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? 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?
Completed Series :1 I actually thought that the author had forgotten about this series. It had been years since the last one.

Up to date : 3 I say three but it should really be Two .

Falling for Sky was another series I thought the author had forgotten about ( it has been 5 years since the last in the series) But it seems the author has decided to pick up previous series because there's another I'm planning to read this month.
The other was something to tide us as its a year long wait for the next one . and it was just a few pages worth of reading.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started a few and yes I'll continue with them. The one worth mentioning is Zodiac Queen by Gemma James. The others are just reads to fill a gap be it to switch off from what I just read or to get to the end of the month

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Not really. This is always a difficult one to answer. I'm a binge reader so if I start something new I tend to read what's available and this question, for me, is series that I've started and just haven't picked up in a while

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I've had a good start to the year number(29) and challenges wise( have to many to mention but i did fill a lot of spaces on those). But most of those was 5 pages long. Nothing really jumped out at brilliant. Everything felt middle of the road for me. But it is the beginning of the year so lets hope it just gets better from here

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? none this month

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes 1.
- this is one of Lisa Gardner's earlier works and it is excellent. Will definitely continue the series.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 4 -


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I really enjoyed Maggie's Man. It reminded me of Judith McNaught's Perfect. One of my all time favorite books.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 6 books. I've been experiencing a reading slowdown mainly due to becoming hooked on Netflix, particularly The 100.

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

Completed Series :1 I actually thought that the author had forgotten about this series. It had been years since the last one...."

Michelle, just to clarify, #3 is intended for any series you moved forward in, including those you just added. That’s even better as you’ve committed to it before it stagnates.

Congrats on a productive reading month despite it feeling middle of the road!

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? none this month

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes 1.
..."

Netflix is going to bog down all of us, especially now that they’re adapting so many great series!!! Good job on moving forward in four series, especially since you read 6 books.

FYI, I’m doing a group read of Gardner’s D. D. Warren series and am enjoying, despite my issues with D. D.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I got up to date in five series and completed one:
Prison Break Trilogy by Allison Brennan (completed)
The Lairds Most Likely by Anna Campbell
Cobra Elite by Pamela Clare
In Death by J. D. Robb
Sullivan’s Crossing by Robyn Carr
Fatal by Marie Force

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


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, I moved forward in three:
Victorian Rebels by Kerrigan Byrne
Hostage Rescue Team by Kaylea Cross
Detective D. D. Warren by Lisa Gardner

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
J. D. Robb’s 50th book, Golden in Death hit the mark for this milestone release. Still loving this series. And, Hard Asset was just outstanding as it pulled off a beautiful love story in the midst of heartbreaking tragedies (based on true events).

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I felt great about my reading this month. I read 15 books, more than recent norms for me, and enjoyed everything. And, I was all over the map in terms of genres and series/standalones. Looking forward to this month, too. It doesn’t hurt that I’m really loving my group reads.

Jonetta wrote: "FYI, I’m doing a group read of Gardner’s D. D. Warren series and am enjoying, despite my issues with D. D."

It took a few books but she grew on me, lol!
Enjoy!

Jonetta wrote: "I felt great about my reading this month. I read 15 books, more than recent norms for me, and enjoyed everything."

Congrats on having such a great month!

Thanks, Lauren!

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

Completed Series :1 I actually thought that the author had forgotten about this series. It had been years sin..."

Thanx Jonetta. I actually do know that but my brain thinks of it complicated. Why I don't know. But as you say I did move forward.

I can't wait to each #50 of In death. Last time we restarted the buddy read I stopped reading the newer ones. I've waited till we reach that spot and continue from there. It so much better reading with buddies. So next for me in brotherhood in death. A ways to go.

Michelle wrote: "I can't wait to each #50 of In death. Last time we restarted the buddy read I stopped reading the newer ones. I've waited till we reach that spot and continue from there. It so much better reading with buddies. So next for me in brotherhood in death. A ways to go.
.."

Oh, that's not that far away, Michelle!

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

Got current in 5

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? 3
Awesome suspense by Sawyer Bennett. Not her usual genre. A little raunchy- loved it. Devney Perry can’t miss I hated this. Maybe I’ll try book 2 If I get it for free.
3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?5
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
clever spinoff of her previous series
LJ Shen that’s all I need to say.
twisty turney thriller
. Even though I think this series went 2 books too long I loved this one. I loved seeing Matt get his family.
5. Overall summary of your reading month? Productive month with my series progression, read 19 and loved most. Finished both seasons of You too.

Congrats, Laura, on a wonderful reading month!

I’m looking forward to Guarded and have mixed feelings about these last two books, too. Yes, the series should have ended at #10 but #11 was really good and you say #12 was excellent. The author just wanted to update the lives of the characters and this looks like she completes them. I’ll miss it.

Jonetta wrote: "Congrats, Laura, on a wonderful reading month!

I’m looking forward to Guarded and have mixed feelings about these last two books, too. Yes, the series should have ended at #10 but..."

I honestly thought these last two were just a money grab by the author. But that’s just me.
Congrats to you as well. You read a great broad range of books. It makes things interesting.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the Prison Break Trilogy by Allison Brennan


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 1 new series: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir and I will definitely be continuing it.


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in 1 series: the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My 2 5 star reads this month were The Tenant by Katrine Engberg and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. The Tenant was a great mystery with some great twists and Fried Green Tomatoes was a fun light read for me.


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I've started the year off good with 6 books and I enjoyed them all.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in The Invisible Library series: The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, although I liked the book I'm not sure I will continue.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in two other series: I reread De Grote Jacht by Robert Jordan and I read Onheilsbode (Deverry #6) by Katharine Kerr.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My favorite this month was The Secret Chapter, but there was only one book this month I didn't like :)

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I enjoyed most of the books I read and I'm also doing better after two slow reading months. I read 6 books and 4 of the books belong to series.

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the Prison Break Trilogy by Allison Brennan


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

Congrats on your great start, Melissa! Also, I just added The Tenant so I’m happy to see it was such a great read for you.

Lieke wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in The Invisible Library series: The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman

2. Did you start any ne..."

Well done, Lieke💜 Thank you for taking the lead on the group read of the Jordan series.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes - I finished the Nadia Stafford series with Perfect Victim and got up-to-date in the Broussard & Fourcade series by reading The Boy

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started Joan Swan's Phoenix Rising series and Helen Hoang's Kiss Quotient series. I plan to continue both.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in forward in six series:
Brown and DeLuca - Maggie Shayne
Ginger Gold Mysteries - Lee Strauss
Nadia Stafford - Kelley Armstrong
Graveyard Queen - Amanda Stevens
Victorian Rebels - Kerrigan Byrne
Broussard & Fourcade - Tami Hoag

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I rated 3 of my books 5-Star:


Also had 4 books that I rated 4.5-Stars:


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
January was a great reading month for me. Hope I can continue finding some great titles.

Jessika 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?
Yes, I started a new graphic novel series, call..."

Looks like you had a tough month, Jessika. Are you enjoying those you’re currently reading? Fingers crossed 🤞

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes - I finished the Nadia Stafford series with Perfect Victim and got up-to-date in the Broussard & Fourcade ser..."

Wow, Robin! I agree you had a fantastic month💜

Good to know about Swan’s series. I have the books but not yet started. Can’t wait to get to the Brown & de Luca books.

I've not been as chatty as I usually have and never got around to adding my January round up stats. I have been reading a lot more than I did last year thanks to increasing my audio listening. Anyway, here are my January stats....

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Nope except starting two new series that only has one book each in. So technically I started those....not helpful in grand scheme but liked them both a lot anyway LOL.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes I started 9
Bromance Book Club series (loved it and will read book 2 when I can)

Hero series by Samantha Young (enjoyed this one a lot and gave the first book 4 stars...will continue)

Castles Ever After series by Tessa Dare (gave the first book 4 Stars and will continue....the first book had a great tortured hero)

The Donovan Legacy series by Nora Roberts (read the second book only gave it 3.5 Stars which included a NR pity half star because I love her so much. Was a bit dated and the heroine was a bit hard to like. Characters weren't as fleshed out as her later books are but I will read the rest....it's Nora after all.)

Reluctant Heroes series by Suzanne Brockmann (to date there is only one book Do or Die but I enjoyed this suspenseful book so much and Ian is definitely book boyfriend worthy. I gave it 4 stars and I wish she'd get back to this series. It's been 6 years for Pete's Sake)

Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews (read the first 2. Burn for Me was a solid 4 star but I liked White Hot even more. I loved Mad Rogan and I'll continue reading the series but am wondering if the books with Nevada's sister will be just as good.)

The Iron Covenant series by Ilona Andrews (there is only one book so far but technically Iron and Magic is also book 9.5 in the Kate Daniels series but I counted it as starting a new series. I rated it 4 stars but am still not sure if the hero is truly a hero or not. Of course the heroine is pretty much an anti-heroine as well. She's super intriguing and What The Heck Is She? Oh yeah...I'm hooked.)

Shacking Up series by Helen Hunting ( listened to book 1.5 Getting Down and am on the fence of this sex-fest series. I gave it 2.5 stars which isn't terrible considering it is a novella. It was kind of funny but because of the length and it being not the first in the series I wasn't fully invested in the characters. I am not sure about listening to any more of them but might pick up the first book and give it a go. I'm not ruling it out.)

Jubilee Texas series by Lori Wilde (I read book 3 and found it pretty average with a hero that just seemed too good to be true but I have a couple more books in this series already so I'll read more.)


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved ahead in 4 series.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I loved Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis and rated it 5 stars. There is just something about a hot nerd. I gave a 2 books 4.5 as well. White Hot by Ilona Andrews (Love Rogan) and The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams steamy and the entire concept of the Book Club was so fun.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I read/listened to 19 books in January. Most of them were audiobooks as I found I was able to do a lot of tedious things (like housework/laundry etc) while listening.

Christina T wrote: "I've not been as chatty as I usually have and never got around to adding my January round up stats. I have been reading a lot more than I did last year thanks to increasing my audio listening. Anyw..."

I’m speechless, Christina! 19 books? When was the last time you did that!?! Congrats on your great progress, too💜

That's excellent reading, Christina!

Laura, did you post this in the wrong topic? This is January...

Jonetta wrote: "Laura, did you post this in the wrong topic? This is January..."

Oops yeah

Jonetta wrote: "Laura, did you post this in the wrong topic? This is January..."

I moved it, thank you!

You’re welcome!