On The Same Page discussion

I haven't finished my 2024 list yet, but I've already put a lot of thought into my 2025 list. I have even had to switch out some of my titles because some of my holds came in from the library too soon. I'll put my tentative list in the next comment.

1. Winter Lost 1/11, 4.5*
2. Candle & Crow
3. The Wood at Midwinter 5/10, 3*
4. She Who Became the Sun
5. The Lady in Glass and Other Stories 1/31, 4*
6. Dead of Night 4/19, 4*
7. Guillotine
8. Lagoon 1/26, 3*
9. The Fifth Season
10. Starsight
11. The Hermit Next Door 5/11, 4.5*
12. Parable of the Talents
13. A Red Death 3/10, 3*
14. Song of the Lion 2/5, 4*
15. The Moving Finger 5/3, 4*
16. Tender Is the Bite 1/15, 3.75*

Currently Reading: ,

I like your list. I want to get into Mercy Thompson more. I enjoyed the graphic novel and have the first book... I also want to get into Shelley Parker Chan... There are others too..

The Moving Finger was my first Agatha Christie book - I loved it so much I read everything of hers I could find! Still love her books.
Song of the Lion is book 21 in the same series that I have book 1 of on my list - I have a lot of catching up to do, haha.
I've been thinking about reading the Skyward series, Sanderson is hit or miss for me, most I really like - except his Stormlight series. You are reading book 2, so that means you recommend it? We usually enjoy similar books.
I've been meaning to read She Who Became the Sun, looking forward to seeing how you like it.
Happy reading, Anne!

Bill wrote: "I like your list. I want to get into Mercy Thompson more. I enjoyed the graphic novel and have the first book... I also want to get into Shelley Parker Chan... There are others too.."

I was trying to mix it up by having books from several different genres. i own about half the books, including the Mercy Thompson book and the one by Shelley Parker Chan. The latter came highly recommended, so I hope I like it.

Linette wrote: "The Moving Finger was my first Agatha Christie book - I loved it so much I read everything of hers I could find! Still love her books.
Song of the Lion is book 21 in the same series that I have bo..."

I have read a bunch of Agatha Christie but not this particular book. I have not been reading them in order.

I hope you love the Hillerman books. My dad first introduced these books to me when I was still in high school, and I have been reading them ever since. I got a little behind after Tony Hillerman died and his daughter started writing the sequels, and I'd like to get caught up.

I did like Skyward. It was definitely more young adult than most of his books, but it was kind of fun. I've liked most Sanderson books that I've read, but I have a lot more to read. My brother gave me some of them years ago, and I still haven't read them.

One of Sanderson's books was a favourite read last year, one of his 'secret projects' books. I actually liked 3 of them but this one stood out for me - have you read it yet? Excellent. Tress of the Emerald Sea.

Good luck with your challenge, I haven't read any of the books on your list.

I have quite a few on my TBR already, AND/OR, have the first book in the series. This is why we are onboard with the Series challenge.

Good luck, Anne!! 😁

Linette wrote: "One of Sanderson's books was a favourite read last year, one of his 'secret projects' books. I actually liked 3 of them but this one stood out for me - have you read it yet? Excellent. [book:Tress ..."

I have not read that book because I haven't read any of the books in that world, and I wasn't sure if it would make sense or have spoilers. I do want to read it, though.

Vikki wrote: "Good luck with your challenge, I haven't read any of the books on your list."

Thanks.

Alondra wrote: "I have quite a few on my TBR already, AND/OR, have the first book in the series. This is why we are onboard with the Series challenge.

Good luck, Anne!! 😁"

I do have a problem with too many series, as you know. I set up a thread for that, and I was dismayed to discover how many I am working on. My list is huge even after getting rid of ones I have abandoned for good.

Anne wrote: "I do have a problem with too many series, as you know. I set up a thread for that, and I was dismayed to discover how many I am working on. My list is huge even after getting rid of ones I have abandoned for good.."

Same here. I couldn't believe it, and still don't believe it. 😩😂😂

Good luck with your challenge, Anne. I have a series problem too and I don't think I'll ever be able to solve it. :-)

I have read The Fifth Season and Parable of the Talents and I really enjoyed both.

I'm hoping to read more Christie as well. I read a lot years before I was on GR and am hoping they hold up on the re-read.

Best wishes!

Nice mix of genres, I think you'll have a lot of fun. I've only read Parable of the Talents and She Who Became the Sun and enjoyed them both.
Happy reading!

Looks like a good mix- and a few of my favorite authors included :)

Lea wrote: "Good luck with your challenge, Anne. I have a series problem too and I don't think I'll ever be able to solve it. :-)

I have read The Fifth Season and Parable of the Talents and I really enjoyed b..."

Thanks. I have been meaning to read The Fifth Season for years. The author is a little hit or miss for me, but I am still hopeful. Parable of the Talents is by one of my favorite authors, but the previous book was my least favorite of hers (too much religion). Still, I do want to read it.

Agatha Christie's are always a nice break from heavier works.

Ioana wrote: "Nice mix of genres, I think you'll have a lot of fun. I've only read Parable of the Talents and She Who Became the Sun and enjoyed them both.
Happy reading!"

I'm glad you liked them. I hope I feel the same when I get to them.

Bonnie wrote: "Looks like a good mix- and a few of my favorite authors included :)"

Thanks.

Anne wrote: "Thanks. I have been meaning to read The Fifth Season for years. The author is a little hit or miss for me, but I am still hopeful. Parable of the Talents is by one of my favorite authors, but the previous book was my least favorite of hers (too much religion). Still, I do want to read it.

Agatha Christie's are always a nice break from heavier works."

Just so you know, Parable of the Talents has just as much religion in it as Parable of the Sower, but there's a different slant. I enjoyed both books about the same, but I did prefer Kindred. I haven't read any other books by Butler.

I've only read The Broken Earth series by Jemisin (The Fifth Season is the first book). I have heard the same thing - that it is a hit or miss situation with her books - and that has given me a little pause as I try to pick the next book. I hope you enjoy series as much as I did.

Enjoy your books.

Jackie wrote: "Enjoy your books."

Thanks.

Lea wrote: "Just so you know, Parable of the Talents has just as much religion in it as Parable of the Sower, but there's a different slant. I enjoyed both books about the same, but I did prefer Kindred. I haven't read any other books by Butler.

I've only read The Broken Earth series by Jemisin (The Fifth Season is the first book). I have heard the same thing - that it is a hit or miss situation with her books - and that has given me a little pause as I try to pick the next book. I hope you enjoy series as much as I did.

I suspected that the sequel would also have religion, but at least this time I will be prepared for it, and I can pick the right time to read it.

I really do hope I enjoy The Fifth Season. I keep meaning to read it because it sounds like something I would like. I think sometimes her ideas are better than her execution for me, but other people seem to love them.

I finished my first book today: Winter Lost. I liked it a lot better than the last few, which weren't bad, but weren't quite up to her standards. This one was hard to put down because I really wanted to know what was going to happen next.

I am also about 80% through Tender Is the Bite, so I may have two books from my list done by Monday. It's nice to get off to quick start, especially since I know I may not have as much time to read in February and March while I am on vacation in Australia and New Zealand.

Anne wrote: "I finished my first book today: Winter Lost. I liked it a lot better than the last few, which weren't bad, but weren't quite up to her standards. This one was hard to put down beca..."

I'm hoping to read the first Mercy Thompson this year. I enjoyed the graphic novel.

Anne wrote: "I finished my first book today: Winter Lost. I liked it a lot better than the last few, which weren't bad, but weren't quite up to her standards. This one was hard to put down beca..."

First; kudos on knocking out that first book, Anne! Secondly, I already have both of those series on my tbr; so, I am glad that you are still enjoying them.

Anne wrote: "I finished my first book today: Winter Lost. I liked it a lot better than the last few, which weren't bad, but weren't quite up to her standards. This one was hard to put down beca..."

I have read all the Mercy Thompson series and continue to like them. Mostly 3 or 4 stars now- #10 (Silence Lost) was my last 5 star read. I love seeing the characters again, but the story arc doesn't seem to progress for me now.

Congrats on knocking out the first book and making such progress on the second. I hope you have a wonderful vacation, Anne. I loved visiting Australia and New Zealand, and hope one day to make it back there.

Bill wrote: "I'm hoping to read the first Mercy Thompson this year. I enjoyed the graphic novel."

I haven't read any of the graphic novels, but I do love this series. The first book is definitely the weakest, but I quickly fell in love with the characters, the number and depth of which has grown over time.

Alondra wrote: "First; kudos on knocking out that first book, Anne! Secondly, I already have both of those series on my tbr; so, I am glad that you are still enjoying them."

Thanks, Alondra. They are both good series. For the Chet books, it helps to spread them out. Since they are told from Chet's perspective, it can get to be a little much if I read them one after another. I may love dogs, but I don't necessarily want to be in their headspace all the time. I did finish it now, so I am already moving on to other books on the list.

Lea wrote: "Congrats on knocking out the first book and making such progress on the second. I hope you have a wonderful vacation, Anne. I loved visiting Australia and New Zealand, and hope one day to make it b..."

Thanks, Lea. I am extremely excited for my trip. I have been to Europe 5 times (I live in the US), but I've never been anywhere else. I have a ton of things to get ready before I go, and it feels both like a long time and too short a time until I get to leave (if that makes any sense).

Bonnie wrote: "I have read all the Mercy Thompson series and continue to like them. Mostly 3 or 4 stars now- #10 (Silence Lost) was my last 5 star read. I love seeing the characters again, but the story arc doesn't seem to progress for me now."

I would agree with those comments. I don't think I've ever given any of them 5 stars, In the main series, they've mostly gotten 4 stars other than a few of the more recent ones, and the spin-off books typically get 3 stars. I think this last one was more satisfying than other recent ones, so I have hope that more good books are yet to come. I wonder if the drop-off in quality might have been influenced by the author's loss of her husband. That dip does seem to correspond to that time (I happened to meet her on her book tour shortly after, so I kind of remember when it happened).

Anne wrote: "Alondra wrote: "First; kudos on knocking out that first book, Anne! Secondly, I already have both of those series on my tbr; so, I am glad that you are still enjoying them."

Thanks, Alondra. They ..."

Got it. I will keep that in mind.

I finished my 3rd book today: Lagoon. The author tried to put too many ideas and make too many points in one novel, and it somewhat hurt the overall power of the book. If this book had been more focused, I probably would have given it 4 instead of 3 stars.

I realize I never gave a review of my 2nd book: Tender Is the Bite. This series isn't great literature, but they're fun mysteries that often make me laugh. I love Chet (his personality is sort of a mix of my two dogs), and the other characters are usually well done. The mysteries can be a bit weak, but that's not really the point of these books anyway.

I finished my fourth book this evening: The Lady in Glass and Other Stories. I enjoyed most, but not all, of the tales in this book. The ones related to series I've read were good, and I also enjoyed the science fiction story that was the finale. It was very thought-provoking.

I plan to start Song of the Lion today.

Anne wrote: "I finished my fourth book this evening: The Lady in Glass and Other Stories. I enjoyed most, but not all, of the tales in this book. The ones related to series I've read were good,..."

It's been so long since I've visited Tony & Anne Hillerman's world. I enjoyed the books I've read so far and have a bunch of them awaiting my attention.

Bill wrote: "It's been so long since I've visited Tony & Anne Hillerman's world. I enjoyed the books I've read so far and have a bunch of them awaiting my attention."

I first started reading them when I was still in high school after my dad recommended them. I enjoyed this latest novel (finished this morning), and I do plan to read the other books in the series.

Anne wrote: "I finished my fourth book this evening: The Lady in Glass and Other Stories. I enjoyed most, but not all, of the tales in this book. The ones related to series I've read were good,..."

I recently read and enjoyed the first book in this series, always makes me happy to find a new series to look forward to reading!

5 down already, that is great progress, Anne. ☺️

Alondra wrote: "5 down already, that is great progress, Anne. ☺️"

Thanks, Alondra :)

I just started A Red Death, and I am bringing The Moving Finger with me on my trip, so hopefully I can get through 2 more soon.

Linette wrote: "I recently read and enjoyed the first book in this series, always makes me happy to find a new series to look forward to reading!"

It's always nice to find a good new (to you) series. You know you will have many hours of enjoyment ahead of you.

Anne wrote: "Alondra wrote: "5 down already, that is great progress, Anne. ☺️"

Thanks, Alondra :)

I just started A Red Death, and I am bringing The Moving Finger with me on my trip, ..."

I haven't started the Easy Rawlins series yet, but it is definitely on my tbr.

I did not like the Moving Finger that much. It was a decent mystery; but ...... (spoiler, no spoiler). LOL

Enjoy your travel reading, Anne.

Bill wrote: "Enjoy your travel reading, Anne."

I did! I finished right after I got back, and I started , so I made progress on this challenge too.

Alondra wrote: " haven't started the Easy Rawlins series yet, but it is definitely on my tbr.

I did not like the Moving Finger that much. It was a decent mystery; but ...... (spoiler, no spoiler). LOL"

The Easy Rawlins series is okay, but he definitely spends a lot of his time in the gray areas (or worse). It makes for an interesting story even if I don't like him much. I haven't decided yet if I will continue on with this series.

I usually like Agatha Christie mysteries, but they do vary in quality. That makes sense, considering how many there are.

Anne wrote: "Bill wrote: "Enjoy your travel reading, Anne."

I did! I finished right after I got back, and I started , so I made progress on this ..."

Another Jonathan Maberry series!!! I need to get cracking on the other two.

Bill wrote: "Another Jonathan Maberry series!!! I need to get cracking on the other two."

They are really good. I do like the ones with Joe Ledger more than this series, but it is still excellent. I ran out of my time on my e-book, and I just got it back from my library, so I am happy to be able to start reading it again.

Yeah, the Dead of Night series is pretty good.

Don't forget that all the series merge in the near future.

Kudos on being at the halfway mark!!

Alondra wrote: "Yeah, the Dead of Night series is pretty good.

Don't forget that all the series merge in the near future.

Kudos on being at the halfway mark!!"

Thanks! I finished Dead of Night today. It was really good, and now I am annoyed because it ended with a cliffhanger, and my library doesn't have any of the sequels. I will have to go buy them.

Anne wrote: "Thanks! I finished Dead of Night today. It was really good, and now I am annoyed because it ended with a cliffhanger, and my library doesn't have any of the sequels. I will have to go buy them.."

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it. The books get better with each one. I'm waiting for all the stories to converge.