How should I read the Batman comic book series?

I want to start reading the Batman comic books. I have been told that I should start with the series Batman: Hush, just to get a feel for the whole batman universe, but I was wondering what the best chronology for the various Batman story arcs is?How should I read the Batman comic book series?
Don't start with Hush. It's a solid story but can be confusing if you don't know the characters or the stories that precede it. Start with Miller's Year One and O'Neil's The Man Who Falls. They deal with Bruce's origins, his travels and his first year in Gotham as Batman. it also introduces Gordon and Catwoman. That should be followed by Brubaker's The Man Who Laughs which is the canon first encounter between Batman and the Joker. Taht should be followed by Joeb/Sale's The Long Halloween and Dark Victory. Halloween depicts the relationship between Batman, Gordon and Dent and them bringing down the Gotham crime families. It also tells of Dent's downfall which Bruce feels is one of his greatest failures. Dark Victory deals with Gotham going from being run by the mob to being overrun with the freaks and introduces Dick Grayson.



Then there's:

New Teen Titans #39- Dick decides to no longer be Robin

Batman #436- inroduces Tim Drake

A Death in the family- death of Jason Todd (Bruce's second greatest failure) which makes Under the Hood, the ending of Hush, Batman RIP and The Dark Knight Return make sense.

Moore's Killing Joke- major implications on Batman and Gordon and his daughter Barbara and future Batman stories.



These are the essential moments for potential Batman fans/readers. The stories after these don't make much sense until these have been read. After these one can fully understand and enjoy:

Knightfall and the Vengence of Bane and Sword of Azrael tie ins

Prodical Son

Cataclysm

No Man's Land

Joker's Millions

Son of the Demon

Batman and Son

Bruce Wayne Murderer

Bruce Wayne Fugitive

Hush

Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul

RIP

Final Crisis

Battle for the Cowl

Morrison's Batman and Robin and the stories in Red Robin and Streets of Gotham

The Return of Bruce Wayne

Bruce Wayne the Long Road Home'

Batman INC

New 52- Batman hasn't been reimaged or rebooted. His history is pretty much intact apart from a few minor discrepancies.



There are other stories from his early years in the Legend of the Dark Knight collection like Prey or The Monster Men and The Mad Monk.How should I read the Batman comic book series?
Batman: Year one. It is the beginning of the dark knight and one of the inspirations for every single batman movie. Read the long Halloween. Then read batman: death in the family or batman: the killer joke. Those are some good starters. Read batman: hush. Is the perfect synopsis of the batman story. Read that one more than twice. Then read other not as cool batman comics like the man who laughs, the ten nights of the beast, year two, maybe year three too if you want. Now whatever you do, always finish with batman: the dark knight return麓s. That is one of the greatest stories of the crusade caper. Read more than twice too.How should I read the Batman comic book series?
Year One

The Dark Knight Returns

A Death In The Family

Long Halloween followed by Dark Victory

The Killing Joke

Arkham Asylum

Son of the Demon



Definitly start with Year One.



Also, Dc revamped Batman along with other heroes. It's called the New 52.