On The Same Page discussion

Seasonal and Holiday Reading (stealing from Amy but adding seasonal so it won't be all cozies.)

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listened to



My 12 unread
started, didn't like
started, didn't like

I've only read some Anne Perry and Charles Todd of your selections. Good luck with your seasonal challenges.

I want to throw in some regular mysteries or historical/historical mystery too, but the cozies are easy and a lot have holiday names (plus my kindle is full of them.)

I haven't read any of these, but they look great. I love how you've got all the seasons covered. Happy reading! :-)

Lea wrote: "I haven't read any of these, but they look great. I love how you've got all the seasons covered. Happy reading! :-)"

thanks- mostly I read cozies between serious books, but I usually do read one a month anyway, so I know I can get this one done.

Bonnie wrote: "thanks- mostly I read cozies between serious books, but I usually do read one a month anyway, so I know I can get this one done."

I think I'd get more into cozies if I wasn't such a completist. I have too many series on the go to make me start any more. I pick up a book and immediately go online to see how big of a commitment I'm making. I think I need to stop that and just enjoy! It's nice when you're 12 + 4 list is fun! I had that last year! :-)

It looks like a fun year of reading. Good luck!

I see Darcy Coates on the list. I have only read a short story or two from her, and she is good. She routinely has freebies on Amazon; so I have tons. I hope you enjoy her work.

Good luck and happy reading, Bonnie!!

Lea wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "thanks- mostly I read cozies between serious books, but I usually do read one a month anyway, so I know I can get this one done."

I think I'd get more into cozies if I wasn't such a..."

with most series I read (cozy or other) I want to read the first few in order, but then I'm fine reading hit or miss or out of order. Usually I am fine once I know the characters and their relationships gel.

Bonnie wrote: "with most series I read (cozy or other) I want to read the first few in order, but then I'm fine reading hit or miss or out of order. Usually I am fine once I know the characters and their relationships gel."

Bonnie, that makes a lot of sense, and is a very smart way to solve the series crisis. :-)

Nice theme, sounds like fun. Happy reading!

Ioana wrote: "Nice theme, sounds like fun. Happy reading!"

thanks. I wanted this challenge to be an easy one- and with books I could plug into the Motley challenge plus some of my cover color of the month challenges.

Good luck with your challenge. Looks like some interesting choices, although I haven't read any of them.

Vikki wrote: "Good luck with your challenge. Looks like some interesting choices, although I haven't read any of them."

I am always picking up cozy mysteries cheap or free on kindle or my amazon prime that I usually read between more serious books, so I hope I can check out a few new series this way.

Yay - I love that my 2022 challenge inspired you! I was pleased with my challenge - as a mood reader, I struggle with deciding ahead of time, but know that I will usually be in the mood for a seasonal or holiday book.

Plus you have some on here that I don't have on my "seasonal TBR" list, so thanks!

Lea wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "thanks- mostly I read cozies between serious books, but I usually do read one a month anyway, so I know I can get this one done."

I think I'd get more into cozies if I wasn't such a..."

to me, with most cozy or crime series, it's only important to read the first few in order- then they become more about the story/theme/murder.

Amy wrote: "Yay - I love that my 2022 challenge inspired you! I was pleased with my challenge - as a mood reader, I struggle with deciding ahead of time, but know that I will usually be in the mood for a seaso..."

the ones I didn't own on kindle, I chose by their library availability- and/or cheapness if I did have to buy them.

I've read one of the Hesse and need to get back to it -- that's a sleeper series for sure, one you don't see here often. I like Isis Crawford too. You have some good picks!

Jennifer wrote: "I've read one of the Hesse and need to get back to it -- that's a sleeper series for sure, one you don't see here often. I like Isis Crawford too. You have some good picks!"

thanks- the Hesse and Crawford series are new ones to me too.

Are you starting off with New Year's Eve Murder?? that would be perfect lol

I haven't read any from your list, but a few are on my TBR. Wish you good luck with it.

Alissa wrote: "Are you starting off with New Year's Eve Murder?? that would be perfect lol"

I am, though I started it New Year's Eve (so a day early) since I was on vacationing and it was rainy.

New Year's Eve Murder done with book 1- I did start a day early though. Pretty good cozy and a fast read. The MC and her daughter were not as likeable as in other books I read in this series (earlier books.)

I didn't have it on my list, but it was considered. However, I finished my January pick so am now reading it. The NYC fashion scene is sure a different setting for her.

A Winter Wrong was a decent Jane Austen (P&P) retelling Novella. I've had it on my kindle a while, so glad to get it off.

Valentines & Victims a short pretty good cozy mystery (part of a kindle bundle) but had nothing really to do with Valentines.

My second Valentine's cozy was not so good. A Catered Valentine's. It was OK but the characters didn't really grab me. Will probably skip the Catered St. Patrick's Day- so luckily we have alternatives.

Peach Blossom Spring was a good book, not what I had in mind for my seasonal/holiday challenge (light reading.) It was a serious historical family drama about a family displaced from China during WW-II to Taiwan and then to America. The names and places were hard to keep up with initially and the main characters didn't seem really relatable in my life, but it read authentic and interesting.

The Whispering Dead was a good introduction to a series- good characters and setting. It didn't feel complete though.

So Midsummer Night's Mischief was OK, not great, but an easy read with a unique kind of setting.

Bonnie wrote: "The Whispering Dead was a good introduction to a series- good characters and setting. It didn't feel complete though."

I still haven't read any Darcy Coates, but have about 5 of her books on my Kindle. I need to get with the program. Glad you enjoyed this one, I had no idea it was a series though.

A Fine Summer's Day was a prequel to a series I like (historical mystery.) I liked but didn't love it. Maybe because it was a prequel, it seemed less character driven to me than later novels.

9 down, and no 5 star reads. Mostly 3 stars, one 4, and a couple of generous 2s. Hopefully my last 3 will be better. I think my next challenge will be less about easy reads and kindles I have/got cheap and more about books I expect to love.

Well 11 done now, with which was an enjoyable (if out of season) read and the second one I've enjoyed in this series. I didn't actually know when Candlemas was and assumed around Christmas- but I think it's actually February. One more to go, which will probably be Christmas or Winter themed.

listening to on audible. Good and love catching up with the Monks world. When finished this would be 12. I may still read another Christmas one on kindle in December.

Officially done- A Christmas Deliverance was a great listen as I was driving around a lot this week at bazaars and such in the community. I will probably read one more I have on Kindle which is Christmas related.

went ahead and read Carnage at the Christmas Party (a dud to me which I skimmed a lot of) making a total of 13 completed, 2 started but didn't finish, and one I'm not sure- disappeared early I guess.

Congratulations on completing your challenge, Bonnie!!! Woot!!

Congratulations, Bonnie! :-)

I'm glad we have alternatives for sure. I had a few duds here. And not much I rated above 3. I'm hoping this year's more varied choices go better for me.

Bonnie wrote: "I'm glad we have alternatives for sure. I had a few duds here. And not much I rated above 3. I'm hoping this year's more varied choices go better for me."

MMmm; I feel you on that one. I hate when books don't work out and you're left with a 3 star or less, book. I feel like those are the ones I have to push through.

Alondra wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "I'm glad we have alternatives for sure. I had a few duds here. And not much I rated above 3. I'm hoping this year's more varied choices go better for me."

MMmm; I feel you on that o..."

yep, luckily I also did the Motley challenge and read books I liked better around it.

Congratulations on completing your list, Bonnie. Good luck in 2024.