The Reading Challenge Group discussion

This is a new challenge for 2016 for those who love reading series novels. A bit tricky since that can mean anywhere from 3 to 30 novels! But I thought we'd give it a try. It will run all year and can be done for more than one series. Graphic novel series are welcome.

The Plan...
Level 1: Grab A Spoon: 3-4 books/volumes of the same series
Level 2: Pour The Milk: 5-10 books/volumes of the same series
Level 3: Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!: more than 10 books/volumes in a single series read this year

-You can do this for more than one series, but you need to post them separately.
-You don't have to read the entire series. For example, You may choose to read the first 3-4 books of one series, then start a new challenge with a different series. Depending on your reading habits.
-Also, you don't have to start with the first book in the series, as long as you have at least 3 books still to read. For example, I've already read 11 books of O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, but there are more than 20 in the series, so I could start with Book 12 and go from there.

Reserved for Updates:

I have already added a couple of updates to the bottom of the opening post in response to member questions. :)

Kassandra's Cereal Numbers Challenge

I'm going to go for Level 2 on this one but may end up with Level 3 since I'm planning on doing a refresh of the Harry Potter series.

The 2016 Reading Challenge Group

Mini Challenges > Cereal Numbers : Series Challenge 2016

January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

Completed 2/11


I like cereal, so I will do the Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Faith Fairchild Series by Katherine Hall Page

√ 1. The Body in the Belfry by Katherine Hall Page READ 2/5/2016
√ 2. The Body in the Kelp BY Katherine Hall Page READ 3/25/2016
3. The Body in the Bouillon by Katherine Hall Page
4. The Body in the Vestibule by Katherine Hall Page
5. The Body in the Cast by Katherine Hall Page
6. The Body in the Basement by Katherine Hall Page
7. The Body in the Bog by Katherine Hall Page
8. The Body in the Fjord by Katherine Hall Page
9. The Body in the Bookcase by Katherine Hall Page
10. The Body in the Big Apple by Katherine Hall Page
11. The Body in the Moonlight by Katherine Hall Page

Good for you, Jackie! I can't wait to see what series you read!

I'm still debating on that. I have 3 series in mind that will have over 10 books in each; however, making the decision is the fun part!

I was already doing a personal goal for series, and so I shall make sure I add this to it when I am doing them

I hear ya, Jackie. I read several series last year, both regular and graphic. Now I know I'll do this challenge but I'm not ready to commit to a series yet.

I had no idea there were so many Blandings books, Iasa. I'll definitely look into them. I love Wodehouse.

Thats a great question. I'll add it to my updates. And no you don't have to read an entire series or even start from Book One of the series.

I'm definitely in! I'll probably do a few different series at level 1, and I have one in mind for level 2. I'll update once I've chosen which ones to focus on.

I have so many series going on that I really, really need this challenge to help me focus. I'm aiming for a couple level 1 challenges. I'll list them all in one post to save space and check them off as I go.

1. Gail Carriger - Finishing School Series
(view spoiler)[
Level 1 - Grab a Spoon (3-4 Books in the same series)

✔ 1. Etiquette & Espionage
✔ 2. Curtsies & Conspiracies
✔ 3. Waistcoats & Weaponry
✔ 4. Manners & Mutiny

Completed: 4/4
(hide spoiler)]
---------------------------------------------
2. Brandon Sanderson - Reckoners Series
(view spoiler)[
Level 1 - Grab a Spoon (3-4 Books in the same series)

✔ 1. Steelheart
✔ 1.5 Mitosis
✔ 2. Firefight
✔ 3. Calamity

Completed: 4/4
(hide spoiler)]
---------------------------------------------
3. Shelley Adina - Magnificent Devices Series
(view spoiler)[
Level 1 - Grab a Spoon (3-4 Books in the same series)

✔ 6. A Lady of Spirit
✔ 7. A Lady of Integrity
✔ 8. A Gentleman of Means

Completed: 3/3
(hide spoiler)]
---------------------------------------------
4. Tamora Pierce - The Immortals Series
(view spoiler)[
Level 1 - Grab a Spoon (3-4 Books in the same series)

✔ 1. Wild Magic
✔ 2. Wolf-Speaker
✔ 3. Emperor Mage
✔ 4. The Realms of the Gods

Completed: 4/4
(hide spoiler)]
---------------------------------------------
5. J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter Series (Re-Read)

Level 2 - Pour the Milk (5-10 books in the same series)

✔ 1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
✔ 2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
✔ 3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
✔ 4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
✔ 5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
✔ 6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Completed: 6/7

---------------------------------------------
6. Victoria Thompson - Gaslight Mystery Series
(view spoiler)[
Level 2 - Pour the Milk (5-10 books in the same series)

✔ 3. Murder on Gramercy Park
✔ 4. Murder on Washington Square
✔ 5. Murder on Mulberry Bend
✔ 6. Murder on Marble Row
✔ 7. Murder on Lenox Hill
✔ 8. Murder in Little Italy
✔ 9. Murder in Chinatown

Completed: 7
(hide spoiler)]

Oh a challenge up my alley. I am in the midst of reading 25+ different series at this moment! I will have to look through them and select a few to add a level to.

The Plan...
Level 1: Grab A Spoon: 3-4 books/volumes of the same series
Level 2: Pour The Milk: 5-10 books/volumes of the same series
Level 3: Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!: more than 10 books/volumes in a single series read this year

I'm the same with a number of series on the go. I'll add as I go along:

Level 1: Grab A Spoon: 3-4 books/volumes of the same series

✔ Margaret Atwood- MaddAddam series

#1 - Oryx and Crake
#2 - The Year of the Flood
#3 - MaddAddam


Level 2: Pour The Milk: 5-10 books/volumes of the same series


Level 3: Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!: more than 10 books/volumes in a single series read this year

I may go for more than one level of this. There are a few series that I'm reading at the moment that I'd like to crack on with this year which are:

Malazan Book of the Fallen - Level 1
Shattered Sea - Level 1
Mistborn - Level 1
Dresden Files - Level 1
Discworld - Level 2
Jack Reacher - Level 2
Chronicles of Narnia - Level 2

I won't get all of these done. But we'll see how I get on

Progress...

Jack Reacher by Lee Child:

Die Trying - Finished January 27th

can i go for level 3 please planning on re reading the morganvile serise 15 in yotal as i have never read them all.

Made Some Progress!
Level 1: Grab A Spoon: 3-4 books/volumes of the same series

Lady Emily by Tasha Alexander
A Poisoned Season #2
A Fatal Waltz #3
Tears of Pearl #4
Dangerous to Know #5

Molly Murphy mysteries by Rhys Bowen
The Face in the Mirror #11.5
The Family Way #12
Through the Window #12.5
City of Darkness and Light #13

Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle
French Pressed #6
Espresso Shot #7

Meg Langslows by Donna Andrews
Murder With Peacocks #1
Murder With Puffins #2

Level 2: Pour The Milk: 5-10 books/volumes of the same series

Play by Play series by Jaci Burton
The Perfect Play#1
Changing the Game#2
Taking a Shot#3
Playing to Win#4
Thrown by a Curve#5
One Sweet Ride #6
Holiday Games #6.5

Masie Dobbs mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear
Messenger of Truth #4
An Incomplete Revenge #5
Among the Mad #6
The Mapping of Love and Death #7
A Lesson in Secrets #8
Elegy for Eddie #9
Leaving Everything Most Loved #10


Level 3: Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!: more than 10 books/volumes in a single series read this year

Gaslight Mysteries by Victoria Thompson
Murder on Gramercy Park#3
Murder on Washington Square #4
Murder on Mulberry Bend #5
Murder on Marble Row #6
Murder on Lenox Hill# 7
Murder in Little Italy #8
Murder in Chinatown#9
Murder on Bank Street #10
Murder on Waverly Place #11
Murder on Lexington Avenue #12
Murder on Sisters' Row #13

Finally! A place to add all the Poldark books I'm reading this year. I'm currently on 5/12 I will do level 2 for this series.

1. The Black Moon (5th book)
2. The Four Swans (6th book)
3. The Angry Tide (7th book)
4. The Stranger from the Sea (8th book)
5. The Miller's Dance (9th book)

I will do level 1
I'm either going to read Kronik Archeo series or Tintin graphic novel series.

If I get to dawn of the arcana this year, I will definitely do this!

Great to see so many members getting psyched for this challenge!

Haha I just realized- I can do this 3 times over!
Anne of green gables for level 2
Wild Ones Manga for level 3 Dawn of the Arcana for level 4
Hehe serendipity!

Renee wrote: "Great to see so many members getting psyched for this challenge!"

Renee, I think this is the hardest one for me. It's so easy to get distracted with new books!

I hear ya!

Series Readers-
Are you making headway?

Slowly but surely, I'm chipping away at it. I don't feel like I'm getting very far because I'm doing more than one series. But I'll get there!

Hmmm I am reading some already, such as The Reckoners (4), Wells and Wong (4) - plenty of trilogies... and I've planned to read Trollope's Barsetshire series (6) and possibly Thirkell's too (7).

Question: for the Crunch, could I use a publishing series, such as the British Library Crime Classics (20), and the Persephone books (20)?

no lol

Hmm. I hadn't thought of those things you've mentioned as series, Veronique. I think of them more as "collections." As usual, I'm going to say, "Use your best judgement." You're already taking on a challenge with the Barsetshire novels.

Renee wrote: "Hmm. I hadn't thought of those things you've mentioned as series, Veronique. I think of them more as "collections." As usual, I'm going to say, "Use your best judgement." You're already taking on a..."

No that's ok. They are indeed collections and not series. I got a wild moment :O)
As you say, I have plenty with the two Barsetshire series, and the multitude of trilogies.

I am thinking of doing The Outlander Series but would be starting with the second book. Possibly also James Patterson Alex Cross Series. I am on the third book.

That sounds perfect, Tina. I tried to make it so people could continue with wherever they were in a given series and still participate.

Do serials count? Like the Calendar Girl series for instance?

I don't know much about these, other than the fact that Stella is using them for the Crazy Calendar challenges. Use your best judgment. If they seem series-like, then use them. :)

I finished my first level 1, Grab a Spoon, challenge this weekend!

Woot woot! Good job, Allison!

So far, I have read the first 5 books of J.D. Robb's In Death Series as of Aug 2.

1. Naked in Death
2. Glory in
3. Immortal in Death
4. Rapture in Death
5. Ceremony in Death
6. Vengeance in Death



I have also finished Jack and Jill, the third book from Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

Finally finished level 1!

Updated Message 16

Finished the three books in the MaddAdam series by Margaret Atwood

Well done Sam F! I really need to finally read one of her books (couple on the shelf waiting...).

Tina - well done too :0)

I've just read the second Wells and Wong book (Arsenic for Tea - great middle-grade murder mystery) and Mitosis. Getting ready however to start The Warden early June.

Great job, Sam!

Looking forward to The Warden, Vero... And I added the Wells & Wong to my TBR. :)

Renee wrote: "Looking forward to The Warden, Vero... And I added the Wells & Wong to my TBR. :)"

Me too :0)

3 series so far!


Level 1: Grab A Spoon
1) Wild Ones, Vol. 2
2) Wild Ones, Vol. 3
3)Wild Ones, Vol. 4
4)Wild Ones, Vol. 5
5)Wild Ones, Vol. 6

Level 2: Pour The Milk
6)Wild Ones, Vol. 7
7)Wild Ones, Vol. 8
8)Wild Ones, Vol. 9
9)Wild Ones, Vol. 10
10)

Level 1: Grab A Spoon
1) Violet Eyes
2)The Rose Bride: A Retelling of "The White Bride and the Black Bride"
3) The Night Dance: A Retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses"
4)Water Song: A Retelling of "The Frog Prince"
5)Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella"

Level 1 Grab a Spoon
1)Ultra Maniac, Vol. 01
2)Ultra Maniac, Vol. 02
3)Ultra Maniac, Vol. 03
4)Ultra Maniac, Vol. 04
5)Ultra Maniac, Vol. 05

I have done the first 3 books of the In Death series. on the 4th and I am also almost done book 3 (Jack and Jill) of James Patterson's Alex Cross Series.

Well done, guys!

Just decided to join in on this by reading ASOIAF (I plan on reading this series this year anyway). I read the first book last year therefore will start with the 2nd one.

Level 1: Grab A Spoon: 3-4 - A series of ice and fire
1. A Clash of Kings
2. A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
3. A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
4. A Feast for Crows
5. A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast
6. A Dance with Dragons: Dreams and Dust

Good luck, Alessandra!

updating message 40 as of June 17

I never actually said which series I'm doing for this. Im working on a few.
1) The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
2) Aubrey-Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian
3) A Dance To The Music of Time by Anthony Powell
4) Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon - possibly

I've been updating in my Personal Challenge thread, but I'll post here as soon as I figure out where I am in each.

Finally can tick The Warden off my list. Only took 8 years to get to it :O)