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?

I'm on time this month. Yay!

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

I’m up to date on four series.
Payback in Death by JD Robb
Two Rivers by Ann Cleeves
Will Trent by Karin Slaughter
Special Agent Beth Katz, by D.K. Hood

I completed the Sick World duet. I am putting it in the complete column, but the author is talking about writing another book or two. She isn’t sure if it will be in this series or a spin-off. Either way, it will be more than a year before she decides.

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

I started:
Gethsemane Brown Mysteries. I loved this story and the characters. I normally read Cozy Mysteries to complete a challenge directive only. In this case, there are so many good things from the writing, the mystery, and the characters that I want more. I will continue.

Special Agent Beth Katz series. I like Beth Katz. She is a good FBI agent in some respects, but she isn't opposed to playing judge, jury and executioner. She reminds me of a female Dexter. Her partnership with Dak is interesting. I like them together. I want more. I will continue.

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

I moved forward with most of our buddy reads. I’m having a hard time getting back to Alex Cross and Troubleshooters. I will continue as soon as I can.

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

I had several 5 star books:

Two from Nora Roberts/Robb
Payback in Death and Identity
I love them both for the character-driven stories that keep me turning the pages. It goes without saying that there were some wonderful Eve and Roarke moments.

Orphan X and Erika Foster continued to deliver five stars for me. These stories and characters are amazing.

Death on the Nile is another amazing book. It shows why Agatha Christie is one of the premier mystery writers.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?

September was a five star reading month for me. Even the books that were mediocre kept me reading to find out what happens next. Most importantly, I caught up to my yearly reading goal. A few months ago, I was fifteen books behind, Today, I’m at 113 Per GR “You’re on track!”

Wow, Sharon! You had a great month. You got back on track with your reading goal and finished or got up-to-date on a bunch of series. Good job!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Will Trent - Karin Slaughter (up-to-date)
Writer Friends - Rachel Gibson (complete)

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started two series:
Fatal series - Marie Force (will continue)
The Grave Report - R.R. Virdi (will continue if I can find the books)

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in 2 series:
The Ivy Years - Sarina Bowen
Orphan X - Gregg Hurwitz

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My only 5-star book was After That Night

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I finished 10 books which ranged from mediocre to very good. At least there were no terrible books in the mix.

Thanks Robin.

You moved forward too. Great job!

Sharon wrote: "I'm on time this month. Yay!."

Well done! I'm very late.

The Beth Katz series looks intriguing.

Robin wrote: "I finished 10 books which ranged from mediocre to very good. At least there were no terrible books in the mix..."

Look on the bright side!
How did you like Writer Friends overall?

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?
No - I know, it's amazing!

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 6


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
No standouts this month but I have decided to DNF the Phoenix Pack series. It just isn't for me.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 8 books. A slower month for me as I was getting ready for the academic year to begin, which has now been postponed due to the situation here in Israel.

Lauren wrote: "5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 8 books. A slower month for me as I was getting ready for the academic year to begin, which has now been postponed due to the situation here in Israel..."

I pray every day that the fighting/war is resolved soon. I am taking a weekend break from the news. The devastation we see is heartwrenching. I can't imagine being so close to the conflict.

I have all of your series on my TBR list. I don't know if I'll get to them anytime soon though.

Thanks Sharon. I've stopped watching the news. I can't bear it anymore, and it literally makes my blood pressure go up. We are all hoping for better days.

Lauren wrote: "Robin wrote: "I finished 10 books which ranged from mediocre to very good. At least there were no terrible books in the mix..."

Look on the bright side!
How did you like Writer Friends overall?"

Overall, I thought the series was very good. I think the biggest problem is me. I used to love contemporary romance, but in the last few years I feel like there is something missing unless there is a dead body in the mix. I need a little mystery with my romance.

Robin wrote: "but in the last few years I feel like there is something missing unless there is a dead body in the mix"

I went through a stage like this and I stopped reading CR almost completely. It lasted 10 years or so, lol!
I've only recently gotten back into CR and it has to be REALLY good for me to continue the series.