2-3-4 Challenge discussion

Before we start on a new year, let's take time to review 2015, celebrate our accomplishments and acknowledge what worked well.

1. What were your goals?
2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals?
3. Anything you wish you'd done differently?
4. What were your most favorite reads?
5. Anything else you'd like to share?

I'm new here... so I don't have a yearly round up but here's mine for December as I don't see a post for that. I took a lot of time to compose as the month went along so I'd like to still put it out.


Total books, in a series, read this month = 16

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
► YAY, I get to mark these done or done for now:
√ Hades's Hangmen - I'm caught up, but I'm not continuing the series.
√ Angels & Outlaws - all done ~ started and finished the triology this month.
√ The Survivors' Club - I'm caught up for now… next book releases May, 2016.
√ Reaper's MC - I'm caught up for now… next book releases June, 2016.
√ Will Robie - Not sure if he's writing more for this series.. But this was the 4th.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
► Mistborn Series * Yes, I enjoyed (3.5 stars) and will continue the series… on hold with the library for the next audiobook.
► Angels & Outlaws Series * I started & completed all 3 in the series.
► Harry Potter as audiobooks * wonderful narration and yes, I will continue more in audiobook format (ending up listening to 4 this month).

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
► Outlander - 1 book
► Harry Potter - 4 books
► Jane Yellowrock - 2 books
► In Death - 1 book

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
► Drums of Autumn It was so magical, and so wonderful. The story was perfectly amazing and the narration makes it so completely perfect. 5 star story ♫ 5 stars narration

► Only a Kiss This was such a great book. Percy was so great! I loved it.

►Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 5 magical stars for the story ♫ 5 enchanting stars for the narration.

► Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - it was perfect! 5 stars story ♫ 5 stars narration

► Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Review for audiobook ~ 5 stars story ♫ 5 stars narration: I really enjoyed this story.  It was so well written and extremely enjoyable.  The world of Harry Potter is so magical and I wish I could visit!  My first stop would be  Flourish & Blotts and after the books, I'd head to Hogsmeade... but since I'm a muggle I can't go.  *Sigh* 
The narration for this book and series is over the top wonderful!  It's hard to believe it is just one narrator!  The things he can do with his voice is truly amazing.  I am in awe!  I can't wait to listen to more!  Hogwarts here I come! 

► Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire * Completely amazing! 5 stars story ♫ 5 stars narration

 

❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "I'm new here... so I don't have a yearly round up but here's mine for December as I don't see a post for that. I took a lot of time to compose as the month went along so I'd like to still put it ou..."

Thanks, Crystal! There's no precedent so your update works, too!

Crystal, you had a fantastic month!

Jonetta wrote: "
Thanks, Crystal! There's no precedent so your update works, too!"

<:-)

1. What were your goals?
a. Complete or get up to date in 20 series
b. Reach at least the halfway mark in at least 20 series
c. Complete all series with just one book remaining in the series.

2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals?
a. I completed 24 series and got up to date in 20.
b. I didn't track how many series where I'm at the halfway mark so I've got to go figure it out. But, given my success with my first goal, I didn't focus on this one.
c. I finished six out of eight series with one remaining so I'm happy!

3. Anything you wish you'd done differently?
I'm really happy with what I did but this year, I'm going to look at my series list and be more intentional about those where I want to focus.

4. What were your most favorite reads?
I had a fantastic reading experience in 2015 with 17% of the 216 books I read being 5-star reads. It's easier for me to point to series versus individual books so I'll show both:
Series
a. Grant County by Karin Slaughter
b. Kate Burkholder by Linda Castillo
c. Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym for J. K. Rowling)
d. Will Trent by Karin Slaughter
e. Lucy Kendall by Stacy Green
f. Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe
g. Barefoot Brides Trilogy by Roxanne St. Claire
h. Southern Comfort by Lisa Clark O'Neill
i. Fatal by Marie Force
j. Last Chance Rescue by Christy Reece
k. Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

Individual Titles
a. Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs
b. Broken Honor by Tonya Burrows
c. Contract to Wed by Holly Bush
d. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
e. If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins
f. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
g. Three Fates by Nora Roberts
h. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
i. A Winter Wedding by Brenda Novak
j. A Pirate for Christmas by Anna Campbell

5. Anything else you'd like to share?
I'm convinced my focus on the series already on my shelf contributed to my having a wonderful reading experience this year. Also, I switched to audiobooks for many of them and it enhanced my reading pleasure. I'm even more excited about continuing in 2016.

A great year Jonetta! I will sit down and post my review of my year soon.

It looks like a great year Jonetta.

Yes it was, Tracey and Crystal. Here's to a repeat performance in 2016!

Great job on all the series you completed and caught up on. You have convinced me to try some on your list. Karin Slaughter and Linda Castillo for sure.

Laura wrote: "Great job on all the series you completed and caught up on. You have convinced me to try some on your list. Karin Slaughter and Linda Castillo for sure."

Thanks and I promise you a love/hate relationship with Slaughter's characters:) Castillo is just a great storyteller.

Laura wrote: "Great job on all the series you completed and caught up on. You have convinced me to try some on your list. Karin Slaughter and Linda Castillo for sure."

Oh definitely give Slaughter a go. Not for the feint hearted but very intricate storylines. I also want to read Castillo's series as well.

Since I started here late I didn't really have any long term goals. I wanted to focus on making progress with a few series that I had wanted to read or that I neglected.
Play by Play by Jaci Burton caught up to book 10
Finished her Rough Riders Up to current book Hope Series.
On Dublin Series by Samantha Young up to current novella
LCR by Christy Reece have one left to be read this month.
Reapers MC up to current book.
Up to date with Cold Fury Sawyer Bennett, US Marshalls Mandy Baxter Game Maker Kresley Cole Green Mountain Marie Force, Wild Christina Lauren.
Completed. Hacker Series by Meredith Wild

This group has really helped me stay focused on continuing series that I start, and not forgetting about them. . I am also looking to series that have books I already own, and/or can get from library. I have rekindled my relationship with my library which I am most appreciative.

Laura wrote: "Since I started here late I didn't really have any long term goals. I wanted to focus on making progress with a few series that I had wanted to read or that I neglected.
Play by Play by Jaci Burto..."

Congratulations on coming to the party late and getting so many series complete. Thrilled that you're using your library!

1. What were your goals?
1. Read 100 books
2. Finish/catch up on 8 series
3. Reach halfway point on at least 5 series
4. Read the 2nd book on 5 series

2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals?
1. I completed 102 books
2. I completed / caught up on 11 series
3. Not sure about this one. I don't think so but I am happy with no. 1 and no. 2 so all is well!
4. Completed!

3. Anything you wish you'd done differently?
I don't think so. I would like to say not to turn my head at any shiny new series but I just don't think that will happen!

4. What were your most favourite reads?
(I just have to add the "u" in ;-))

Standalones:
Runaway by Peter May
Gangsta Granny by David Walliams
The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams
Caught by Harlan Coben
The Story Of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay

Series:
Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly
The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
In Death by J D Robbs
Grant County by Karin Slaughter
Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson

5. Anything else you'd like to share?
I love this group and how it has focused me on my series.

Tracey wrote: "1. What were your goals?
1. Read 100 books
2. Finish/catch up on 8 series
3. Reach halfway point on at least 5 series
4. Read the 2nd book on 5 series

2. How did your actual reading measure up t..."

By all means, add that "u" and I expect all my friends in the UK, Canada, etc. to spell it this way:)

You had a fab year, my friend. I watched you go down the wire to meet that 100 books goal. Great job!

Jonetta wrote: "By all means, add that "u" and I expect all my friends in the UK, Canada, etc. to spell it this way:)..."

Ha ha, I just can't help myself!

Jonetta wrote: "You had a fab year, my friend. I watched you go down the wire to meet that 100 books goal. Great job! ..."

Thank you! Yes it was right down to the wire! Going to take that pressure off this year and just make some serious dents in the series list.

❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "I'm new here... so I don't have a yearly round up but here's mine for December as I don't see a post for that. I took a lot of time to compose as the month went along so I'd like to still put it ou..."

I really want to start the Harry Potter series this year, especially after seeing your ratings for the books. My library has the audios, but there is a long line. Hopefully I'll get to start the first book before summer.

Jonetta wrote: "I had a fantastic reading experience in 2015 with 17% of the 216 books I read being 5-star reads. It's easier for me to point to series versus individual books so I'll show both:
Series
a. Grant County by Karin Slaughter
b. Kate Burkholder by Linda Castillo
c. Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym for J. K. Rowling)
d. Will Trent by Karin Slaughter
e. Lucy Kendall by Stacy Green
f. Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe
g. Barefoot Brides Trilogy by Roxanne St. Claire
h. Southern Comfort by Lisa Clark O'Neill
i. Fatal by Marie Force
j. Last Chance Rescue by Christy Reece
k. Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt
"

I always love looking at your lists because I get so many great recommendations from them. Right now I'm working on collecting the Southern Comfort series because of your recommendation. I also hope to get back to Christy Reece's Last Chance Rescue series this year.

Laura wrote: "Since I started here late I didn't really have any long term goals. I wanted to focus on making progress with a few series that I had wanted to read or that I neglected.
Play by Play by Jaci Burto..."

You have a couple of series on your list that I want to read (eventually). What did you think of Samantha Young's On Dublin Street series and Marie Force's Green Mountain series?

Robin wrote: "I always love looking at your lists because I get so many great recommendations from them. Right now I'm working on collecting the Southern Comfort series because of your recommendation. I also hope to get back to Christy Reece's Last Chance Rescue series this year. ..."

Thank you! You will absolutely love the Southern Comfort series, Robin.

Tracey wrote: "1. What were your goals?
1. Read 100 books
2. Finish/catch up on 8 series
3. Reach halfway point on at least 5 series
4. Read the 2nd book on 5 series

2. How did your actual reading measure up t..."

Looks like you had a great year, Tracey. Glad to see you're enjoying the Harry Bosch series. I'm hoping to make a good dent in that series this year.

1. What were your goals?

My goal was to complete or catch up on a dozen series in 2015.

2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals?

I completed/caught up on 13 series in 2015.

3. Anything you wish you'd done differently?

I wish I could have spent more time working on my series books. 2016 is going to be dedicated to making a bigger dent in all of those series I started.

4. What were your most favorite reads?

Favorite Series in 2015:
Will Trent - Karin Slaughter
Chicagoland Vampires - Chloe Neill
The Hathaways - Lisa Kleypas
Kate Burkholder - Linda Castillo
Lucy Kendall - Stacy Green
FBI/U.S. Attornies - Julie James
In Death - J.D. Robb

Favorite books:
Deadly Obsession by Maggie Shayne
Caught by Harlan Coben
Visions in Death by J.D. Robb
Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
Skin Game by Jim Butcher
Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas
All Good Deeds by Stacy Green
Broken by Karin Slaughter
House Rules by Chloe Neill
Something About You by Julie James
A Lot like Love by Julie James
About That Night by Julie James
Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries


5. Anything else you'd like to share?

This is my favorite group. It made me actually take a look at the many series that I had already started. It gives me the ambition to clean up some of those series. Thank you to the moderators.

Robin wrote: "1. What were your goals? My goal was to complete or catch up on a dozen series in 2015. 2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals? I completed/caught up on 13 series in 2015. 3...."

SO glad you met your goal! And, you're welcome from me, Kris & Monica.

1. What were your goals?

1: Finish at least 1 series by the end of the year

2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals?
No I didn't finish any series this year.

3. Anything you wish you'd done differently?

Maybe read less standalone books and more books in series. But I did read more books this year
than I have done before.

4. What were your most favorite reads?
,

5. Anything else you'd like to share?
Even though I didn't finish any series this year, I still feel like I moved forward in some series. I love coming to this group and seeing what people are reading. Great group!

Viki wrote: "1. What were your goals? 1: Finish at least 1 series by the end of the year 2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals? No I didn't finish any series this year. 3. Anything you w..."

I'm glad you moved forward in some of your series and read more books than you have in the past! Every victory counts.

Robin wrote: "Laura wrote: "Since I started here late I didn't really have any long term goals. I wanted to focus on making progress with a few series that I had wanted to read or that I neglected.
Play by Play..."
On Dublin Street is probably one of my top 3 series ever. I love all the characters and Samantha Young's writing style. Each book stands alone but the characters pop up in each book as they are friends and family. so read in order.
Green Mountain I really like too. Fun contemporary, about a family of ten siblings.

Tracey wrote: "Laura wrote: "Great job on all the series you completed and caught up on. You have convinced me to try some on your list. Karin Slaughter and Linda Castillo for sure."

Oh definitely give Slaughter...", "Not for the faint of heart" makes it a must read for me. I can take it.

Robin wrote: "1. What were your goals?

My goal was to complete or catch up on a dozen series in 2015.

2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals?

I completed/caught up on 13 series in 2015.

Your favorite series list has many I want to get to this year. I especially love Julie James. Chicagoland vampires looks intriguing.

3...."

This was my first year to set goals for my reading. It was interesting to see just how much I do read.

1. What were your goals? I set three goals this year
(1) Complete or Up to Date on 8 New Series - I actually completed or am up to date on 17 new series in 2015
(2) Read at least 3 books in 3 different long series (5+ books) - Dresden Files I am on book 10 of 15 and Mortal Instruments Series I am reading book 6 of 6
(3) Read 100 Books in 2015 - I read 97 books in 2015
2. How did your actual reading measure up to those goals? I read way more series than I thought I would have time for and that threw off my smaller goals. Didn't quite make my 100 book challenge so I'm trying again this year.
3. Anything you wish you'd done differently? I wish I'd gone to the library more often before just paying for books online.
4. What were your most favorite reads? I really enjoyed the Infernal Devices series and am super excited that C. Clare is writing a follow up series to it this year. I also have really enjoyed the Throne of Glass series by S. Maas. Can't wait for the next volume.

Katherine wrote: "This was my first year to set goals for my reading. It was interesting to see just how much I do read.

1. What were your goals? I set three goals this year
(1) Complete or Up to Date on 8 New Ser..."

It really looks like you had a very successful year! You only missed your book goal by 3 books and 97 is nothing to sniff at. Like you, this was my first time setting a series goal and it was also a stab in the dark.

Yes, use that library! I'm saving a ton of money as they're my primary resource.