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R2: Serial Killers (5)
I know for myself it depends. If there are a lot of books out in the series and it's one I like, I will read as many as I can back to back. If it is one that is just starting, I go ahead and start it as long as it is a series and not a serial (I hate cliffhangers!!!)
Good to know, Teresa. I don't like cliffhangers either.
Normally I don't wait to have all the books. This particular one has been slowly released in ebook form, so I've been getting them. I started reading it in the middle before I realized it was a series. And it's one of those crazy ones that has different authors. And I will definitely continue it. I'm interested to see what they do with the storyline and what some of the other authors do with the story.I typically will read not read a series back to back unless I'm completely wrapped up in it. If I do end up reading it back to back, it will mess with my reading for challenges!
I typically will read the next one every other month or so. There are a few series that I have committed to reading 1 a month and I like that system. I've been doing that with the In Death series now for over 2 years.
My books come mostly from library, so it depends about it's availability. ☺But in most cases it depends on the series. I do prefer having next one in series on stand-by just in case. You know, if series is really good I can't stop reading it or if it ends up with cliffhanger. I don't like them, but sometimes they do make things interesting. (For example, I finished Hunger Games at about 2am in the middle of the winter and, although it was freezing in my room, I did got up from bed, started my comp and transfered Catching Fire to my reader. What can I say, I had to know what happens next. :P Interesting, same thing didn't happen with Mockingjay. And CF did end up with cliffhanger!)
If series keeps me interesting, I'll read them back to back (if possible). Before, when I was reading one book at the time, I would loose interest if series was too long (characters would start going on my nerves), but now when I'm switching between couple of books at the same time I don't have that problem. (Does that still count as reading back to back?)
As Leslie said, reading back to back tends to mess up with challenges. Since I don't plan what I'm reading for challenges upfront but try to fit books after they are read, it doesn't bother me much.
Also, depending on the series, I don't have problem reading out of order. It's probably result of reading non-English books when I was younger. For some reason they rarely translate and publish books in series in order.
I hate cliffhangers!! I could just post that over and over. It's one of the things that bugs me the most about YA. The one that comes to mind most though was when I was reading KMM's Fever series. Once I got into it - after book 2, I couldn't stop until I finished the series. Made me a little crazy!!And library ebooks tend to not have the entire series - I also read many books from the library. That part of it drives me nuts. They'll have book 4 in a 6 series set. And I'm comfortable reading HR out of order. But I'm a little more rigid (having learned the hard way) about UF and PNR.
Week 4: Letter APersuasion, Jane Austen
Review: 4*
My favorite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I wonder if that isn't the reason I have delayed reading this. I know some people find Persuasion to be their favorite but P&P remains mine. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. I found the first 20-25% to be a little too slow for me but it picked up when Wentworth was finally a part of the story. I appreciated the tension in the story and that the ending was not a perfect world but it also did not make me angry. On the whole, a good read and one I imagine that I will read again when I can take more time and savor each word, as I feel this story was meant to be read. This was a busy week for me so I was unable (and not really in the mood) to linger in the story.
Nice review, Jody! I do love Persuasion - I like the storyline better than P&P. But I haven't read it in a very long time.
Week 5 Rolled: 6+3=9 Space: 32+9=41
Requirements: 4, 1, 0, 41 or Top-Books
Reviews: Finished Friday 23/05/14
Teresa - Hainted - Review 17/05/14
Tea - Plameni Inkvizitori 1 - Review 20/05/14
~Leslie~ - Firefly Lane - Review 17/05/14
Jingles - The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion - Review 19/05/14
Jody - The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It - Review (standalone) 23/05/14
I'll go with Gentle Warrior if I get ok from Jenne as stand-alone.If not, I'll start another series.
Edit:
got green light so I'm reading
(Gentle Warrior) by Julie Garwood as stand-alone.
I'm a little confused. I understand where the #4, #1, and Top-Books comes from, but the number 0 confuses me. Is that because of our free pass, and does the number 0 represent stand alone books?
0 is stand alone. I put that in as a 1 can be either first in a series or a standalone.
I should have been more explicit, sorry!
Oh, okay...I gotcha, Teresa. No apology necessary, it's just me being confused. A normal state of being for me :)Thank you for being so helpful. You are a great captain!
Thank you for saying that Jingles, I try :D I will be picking my book later as I am also playing BINGO over on the M/M Romance group and am hoping I can double up my books!
OK, I might change my book. I just made plans to start BR reread of one of my favorite books that can be used here again as stand-alone. Catch is it's in Croatian (with no translations as far as I know, definitely none here on GR) so I'm again waiting for Jenne's OK.
I'll be reading Firefly Lane which is the first book in a series.And it has the words I need for scavenger hunt this week! Yea me!
Leslie--have you read any of her books before? I read this awhile back and really enjoyed it.
It appears that I've read one other book by her. I gave it 3 stars. So far I like it mostly. Some things bug me but it's moving quickly and I'm enjoying the trip back in time. When they were in the 70's and talking about what the MC was wearing I'm thinking "I had that outfit!". Too funny.
My book for this week is The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of ItHappy reading, ladies....
Yep...and the 70's music brings back memories. LOLJody, that looks like a very interesting book.
Week 5Space: 41 Requirements: 1
Book: Hainted 249 pgs/GR Author: Jordan L Hawk
Date read: 17/05/14 Rating: ★★★★★
WOW!! I don't know what took me so long to read this! I loved it. It was intriguing and mystical with the haints and draugrs. Both Dan and Lief were interesting and empathetic characters. I liked how the relationship developed and wasn't rushed. I couldn't put the book down!!!
Jody wrote: "My book for this week is The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of ItHappy reading, ladies...."
That looks like a very interesting book!
Week 5: Space 41Firefly Lane5/17/14 4 ★
(#1 in a series)
Review: It's really hard for me to rate this book. I'm not sure I can say that I enjoyed it, though there were parts that I really enjoyed. I loved the trip through memory lane with all the references to music and tv shows and what was happening in the world. In many ways this is my story, I have lived this book. At times I felt emotionally manipulated by the story (I always feel a little annoyed when I cry over books), but in the end it is a beautiful love story - all different kinds of love.
Ouch! Leslie, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it better.
ALL GIRLS FILLING STATION'S LAST REUNION, WEEK 5
BOOK = STAND ALONE
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion|Fannie Flagg
Read from 05/16/14 - 05/19/14
Rating: ★★★★
Brief Review
This was a very fun book to read. At times it made me laugh, while at other times it brought tears to my eyes. This is only my second Fannie Flagg book, but I really like her style.
Sookie Poole has just had the shock of her life in two ways: (1) She just found out that she was adopted; (2) She is not really 59 years old - she's 60!
What follows is the journey of this wonderfully sweet character, whose inner dialogue will make you laugh till you cry, and how she handles finding out at the age of 60 that she was adopted as a baby. In finding out who her mother really was, we learn a lot about the WASP from World War II.
What I liked: I really loved Sookie! Her personality, how she works through the difficulty of finding out about her adoption, along with the intertwined story of the Jurdabralinski girls and the WASP of World War II, all make for a very interesting story.
What I didn't like: While I enjoyed some of the antics of Lenore, sometimes it seemed just a little too much for me.
Overall, it was a great book, and I will definitely be reading more Fannie Flagg books!
jingles, I think my review sounded harsher than I felt. I was still recovering from the emotional upheaval of the book. I don't react well to overly emotional books - makes me grumpy! I did like it, it was very readable. And I loved the story of their marriage. So sweet.
Love Fannie Flagg!! Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my all time favorite books!!
Spot 41Title: Plameni inkvizitori (that would be The Flaming Inquisitors according to wiki)
Author: Marija Jurić Zagorka
Series: stand-alone
Read date: 20.05.14
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I just love this book. One of my favorites, so I reread it from time to time. It's huge book and lot of things happen, so I'll try to summarize it. I apologize upfront if something doesn't make sense. It probably got lost in translation. :P
OK, book is set in 13th century in for most part of it today's Croatia and for one part in today's Hungary (parts of Budapest). (Back then they were under same king.) And that's background story - Croatians are trying to separate from king and Hungary. For the main part it's (love) story following couple of characters.
Since it's medieval, you have knights, courts, intrigue, lost princesses, battles, love, religion, crazy inquisitors, knights, knight games (think that movie A Knight's Tale with Heath Ledger, at least I do every time I read this book ☺), highwaymen & pirates... Did I say knights? ☺
So story starts with roaming knight, nobody knows anything about, but they call him Knight Sokol (Hawk). He's very brave and strong and helps damsels in distress, but he never takes his helmet off. And that's the point - ladies (especially queen) fall in love with him and they don't even know what he looks like. They are literally crazy about his helmet! :P So that knight takes poor girl Tajana (literal translation of her name would be Secret) under his wing and with his help she becomes 'person who brings luck to everyone' (luck bearer? lucky charm?). King takes her to his court so she can bring him luck and our mysterious knight follows invited by queen (I believe you see where this is heading ☺). To be honest, knight's duty was to become queen's lover and that way remove her previous one from his position as king's advisor. And here is where Tajana comes in, she becomes messenger between queen and knight and helps them with their meetings. (To bad she starts to have feelings for said knight - still nobody knows what's beneath his helmet!) Somewhere at that point king dies and all hell breaks lose. To make things easier, let's just say that battle for the throne starts. (Rulers and alliances changes practically with every chapter.)
Back to the beginning... We also have highwayman Tomo Crni (Black Thom?). One night he captures a noblewoman Dorja and instead of taking advantage of her, he lets her go. But he can't forget about her so he follows her around, dresses himself as jester and gets access to court (where he sings her serenades. *sigh*). Dorja becomes engaged to duke, king's nephew who should have become king after previous one died (he's one side of that battle I mentioned) and Tomo makes his goal to kill duke so that lady can become his or nobody's.
Where does religion come in? It's actually through whole book. It starts with crazy inquisitor coming to Grič (todays Zagreb - capital of Croatia) looking for heretics or better say beautiful women (mostly, because you are heretic if you say no to the guy. Remember we are talking about medieval ages! They all say no!) he likes to whip and then burn. He goes around and chases our two heroines (Tajana & Dorja) and queen promises him army he can lead against heretics if he helps her to stay on the throne. There is also another story - queen is actually Cuman(?) and still (secretly) believes in her Gods and her people are fighting not to be christened, changing their loyalty to whoever promises them their religion will stay intact.
Pirates? That's my favorite part. ☺ Tomo after lots of troubles finally realizes that Dorja will never be his, and he loves her too much to be near her when she becomes somebody else's wife, so he goes to the sea (Adriatic) where he becomes pirate. How do we know that? His shipmates capture Dorja and Tajana when they were on their way to the safety from queen and inquisitor. :P
What about lost princesses? I'll keep that to myself. :P
I'll stop here. ☺ I know this is a lot but still this are only main parts of the story. There are a lot more going on and I did left out second part of the book. P
Leslie, it is most definitely an emotionally draining book. I cried like a baby. Lol. I've yet to pick up the second book of the series because I'm still not over Firefly Lane.It's kind of the same way I have to handle Nicholas Sparks books. While I love his books (for the most part), I have to prepare myself to read one, and definitely have to be in the right frame of mind.
That was only my second Fannie Flagg book - Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe being my first. I've loved both those books, so I will definitely be reading more of hers.
❀Tea❀ wrote: "Spot 41Title: Plameni inkvizitori (that would be The Flaming Inquisitors according to wiki)
Author: Marija Jurić Zagorka
Series: stand-alone
Read date: 20.05.14
Rating: ★★★★★
Revi..."
Sounds like a great and epic book!!
Thanks to both.It is great book. Sadly it's not translated to English (or any other language as far as I know). So you have to believe me. :P
Problem is her books always puts me in the mood to read more of them. (And they definitely don't fit any challenges ☺)
And just info, Teresa. You've linked to different edition. Your link goes to different publisher who published it in 4 parts. My edition is one big book. It's no difference to me, just info if somebody is checking so it doesn't look like it's series because of that 1 in title.
I will update it when I get back to the computer, though as first in a series counts as well, you're good either way. :)
Yeah, I forgot about 1. :DNo need to change. As I said I just put that as info in case somebody wonders about difference (for example, your link goes to book with 300+ pages and mine to 900+ :P).
Wow, Tea!! That sounds amazing. It literally has everything I love in it. And jingles - I have to admit to hating Nicholas Sparks. Won't see his movies and won't read his books. Did I mention I get grumpy! I always end up feeling emotionally manipulated (yes, I have issues!!). And I was burned badly after watching Message in a Bottle.
And I agree, it will take me awhile to be ready to read the next one in the series.
FYI, I will be traveling tomorrow to New Orleans for the holiday weekend. I will have computer access and will be checking in. Excited to see what's up next!
Leslie, that sounds like so much fun! I hope you have a wonderful trip...and stay safe!
Week 5 review...First - can someone clarify for me... is my review due the midnight between Thursday and Friday or the one between Friday and Saturday? I was thinking the second but I am always the last one. :(
My book The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
4*
It probably deserves more than 4 stars but I think self-help books are hard to judge if you don't really implement the ideas presented. And, for me, it will take some time to implement them. The book is written in a such a format that you are supposed to do a chapter per week and implement each chapter's ideas during that week. I thought most of the ideas were valuable but I would have gotten more from the book with time to try things out. It still was valuable, however. :)
It is due Friday between 00:00 and 23:59 if that helps, and I shouldn't have rolled until I got your review so I will re-roll. I was thinking I had it (maybe because the long name took up extra space 
)We try to be done before midnight Thursday so I can roll right away (I am an hour earlier so it is only 11 for me) but really your are on time!! It isn't a big deal to be done first unless its the last week and we are close to winning :)
Week 6 Rolled: 4+1=5 Space: 41+5=46
Requirements: 4, 6, 46 or published in 2009
Reviews: Finished Friday 30/05/14
Teresa - Finn (2009) - Review 25/05/14
Tea - Sugar and Iced (6th) Review 29/05/14
~Leslie~ - Wolfishly Yours (6th) Review 29/05/14
Jingles - No Chance (4th) Review 30/05/14
Jody - The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (2009) - Review 30/05/14
6!? Yes!!! Thank you!I'll read
(Sugar and Iced) by Jenn McKinlay - 6th in series*scratches her head*
I was sure we had different numbers when I checked in the morning. Never mind, I'm happy with change.
We did have different numbers, but I rolled before I had Jody's review so I had to roll again :D Sorry for the confusion!!!
❀Tea❀ wrote: "Have a nice trip Leslie!"Ditto!!
No problem. I'm very happy with the change, especially since I've already asked you to get us on 6 :) I'd ask for 8 next but we don't want you to roll 2. Maybe if you try for 12?At least I didn't start reading anything (not that it would be a problem) :P I was on tablet so I didn't have my book list (calibre) with me to see what I can read (and was to lazy to get to the computer ☺).
Hi everyone! On the road right now. I will look st my books once I get to my mom's and let you know what I'm reading. And thanks! I plan to just hang at my moms and visit with 2 of my kids who live there. It will be nice!
Good morning! Had a great evening last night with my daughter and daughter-in-law. Son was working. And I figured out what I was going to read! I'll be reading Wolfishly Yours which is #6 in the series.
And Tea, I just recommended that book to someone on another challenge! I hope it's good!
Week 6 Space:46 Requirements: pub 2009
Book: Finn Author: Angel Martinez
Date read: 25/05/14 Rating: ★★★ 1/2
It was a good book, a few gory scenes that I hadn't anticipated, but on the whole good.
I had a few pacing issues but had some good action scenes. I loved Finn and his childlike wonder of the 21st century (he was a fae asleep for the last 700 years) and Diego was admirable with his desire to help those less fortunate than himself. I believed the love between the two. I will definitely read book two.
The Challenge Factory
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I do have a question about how you approach a new series. Do you wait until you have all the books first before you start reading a series? The reason I ask is because I saw this mentioned in another discussion somewhere, and I've been very curious about it since then.
What I have done till now is just buy the next series book as I need it. The problem with that is I am not getting all the way through very many series. I have so many started, but very few finished.
Also, do you read series books back to back? I have a very hard time doing that.