Play Book Tag discussion
May, 2016: Series
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Announcing the May Tag: Please Share Your Reading Plans and Suggestions
Denizen wrote: "I'm toying with the idea of addingRoss Poldark to my list for May."That series has been recommended to me. I see that it is on Overdrive, by my library has 5 holds on 1 copy. :-(
I too was hoping for graphic novels.....but since most are part of a series, they can be worked in for the tag.Some recommendations (1st book) that haven't been mentioned yet are:
Her Royal Spyness: cozy mystery set in 1920's; audio is excellent!
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: fantasy trilogy
The Paradise War: historical fantasy
Alan Furst - writes a loosely connected series called Night Soldier which are set in late 1930's in Europe. You can read in any order but there are a few connections between the sets of books.
Not sure about my plan yet......thinking possibly book 4 of Harry Potter. I never finished that series. Or possibly Throne of Jade, which is part of the Temperaire series mentioned above.
Kate wrote: "My Brilliant Friend is right up there for me too. Looks like there are a few of us :) A Darker Shade of Magic has been on my "to read" list since someone mentioned i..."Yay!!
Margarette wrote: "I recommend these:Jacqueline Winspear's World War I historical fiction, starting with Maisie Dobbs
Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series, beginning wit..."
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes ...
I just visited my account at fictfact.com for the first time in quite a while. I keep track of the series books I'm reading or want to read there. They have a helpful list of "Next in Series" that shows you where you've left off. Here's a likely list of potentials for me, since they are already at home on my shelves:Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs #9
The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett #3
The Skystone by Jack Whyte #1
The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King #2
Reap the Wind by Karen Chance #7
Homeland by R.A. Salvatore #1
As far as recommendations, if you like mystery novels, two of my favorite series are the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke and the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee series by Tony Hillerman. Just all around great writing and information about different geographical locations and cultures.
If you like literary fiction, history, intrigue, and adventure, Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles are amazing. The third book is on my list above. The first book in that series is The Game of Kings.
As far as graphic novel series, I have Locke & Key Vol. 1 written by Joe Hill that I'd love to read. And I've been enjoying The Sandman series written by Neil Gaiman, so I may pick up the next entry for that as well.
Might be useful to make a thread that is a masterlist of series by their first book and who recommended, linked back to post here. And sort the listings by general genres. Im OCD enough to be willing to do it.
I would also recommend any of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls WilderKent Haruf has a trilogy that are considered a series - it starts with Plainsong.
Ivan Doig's Two Medicine Country "series" (most of which can easily be read as stand-alone novels) is also very good. I recently read (and loved) The Bartender's Tale
Oh, and now that her second book has been published, this is considered # 1 in a series - To Kill a Mockingbird!!
As for me ... I'll probably read one of the Mrs Pollifax cozy mysteries - The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax, and/or something from the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series - The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
OK - some of you know that a few years ago, I decided to read all of the Phillippa Gregory books in order, (and threw in some other authors too,) to really get a sense of what happened from the Plantagenets to and through the Tudors. It begins with Lady of the Rivers. I left off at The Queen's Fool, and I was hoping for series, because I am thinking this qualifies, so that I could re-start this process right at Queen Mary, right where I left off. I actually voted for series, but because I am so technologically poor, I'm not even clear my vote got cast. Interesting how many people are thinking about similar titles. My Brilliant Friend is on my TBR list as well, but a few things are in front. I'm excited about this one. I actually do think USA would be interesting as well. There are so many books set in either small towns, or at certain periods of time, civil war, prohibition era, etc. In any case, curious to see what other people pick. Oh, and of course I am reading Harry Potter 2 and 5 with my kids - its our read together books, just to make sure they don't miss a word of it. Great ideas, folks,
JoLene wrote: "Alan Furst - writes a loosely connected series called Night Soldier which are set in late 1930's in Europe. You can read in any order but there are a few connections between the sets of books."This is a great series. Historical fiction, WWII. I have read 3 of them.
So many series, so little time.RECOMMENDING:
For the one y/a series I thought stayed the most consistent with writing, etc throughout: Across the Universe, A Million Suns and Shades of Earth byBeth Revis Yes, scifi
For the most beloved series in our house that I read aloud to my kids several times, the series starting with Little House in the Big Woods; please note that the first book was written to the youngest audience of the series.
Adult books (as in written for adults, not for "adult content")
LOTR & Gormenghast
No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by McCall Smith Alexander are mostly 4 star reads
PLANNING TO READ
Another book in the silly dog/detective series my son and I are reading (separately) by Spencer Quinn
If it's not part of pbt baseball, the next book in the series by Ellis Peters I'm reading about Brother Cadfael, An Excellent Mystery
If it's not part of pbt baseball, Tte first book in a different series, the title of this first book is Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front 1939-1942
Denizen wrote: "I'm toying with the idea of adding Ross Poldark to my list for May."I read that entire series when I was in my late teens after seeing the FIRST pbs production of it in the 1970s.
Kimber wrote: "two of my favorite series are the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke ..."Kimber, the Robicheaux series has been on my TBR forever! I already have one never-ending series going and I am hesitant to start another.....
I was hoping for graphic novel to force myself to read a bunch on my TBR, but I'm always reading series anyway, so I'll have a lot for this tag. Favorites:mystery/thriller: Michael Connelly, John Sandford, J.D. Robb, J.A. Jance, Nevada Barr, Dana Stabenow
cozy mystery: Carolyn Hart, Donna Andrews
historical mystery: Margaret Frazer, Anne Perry, Ellis Peters, Peter Tremayne
fantasy/sci-fi: Mercedes Lackey, Elizabeth Moon, Anne McCaffrey (her old stuff), Isaac Asimov, Patrick Rothfuss
That's just off the top of my head, I have so many more...
I am considering Me Before You, Code Name Verity, or The White Queen since I own those books. Also, I would like to read The Kalahari Typing School for Men, which is book #4 in the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, but I don't know if my library hold will come in on time for May.
Awe, man! I thought Graphic Novels was going to take it. I'm sad now. I even used my participation points. Oh well.
Amy, I am not surprised that you also like Phillippa Gregory! I have only read the first one, but I plan to read the second this month hopefully!
Thanks for mentioning Philippa Gregory, Amy and Jennifer. I had completely forgotten about adding The White Queen to my book series options. Off to edit my prior comment. :)
Btw, I didn't vote for the series theme but am fine with it since there are a lot of options.
Btw, I didn't vote for the series theme but am fine with it since there are a lot of options.
Jenni Elyse wrote: "Awe, man! I thought Graphic Novels was going to take it. I'm sad now. I even used my participation points. Oh well."me too. I used my maximum number too :(
oh hey - another excuse to talk about reading but not actually read ... oh, and I've never heard of My Brilliant Friend -- which seems odd. My recommendations:
Aztec - always recommended.
The First Man in Rome - Colleen McCullough (or any book in the series) Brilliant engrossing historical fiction
Kushiel's Dart - Jacqueline Carey dark (DARK!) fantasy but almost historical as well
The Monkey's Raincoat - Anything from the Robert Crais Elvis Cole series - mystery potato chip kind of books, so much fun
Also a good time to read The Mists of Avalon (ahem, Nicole) if you have been waiting for that.
For me --- I don't know .... Maybe Eventide
Anne of Windy Poplars
if my library book comes in maybe A Darker Shade of Magic
I have tons of options, so we'll see
Nicole wrote: "Also a good time to read The Mists of Avalon (ahem, Nicole) if you have been waiting for that."Oh yeah, I have been saying that since....our entire friendship....
Book Concierge wrote: "Oh, and now that her second book has been published, this is considered # 1 in a series - To Kill a Mockingbird!!..."Ha! I never thought of that. I'll be reading it for my f2f book club.
I have no idea what I will read. I do need to read Son, the only one of The Giver series that I have not read. Or perhaps one of the Rosie series by Graeme Simsion. I've only read The Rosie Project.
I'll be reading:The Pale Horseman, the 2nd book in the Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell.
The Accidental Werewolf 2: Something About Harry, the 8th book in the Accidental Friends series by Dakota Cassidy, and
The Blood Gospel, the 1st book in the Order of the Sanguines series by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell
These are all ones I planned to start in April until life and work got in the way - even went so far as to change them to "currently reading" on my bookshelf, then never got to them. sigh...
Nicole wrote: "Damn it, Cinder sounds good too."I know, I thought the same thing!
Wow, there are a whole bunch of short stories in the Cinder universe, did you know about those, AJ? Are you interested in getting them?
Since I am totally crushing on Sydney Chambers (James Norton) from the PBS Grantchester series, I'll be reading "Sydney Chambers and the Shadow of Death." And probably lots of other books since I am involved in way too many series for any one person to keep up with.
Brenda wrote: "I'll be reading:The Pale Horseman, the 2nd book in the Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell.
The Accidental Werewolf 2: Something About Harry, the 8th book in the Accidental Friends series by..."
The blood gospel trilogy was really good! !
Nicole wrote: "Damn it, Cinder sounds good too."Same. Oh well, sleep is overrated.
Ellen wrote: "Since I am totally crushing on Sydney Chambers (James Norton) from the PBS Grantchester series, I'll be reading "Sydney Chambers and the Shadow of Death."
And probably lots of other books since I ..."
Yep!! ;) He's a cutie!! So excited for the new episode tonight.
And probably lots of other books since I ..."
Yep!! ;) He's a cutie!! So excited for the new episode tonight.
Ellen wrote: "Oh my goodness, Margarette! I think we could be reading twins. I second all of your recommendations."Good to know, Ellen. My reading is usually so eclectic that I didn't think I could possibly have a twin!
~*Kim*~ wrote: "I have a lot more books in a series than I realized. LOL! Here are a few of my possibilities:Twenty Wishes
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
[book:Definitely Dead|..."
Those getting old books are really funny.
I'd like to make some progress with series I have been reading, however I have a long list of library books I either have or are on hold, so not sure how many I will get to:The Concrete Blonde
Tears of Pearl
The Silver Swan
The Crown in the Heather
there are many more to choose from, but any of these will help with my personal TBR challenge
Book Concierge wrote: "I would also recommend any of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls WilderKent Haruf has a trilogy that are considered a series - it starts with [book:Plainsong|771..."
I loved the Plainsong trilogy.
AJ wrote: "Ok so I just finished Cinder and I loved it so much that I might use the monthly tag as an excuse to buy and read Scarlet. If you haven't red Cinder yet I recommend ..."Hmmm, I'm trying to remember if I have Cinder on my tbr. I know I've considered it.
Well, I wasn't expecting that ... I actually voted for 'series' but after the discussion about graphic novels, I'm actually a tad bit disappointed it didn't win. Oh well, I have tons to read and I'm still very happy with May's tag. I was curious to see how many series' I have on my TBR ... According to goodreads, I have approximately 50 series' represented on my TBR! I have 50 books that are either the first in a series or next in a series I've already started. Crazy!
With so much to choose from, I'm going to try to keep it simple this month. There are two books that belong to a series on the 100 NF list, only one of which my library has: Night. Since they have it in audio form, I'll be picking this up when I'm done with my current audio book.
Since I somehow managed to start two series' this January, I will be perusing those this month. They're both relatively short and fall within the YA genre so hopefully 3 isn't overly ambitious for me: Skellig, Ruins, Visitors
Megalion wrote: "Might be useful to make a thread that is a masterlist of series by their first book and who recommended, linked back to post here. And sort the listings by general genres. Im OCD enough to be wil..."
That sounds like a lot of work, but we are never ones to turn away a member who wants to do a good deed!
So if you would like to, please go ahead! We should post it in the May, 2016: Series folder . . .
So interesting to see all the comments on graphic novels. Interestingly, in terms of the numbers of people voting for series vs. graphic novels, it was competitive, but in terms of participation points . . .the series people dominated and managed to garner more than 50% of the points for their cause.
Kimber wrote: "If you like literary fiction, history, intrigue, and adventure, Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles are amazing. The third book is on my list above. The first book in that series is The Game of Kings."I've seen Dunnett mentioned before but have never tried any of her books. I don't think I'll get to her this month, but an author publishing in the 60's that has bunches of e-books at the library has to have a lot going for her.
Karin wrote: "Denizen wrote: "I'm toying with the idea of adding Ross Poldark to my list for May."I read that entire series when I was in my late teens after seeing the FIRST pbs production of it..."
I loved the first PBS series, love the new one just as much, and could still spend more time in that time and place.
Anita wrote: "So interesting to see all the comments on graphic novels. Interestingly, in terms of the numbers of people voting for series vs. graphic novels, it was competitive, but in terms of participation po..."What can I say? Thank you series people with large numbers of participation points!
I read a lot of series, so I have plenty of options available for May. I think I am going to start with some Discworld books. I think that the next one I have is Pyramids.
Anita wrote: "So interesting to see all the comments on graphic novels. Interestingly, in terms of the numbers of people voting for series vs. graphic novels, it was competitive, but in terms of participation po..."So my votes for USA were just down the drain. ;-)
Not a big series reader, so I'm glad I have one that I was planning to read (and a 2nd maybe, though probably not).
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Anita wrote: "So interesting to see all the comments on graphic novels. Interestingly, in terms of the numbers of people voting for series vs. graphic novels, it was competitive, but in terms of pa..."Have you considered The Wreath by Sigrid Undset? Not mentioned in the summary I'm going to copy and paste, Undset is a Nobel author. "Originally published in Norwegian in 1920 and set in fourteenth-century Norway, The Wreath chronicles the courtship of a headstrong and passionate young woman and a dangerously charming and impetuous man. Undset re-creates the historical backdrop in vivid detail, immersing readers in the day-to-day life, social conventions, and political undercurrents of the period."
It was on my slate for female author but am not going to get to it. I might read it as a series in May.
I read so many series. Well, mostly, I listen to them when I'm driving. Certain things are always predictable in a known series. Most characters are familiar and the plots have a predictable formula. In a good series there's always enough that's new in each book to hold my interest. A good voice artist is important. I don't think I could enjoy Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody books without Barbara Rosenblat reading them.My current addiction is C.S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr series of Regency mysteries. There are only three that I haven't listened to now, so I think I need to slow down to make it last longer.
These are the first books in some of my favorites:
The Gods of Gotham - only three books in this series. I wish she would write more.
A Study in Scarlet - Sherlock Holmes - the ultimate detective series
The Beekeeper's Apprentice - Sherlock Holmes pastiche for feminists, the first book is rather YA, but I think this series gets better as it goes along.
The Case of the Missing Servant -private detective in 21st century India. Lot's of humor, likable characters, interesting setting
Oryx and Crake disturbing and compelling, I liked the second book -The Year of the Flood best
Case Histories - a mystery series that doesn't act like a mystery series
Not sure what I will read. I've just finished the most recent books in the Maisie Dobbs series and the Mary Russell series. I only got half way through Clash of Kings so I may go back to it. And there's always Agatha Christie and Wodehouse.
Denizen wrote: "Have you considered The Wreath by Sigrid Undset? "For some reason I just can't warm to that time period. But never fear, I read every day, just might not be reading more than one for the monthly tag.
Jennifer wrote: "For people who like post-apocalyptic stories written for adults, I'll recommend Wool Omnibus. It was self-published in smaller sections initially, but this is the first full "book"...."I actually started to read this and enjoyed what I read, but I ran out of time to finish it. Might be a good time for me to start it again.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
My Brilliant Friend (other topics)Some Luck (other topics)
Some Luck (other topics)
My Brilliant Friend (other topics)
Beautiful Darkness (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Smiley (other topics)Jane Smiley (other topics)
Jasper Fforde (other topics)
Michael Connelly (other topics)
Jacqueline Winspear (other topics)
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You always rave about the Fairyland books and have me totally convinced to read them with my faux-niece when she is just a bit older!