I recently picked up a copy of Beverly Lewis' "The Prodigal" at the thrift store.  This is my first BL book and I am very excited to read it!  However, it's not the first in the series, and I'm finding that I am having a hard time understanding what is going on.

Would it be better to get the first book in the series and start there?  Or is it possible to read each of her books by itself?

Also, I'm having a bit of trouble understanding the language the characters use in the book.  Is there anywhere on the Web I could go for some help with that? I'm not very familiar with Amish culture (although I am Pennsylvania Dutch, and I think there are some similarities)

Many thanks in advance!

yes with that series you MUST read from the beginning for everything to really make sense. actually all her books that are in a series really should be read in order.

i think she only has one stand alone book - Sanctuary which she co wrote with her husband

It might even be most helpful to go back and read her earlier series--The Heritage of Lancaster Country Series. The books are #1 The Shunning, #2 The Confession, #3 The Reckoning. They really explain the culture very well. They should be easier to get on PBS since they are a little older. I have already sent mine off to someone a while back. Great books are worth the wait though.  I have several of her newer ones still to read. They are all wonderful. Enjoy!!  Some of the language can be hard but it is really just some words that they use for certain items. There may be an Amish dictionary on-line. 

I have read several Beverly Lewis books and absolutely love them.  Some of the earlier books help to understand some of the language being used. 

They are "wonderful gut" books - jah!!  

Just finished one of her latest- The Secret. Very good but it left you hanging and wanting the next book!

Most of Beverly Lewis's series books leave you hanging.  I had all the last series in my possession before I started the 1st book.  She is one of my favorite authors.

Like others have said, the series should be read in order. I don't think any of them would make sense without being read in order since they are about the same people instead of the secondary characters from the previous novels like a lot of Christian fiction. Aside from Sanctuary, Beverly has two other standalones. The Redemption of Sarah Cain and The Sunroom (not sure if The Sunroom is about the Amish though...I have yet to read it).

I haven't read the Abram's Daughters series yet, but in her other books she usually includes the English translation of the word after the Pennsylvania Dutch word. Unless it's something like "jah" (yes) or "wunderbaar" (wonderful) which are generally easily recognizable by English speakers.

I discovered Bevery Lewis's books this spring and couldn't wait to get each book.  As a matter of fact, I bought one at a yard sale rather than wait to swap.     I have the complete serie of Abram's Daughters.  I agree that really you should start with the first for the story line to flow smoothly.  It is a very heart warming story.

Oh, Amee, you really should read Abram's Daughters!!  I think it was my favorite series by Beverly Lewis...with The Courtship of Nellie Fischer a close second.  :)

I will! I also need to read the Nellie Fisher series too. They're coming up in my TBR pile. ;)