SA Book & Challenge Lovers discussion

We are going to do this challenge again in 2014 and we will start on 1 April.

The idea of this challenge is that you are being send to a deserted island and you can only bring 5 books with you. Which books will it be?????

This time we are nominating our favorite series. This can be any series you have liked and consider one of your favorites.

For this challenge a series consists of at least 3 books. A series can also consist of 2 books if one of the following conditions has been met: the series has at least one short story or one accompanying book like for example the Kane Chronicles Survival Guide or a third book that has been announced.

Furthermore if a series is very large and is divided in several subseries nominate a subseries. So for example do not nominate the Discworld series but the Guards subseries or the Witches. You can only nominate one of these subseries. So not all 5 of your nominations can be from the Discworld series. If someone has already nominated a subseries only 1 other person can do that also from the same series.

Nominate series that you think were absolutely fantastic. Preferably 5 star books, but 4 stars are also allowed. And of course one of the books can have a lesser rating. There can always be a book we didn't like. Series containing more than 1 book you gave 1 star to are not allowed. This is a challenge to get great recommendations not to make each others lifes difficult. We have other challenges for that. :P

You also have to have read at least half of the series you are nominating. If it is a series of 2 books you have to have read both.

If you want to participate in this challenge, nominate 5 series. If you nominate 5 books we expect you to participate. So don't nominate just for the hell of it.

You have two weeks to nominate.

To complete this challenge you have to read one book of one series of each person who nominated.

I nominate:


- Parasol Protectorate series
- Caledonia Fae series
- Vampire Academy series
- Uglies series
- Healer series

How will this work? Do you have to start with book one or can you read any book in the series? I ask because I want to nominate The Culture series by Iain M. Banks, but I don't think the first book is all that great. It's the least favourite of the books I've read in the series. The novels are standalones and I think it'd be better to start with book 2

I said in the last line in the first post that you have to read one book of one series of each person who nominated. One book does not mean the first book. So you can read any book in the series as long as it follows the standard rule of being at least 150 pages long.

Although if people are anything like me and it is a new series they want to start with the first book. :)

I think you can read any book in the series? Cause some might have started a series already but never finished it and want to read the second book or something. Is that right Barbara?

Ah there we go :)

Ah, thanks! Sorry, I don't know why I missed that line!

The Culture by Iain M. Banks (I suggest starting with the second book; all are standalone)

The Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams

Gentleman Bastard by Scott Lynch

The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

New Crobuzon by China Miéville

Were we typing at the same time?

Barbara wrote: "Were we typing at the same time?"
We did :)

Excited to see what everyone nominates!

I am still thinking about what I want to nominate. It is not as easy as it seems. :)

Yeah, I'm having the same problem!

I'll also send this out with tomorrow's group msg.

Great Thanks!

The Hunger Games Trilogy

The Night Angel Trilogy

The Black Magician Trilogy

The Dark Tower Series

And for something lighthearted
Bridget Jones (the first 2 books)

Oh My Word.

I am going to have to really think about this one.

Nominate some series I want to read badly guys lol!
So far, so good :)

No Harry Potter? :P

I was going to, but then I though everyone has read them or are not interested lol

I thought you left it out so that someone else could nominate it and then you could re-read one :)

Because that's sort of what I did with Game of Thrones and considered doing with Hitchhiker's.

That might be my secret plan :P
I might have made a few other such decisions as well ... :P

> Skulduggery Pleasant series
> Fire and Thorns Trilogy
> Burton & Swinburne
> Legend of Drizzt - Dark Elf Trilogy
> Harry Potter

Harry Potter re-read time! :D

I rephrased what is a series in message 1 because I think I may not have been as clear as I might have been.

Thanks Barbara. I think I'll keep HP. If you were to send me to a deserted island, how could I not take Harry!

Someone had to nominate him. It might as well be you. :)

- Chronicles of Narnia

- Dragon Knights series

- O'Malley series

- Big Sky Dreams

- Scanguards series

- House of Night Series
- Vampire Academy Series
- Beautiful Series
- (it is not listed as a series on Goodreads but book two is named
- In Death Series

And I am so happy for a HP reread!!

Angelique wrote: " - House of Night Series
- Vampire Academy Series
- Beautiful Series
-..."

You say of Belle that book two is named. If that is the case I don't think the criteria aren't met. Just check them to be sure. They are:
For this challenge a series consists of at least 3 books. A series can also consist of 2 books if one of the following conditions has been met: the series has at least one short story or one accompanying book like for example the Kane Chronicles Survival Guide or a third book that has been announced.

Thanks for nominating the House of Night series!

So that we don't only read fantasy, some other genres:

- Falco series by Lindsey Davis

- Simon Serrailler series by Susan Hill

series by Diana Wynne Jones

- Corfu series by Gerald Durrell

- Bennie Griessel series by Deon Meyer

Liezel wrote: "And for something lighthearted
Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason Bridget Jones (the first 2 books) "

Can I not read the 3rd book? I haven't read it yet and actually ordered it.

If a series is nominated you can read all the books. I think she said the first two books because the third hasn't been published yet.

My nominations:

Boudica series by Manda Scott

The Liveship Traders by Robin Hobb

The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind

Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey

Barbara wrote: "If a series is nominated you can read all the books. I think she said the first two books because the third hasn't been published yet."

Cool thank you :) It was published last year. Ordered a copy :)

I know I said two weeks to nominate but if anyone still wants to nominate please do so. We won't start reading for another week so there is still time.

Barbara wrote: "Angelique wrote: " - House of Night Series
- Vampire Academy Series
- Beautiful Series
[bookcove..."

Yeah - I am sure it is met... The third book came out now. It all follows a long with the same people Goodreads just doesn't have it listed as a series.

and it is my pleasure to nominate the house of night series. I loved it!!!

Could you tell me what the books are, because even on her own site I couldn't find it. Thanks!

The third book is Survivor. :)

Barbara... "you will have to have read at least half of the series" : I nominated a sub-series The Dark Elf Trilogy, which I have read, but I have only read 6 books of the complete 25 book series. Do I need to change my nomination?

I wanna start already!!!

Claudia wrote: "Barbara... "you will have to have read at least half of the series" : I nominated a sub-series The Dark Elf Trilogy, which I have read, but I have only read 6 books of the complete 25 ..."

But you have read 2 out of 3 books of the Dark Elf Trilogy? If so you're good. The trilogy is what is nominated not the larger series.

Lu (Sugar & Snark) wrote: "I wanna start already!!!"

Just a couple of more days. :) I want to keep it open for more nominations. Although we have a couple of great ones.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
Jack West Jnr
Jo March
Tiffany Aching
Septimus Heap

Varla Fiona wrote: " Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III
Jack West Jnr
Jo March
[bookcover:The Wee Free Men|21..."

Thabks, that finally gives me the excuse to read Little Women. It has been on my to read list for forever and somehow I never got around to it.

Barbara wrote: "Claudia wrote: "Barbara... "you will have to have read at least half of the series" : I nominated a sub-series The Dark Elf Trilogy, which I have read, but I have only read 6 books of ..."

Yes, I've read all three books of the trilogy. Thanks Barbara.

Barbara wrote: "Could you tell me what the books are, because even on her own site I couldn't find it. Thanks!"

The Promise & Survivor

Belle comes first.

Oh this is going to be exciting. Can't wait to get started either.

Angelique wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Could you tell me what the books are, because even on her own site I couldn't find it. Thanks!"

The Promise & Survivor

Belle comes f..."

Thanks. The author's website leaves something to be desired. Couldn't figure it out. Now I know which books people can read. :)