2-3-4 Challenge discussion

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
5. Overall summary of your reading month?

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
No new ones this month.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
Nope

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Sabaa Tahir was a definite 5 star read. Excellent characters and story line, I was sad to see it end.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
February went by way too fast and I was only able to read 3 books. I have some time off in March, so hopefully I'll get back on track.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I've completed the Magnus Chase by Rick Riordan and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo series.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Too many... I can't help it. :D
Supernatural (TV adaptation series), Charlotte Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell, and Brooklyn Brujas by Zoraida Córdova

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
Moved forward with 3 series that I haven't finished yet.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
No standouts but a bunch of 4 stars

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
It was a good month. 14 books read/listened to. I've only been able to manage that because 5 books were short reads and 6 of them I paired my reading with listening to the audiobooks on double speed.

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you con..."

An Ember in the Ashes is on my TBR for this year. I've heard so many good things about it.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? I read Country Heaven. I think I will continue this series one day. I would give it 4 out of 5.
3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many? Nope
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I enjoy Country Heaven. It was a nice easy read.
5. Overall summary of your reading month?
My reading month was really slow this month, just one book. With my school work needing to be finished by end of the April. My reading is slowly down a bit expect for a novel study for my class.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 4 new series.
Mercury Pack by Suzanne Wright. This is a off shoot from another series so yes I'll be continuing with this
Deep in your Veins also by Suzanne Wright. A vampire series that I'm binging at the moment.
Experiment in Terror by Karina Halle. This is out of my usual reading genre. Horror. And the author has me hooked. I need to know the how or what it all is about.
The filthy rich Americansby Nikki Sloane. This was a trilogy which I finished but then the author added another.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
Besides the new ones started I've been reading 4 others.
In death . I can't believe that March will be when I'm completely caught up in this series.
The Phoenix pack
Boys of Lake Cliff
Jokers' Wrath MC I thought is was up-to-date then saw there is a crossover Christmas book I'm yet to read.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them? I didn't have standout book but I had standout series/authors. Standout read for me was Darkhouse. I never thought that I would read horror and actaully like it. I have issues with it (not a lover of YA and the whole horror and mystery thing) but this first book was written in a way that I want to continue. I need to know what is going on with the h. What is actually happening?
I also loved Nikki Sloane's writing. I want to read more of that author.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I had a good month. Making progress in all my series and challenges. Managed to start new ones as well. Only thing that niggles is that one of those books was a boxset and has 6 books in it that obviously counts as 1 which has but me 2 books behind on the yearly reading challenge. The joys of challenges😄

Melissa wrote: "A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Sabaa Tahir was a definite 5 star read. Excellent characters and story line, I was sad to see it end.."

I want to try this series. I'm looking for something similar to Throne of Glass.

Sahira wrote: "Too many... I can't help it. :D"

It's a real struggle, isn't it.

Viki wrote: "My reading month was really slow this month, just one book. With my school work needing to be finished by end of the April. My reading is slowly down a bit expect for a novel study for my class..."

Completely understandable. There are certain time periods where my reading also falls to the wayside in favor of teaching and marking.

Michelle wrote: "nly thing that niggles is that one of those books was a boxset and has 6 books in it that obviously counts as 1 which has but me 2 books behind on the yearly reading challenge. The joys of challenges😄."

Does Goodreads have it only as the boxset? Sometimes they also list the individual books in the set and you can mark them as read separately.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes. Completed 2


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes 3 - I will continue with them all.


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 10 -


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I gave one of my rare 5 stars to . It had so may of my favorite tropes in it. Also loved which had me reaching for the Kleenex.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 16 books. Happy to be back on track after reading less over the summer

Lauren wrote: "Michelle wrote: "nly thing that niggles is that one of those books was a boxset and has 6 books in it that obviously counts as 1 which has but me 2 books behind on the yearly reading challenge. The..."

Goodreads does have it separately. But I'm thinking I'll be honest and mark the actually book I read instead of marking it individually. I have thought of doing it like your suggested and I might eventually just do that. But for now I'll be honest.

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes. Completed 2


2. Did you start any new ..."

You really did have a good month. Long may it last.

Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 4 new series.
Mercury Pack by Suzanne..."

I agree to mark a box set as individual books. A book is a book whether it’s in a bundle or not. It isn’t being dishonest. Usually the purpose of a bundle is just to save a little money anyways. I may own 4 books in a series, then a bundle comes out and I can get the remaining books I need cheaper then buying them individually.

Okay I see your point. I think on some level I was thinking the same. Okay guys. I'm on track

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up-to-date on the Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray, and Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I finished the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started the Desert Plains series by Victor Methos and plan to continue it.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward on 4 series:
Phoenix Rising by Joan Swan
D.I. Kim Stone by Angela Marsons
Morgan Dane by Melinda Leigh
Lucy Kincaid by Allison Brennan

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had one 5-Star book:

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I finished 10 books for February. I'm happy that I finished/up-to-date on 3 series.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I got up to date or completed three series;

Forgotten by Garrett Leigh
Garnet Run by Roan Parrish
In Death by J. D. Robb

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started one, Desert Plains by Victor Methos, and I do plan to continue.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in five series:
Blackberry Bay by Shannon Stacey
Lucy Kincaid by Allison Brennan
Morgan Dane by Melinda Leigh
DI Kim Stone by Angela Marsons
The MacGregors by Nora Roberts


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had three knockouts: Well-Behaved Indian Women, Faithless in Death and Blood Lines. They were just really great stories!

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I must admit to being surprised at my progress. I’ve got so much going on personally that my reading has suffered, or so I thought. Thank goodness for audiobooks as they saved my month! And, I really enjoyed everything I read, all 12 books. The good news is my life will once again be my own after Saturday.

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you con..."

Well, good that one out of three was not only a series read but 5 stars! Congrats, Melissa and fingers crossed that March will give you more reading time.

Sahira wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I've completed the Magnus Chase by Rick Riordan and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo series.

2. Did..."

Well done, Sahira, no matter how you accomplished it all! You sound like it was an enjoyable reading month, too. I had to smile at all those new series😏

Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? I read Country Heaven. I think I will continue th..."

You’ve started school? That’s wonderful, Viki! Glad you enjoyed Country Heaven as it’s a sweet read.

Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 4 new series.
Mercury Pack by Suzanne..."

Michelle, it really sounds like you had a good reading experience kind of month! I was going to kid you about starting so many new series but you’re binge reading them!!!

Well done!

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes. Completed 2


2. Did you start any new ..."

Wow, 10 series advanced? That’s just wonderful! Congrats on a really great month, Lauren. About Cyclone...what was so great?

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up-to-date on the Jessica Shaw series by Lisa Gray, and Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. I finished the Graveyard Queen s..."

Nice work, Robin! You’re doing so well with your series progress.

Maybe we can do a Buddy Read for the next Victor Methos book.

Jonetta wrote: "Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Nope
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? I read Country Heaven. I think I wil..."

Yes it is just a upgrading course right now so I can get into my office admin/ bookkeeping college program in Sept.

Well, it means your journey has started!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? I read In the Study with the Wrench: A Clue Mystery, Book Two, which put me up to date in the Clue Series, and I read Point of No Return, which completed the Kathleen Turner Series. I really liked that one. I read Dream Chaser, so I am up to date on the Dream Team series.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? The only new series I started was Well Met, and I plan to finish it.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many? I fell behind on the DI Kim Stone series. I need to read Blood Lines #5 and Dead SoulsDead Souls #6 in addition to book #7, Broken Bones.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them? I really enjoyed the Kathleen Turner series - so much angst over who she would end up with. Greetings from Witness Protection! was a 5* read for me. Even though it is middle grade, I really liked the protagonist and the story was a lot of fun. Well Met wasn’t 5*, but it was a fun read. Making Faces was a gut-wrenching tearjerker and an excellent story.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I really enjoyed almost all of the books I read this month - 26 books and 6 series

Jonetta wrote: "Sahira wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I've completed the Magnus Chase by Rick Riordan and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo ..."

It was a great month! It's been a hectic 2021 but I promised myself that I need to unplug before I go to bed to keep my stress levels down. I chose a bit of binge-watching and a couple of hours to read or listening to audiobooks.

Glad to hear that you had a great month and that things will start to get normal for you soon.

Jonetta wrote: "I must admit to being surprised at my progress. I’ve got so much going on personally that my reading has suffered, or so I thought. Thank goodness for audiobooks as they saved my month! ..."

So glad you managed to get some good audios in. They are really fantastic for when life gets too overwhelming to sit and read.

Jonetta wrote: "Wow, 10 series advanced? That’s just wonderful! Congrats on a really great month, Lauren. About Cyclone...what was so great?"

Thanks Jonetta.

Re Cyclone - It was just the right mix of romance and suspense. Fantastic character development and a charming setting. It hit all my high notes.

Lynn wrote: "Overall summary of your reading month? I really enjoyed almost all of the books I read this month - 26 books and 6 series."

Wow! That is a fantastic month, Lynn!

Jonetta wrote: "Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 4 new series.
Mercur..."

Thank Jonetta. Binging all the new series. What am I thinking? So far March feel like the month of buddy reads. From one thing to the next 🤦‍♀️

Lynn wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? I read In the Study with the Wrench: A Clue Mystery, Book Two, which put me up to date in the Clue Series, and I ..."

Lynn, you’re a reading marvel! 26 books? I can only wish for that. But more importantly, you sound like you enjoyed it immensely. Kudos on a really wonderful month.

FYI, we’re only up to Dead Souls this month. And how is that Dream Team series?

Michelle wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 4 new..."

But you’re having fun!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

I got up to date in one series, The Art of Dying.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?

Started two new series, both historical mysteries.

Gallows Court and Murder at Archly Manor. I plan to continue both for now.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?

I moved forward in three series: A Perilous Undertaking, The Cocoa Conspiracy, and Revelation

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?

No five star reads but did have two that earned four stars: The Art of Dying and A Perilous Undertaking

5. Overall summary of your reading month?

I didn't read a whole lot in February, nowhere near the 13 books a month I was averaging pre-pandemic, but it was a good start to easing my way back into a rhythm. And I notice that, with teh exception of one book, everything I read was a historical mystery. I guess that's my go-to comfort genre right now.

Jonetta wrote: "Maybe we can do a Buddy Read for the next Victor Methos book."

Thanks Jonetta! Sounds good. Just let me know which month you're planning on reading it and I'll work it into my schedule.

Jonetta wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "Michelle wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue..."

Jonetta I am. I think if I it wasn't fun I'd never be reading.

Jonetta wrote: "Lynn wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? I read In the Study with the Wrench: A Clue Mystery, Book Two, which put me up to date in the Clue S..."

Thanks. I'm retired, so I'm enjoying using the extra time to read.

The Dream Team series is pretty good. If you've read Kristen Ashley, you probably know the structure she uses. Both of these follow that. The characters are interesting and the stories are fun.

Lauren wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Overall summary of your reading month? I really enjoyed almost all of the books I read this month - 26 books and 6 series."

Wow! That is a fantastic month, Lynn!"

Thanks. I'm retired and enjoying the extra time to read.

Thanks, Lynn.

Veronica wrote: "And I notice that, with teh exception of one book, everything I read was a historical mystery. I guess that's my go-to comfort genre right now.."

I love this genre. Perhaps the distance provided by the historical aspects make time periods make it more comforting that the present :)

Veronica wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

I got up to date in one series, The Art of Dying.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will ..."

Congrats on your series progress, Veronica💜 I’m just so happy to see you back here even if you’re not reading at your normal pace. Plus, sounds like you enjoyed your reading, too!

Thanks, Jonetta. I'm happy to be back and to be reading again even if this is going to be my new reading pace for awhile. :-)