The BBC sci-fi classic Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023. The adventures of the Doctor as they travel through time and space have made international acclaim, entertaining fans the world over. It seems that Whovians just can’t get enough of it, and the world of the Time Lord from Gallifrey expands far beyond just the TV series.
Luckily, there is good news for die-hard Doctor Who fans who are impatiently awaiting the newest season, or are simply eager to devour every form of Doctor Who content. The Whoniverse is a big place, and beyond the BBC show there is a bounty of knowledge to be had, from novels to encyclopedias and comic books. After all, as the Tenth Doctor knows, books are the greatest weapon there is. Here are some of the best ones for Whovian bookworms to arm themselves with.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: A Brief History of Time Lords
$19 $20 Save $1Display card main info widget endWhovians with an interest in delving deep into the lore of Doctor Who will love this beautiful tome, "A Brief History of the Time Lords." Within is a treasure trove of the history of Gallifrey, the Time Lords, and the notorious Time War. This book features a glossy front cover and gorgeous color illustrations.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: The Wonderful Doctor Of Oz
Display card main info widget endWhat would happen if the Doctor and friends found themselves in the famous land of Oz? And what if the notorious Wicked Witch of the West was actually an old familiar foe? This original Doctor Who novel by Jacqueline Rayner features an adventure with the Thirteenth Doctor and her companions Ryan, Yaz, and Graham.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: The Runaway Tardis
Display card main info widget endFrom Pop Classics publishers comes "Doctor Who: The Runaway TARDIS," a book for Doctor Who lovers of any age. Featuring the Thirteenth Doctor, this illustrated storybook tells the whirlwind adventure of the Doctor and a little girl named Lizzie. Together they travel through time and space, making new friends along the way.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: Legends of Camelot
Display card main info widget endA thrilling tale featuring the Tenth Doctor, "Legends of Camelot" takes readers back to the days of King Arthur's court. The Doctor and Donna Noble find themselves in the mythical land of Camelot when they are pulled into a strange hole in time and space. Can they seal the rift before it destroys the universe?
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who Meets Scratchman
Display card main info widget endThis Doctor Who book was written by none other than the Fourth Doctor himself, Tom Baker, and is his debut novel. The plot follows the Doctor with companions Sarah Jane and Henry as they traverse the Scottish highlands. However, their holiday turns into a horror show when scarecrows begin coming to life and attacking the locals.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: The Monster Vault
Display card main info widget endZygons and Daleks and Cybermen, oh my! Fans that are fascinated by the many baddies in the Doctor Who universe will definitely need this veritable encyclopedia of monster knowledge. "The Monster Vault" contains not only the histories of these hostile races, but also concept art and insider tidbits from the BBC show's crew.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: Empire of the Wolf
$15 $18 Save $3Display card main info widget end"Empire of the Wolf" is a graphic novel from the Doctor Who universe that stars everyone's favorite companion, Rose Tyler. The plot brings together the Eighth and Eleventh Doctors, as each of them attempt to solve the mystery of two Roses from two alternate universes. This exciting story expands upon the popular Bad Wolf story arc from the series.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: The Daily Doctor
Display card main info widget endOne of the great things about Doctor Who is the lessons learned along the way. This book is a daily meditations manual that contains 365 1/4 tips and motivational quotes from the Doctor to help readers live their best lives, whether looking for hope in a dark place or wanting to start the day off like a true Time Lord.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: The Tenth Doctor 1: Revolutions of Terror
Display card main info widget endThis Doctor Who graphic novel is the first volume of the continuing adventures of the Tenth Doctor. The story picks up after the Doctor's sad farewell with Donna Noble, and begins with a new companion, Gabriella Gonzalez. Together, Gabby and the Doctor must save modern-day New York City from an evil invasion of psychic parasites.
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Display card main info widgetThe Legends of River Song
Display card main info widget endFor fans of one of the most mysterious characters from Doctor Who, this book is a must-have for their bookshelf. "The Legends of River Song" is a collection of excerpts from the adventuring archeologist's personal journal. Read about River's journey through space and times as she navigates her way into (and out of) trouble.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who: Dr. First
Display card main info widget endGen-X Whovians are sure to recognize this book as being inspired by the "Mr. Men" series by Roger Hargreaves. "Dr. First" is book number one in the series, followed by 12 more featuring each of the Doctor's iterations. These books are a delightful nostalgic trip down memory lane as well as a great Doctor Who collectible.
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Display card main info widgetDoctor Who Annual 2023
$12 $13 Save $1Display card main info widget endMarking the 60th anniversary of the Doctor Who series, this annual is a near-necessity for Whovians. Charting all the events from the Doctor's adventures for 2023, this anthology includes all the major events and characters that have shaped the Doctor Who universe from the past, present, and future, and makes way for the newest regeneration, the Fourteenth Doctor.
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Like The Doctor, Stories Are Immortal
One of the things that draws Whovians into the world of Doctor Who is limitless possibility. Like the universe itself, writers and creators are always expanding upon the lore of the Doctor, the Time Lords, and various alien races. Books like "A Brief History of the Time Lords" and "The Monster Vault" allow fans to delve into the untapped facts and histories within the world of Doctor Who. For those wanting more stories about their favorite females, "The Legends of River Song" and "The Empire of the Wolf" provide new and exciting tales of River Song and Rose Tyler.
Any of these Doctor Who books would also make great gifts. For younger Whovians just starting out, "The Runaway TARDIS" is a fun read, as well as "Dr. First." For seasoned fans, Tom Baker's "Scratchman" is a thrilling read that brings back the classic Fourth Doctor. "The Official 60th Anniversary Annual" is a highly-valued collectible, and "The Daily Doctor" is a heart-warming addition to any shelf.
FAQs
Do You Have To Read Doctor Who Books In Order?
Time is a wibbly-wobbly thing in the Whoniverse, so there really is no specific timeline or chronologic order to any of the Doctor Who books (with the exception of graphic novels and comics, of course, which are easily identified by the volume or issue number). Most of the fiction novels are stand-alone, so they can be picked up in any order the reader would like.
What Age Is Doctor Who Suitable For?
Doctor Who is a family science-fiction TV show, but it does have its share of scary monsters and moments of peril. In the UK, the show is rated PG by the BBFC, suggesting that children under 8 years old should have a parent watching with them. That being said, most of the spookier episodes begin in the 2000s era, and classic Who from the 1960s and '70s is more tame for younger audiences.