Play Book Tag discussion
May, 2016: Series
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Announcing the May Tag: Please Share Your Reading Plans and Suggestions
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Denizen wrote: "I'm toying with the idea of adding Ross Poldark to my list for May."Ooh good idea, this has been on my radar.
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."I understand how you feel! I have used participation points only to lose, but this time used them for the winning one :). I don't use them if I don't care one way or the other. I used them this time, though, for series (I'm 99 percent sure that's what I voted for.)
Sarah, Xenocide comes after Speaker of the Dead. After that is Children of the Mind which is where I'm at. I'm so glad to find someone else working through this series! Hope you like it!
Nicole wrote: "Sarah, Xenocide comes after Speaker of the Dead. After that is Children of the Mind which is where I'm at. I'm so glad to find someone else working through this series! Hope you like it!"Oh yay thank you! I don't know why it's listed so differently in different places. I just didnt want to miss anything or jump ahead too far, it's quite a detailed series.
Sarah wrote: "Oh yay thank you! I don't know why it's listed so differently in different places. "I completely understand! Card has written so many books within the "Ender-verse" that its easy to get confused about the order in which one should read them.
Currently, all the Ender-verse books can be sorted into two separate series': Ender's Quintet and the Ender's Shadow series. You're currently reading the "Quintet" which originally only contained four books:
1. Ender's Game
3. Speaker for the Dead
4. Xenocide
5. Children of the Mind
Card went back years later and add three more books to the series. I view these more as "supplementary material".
0.5) First Meetings in Ender's Universe
1.5) A War of Gifts
2) Ender in Exile
I am not a series fan and try really hard to avoid them but for some reason I have recently started the first book of many different series so should not be hard to find a #2 or even another #1 in a series to read. It would be a good month to get one or two of the Harry Potters done so I can finish that series. Well, will see where I end up going.
Nicole wrote: "Currently, all the Ender-verse books can be sorted into two separate series': Ender's Quintet and the Ender's Shadow series. "I believe this is the series on Goodreads. The description has links to others.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4396...
Nicole wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Oh yay thank you! I don't know why it's listed so differently in different places. "I completely understand! Card has written so many books within the "Ender-verse" that its easy to..."
Note that Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow tell some of the same story from two different people, and are similar in types of stories. Speaker of the Dean and those other books are of a very different nature. Not all fans of Ender's Game are fans of all of the books, even in the scifi readers groups I've been in (none here, just on Shelfari, LT & LM).
Nicole wrote: "the Robicheaux series has been on my TBR forever! I already have one never-ending series going and I am hesitant to start another..."Nicole, the two things I really love about the Robicheaux books have to do with Burke's writing style -- he writes beautiful prose that makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and he writes complex, flawed characters that I love.
That said, I wonder if you might want to try one of his stand alones sometime, to see if you like his writing style, before investing in the series. I haven't yet read any of his stand alones, but I just added The Lost Get-Back Boogie to my TBR because it looks good to me.
Just a thought :)
Sarah wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Sarah, Xenocide comes after Speaker of the Dead. After that is Children of the Mind which is where I'm at. I'm so glad to find someone else working through this series! Hope you like..."Ahh I wondered why I could never find any of the books listed as book #2. Thanks for the help!
Kimber wrote: "That said, I wonder if you might want to try one of his stand alones sometime, to see if you like his writing style, before investing in the series. ..."I have thought about picking up one of his stand alones but the other reason I am drawn to the series is because my boss (who is also a good friend) loves the series and is constantly telling me I will love it too. And she has a good sense of what I will like. I am drawn to the setting of the Robicheaux series as well....
Michael wrote: "About 30% of my reading tends to be from series. My prescribed vitamins and escape breaks of detective and science fiction accounts for most of that. But as people note there are wonderful historic..."I'm with you Michael, I love series books. I like revisiting old friends when I pick up the continuation of a series I like.
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..."
I love your list! I've read from most of them.
Karin wrote: "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."I understand how you feel! I have used participation points..."
That's the whole fun of this group. While I am bummed that Graphic Novels didn't make it, I'm also okay with it. I just means that it will chosen down the road sometime. :) Plus, there are wonderful series out there, so this will be a good month to knock some of the seconds and thirds off my TBR list.
I"ll be reading several books from several different series...Should I make one post for each series, and then just talk about the books I read under each? Assuming I can actually read as much as I'd like to
I have lots of series that I'm in the middle of reading. These should qualify:Outlander's #7.5 The Space Between, and #8 Written in My Own Heart's Blood (audio - I love the audio on this)
The Eight - #1 of a series (I've had this on my list forever just started it)
Full Cupboard of Life #5 in the #1 Ladie's Detective Agency (again the audio is terrific)
Maybe a Harry Bosch can be fit in. I have way too many I could recommend. There's always The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson, The Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde, Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Zafon.
Nicole wrote: "I am drawn to the setting of the Robicheaux series as well...."Oh, yes, the setting! Burke makes New Iberia come alive. He is one of those writers who has the knack of turning the setting into another character. I love finding writers who can make you feel like you are right there.
I discovered the Robicheaux series in the early 90s. I read "In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead" first (I'm a sucker for funky titles) and then went back and started at the beginning and have read them in order ever since. So I've been following the series for more than 20 years, I guess.
Maybe being in the middle of law school isn't the right time to start another never-ending series, but I'm sure the right time will come, and they'll be there waiting for you!
Denizen wrote: "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 Lymond Chronicles are spectacular. Densely detailed but still highly readable (take your time and savour!), historically meticulous, hilarious in places and devastating in others, and the characters are beautiful. Francis Lymond can probably lay claim to being my favourite literary character.
Barbara, you listen to the outlander books?!? Oh my gosh, kudos to you. They are like a million hours long and I blush furiously at the thought of someone reading me those sex scenes. Lol!
Jenny wrote: "I"ll be reading several books from several different series...Should I make one post for each series, and then just talk about the books I read under each? Assuming I can actually read as much as..."
Hi Jenny! Great question. Please stick with one post for each book . . .although you can put the series name/number in the header to help people make the connection. When I tally the participation points at the end of the month, I don't open each post so I might miss books you've read otherwise!
Feel free to link to related reviews within your post if you wish!
Kate wrote: "Francis Lymond can probably lay claim to being my favourite literary character. "Mine too, Kate! I love Lymond.
Nicole wrote: "Barbara, you listen to the outlander books?!? Oh my gosh, kudos to you. They are like a million hours long and I blush furiously at the thought of someone reading me those sex scenes. Lol!"So it's not one of those books I'll feel comfortable listening to at Walmart? There's nothing like listening to a steamy scene in the canned vegetable isle. I tell myself no one knows what I'm hearing but, nonetheless, I generally have to pause until I reach the privacy of my own car.
Nicole wrote: "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'..."I highly recommend Night, Nicole.
Denizen wrote: "So it's not one of those books I'll feel comfortable listening to at Walmart? ..."Oh my gosh, can you imagine just casually strolling the aisles of Wal-Mart, picking out your produce, while secretly you are listening to vivid sex scenes being read to you?!? I would fumble my way through the store...
There are a lot of good recommendations on here. I'm feeling better about series and thinking that I can actually make it work for me!
Jgrace wrote: "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 formul..."I need to catch up with the Maisie Dobbs series. I think I own up to the last couple, but I'm probably 2-3 behind in what I own
You're right about Agatha and Wodehouse.
I have been wanting to read Dorothy Dunnett for years -- but never get around to it. Maybe this month ;-)
Nicole wrote: "Barbara, you listen to the outlander books?!? Oh my gosh, kudos to you. They are like a million hours long and I blush furiously at the thought of someone reading me those sex scenes. Lol!"I listen while quilting or gardening, in fact I'll do almost anything that allows me to listen. I have it on my mp3 so those sex scenes are purely in my head via earphones. I'd probably blush if anyone were to be within hearing range while i listened!
Nicole wrote: "Denizen wrote: "So it's not one of those books I'll feel comfortable listening to at Walmart? ..."Oh my gosh, can you imagine just casually strolling the aisles of Wal-Mart, picking out your prod..."
Oh yeah, sometimes i have to stop whatever I'm doing to just listen, could be awkward in a public place i guess!
I really don't need another series but that dorothy dunnet sounds interesting. My TBR grows.....again.
I'm giggling so much at the thought of listening to sex on audiotapes while out and about. And major kudos to those who llisten to Outlander books on audio. Huge books.
I listened to the first Outlander on audio, then moved to ebook after that. :-)
JoLene wrote: "I have been wanting to read Dorothy Dunnett for years -- but never get around to it. Maybe this month ;-)"I own all the books but have never read them. Maybe this could be the month.
Still laughing about the combo of Outlander and canned veggies. I feel a game coming on. The risque PBT equivalent of Jasper Fforde's "Name That Fruit" perhaps ...
Sudden thought: if you want some laugh out loud comedy and you like totally wacky, left-field English humour, try Ben Aaronovich's series Rivers of London. Young London cop discovers he can see ghosts and ends up getting drafted into a secret branch of the Met (secret mostly because investigating the supernatural is an embarrassment to ordinary policing).
Brilliant stuff. Lots of hilarious dialogue and wry observations on life, relationships and bureaucratic idiocy. If you like Neil Gaiman, Jasper Fforde (has anyone mentioned the The Eyre Affair series?) and Tom Holt, this is definitely one to try. I think there are 5 in the series now.
Can I suggest for folks as a series book, After You, by Jo Jo Moyes? Its the sequel to Me Before You, and I imagine its on many people's TBR. I recently wrote a review of this. I loved it, and I didn't expect to. I had thought the first had tied up so well and neatly, I couldn't imagine the sequel being worth my salt. But it was better….
Ooh I didn't vote this month because I was off in no internet land (some China, some Sydney, but mostly walking in the enchanted mountains of Tasmania with my baby daughter on my back echoing her oohs of pleasure -- see new profile pic) but this is so perfect because the last book in the brilliant Raven Boys series just came out and I can't wait to read it!!Some people of mentioned Valente's Fairyland series which I love and could definitely continue this month. And some have mentioned Maisie Dobbs which I have thoroughly enjoyed so far and is also a good candidate.
Pretty easy tag for me!
Hope wrote: "Ooh I didn't vote this month because I was off in no internet land (some China, some Sydney, but mostly walking in the enchanted mountains of Tasmania with my baby daughter on my back echoing her o..."What an adorable picture. I love the way she's peeking over your shoulder.
I'll be reading from the following series this month:Preacher series - soon to be a show on AMC - Preacher, Vol. 1: Gone to Texas
Gidget series Gidget
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Last Gleaming
Caster Chronicles - Beautiful Darkness and Beautiful Chaos
The Cat Who series - The Cat Who Went Up the Creek
The Lunar Chronicles - Cinder
Locke & Key series - Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games
Cemetery of Forgotten Books series - The Shadow of the Wind
Nailbiter series - Nailbiter, Vol. 2: Bloody Hands and Nailbiter, Vol. 3:
American Vampire series - American Vampire, Vol. 2
Yeah, I know, a lot of the series are graphic novels...:)
Someone was preparing for BOTH leading contenders!! LOL
Megalion wrote: "Someone was preparing for BOTH leading contenders!! LOL"I know! 50/50 split - i realized that after I posted...
Jenny wrote: "I'll be reading from the following series this month:Cemetery of Forgotten Books series - The Shadow of the Wind."
Thanks for mentioning this series. I've been meaning to read the final one for a couple of years now. It's going on my list- not sure what will actually be read but I definitely want to have this in the mix.
Anita wrote: "My Brilliant Friend, here I come!!! Jane Smiley also has a set of books that interest me starting with Some Luck. Is a trilogy considered a series?In..."
Hi Anita. I have 2 of the books from the Jane Smiley series just waiting for me on my shelf. I have a few books to finish before I can begin.
Anita wrote: "My Brilliant Friend, here I come!!! Jane Smiley also has a set of books that interest me starting with Some Luck. Is a trilogy considered a series?In..."
i sometimes have the same problem getting through a series. I might read the first book or two, then stop. But I discovered that if I read another book in between the books of the series then I can finish it.
Hope wrote: "Ooh I didn't vote this month because I was off in no internet land (some China, some Sydney, but mostly walking in the enchanted mountains of Tasmania with my baby daughter on my back echoing her o..."Sounds amazing! Post a link to some pics.
Adorable photo
Jenny's right! The Shadow of the Wind was one of the top best books I have ever read. I have meant to read the prequel, and then reread the other three in order. The Cemetery of Forogotten Books Series is a great choice, if you haven't made one….
Amy wrote: "Jenny's right! The Shadow of the Wind was one of the top best books I have ever read. I have meant to read the prequel, and then reread the other three in order. The Cemetery of Forogotten Books Se..."Right up there with my favorites too - all of them.
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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Other than that I will be reading Shadows of the Workhouse, and Robogenesis.
I will recommend The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and The Chronicles of Narnia.