Mr. Pizza's Hardy Boys Forum

General Hardy Boys Discussion => General Hardy Boys POLLS => Topic started by: Bigfootman on September 14, 2008, 07:09:21 AM

Poll
Question: What series did you read first?
Option 1: Digest votes: 2
Option 2: Casefiles votes: 10
Option 3: SM votes: 4
Option 4: Ultra Triller votes: 0
Option 5: UB votes: 6
Option 6: Bluespine votes: 17
Title: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on September 14, 2008, 07:09:21 AM
I'm starting to think that the first book someones reads has a huge effect on their favorite book. Since the first Hardy Boys book I read was Passport To Danger, (SM not the digest) altough I wouldn't finnish it for another year, that my be why I collect both series and like the casefiles. The first book I finnished was Crime In Kennal.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: 003Robin457 on September 14, 2008, 11:50:33 AM
Blue spine #1 where else to start!
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on September 14, 2008, 12:09:36 PM
I've tried reading them in order, but it's hard to do when no one's getting you the books in order!
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: 003Robin457 on September 14, 2008, 12:11:11 PM
I was able to go in order only to about #16.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on September 14, 2008, 12:18:38 PM
I've only read the first book recently.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on September 14, 2008, 03:12:50 PM
I actually read ND HB crossovers first because I was really into Nancy Drew, but then I switched over to UBs. :D
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Olivia on September 14, 2008, 03:57:13 PM
I read the Nancy Drew Mystery stories (the ones from the late 90's, not the Files) first, then a couple of the '88 ND/HB Super Mysteries.

But I think it has a lot to do with age and what you've read first (in general). Just a guess.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: tomswift2002 on September 14, 2008, 04:13:00 PM
I read The Tower Treasure (1959) first since my mom wanted me to get into reading rather than having my brain rot by playing Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck, Super Mario Brothers 3, Deja Vu and Mega Man 3 on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Sam Spade on September 15, 2008, 12:34:57 AM
I read Casefiles #7 Deathgame first.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Q on September 15, 2008, 09:51:33 AM
Panic on Gull Island
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Kerin on September 15, 2008, 10:19:50 AM
Quote from: oliviatocali on September 14, 2008, 03:57:13 PM
I read the Nancy Drew Mystery stories (the ones from the late 90's, not the Files) first, then a couple of the '88 ND/HB Super Mysteries.

But I think it has a lot to do with age and what you've read first (in general). Just a guess.

Same here, I read some of the original ND's first. the a few ND files and then I tried the SM's.I've been hooed on the HB's ever since. ;D
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: FrankJoeATAC on September 15, 2008, 05:37:29 PM
The first ones I've read were both ND/HB 07 Supermysterys.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Jokerette on September 18, 2008, 11:11:33 AM
it was a bluespine.i can't remember which. :D
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on October 12, 2008, 07:01:23 PM
BONES MUST CHANGE HIS NAME!
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: 003Robin457 on October 29, 2008, 07:09:34 PM
I never heard of that one. Witch seris is BONES MUST CHANGE HIS NAME! in?
Man weeks later and I still find these in my unread topics!
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: hardy boys fan on November 23, 2008, 03:49:03 PM
i read UB #10 blown away
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on November 29, 2008, 12:26:24 PM
HBF, are you a Casefiles fan, or a UB. Basically Networker or ATACer?
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: SDLagent on November 29, 2008, 02:06:00 PM
You don't have to be a "Networker" to be a Casefiles fan. I'm not a "Networker".
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on November 29, 2008, 03:08:31 PM
But you're not on the ATAC side ???
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: hardy boys fan on November 29, 2008, 04:19:49 PM
i am a ATAC fan but i like the network too.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: SDLagent on November 29, 2008, 06:19:46 PM
Quote from: JoeHardyRocks on November 29, 2008, 03:08:31 PM
But you're not on the ATAC side ???

I don't like the UB, and I don't like ATAC much either, but I'm not really a fan of the Network. I like the stories, where the boys work alone best.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on November 29, 2008, 10:35:23 PM
Quote from: hardy boys fan on November 29, 2008, 04:19:49 PM
i am a ATAC fan but i like the network too.
Yes! So are you also for UBs?
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: hardy boys fan on November 30, 2008, 09:42:08 AM
Quote from: JoeHardyRocks on November 29, 2008, 10:35:23 PM
Yes! So are you also for UBs?
yes i like ATAC better than the Network.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: JoeHardyRocks on November 30, 2008, 07:10:36 PM
Yes! Now we can make an ATAC inner circle. ;D J/K
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: whitetigers on December 01, 2008, 04:39:45 AM
Quote from: Dinosaur Dan on September 14, 2008, 12:09:36 PM
I've tried reading them in order, but it's hard to do when no one's getting you the books in order!
I had managed to read the whole blue spine collection in order as i was buying them at the book store back in '84. From there I was hooked!
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: "You!" on July 01, 2009, 07:17:57 PM
I read the blue spine first, and I think it was #1.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: 003Robin457 on July 01, 2009, 11:35:50 PM
Mee too. I actually almost read the casefiles first because my mom bought me casefiles when she was trying to get me to read but she din't buy # 1 so I wouldent read them.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: rouge7617 on June 08, 2010, 12:45:34 PM
The first Hardy boy book i read was Hardy boys Undercover brothers: #1 :D It got me hooked and i stole two hardcover from my brother a while back then dug them out and started reading them. I got hooked  ;D
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on June 21, 2010, 04:41:30 PM
I grew up reading the revised editions of The Hardy Boys Mystery Stories (the blue spines.) I should say mainly revised though, because the Armada paperback versions of both "The Clue in the Embers" and "The Secret of Pirates' Hill" are actually the original editions.
It's only been recently that I've read any other of the original text books, like "The Tower Treasure" and currently reading "The House on the Cliff".
"The Mystery of the Chinese Junk" (#38) is the first Hardy Boys book I remember reading. Later on, when the Hardy Boys Casefiles were released, I remember first reading #5 "Edge of Destruction" [I remember thinking the cover of Frank and Joe emerging from a manhole to be pretty cool because it reminded me of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :D) and I kept reading those along with the originals and the Digests. I think "Night of the Werewolf" might well be the first of the Digests that I read- but I'm not totally sure.
I have since read all of the original 58 Hardy Boys books in their revised editions (save for "The Clue in the Embers" and "The Secret of Pirates' Hill" as aforementioned) and I've also recently been reading some more of the original text books. I've also finally read all of the Digests series (I took a while in getting around to read #177 "The Case of the Psychic's Vision") and I've read all of the Casefiles.
I'm close to reading all of the Supermysteries as well and I've read most all of the various spin-offs from the original and Digests series ("The Hardy Boys Detective Handbook", "The Hardy Boys Survival Handbook", etc. - save for the "Ghost Stories"- I have a copy and will probably tackle it eventually.) And though I have all the Undercover Brothers books printed to date, I have yet to actually, say, read them- sadly enough. I do intend to eventually- for a long while, I had been holding off because I wanted to finish reading all of the Digests first.
I also have some of the other spin-off series (both of the Tom Swift crossover "Ultra Thrillers" and some of The Clues Brothers and Secret Files books) and I'm still reading! Long live The Hardy Boys! I love reading these books. :) 8)
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: tomswift2002 on June 21, 2010, 04:52:51 PM
The revised texts of The Clue In The Embers & The Secret Of Pirate's Hill are pretty much just edited versions of the originals, to where one or two minor charactes might not appear, but you are still getting the original story.

Of course it didn't exactly improve The Secret Of Pirate's Hill that much.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on June 21, 2010, 11:18:59 PM
Is that to say that "The Secret of Pirate's Hill" was not real great to you to begin with and the revisements didn't really help- or just that the book was already so good it didn't need any adjustments?
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: tomswift2002 on June 22, 2010, 11:28:46 AM
Pirates' Hill I've always found to be a snore bore of a mystery.  The Original Text was the first version that I read of the book and, even as a kid, I remember that the plot just rambled on with not a lot of reason for it to move.  And the 1972 Revision didn't help to tighten up and make the story go faster.   Plus I can never remember where the apostrophe goes in the title.

Out of the 38 Originals written between 1927 and 1959 this is probably in the Top 5 Worst books of that period.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on June 22, 2010, 03:58:44 PM
Really? Well, granted it's been a while since I've read it, but I always found it pretty enjoyable myself. (I particulary liked the treasure-hunting aspect.)  But then again, I've rarely found many Hardy Boys books that I don't like. (Although there are a few that have some elements I don't care for. But otherwise, it's all good.) :)
And by the way- the apostrophe goes after the "s" in "Pirates".
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on June 22, 2010, 04:03:42 PM
Hmm- reviews on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Pirates-Hill-Hardy-Boys/dp/044808936X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277240297&sr=8-1)
seem to be mixed too.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: SDLagent on June 22, 2010, 04:12:34 PM
I liked The Secret of Pirates' Hill when I read it, too.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on August 16, 2010, 11:55:06 AM
Quote from: MacGyver on June 22, 2010, 03:58:44 PM
Really? Well, granted it's been a while since I've read it, but I always found it pretty enjoyable myself. (I particulary liked the treasure-hunting aspect.)  But then again, I've rarely found many Hardy Boys books that I don't like. (Although there are a few that have some elements I don't care for. But otherwise, it's all good.) :)
And by the way- the apostrophe goes after the "s" in "Pirates".
I read the revised edition and I laughed at how bad the writing was. Frank and Joe get shot at with a speargun, but when the shooter dissapears, they go back underwater to look at fish, and of course they get attacked again! And this is in the first chapter!
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on August 16, 2010, 01:50:57 PM
Hmm- I seem to recall a similar scene but I've read the original version, not the revised edition. (Though from what I hear, there's not much difference.)
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: NancyDrew on August 16, 2010, 05:45:50 PM
I started with the Blue Spines. It was either the Secret of the Caves or the Secret of the Lost Tunnel. I honestly don't remember sadly. I think it was the Secret of the Caves. I think. lol
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on September 05, 2010, 09:58:37 AM
I think the first bluespine I ever read was The Clue of the Broken Blade, or Footprints under the Window, or The Bombay Boomerang. I honestly don't remember. I do know that I did have "The House on the Cliff" and "The Shattered Helmet" (and I still do) way before I had an intrest in the Hardy Boys series, so it is possible I read one of them  first. I also am I begining to think that one of the "Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Be a Detective Mystery Stories" ("The Secret of the Knight?s Sword") was the first Hardy Boys book I read.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: HardyFan11 on October 11, 2010, 05:18:55 PM
I'm not sure what book I read first, but I know it was a bluespine. However, when I started the casefiles, I didn't get book one until about 2-3 years after I started reading them. I'm still working on casefiles though... :)
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: iheartmystery on April 14, 2011, 10:56:45 AM
The first Hardy Boys book I read was #1 of the UB series....then I tried to read the blue spine ones and I'll be honest they did not click with me -.- lol.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on April 14, 2011, 03:21:44 PM
Hmm- you might enjoy some of the later of the bluespine books- somewhere from "Mystery of the Whale Tattoo" through "The Sting of the Scorpion". Or perhaps The Hardy Boys Casefiles will resonate better- I enjoy them all, at least to some degree. But even if you don't like the original 58 books as much- I'm glad you have at least tried reading them anyway. :)
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Olivia on April 14, 2011, 05:35:34 PM
I agree with MacGyver. You should try a little of all the series and/or the ones that are highly ranked. We have different topics here that can help with that, as some have us voting for our favourites and others give recommendations. :)
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: iheartmystery on April 14, 2011, 06:40:44 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on April 14, 2011, 03:21:44 PM
Hmm- you might enjoy some of the later of the bluespine books- somewhere from "Mystery of the Whale Tattoo" through "The Sting of the Scorpion". Or perhaps The Hardy Boys Casefiles will resonate better- I enjoy them all, at least to some degree. But even if you don't like the original 58 books as much- I'm glad you have at least tried reading them anyway. :)

Quote from: Olivia on April 14, 2011, 05:35:34 PM
I agree with MacGyver. You should try a little of all the series and/or the ones that are highly ranked. We have different topics here that can help with that, as some have us voting for our favourites and others give recommendations. :)

haha thanks:) yeah i love the Hardy Boys so im mad at myself for not liking the classics lol. but i will try the other ones.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Hardy Boys UB Fan on April 14, 2011, 09:30:08 PM
Quote from: iheartmystery on April 14, 2011, 10:56:45 AM
The first Hardy Boys book I read was #1 of the UB series....then I tried to read the blue spine ones and I'll be honest they did not click with me -.- lol.

You're not the only one! ;) ;D 8)
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: THartmann9374 on February 07, 2017, 06:33:30 AM
Shattered Helmet #52 and The Jungle Pyramid #56 from TOS were very first Hardy Boys books I read back in 1984. I then moved on the rest of TOS, then Digest and finally Casefiles.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: tomswift2002 on February 07, 2017, 09:30:44 PM
(Wow, has it been almost 10 years since this thread started?) As I mentioned earlier in this thread, my first book was the 1959 flashlight edition of "The Tower Treasure" that my mom bought for me on Tuesday March 15, 1994 and then that was followed up by the 1944 version of "The Melted Coins" that was at a friend's house.  Then I got #'s 2-5 my birthday.  Then in late May/early June my mom was out garage asking and came across a huge box of Hardy Boys for like $10 dollars that was mostly PC versions of the books, with one early 1987 edition of "Secret Of The Caves" in the flashlight format, plus there were a few DJ versions missing the DJ, and Wanderer/Minstrel paperbacks.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: CalvinKnox on December 09, 2017, 02:23:45 PM
First book for me were revised House on the Cliff and Mark on the Door in 2004 when I was in grade 4.  I read the original Melted Coins that year as well since my friend had it in a 3-in-one book.  I also read a later Digest that had a rhino on the cover.  I had some Casefiles, but sold them to a friend in 2004.  First Casefiles I read were Deadliest Dare and Scene of the Crime.  The former is still one of my favorite Casefiles, and the later is one of my least favorites.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: tomswift2002 on December 09, 2017, 04:19:07 PM
I'm gonna assume that you read the OT Melted Coin in either the Armada or Diamond (both owned by HarperCollins)books omnibus that also contained the RT Of "Footprints Under The Window" and "The Sinister Signpost".  They were British issue, so are common in the UK.  S&S did allow the sale of the Diamond Edition in the US for a short while around 1993-94, possible to test the waters on omnibus editions in North America, without having to incur any publishing costs.  However it has been reported that they were soon found in remainder bins, and since then S&S has not had luck with omnibuses in North America.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: Bigfootman on December 10, 2017, 12:03:31 PM
Quote from: CalvinKnox on December 09, 2017, 02:23:45 PM
First book for me were revised House on the Cliff and Mark on the Door in 2004 when I was in grade 4.  I read the original Melted Coins that year as well since my friend had it in a 3-in-one book.  I also read a later Digest that had a rhino on the cover.  I had some Casefiles, but sold them to a friend in 2004.  First Casefiles I read were Deadliest Dare and Scene of the Crime.  The former is still one of my favorite Casefiles, and the later is one of my least favorites.
The digest with the Rhino on the cover was "The Mystery of the Black Rhino".
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: CalvinKnox on December 10, 2017, 09:38:33 PM
Quote from: tomswift2002 on December 09, 2017, 04:19:07 PM
I'm gonna assume that you read the OT Melted Coin in either the Armada or Diamond (both owned by HarperCollins)books omnibus that also contained the RT Of "Footprints Under The Window" and "The Sinister Signpost".  They were British issue, so are common in the UK.  S&S did allow the sale of the Diamond Edition in the US for a short while around 1993-94, possible to test the waters on omnibus editions in North America, without having to incur any publishing costs.  However it has been reported that they were soon found in remainder bins, and since then S&S has not had luck with omnibuses in North America.
My friend's family was from the UK some time after WWII I believe. His father worked for the Canadian Federal government, and his Grandfather flew an Avro Lancaster during the war.  Were the Omnibuses available in Canada?  My friend had at least two.
I have zero recollection of the Mystery of the Black Rhino (save for the cover). 
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: tomswift2002 on December 11, 2017, 08:46:54 PM
The first omnibus was printed in the early-70's.  That version not available in the US or Canada, but it was in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.  The second version (which was a reprint) was published in the 90's and was imported into North America as a test, but most copies ended up in remainder bins.
Title: Re: What series did you read first?
Post by: MacGyver on December 12, 2017, 06:57:09 PM
I remember the omnibuses. I recall reading The Mystery of the Disappearing Floor in one, I think. And for the record, if I haven't already mentioned it, the first Hardy Boys book I remember reading is The Mystery of the Chinese Junk.