On The Same Page discussion

New strategy this year: I won't let the series books derail my challenge. I'll make the series books their own challenge.

Progress: 10/12

1. Harbour Street by Ann Cleeves
2. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
3. The Shadows We Hide by Allen Eskens
4. The Winners by Fredrik Backman
5. The West London Murders by Biba Pearce
6. The 17th Suspect by James Patterson
7. Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree by M.C. Beaton
8. Best in Snow by David Rosenfelt
9. 8 Bodies is Enough by Stephanie Bond
10. Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien
11. A Good Day to Pie by Misha Popp
12. Four Puddings and a Funeral by H.Y. Hanna



Alternates:
1. Latte Trouble by Cleo Coyle
2. Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
3. No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly
4. Exiles by Jane Harper

Denise wrote: "New strategy this year: I won't let the series books derail my challenge. I'll make the series books their own challenge.

Progress: 0/12"

That's a good idea. I look forward to seeing what series you're reading.

I love your idea. I hope this strategy works for you. I have considered it for awhile, but am worried that I'll get into a series and want to read right through it, instead of reading the other series on the list. I'm going to keep an eye on this one, maybe I'll do something like this next year.

I hope we both enjoy The Winners. It's on my list this year too! :-)

Great idea about the series books. Good luck!

Denise wrote: "New strategy this year: I won't let the series books derail my challenge. I'll make the series books their own challenge. .."

I know that's right, Denise!!! I am 85% sure of what I want to do; but still thinking, thinking, and thinking so more.

I like the Coffeehouse mysteries and need to get back to it.

Good luck and happy reading!!

I am soooo behind on reading the Agatha Raisin series. She is definitely a character! Love her.

The Winners, yes! Can't wait to get my copy from the library, probably by March. I hope we both like it.
Good luck and happy reading.

For those of you really needing a new series...

A Good Day to Pie is book 2 of what looks like a cozy series, but isn't. I read the first one this year and was so surprised by it. It's magical realism. A woman has the ability to bake magic into pies and uses it to help people (college students might get pies during finals with energy and focus baked in). Then she discovers she can use the magic to help women who are in abusive relationships to escape from dangerous partners by baking pies for their husbands.

It was edgy and creative and I'm really looking forward to book 2!

Denise wrote: "For those of you really needing a new series...

A Good Day to Pie looks like a cozy series, but isn't. I read the first one this year and was so surprised by it. It's magical realism. A woman has ..."

I’m in. I’ll go add it.

Madeline wrote: "Denise wrote: "For those of you really needing a new series...

A Good Day to Pie looks like a cozy series, but isn't. I read the first one this year and was so surprised by it. It's magical realis..."

Book one is Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies

Dang, I tagged the wrong one. There are two books by that name. I tagged: A Good Day to Pie by Carol Culver

Madeline wrote: "Dang, I tagged the wrong one. There are two books by that name. I tagged: A Good Day to Pie by Carol Culver"

That one might be great, but I'm reading the Misha Popp book. 😉

Good luck with your challenge, the series books idea is a good one!

I love the mystery selections!

Nice selection Denise and I like your strategy to just give the series their own challenge!

A handful of your series are series I also read -- I hope you enjoy them!

I've only explored, Ann Cleeves, MC Beaton & Louise Penny in your series. Good luck with all of them.

Denise wrote: "New strategy this year: I won't let the series books derail my challenge. I'll make the series books their own challenge.

Progress: 0/12

1. Harbour Street by [author:Ann Cleeves|..."

I did this last year and Ann Cleeves was on my list. I could have added MC Beaton and Louise Penney too as I read them every year too, but wanted to add some first in series books.

Bonnie wrote: "Denise wrote: "New strategy this year: I won't let the series books derail my challenge. I'll make the series books their own challenge.

Progress: 0/12

1. Harbour Street by [auth..."

That's interesting! I was actually trying to avoid first in series because I was hoping to get back to some of the series I enjoyed, but hadn't finished. I'm sure I will still be starting some new ones though. 😉

Good idea making the series its own challenge. I may need to do that..... (thinking of a 4th list now) 🤣
I love the Women's Murder Club!!! Need to check out some of the other series. Good luck with your list.

Lindsey wrote: "Good idea making the series its own challenge. I may need to do that..... (thinking of a 4th list now) 🤣
I love the Women's Murder Club!!! Need to check out some of the other series. Good luck with..."
Thanks - there are so many great series out there.

These lists are so hard. I just found out there's a new Aaron Falk book coming out soon. Added it to my alternates list.

Starting this one with The Winners. I think it's the longest on my list, but I love this series.

The Winners was a long one, but worth the read. The 17th Suspect was not my favorite in the series. Very meh.

Denise wrote: "The Winners was a long one, but worth the read. The 17th Suspect was not my favorite in the series. Very meh."

Yes, The Winners was very good, and I'm not 100% sure that series is over. I hope he'll write more.

Ioana wrote: "Denise wrote: "The Winners was a long one, but worth the read. The 17th Suspect was not my favorite in the series. Very meh."

Yes, The Winners was very good, and I'm not 100% sure ..."

I would love for you to be right. The Winners was marketed as the third and final book in the trilogy, but hopefully he'll bring it back!

Denise wrote: "The Winners was marketed as the third and final book in the trilogy, but hopefully he'll bring it back!"

I hope he'll change his mind.

Apparently, I forgot to update my challenges all summer. I'm really glad I did two separate challenges this year - one for series and one for standalones. I'm only 5 books in for each of them, but 10 total by July isn't bad, plus a few other challenge books for other groups. I think I'll have a bit more time to catch up in August before the craziness of fall sets in.

Denise wrote: "Apparently, I forgot to update my challenges all summer. I'm really glad I did two separate challenges this year - one for series and one for standalones. I'm only 5 books in for each of them, but ..."

5 off of each list is great! Two lists is top-tier. You all rock, that are able to do it. Woot!

8 down. My two latest reads were 3* books for me.

Homicide and Halo-Halo
Exiles

Finished Best in Snow. I think it was one of the better Andy Carpenter books in recent years. They are a bit formulaic, but still enjoyable comfort reads for me.

Kudos on knocking out 10, Denise!! ☺️🤗