March Monthly Challenge: Discussion and Suggestion Thread

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

With 8 days left of February, I'm unveiling the categories for next month's challege to give everybody time to scour their TBR lists, order or request books from libraries or bookstores, and suggest or talk about possible choices with group members.

The challenge is not officially open until the 1st of March, so no advance-reading...LOL

Here are the categories:

1. Read a book whose author's first or last name starts with "M".

2. Read a book which cover is predominantly color "green" or reminds you of spring.

3. Read an anthology.

4. Read a book whose author, setting or a character is from Texas.

5. Read a book that is set in Scotland or has a Highlander as a character.

6. Read a book that has a "military" theme in it (cover, character or title)

7. Read a book that you have previously started and meant to continue, but keep failing to do so.

8 - 10 Read a trilogy or three books that are consecutive in a series.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

3. Read an anthology.

Would this be a book with more than one novel inside by one or more authors? Just clarifying.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

An anthology is a collection of novellas. It can be by the same author, but usually it has several authors involved.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Yz wrote: "An anthology is a collection of novellas. It can be by the same author, but usually it has several authors involved."

OKay. I have quite a few romance books with 2 or 3 novels in them by either the same author or different authors. I also have a collection of short stories by Ian Fleming or P.G. Wodehouse that would work too. I'll have to go looking.

[Melissa]

I need Texas suggestions!

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

Check out Harlequin Super Romance =) I have about 4-5 "Texas" titeld or themed (Lone Star etc.) and that's just looking through the top of my unpacked book box lol!

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

The Man From Texas Linda Style
Lone Star Legacy Roxanne Rustland
Texas Bluff Linda Warren
Texas Baby Kathleen O'brien

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Melissa,
If you are into erotic romance, there are plenty of cowboy stories that will fit that category. Two authors that come to mind are Lorelie James and Delilah Devlin.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

I have so many Highlander or Scotland books it'll take me a bit to narrow it down and choose one. I have alot of anthology's too, so have to check those out and do a bit of digging.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

ARGH! The Aunt Dimity mysteries latest new release Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon is in at the library today. I'm first in line to pick it up. They rush ordered it for me. The cover is entirely green! lol, so fits our challenge category pefectly. As a new release, I only get the book for 7 days before it's due back. So I can't pick it up today since it's due back before March 1st then. ARGH! lol I called and my hold on it is good til the 25th. So I will pick it up monday when I have DVDs to return to them and will start reading it first thing Sunday morning, March 1st. lol

[Annie]

Can I break out a wee bit, and read something Irish for St Patrick's Day, rather than Scottish/Highland? I tend to spend St Patrick's dressed in green, but sober.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Annie,

Sure, I don't mean to lump them together, since Scotland and Ireland are two different places, but just put the note, of why you are choosing Ireland.

[Annie]

Thanks Yz. I might end up doing Scotland - because it's easier to find!

[Lara]

Just a heads up. I put down that I would be reading one of Lorelei James' books for the Texas category. The books are set in Wyoming. Of course I am still going to read them because they look too good. My search for Texas will continue. LOL! I live in Texas so it shouldn't be this hard right?

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Let us know of other "Texas" books when you find them, Lara.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

It's not a romance novel but I've got an inch and a half thick hardback book of Texas A Novel by James Michener starring at me. lol

Have you tried just searching goodreads with the word Texas and seeing if anything interesting turns up?

[Melissa]

I ended up chosing Head Over Heels by Susan Andersen for my Texas book. From the synopsis, it takes place in Dallas. I did a search by title on my library's website and found Sandra Brown has a series of books with Texas in the title. There are also the Texas books by Fern Michaels. I read those years ago and they were fantastic, especially the first one.

[Lori]

Well dang...now I've gotta change my Texas book too! I took Briansgirls suggestions and did a search on the word Texas and came across not just books set in Texas...but vampires in Texas. Oh yea. So, my new pick will be Bond of Blood. I guess Lorelei James will have to wait.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Same here, Lori. I was really thinking I have an excuse to read my Lorelie James ebooks.

On the bright side, I found that Decadent by Shayla Black, the sequel to Wicked Ties (Deke's story) is set in Texas, so I'm cool.

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Ooh, maybe I'll read that one! (Decadent, that is...) I realized I'd been planning on listening to the audiobooks for Darkfever and Bloodfever, and I don't usually count audiobooks for the challenges (actually, I dont' really listen to many audiobooks period), but if I count one of those for Scotland and read Decadent for Texas, I'll get to 8 books for this challenge...
Aren't you guys glad to be included in my convoluted thought processes? lol

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Nichole,

Audiobooks count! Rereads count! LOL..

I listened to all the Fever books, and enjoyed the experience. Hope you will feel the same way.

[Kasia]

Nichole wrote: "Ooh, maybe I'll read that one! (Decadent, that is...) I realized I'd been planning on listening to the audiobooks for Darkfever and Bloodfever, and I don't usually count audiobooks for the challeng..."

LOL, I liked your convoluted thought processes. Frankly, I've felt similarly about audiobooks for a long time, I did listen to few but never counted it as reading... Being in this group has changed my attitude, now I have a several books stacked on my mp3 player...

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Lori wrote: "Well dang...now I've gotta change by Texas book too! I took Briansgirls suggestions and did a search on the word Texas and came across not just books set in Texas...but vampires in Texas. Oh yea...."

Happy to help corrupt you. lol

[Kasia]

Briansgirl wrote: "Happy to help corrupt you. lol "

Oh, I'm corrupted now all right. Feeling particularly naughty today.

[Lara]

I took Briansgirl's suggestion and searched Texas in goodreads and found books. I have picked Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Yay! Got a Texas book. Thanks for that suggestion, Briansgirl!

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Lara,

I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Her books, especially the Chicago Stars series, is a riot. Heaven, Texas is a fun book. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[Lara]

Ooh. She has a series? I love series! I am going to have to check this out! LOL!

[Courtney]

I love the Chigago Stars series! "Match Me If You Can" was the first book of hers that I read. Now I'm going back and reading all of them!

[Lara]

Well. Now it's back to the bookstore for me! LOL!

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Here is the order for SEP's Chicago Stars series. Most of them can be read as a stand-alone, but its fun to read them all, because you will meet some of the characters in the other books.

It Had To Be You
Heaven, Texas
Nobody's Baby but Mine
Dream a Little Dream
This Heart of Mine
Match Me if You Can
Natural Born Charmer

One of my favorite contemporary series. Lots of laughs, but filled with poignant emotions, and unforgettable characters.

[Glori]

Hi,

Can I read a Novella to fulfill one of the categories? I am unsure about the particular rules because it is my first time participating in the challenge.

Glori

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Glori,

We are not strict with the rules in the challenges, although we usually put a book for each category, length not considered. So yes, a novella would be okay.

[Glori]

OK,

Thank You Yz