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?
Yes...I got up-to-date in the You series by Caroline Kepnes.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I did not mean to, but my random read (from September) ended up being book 1 in a series, Bhinian Empire Duology by Miriam Forster. I'll probably read book 2, but I'm in no hurry.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
No

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
3 out of the 4 were 4 star reads. Don't Let Go by Harlan Coben was a definite 5 star read. It was intriguing and had some good twists.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I completed 4 books and although I would have liked to finish more, I did enjoy what I read.

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


I move forward in the Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella
I move forward in the Bewitching Mystery series by Madelyn Alt
I won't continue with the Bewitching Mystery. Just didn't really like the series.
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I really enjoy Shopaholic and Baby, it is one of my favorite series. It is a silly series but it is fun too especially when you want a nice and easy read.
5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I only read two books this month, but I am pretty busy right now with school work.

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes...I got up-to-date in the You series by Caroline Kepnes.

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

Congrats on completing a series, Melissa! And glad that you enjoyed what you read.

Was that your first Coben book?

Viki wrote: "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?
Nope
3. Did you move forward in any series (that you..."

Viki, I continue to be impressed that you get any pleasure reading in now that in school! And, you moved forward in a series. Well done.

Jonetta wrote: "Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes...I got up-to-date in the You series by Caroline Kepnes.

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

No. I've read a few of his.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished Beverly Barton's Cherokee Pointe series.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started the Blood Rose Trilogy by Kaki Warner and loved it. I also read the first book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse series by Leighann Dobbs. I read it for a challenge and I don't plan on continuing.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in one series:
D.I. Kim Stone - Angela Marsons

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My one 5-Star book was Deadly Cry by Angela Marson. Two books that I rated 4.5 Stars were Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner and The Stand-In by Lily Chu.


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I finished 9 books in October. I was on the road for some of the month and picked some mediocre books for some challenges that I'm completing. November should be better.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in one series, Cork O’Connor by William Kent Krueger. I also decided to abandon one series, New Orleans by Lisa Jackson.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I inadvertently started one new series, Tracy Crosswhite by Robert Dugoni, when I listened to a new short story that didn’t first indicate it was connected. As it’s sort of a prequel, no harm. I definitely intend to continue the series.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in six series:
DI Kim Stone by Angela Marsons
Kate Burkholder by Linda Castillo
Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley
Max Revere by Allison Brennan
Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas.
The MacGregors by Nora Roberts

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had two standouts, No Hiding in Boise, a standalone that kept me riveted. The other was Lightning Strike, a new prequel to the Cork O’Connor series that was excellent on every level.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
This was another highly satisfying reading month with a lot of series reading sprinkled with some standalones for balance. I read fewer books than average (12) but I had a lot of lengthy books weighing in at over 10 hours of listening. I’m calling it a win.

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished Beverly Barton's Cherokee Pointe series.

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

Congrats on getting 9 books reading in a travel month, Robin! I added one of your standout books after reading your review (The Stand-In).

Melissa wrote: "I completed 4 books and although I would have liked to finish more, I did enjoy what I read

Glad you enjoyed your books -quality over quantity :)

Viki wrote: "5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I only read two books this month, but I am pretty busy right now with school work"

Understandable. My reading has slowed too now that the semester has begun.

Robin wrote: "I finished 9 books in October. I was on the road for some of the month and picked some mediocre books for some challenges that I'm completing. November should be better"

Sorry about the mediocre ones, Robin. Crossing fingers for November for you!

Jonetta wrote: "I also decided to abandon one series, New Orleans by Lisa Jackson.."

I'm impressed you hung on for one book more than me, lol!

You definitely had a great month, Jonetta. Those long audios are often well worth the time.

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


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, 4.
- will definitely continue these two
- May continue some time.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 8


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
Not this month, but I had a few 4 star reads. My favorite was - great characters and the potential for romance.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 18 books.I will probably be slowing down in November as I'm back to teaching in person.

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


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

Congrats on a good month, Lauren! You made a lot of progress in your series reading.

Are you looking forward to being back into the classroom?

Jonetta wrote: "Are you looking forward to being back into the classroom?."

Thanks Jonetta.
On the one hand, it is great seeing my students in person (some of them are taller than I expected 😉). On the other hand, it is difficult. They all have to wear masks, which isn't easy. I never realized how much seeing a person's mouth move contributes to listening comprehension.

The travelling is also a problem. One of the colleges I teach at is 1.5 hours away. I just have to get used to it again.

Good luck and hang in there!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
None Completed
Up to date: Changing the Rules and A Thin Disguise - The Richter series by Catherine Bybee

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
New Series - will be continuing: State of Affairs - The First Family series#1 by Marie Force, Dangerous Ground - Fiona Carver #1 by Rachel Grant
New Series - not continuing: St. Nicholas Salvage & Wrecking series by Dana Haynes, Dangerous Love - Takeback #1 by Riley Edwards
Trusting Molly - Silverstone #3 by Susan Stoker

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)?
X-Ops #4 and #5 by Paige Tyler: Her Rogue Alpha and Her Fierce Warrior
DI Kim Stone #13: Deadly Cry by Angela Marsons

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood - Just a good all around romance - a very fun read with well developed characters and a believable plot line, ending with a satisfying conclusion.
A Thin Disguise by Catherine Bybee - Didn’t expect to like this after reading book 1, Changing the Rules, but was pleasantly surprised by the intriguing storyline involving an FBI agent and a former assassin who is an expert in disguises.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? Read 18 books - 10 were part of a series.

Congrats Lynn on a wonderful month! I’ve wanted to read Cathryn Bybee and am happy to see you list two as standouts.