous efforts to keep a troupe of troublemakers from getting away with their ambitious and illegal antics.
The Ship Who Searched - with Mercedes Lackey A little girl contracts a deadly disease… and spends her tenure as a ship searching for its cause.
The City Who Fought - with S.M. Stirling Instead of a ship, Simeon got a city - but he wishes he were a little more mobile when a fleet of alien warriors attempts to lay siege to his contained environment!
The Ship Who Won - with Jody Lynn Nye Faced with a planetfull of people who use magic in world-shaking battles - this ship apparently achieved her goal in finding sentient life outside of Earth. Now she must try to get herself and her brawn away from the planet, before it’s too late!
The Ship Errant - by Jody Lynn Nye Another exciting tale about the adventures of a Brain and Brawn team.
The Ship Avenged - by S.M. Stirling A follow-up to The City Who Fought, this book tells of how the alien warriors again come looking for trouble - and encounter, once more, more than they thought they could handle!

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