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? Yes, 2


I also decided to DNF a series that has lost its luster


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes 3.
- read two in the series, but I won't be reading book #3 as the characters are not appealing.
- will continue with both

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 9 -


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
Two 4.5 Star books
- good plots and great characters.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 20 books, which is a lot for me.

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes, 2


I also decided to DNF a series that has l..."

Another great month, Lauren! You rocked reading 20 books💜

Too bad about the SEAL series as I know you’d enjoyed earlier books.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I completed three series and got up to date in one:
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (complete)
Pilgrim Cove by Linda Barrett (complete)
Predator Trilogy by Allison Brennan (complete)
Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson (up to date)

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, I started one series and definitely plan to continue it: Bow Street Bachelors by Kate Bateman

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in one series, Hostage Rescue Team by Kaylea Cross.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
OMG, yes! I loved Daisy Jones & The Six and it’s outstanding on audio with a full cast narration. As much as I was anticipating Life and Other Inconveniences it still surpassed my expectations. And, as tough a read as it was, The Grace Year delivered the most powerful and important messages.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I loved my reading experience this month, even if I only got 12 books in. Not a bad read in the bunch and having been on the road for three weeks, I’m happy with my results.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed 1 series (actually a trilogy)(Predator Trilogy by Allison Brennan) and got up to date in 1 series (The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi).

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

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Not this month

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My favorite book of the month was The Silvered Serpents (The Gilded Wolves #2) by Roshani Chokshi. I received an ARC through Goodreads courtesy of St. Martin's Press and now I'm sad cause I have to wait for book 3. The characters are fabulous and I love the myths behind the story.


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I read 5 books this month and finally listened to my first audio book. And I finally read Rosemary's Baby which I have been meaning to do for some time now. I'm happy.

1. I completed 2-
I got current in 1
2. I started 3 new series

I loved the first two. Halfway To the Grave I did not but will probably try another since I’m in the minority in my dislike.
3. I moved forward in 2
My favorite couple, loved this.
4. My standout books-
The entire series is great.
I’m so glad I read it before I binged the show.
Great ending to a fantastic series
this is one twisted book that I am still thinking about. Read it if you dare. It’s traumatizing, with numerous triggers. It is not a happy read by any means.
Quirky heroine more chick lit then romance
5. I only read 12 books which I blame 1. The Shadows it took me 5 days to read it. I want to catch up on BDB even if it kills me and this one almost did. They are sooo long. Too many subplots many which are going nowhere. 2. I also blame Big Little Lies cause after reading the book I binged the TV show (season one).

Great month, Laura! Not only productive but you seem to have enjoyed a whole lot of books! Thrilled you read Big Little Lies before watching the series.

Now, I’ve got questions. I have all but the last book in the Dirty Deeds series. Did you really love every book? Same for the Marked Men series?

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed 1 series (actually a trilogy)(Predator Trilogy by Allison Brennan) and got up to date in 1 series (The Gilded Wolves ..."

Congrats on completing that series and thanks for doing the group read, Melissa! Enjoyed your participation.

Your first audiobook??? Do you know how good the fantasy genre is generally on audio? You’re in for a treat!

Jonetta wrote: "Great month, Laura! Not only productive but you seem to have enjoyed a whole lot of books! Thrilled you read Big Little Lies before watching the series.

Now, I’ve got questions. I..."

Yes I loved both series. Normal contemporary romance on both. Nothing dark or over the top. Dirty Deeds #1 #2 I gave 4 stars and #3,4 were 5 star reads. Marked Men were all 4-5 star reads.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I completed three series and got up to date in one:
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (complete)
Pilgrim Cove by Lin..."

Good month Jonetta, That’s funny we both read 12. Daisy Jones looks good.

Jonetta wrote: "Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed 1 series (actually a trilogy)(Predator Trilogy by Allison Brennan) and got up to date in 1 series (Th..."

Jonetta, I have a really hard time listening to audio books. My mind wanders while listening. Do you have any good fantasy suggestions?

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I actually became up-to-date/finished 4 series in October!
King ad Maxwell - David Baldacci (completed)
Enchanted Bridal series - Samantha Chase (completed)
Three Cowboys and a Baby - Vicki Lewis Thompson (completed)
Gaslight Mysteries - Victoria Thompson (up-to-date)

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens and the Gilded Newport series by Alyssa Maxwell, I plan to continue both series.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in 7 series:
King and Maxwell - David Baldacci
Enchanted Bridal series - Samantha Chase
Three Cowboys and a Baby - Vicki Lewis Thompson
Gaslight Mysteries - Victoria Thompson
Nadia Stafford series - Kelley Armstrong
Bayview Heights - Kathryn Shay
The Legionnaires - Brynn Kelly

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had no 5-Star books in October, but I did read three books that I rated 4.5 Stars:


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I finished 10 books in October. Except for the ones listed above, most of them were mediocre. Two of them I have 1.5 Stars:

Melissa wrote: "Jonetta, I have a really hard time listening to audio books. My mind wanders while listening. Do you have any good fantasy suggestions? ..."

Hands down, Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. Fantastic on audio.

Laura wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I completed three series and got up to date in one:
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (complete)
Pil..."

Daisy Jones was great on audio but has mixed reviews by those reading the book in other formats.

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I actually became up-to-date/finished 4 series in October!
King ad Maxwell - David Baldacci (completed)
Enchanted Bridal series -..."

Sorry about those mediocre reads, Robin. Great job, though, on your series work, especially completing three series!

Laura wrote: "1. I completed 2-
I got current in 1
2. I started 3 new series
[bookcover:Underneath It All..."

I keep meaning to return to BDB . But the length of the books are just so daunting. And then it's been years since I read them( pre tablet era) and feel I have to start from th beginning to properly get into them again.

Michelle wrote: "Laura wrote: "1. I completed 2-
I got current in 1
2. I started 3 new series
[bookcover:Und..."


I had a 5 year gap between #8 and #9 and it was a little tough getting back into it but I did it without rereading. If the length of them had substance I could deal with it, but this last one gave major chunks of the book to a few characters which had no new revelations or action and it was pointless they were even featured. ( in my opinion)

Maybe they are from the other series that's off shoot from the main? At this point I don't think it will be happening. Don't know what will get me back but I don't want to device the series yet either.

Jonetta wrote: "Too bad about the SEAL series as I know you’d enjoyed earlier books"

Yes. Unfortunately, like many long series once you get past the core group of characters and the focus shifts to new people, it all seems to fizzle.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I completed three series and got up to date in one:
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare (complete)
Pilgrim Cove by Lin..."

So glad you enjoyed your month, Jonetta. The Bateman series looks good.

Melissa wrote: "I read 5 books this month and finally listened to my first audio book. And I finally read Rosemary's Baby which I have been meaning to do for some time now. I'm happy.
.."

Congrats on your first audiobook, Melissa. Are you hooked now? :)

I only read 12 books which I blame 1. The Shadows it took me 5 days to read it. I want to catch up on BDB even if it kills me and this one almost did. They are sooo long. Too many subplots many which are going nowhere. 2. I also blame Big Little Lies"

I had the same issues with BDN and Big Little Lies, lol!

Robin wrote: "I started the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens

Ooh! You are in for a treat. I love that series!

Lauren wrote: "So glad you enjoyed your month, Jonetta. The Bateman series looks good...."

Thanks, Lauren! Yes, I really enjoyed that story and am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

Lauren wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I read 5 books this month and finally listened to my first audio book. And I finally read Rosemary's Baby which I have been meaning to do for some time now. I'm happy.
.."

Congrats..."

I wouldn't say hooked, but I'll probably listen to more.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? I didn't complete any series, one day maybe!


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

I did start a new series, not sure if I will continue or not.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in the Debbie Macomber series - Rose Harbour

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I really enjoy Love Letters and look forward to the next one.
5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I finished two books again this month, it seems like that is all that I can finish in a month, which I think is really good for me.

Outstanding, Viki! I’m thrilled you’re reading💜