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, 1.


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

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 11


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
No 5 stars. However, my favorite book of the month (4 Stars) was

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 14 books. Most were really good and its a great start to the year

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished reading the duology World at the Lake’s Edge by Lyndall Clipstone.

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

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in 4 series:
Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter (#4)
Body Farm series by Jefferson Bass (#2)
The Dark Tower series by Stephen King (#2)
Sisterhood series by Fern Michaels (#6)

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
No 5 star reads this month, but I did enjoy them all.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
So far, so good.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, 1. I read Sovereign by April Daniels, which is book #2 in the Nemesis series. Daniels has announced that she's working on the 3rd and final book of the series now.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, 3. I read
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (Impulse #1) will continue ~ only one more book in the series
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver (Lincoln Rhyme #1) will continue ~ really liked the first book!
Granny's Got a Gun by Harper Lin (Secret Agent Granny #1) maybe ~ this was cute, but not outstanding. I'll read at least 1-2 more to see if the author hits her stride.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
Yes, 5. I read books #2 and #3 in the Grant County series by Karin Slaughter, book #7 in the Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James, book #2 in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine, book #12 in the Rizzoli & Isles series by Tess Gerritsen, and book #3 in the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My favorites for the month were:
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver (Lincoln Rhyme #1) ~ I loved the characters and the analytical thinking of Rhyme. He reminded me of Sherlock Holmes. I'm looking forward to continuing this series to see how he develops.
Killman Creek by Rachel Caine (Stillhouse Lake #2) ~ I loved the first book in this series, too. Lots of twists and turns. Caine does not shy away from the shocking and unexpected. The main character's growth between book 1 and book 2 was also excellent, I thought.
A Faint Cold Fear by Karin Slaughter (Grant County #3) ~ Another author who isn't shy with the shock-value. I met Slaughter at a conference years ago and her sharp wit comes through in her books. Very enjoyable.
Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire (InCryptid #3) ~ Another witty woman. I love the banter in all McGuire's books but the unusual critters in the InCryptid books make it my favorite of all her series.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I moved forward some of my favorite series and found a new favorite, so, all in all, I'd say it's been an excellent reading month!

Kristina Simon wrote: "I met Slaughter at a conference years ago and her sharp wit comes through in her books. Very enjoyable..."

That is so cool! I am always struck by just how gritty her writing can be. Not for the faint of heart.

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


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

Whoa! 11 series? You rock, Lauren!

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished reading the duology World at the Lake’s Edge by Lyndall Clipstone.

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

Melissa, I’m impressed at your series progress! Off to a great start.

Kristina Simon wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, 1. I read Sovereign by April Daniels, which is book #2 in the Nemesis series. Daniels has ..."

Wow, Kristina, I agree! Thanks for all your commentary, too, as I learned a lot about your reading tastes. I also a Slaughter fan and loved GC. You’re going to love Will Trent, too. And, that Caine series was a big surprise for me. I still have the last two books to read.

Congrats on all your series work.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed one series, A Scandal in Mayfair by Anna Campbell.


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

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in one series, Bree Taggert by Melinda Leigh. I did rereads in three others I’m not counting.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had standouts in three standalones:
Whiskey Beach had a perfect balance of romance, mystery, suspense and humor.
Look Closer was a deliciously diabolical thriller that lives up to the hype.
The Villa had so many great elements and had a heck of a twist.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I was disappointed with only reading 9 books this month. I didn’t include two that ended up feeling like rereads as I prepared the book discussion. But I was more plagued by personal health issues for a week and lots of moderator work because of the flip to a new year. Hoping to get back on track.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up-to-date with the Andrea Oliver series by Karin Slaughter.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started the Buchanan-Renard series by Julie Garwood and the Atlee Pine series by David Baldacci. I plan to continue both.

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in 4 series:
Criminal Profiler by Mary Burton
Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
Troubleshooters (2 books) by Suzanne Brockmann
Bree Taggert by Melinda Leigh

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I read two 5-Star books in January:


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I finished 10 books in January. I'm happy to say they were all very good.

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up-to-date with the Andrea Oliver series by Karin Slaughter.

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

Well done, Robin!

Jonetta wrote: "Whoa! 11 series? You rock, Lauren!..."

Thanks, Jonetta!
January is always a good month for me. I get renewed energy at the new year :)

Jonetta wrote: "But I was more plagued by personal health issues for a week and lots of moderator work because of the flip to a new year. Hoping to get back on track"

I hope you are feeling better, Jonetta. Make sure to take time for yourself 💕

You can never go wrong with Nora 😉

Robin wrote: "I finished 10 books in January. I'm happy to say they were all very good...."

Well done, Robin!
Lover Awakened is my absolute favorite book in BDB. I quite the series a couple of books later thought. The gansta-style dialogue was beginning to get on my nerves at the time.