suggested order - In the Vorkosigan Saga, which books are essential to familiarize a new reader to these particular characters?

Non-spoilerish, other than "something happens in Cryoburn," but this question is probably best answered by readers of that book. Please keep your answers non-spoilerish as well.

There are (more or less) 14 novels in the Miles Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, the latest of which is Cryoburn, a 2010 Hugo nominee. Since we're voters, Cryoburn must be read. I've previously read all the novels. My spouse Dori has read none. There's an event at the end of Cryoburn that emotionally affects the reader, and will certainly impact future stories in the timeline.

I'm thinking that the whole series need not be read to get the full impact of the event. So thinking of it in terms of the following characters, which minimum subset of books in the series would you suggest?

I think that any books that cover the above should also adequately deal with Ivan Vorpatril and Kareen Koudelka. I was planning to include A Civil Campaign just because it's such a fun farce and shows off several of the minor characters, like Ivan and Lady Alys.

Your thoughts? I do not think that either "all of them" or "just Cryoburn" are acceptable answers.

Answer

Shards of Honor sets up the relationship between Cordelia and Aral. However, the isn't much that you need to know about said relationship to enjoy the rest of the series. I would regard it as (interesting) back story.

Barrayar fills in the political background to Miles' home planet quite nicely, and from what I remember is more from Aral's perspective where the first book is more from Cordelia's.

The Warrior's Apprentice is an important book in that it sets up Miles and his character. This is probably the best place to start if you don't want to commit to reading the whole lot. I believe this also covers Koudelka and Ivan to some extent, although you'll want to pick up Cetaganda if you're particularly a fan of Ivan, as he has a fairly large part to play in that.

The Vor Game probably offers the best psychological insight into Emperor Gregor and what makes him tick, but he is by and large a secondary character.

Brothers in Arms is the key book establishing Mark's character. It's difficult to say more without spoiling the plot for some sense, but it serves as our introduction to Mark and goes into his psyche in some detail.

Mirror Dance covers another key event in Miles life, which colours his outlook in later books (particularly Cryoburn), and also sets up the context for the ongoing relationship between Miles and his twin, so probably deserves inclusion.

Memory is a pivotal book from Miles' point of view, as events change him quite significantly here, and to my mind marks the end of Miles' adolescent phase. (Again explaining would be spoilery. Don't read the cover blurb to this one.)

Komarr introduces us to Ekaterin Vorsoisson, who is the one important character not mentioned on your list.

So the absolute essentials (in order) would be:

The Warrior's Apprentice
Memory
Komarr

To get a good grounding:

Shards of Honour
Barrayar
The Warrior's Apprentice
The Vor Game
Brothers in Arms
Mirror Dance
Memory
Komarr

There's not a single one of the books that's not worth reading though, although the later ones tail off in quality a bit to my mind (butter bugs leave me cold, I'm afraid).