Niki Reads ALL THE THINGS! (Incomplete Series Challenge)

[Tammie]

Good job!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Thank you, Scott and Tammie. :)

[Miche]

Great job, Niki!

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Great progress Niki!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Thank you!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Down to 44. Finished the end of the Clan saga by Czerneda (a fav author). I also completed another 5 for 1, so I have 3 series I'm allowed to start per the mini challenge. I keep changing my mind on which ones I want to do. Nothing seems worth messing with my goal at the moment lol.

Niki's 5 for 1 Challenge Log [7]:
1. A Natural History of Dragons [5/5] - Marie Brennan [Short Stories 1/1] [Finished]
2. Guilty Pleasures [10/25] [Abandoned]
3. The Shadow of What Was Lost [2/2] [UTD]
4. The Candy Shop War [2/2] [Finished/Abandonded Future]
5. This Gulf of Time and Stars [3/3] [Finished]
Started: The Emperor's Blades [Pending]

Earned [3]:
Age of Assassins
Iron Gold
Unhewn Throne

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Finished/UTD two more over the weekend (down to 42). I updated my 10 day cycle challenge by adding a UTD category of things coming out between now and the end of my cycle in July. I'll need to read these 11 books to meet my goal by then. Many of them are series-enders, so that's nice.

UTD Titles to be brought back UTD or Finished before 7.1.2018:
To Guard Against the Dark [3/3] [Finished]
Walk on Earth a Stranger [3/3] [Finished]
The Way of Kings [2/3] - Brandon Sanderson
City of Light [2/2] – Keri Arthur
Leviathan Wakes [6/6] - James S.A. Corey [Short Stories 6/6]
Zeroes [2/2] - Scott Westerfeld
Perfected [2/2] - Kate Jarvik Birch
Cry Wolf [5/5] - Patricia Briggs
Red Sister [1/1] - Mark Lawrence
Steeplejack [2/2] - A.J. Hartley
The Glittering Court [2/2] - Richelle Mead

Total: 2/11

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Niki's October 2017 Progress Update:

Series Finished: 4
Within the Sanctuary of Wings - Marie Brennan
Arcade Catastrophe - Brandon Mull
To Guard Against the Dark - Julie E. Czerneda
Into the Bright Unknown - Rae Carson

Series Brought UTD: 2
An Echo Of Things To Come - James Islington
Strange Dogs - James S.A. Corey

Series Progressed: 3
Dragonsinger - Anne McCaffrey
Magic Breaks - Ilona Andrews
The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan

New Series Started: 1
Dragonmaster - Chris Bunch

Abandoned: 1
Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K. Hamilton

DNF: 1
Dragonmaster - Chris Bunch

YTD Totals:
Finished Series: 13
Up To Date Series: 21
Series Progressed: 44
New Series Started: 18
Abandoned: 6
DNF: 1

I added a DNF category because stopping a book mid-read seems a lot different than electing not to continue a series.

[Siobhan]

It's like super abandoned! XD

Well done Niki, great progress!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Siobhan wrote: "It's like super abandoned! XD

Well done Niki, great progress!"

Haha exactly! Maybe I'll keep just one category next month and specify DNF. And thank you! :)

[Tammie]

Way to go Niki! That is impressive.

[Bill]

Great month Niki. How you liking the Harper Hall books? I did the dragonriders trilogy and don't think I'm going to continue.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Bill wrote: "Great month Niki. How you liking the Harper Hall books? I did the dragonriders trilogy and don't think I'm going to continue."

Thanks bill. :) Harper Hall is a decent read. Much more accessible than Dragonriders, as I found the language in those a bit dense. I think these are more intended for a YA audience. They deal with firelizards rather than dragons, though, but overall are more fun.

[Miche]

Wow, Niki! Amazing job this month!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Thanks Miche!

And thanks Tammie!

^_^

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Abandoned: The Sword [4/8] - Jean Johnson. I've been weighing this one for several weeks now, and finally decided to let it go. I might go back and pick up another one if the mood strikes me, but the idea of plowing through them for the sake of completion is giving me an ulcer. They're really cheesy fantasy romances, and my mood for those strikes about once every 5 years or so.

Challenge: 42 Non UTD Remaining

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

A few weeks ago I added all of my unfinished series onto a "Schedule" shelf (I've never tried such structured reading before, but since most of the books I'm reading right now are "high priority" I thought I'd give it a go). Then I used GR's sorting feature to plan out roughly when I'm going to read each title in a given series. It's a really useful tool that I'd recommend. I can see that I'll be able to finish or UTD at least 10 series before the end of 2017.

Anyway, I realized that I'm going to get through the high-priority titles really quickly, then all that will be left on list are books I'm not at all excited to read.... it looked pretty bleak. Life's too short to read crap you're not excited for. So over the weekend, I abandoned 7 more:

The Cloud Roads [1/3] - Martha Wells
Control [1/2] - Lydia Kang
Eragon [2/4] - Christopher Paolini
Ill Wind [3/9] - Rachel Caine
Skinned [2/3] - Robin Wasserman
Tinker [2/5] - Wen Spencer
Under the Never Sky [1/3] - Veronica Rossi

Reading them just didn't seem like fun. I'd rather clear my slate sooner than later so I can start new series like Scott is doing and knock them out relatively quickly (compared to my 5 year per series average lol).

I'm now down to 32 non UTD series. I'm actually going to see if I can get down to 20 by the end of the year, as there are many with only 1 title to go that I'm actually looking forward to reading. Maybe.

Finished 2 more logs:

Niki's 5 for 1 Challenge Log [9]:
1. The Cloud Roads [1/3] [Abandoned]
2. Eragon [2/4] [Abandoned]
3. Ill Wind [3/9] [Abandoned]
4. Skinned [2/3] [Abandoned]
5. Under the Never Sky [1/3] [Abandoned]

Niki's 5 for 1 Challenge Log [8]:
1. Walk on Earth a Stranger [3/3] [Finished]
2. Leviathan Wakes [6/6] - James S.A. Corey [Short Stories 6/6] [UTD]
3. The Sword [4/8] [Abandoned]
4. The Serpent Bride [3/3] [Finished]
5. Dragonsong [3/3] [Finished]

I have 5 earned new series earned. :D

Longest update ever.

[Liam]

Great job Niki =].

The thing for me is just making sure that I *maintain* the number of open series that I have haha. If I start a new series, I want to finish is quickly, so I don't wind up under a pile of books again. Just gotta keep yourself in check once you dig yourself out ;].

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Liam wrote: "Great job Niki =].

The thing for me is just making sure that I *maintain* the number of open series that I have haha. If I start a new series, I want to finish is quickly, so I don't wind up unde..."

Thank you! :)
I agree! It took me 15 years to get myself into this mess (I started with 129 open series) and 3 years of concerted effort to dig myself out. I think I'll have a lot more fun with each series once I get it down, because I'll actually read them before I forget stuff haha. How many are you sitting at? I'm thinking 10 would be a great number. :)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Noooo!!! I loved Under The Never Sky. I was in my very massive YA period and I know YA isn't for everyone but man did I love that series. Sorry it didn't jive with you. Guess it's not for everyone.

[Miche]

Great job again, Niki!

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Noooo!!! I loved Under The Never Sky. I was in my very massive YA period and I know YA isn't for everyone but man did I love that series. Sorry it didn't jive with you. Guess it's not for everyone."

I really like the first book, so it's not a "this is a horrible series" abandon for me. My mom accidentally spoiled some key elements from the last one for me and I just can't muster the motivation to pick it back up. I did put it under a "May revisit" category though.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Miche wrote: "Great job again, Niki!"

Thank you! ^_^

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

Well done Niki. Sometimes it just feels so hard to finally say you've had enough of a series. I'm really impressed that you found 7 to abandoned.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Angela wrote: "Well done Niki. Sometimes it just feels so hard to finally say you've had enough of a series. I'm really impressed that you found 7 to abandoned."

Thank you. :) the idea of only having my low priority left made it pretty clear which ones I wasn't excited about. Haha

[Tammie]

Woohoo, way to go Niki! Good job on abandoning seven more.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Tammie wrote: "Woohoo, way to go Niki! Good job on abandoning seven more."

Thank you!!! I'm at 90 abandoned overall... so I need to hit 100 to make the awesome club? Lol

[Tammie]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Woohoo, way to go Niki! Good job on abandoning seven more."

Thank you!!! I'm at 90 abandoned overall... so I need to hit 100 to make the awesome club? Lol"

Lol, I think you already made the awesome club.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Oh good lol ^_^

[Liam]

I'm honestly in really good shape right now haha. I have less than ten open currently, which is a good place to be =].

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Liam wrote: "I'm honestly in really good shape right now haha. I have less than ten open currently, which is a good place to be =]."

That is really nice! You can just sit back and enjoy tomes like Malice without anything looming over your head. :) I really can't wait to get to that point. Soon.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Niki's November 2017 Progress Update:

Series Finished: 2
Dragondrums - Anne McCaffrey
The Infinity Gate - Sara Douglass

Series Brought UTD: 0

Series Progressed: 6
Working for Bigfoot - Jim Butcher
Magic Stars - Ilona Andrews
The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan
Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews
Bride of Death - T.A. Pratt
The Human Division - John Scalzi

New Series Started: 0

Abandoned/DNF: 1
Bard's Oath - Joanne Bertin [DNF]

Rereads:
The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
Words of Radiance - Brandon Sanderson

YTD Totals:
Finished Series: 15
Up To Date Series: 21
Series Progressed: 50
New Series Started: 18
Abandoned: ? (I've lost count)

Considering this month was swamped by Stormlight Archives, I'm amazed I had time for anything else. December should see another 6 series closed out. :D

[Hacen]

Wow you had a great month 👍😁

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Hacen wrote: "Wow you had a great month 👍😁"

Thanks! ^_^

[Miche]

Great job, Niki!

[Delitealex]

Great job :) you are reading a few series I hope to start sometime.

[Angela, I'm Silverfox lost]

What a fantastic month Niki!

[Tammie]

Amazing job Niki!

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

3 SA books in one month is worth a bravo on it's own.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Thank you all! :)

Thanks for your encouragement on SA, Scott. I didn't think I'd be able to complete the reread on time but I did with a few days left over. Oathbringer, on the other hand, is taking much longer.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Completed another log:

Niki's 5 for 1 Challenge Log [11]:
1. Wild Born [2/7] [Abandoned]
2. Pure [1.5/3] [Abandoned]
3. Ender's Game [1/5] [Abandoned]
4. The Last Dragonlord [3/3] [Finished/DNF]
5. Written in Red [1.75/5] [DNF/Abandoned]

Niki is picky.

[Liam]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Completed another log:

Niki's 5 for 1 Challenge Log [11]:
1. Wild Born [2/7] [Abandoned]
2. Pure [1.5/3] [Abandoned]
3. Ender's Game [1/5] [Abandoned]
..."

You abandoned the Ender books ='[ noooooooo

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Liam wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Completed another log:

Niki's 5 for 1 Challenge Log [11]:
1. Wild Born [2/7] [Abandoned]
2. Pure [1.5/3] [Abandoned]
3. [book:Ender's Game|375802..."

I'll admit that one has been nagging me since I let it go. I'll probably read Ender's Shadow at some point though.

...I don't know how to tell you this, but a comment you made kind of put the nail in the coffin for it lol. I've heard there is a distinct quality decline as the series progresses, and you mentioned that despite loving his work, you felt like you were forcing yourself through it at one point. Did I read too much into that? :)

[Liam]

Oooohhhh yes well there are two branches for the Ender books.

The Ender Series is all about Ender and follows him from birth to death, basically. The last two books are VERY different from the first three, but it is easily my favorite sci-fi series of all time. Overall, it's easily in my top 5 just in general.

The Shadow Series is all about Bean - the first book is great, as good as Ender's Game. The rest of the series peters out A LOT. This is the one I was talking about when I said that ;].

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Liam wrote: "Oooohhhh yes well there are two branches for the Ender books.

The Ender Series is all about Ender and follows him from birth to death, basically. The last two books are VERY different from the fi..."

Oh!! Good thing we had this talk lol. I was thinking the quality decline was the other way around. Okay. Okay. I'll probably add it back at some point. ;P

[Liam]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Liam wrote: "Oooohhhh yes well there are two branches for the Ender books.

The Ender Series is all about Ender and follows him from birth to death, basically. The last two books are VERY differen..."

Okay, I can handle that haha =].

[Tammie]

I liked Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow but every one of the other books in both series that I've read or tried to read I have not liked.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

After finishing Heir of Novron today or tomorrow, I'll be only one series completion away from meeting my goal to be under 20 by July 2018.

To celebrate, I'm stepping outside my carefully planned reading schedules and starting an unplanned series just because I feel like it, damnit. :)

[Anni]

Wow, congratulation Niki! :)

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Anni wrote: "Wow, congratulation Niki! :)"

Thank you! ^_^