2-3-4 Challenge discussion

Let's take a look at our results for 2016:

1. How did you do with your goals for the year?
2. What were your most outstanding series that you read during the year?
3. What were your most favorite books read (series and standalone)?
4. What were you the most proud of accomplishing this year?

Tracey
Jonetta
Marier

1. How did you do with your goals for the year?

My 2 goals were:
1. Finish / catch up or progress by at least 7 books for 10 series.
2. Only start 5 new series other than those already listed in detail.

I just achieved the first one - up to date / finished 8 series plus progressed 2 series by 7 books. Oops I started 8 new series!

2. What were your most outstanding series that you read during the year?

My favourite series:
1. Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews - the first one is hard work but as the series gets going it is worth it!
2. Simon Serrailler by Susan Hill - loved the characters in this British series.
3. Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly - just love Harry!
4. Amos Decker by David Baldacci - I can see this is going to be a series that I really enjoy. Looking forward to the next book.
5. Game of Thrones by George R R Martin - loved the first 2 books however I got bogged down in book 3. Wish I had the patience to persist with it.

3. What were your most favorite books read (series and standalone)?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is by far my standout read for 2016. I still think about it.

I had lots of 5 star reads but the other one which stands out for me is:
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier


4. What were you the most proud of accomplishing this year?
I don't know if there is one thing that I am particularly proud of but I think once I took the pressure off myself I enjoyed my reading so much more. I have now figured out what works for me and I will continue with it in 2017.

Tracey wrote: "1. How did you do with your goals for the year?

My 2 goals were:
1. Finish / catch up or progress by at least 7 books for 10 series.
2. Only start 5 new series other than those already listed in ..."

You had a really good year and the thing that stands out for me is what you're most proud of...enjoying your reading much more and continuing your formula into the new year. I'm so very happy for you.

Thanks Jonetta :-)

1. How did you do with your goals for the year?
My goals were:
- Complete or get up to date in 20 series
- Reach at least the halfway mark in at least 20 series
- Complete all series with just one book remaining

I was able to get up to date in 33 series and complete 18 so I was extremely happy with those results. I didn't have a method to track whether I reached the halfway mark in 20 series and decided it was just better to focus on the first goal. Out of 15 series with one remaining book, I finished 5 so that goal will continue forward into 2017.

2. What were your most outstanding series that you read during the year?
-Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harris
Amos Decker by David Baldacci
Myron Bolitar by Harlan Coben
I-Team by Pamela Clare
Barefoot Bay Timeless by Roxanne St. Claire
Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith
Cold Justice by Toni Anderson
Colorado Mountain by Kristen Ashley
Everything I Left Unsaid by Molly O'Keefe

I've got more but these were those rising to the top.

3. What were your most favorite books read (series and standalone)?
My series standouts:
Home by Harlan Coben
The Torment of Others by Val McDermid
Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

Here are my standalone selections:
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross

4. What were you the most proud of accomplishing this year?
I loved my reading this year, especially after I adjusted my plans to allow for more spontaneous selections. I really cut back on author requests, limiting them to my favorite authors only. And, my laser focus on group and series reads allowed me to do what I love most on Goodreads...talk about books with others who've read the same titles. Yes, my numbers look good but my joy came from sharing the experiences. Thank you to all who participated.

Jonetta wrote: "I was able to get up to date in 33 series and complete 18 so I was extremely happy with those results. "

Wow, that's amazing! You have had a great year. I'm glad you have found your way with your reading as well.

(I now have a few books to add to my list!)

I have completed at least 15 series. I have read all of the In Death books by J D Robb. I am on book three of the Wyoming Series by Diana Palmer. I am up to Book 3. I have also read all of the Tall Texans by Diana Palmer as well. I have completed Two of Jacquelyn Frank books as well. I have read the S. E. Smith series, All of the Dark Series and Ghostwalkers, Sisters by Christine Feehan.

Marier wrote: "I have completed at least 15 series. I have read all of the In Death books by J D Robb. I am on book three of the Wyoming Series by Diana Palmer. I am up to Book 3. I have also read all of the Tall..."

Woo hoo! You had a great year, Marier! Completing the hefty In Death series is a huge accomplishment by itself. Congrats.

Marier wrote: "I have completed at least 15 series. I have read all of the In Death books by J D Robb. I am on book three of the Wyoming Series by Diana Palmer. I am up to Book 3. I have also read all of the Tall..."

Definitely a huge accomplishment! Congratulations!

I have been so successful in that all of them are in audio form and I am able to listen to them one a day.

1. How did you do with your goals for the year?
Not too bad, I completed 8 series, wanted to complete 10.
I did do well though in up to date series, wanted to be up to date
in 10 series and I did get up to date in 10 series.

2. What were your most outstanding series that you read during the year?
I had a lot of them, but the ones that stook out to me was Erica Foster, Kim Stone, Will Trent, Smoky Barrett, Grant County

3. What were your most favorite books read (series and standalone)?
Home by Harlan Coben, Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo, Dark Water by Robert Bryndza, Bloodlines by Angela Marsons, and Shadow Man by Cody Mcfadyen

4. What were you the most proud of accomplishing this year?
I was happy that I completed one of my goals, which was getting up to date in 10 series. I also loved lots of the books that I was reading.

1. How did you do with your goals for the year?
✔ Read 60 books
✔ around the year in 52 books challenge
✔ reading at least 40 books I bought before 2015
✔ finish rereading Harry Potter
- (re)read A Song of Fire and Ice series
✔ read The Live Ship traders series and The Divergent series
✔Get up to date in 3 series
✔ Finish 3 series

I managed most of my goals, the only one I didn't complete is to read my unread books of A Song of Fire and Ice series, I did reread the first three books. Hopefully I will read the this year.

2. What were your most outstanding series that you read during the year?
The Live Ship Trader - Robin Hobb was my favorite.
But I liked Stieg Larsson – Millennium, John Flanagan - Brotherband Chronicles, Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling (reread) and A Song of Fire and Ice - George R.R. Martin (reread) a lot too.
(but a few of the series I read and didn't mention are close to being outstanding)

3. What were your most favorite books read (series and standalone)?
I had three 5 star reads:
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Paaz by Myrthe van der Meer
(not counting rereads)

I now see I forgot Vicious as an outstanding series :)

4. What were you the most proud of accomplishing this year?
Reading at least 40 books I bought before 2015, finish 3 series and get up to date in 3 series. And reading more books than I bought :)