You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Year Long Main 2021
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Susan G's Another One Bites the Dust
Agreed, Janice. We may have to call the fire department to put out the fire caused by the friction of Susan turning the pages! She is really stalking those series! Good hunting and killing, Susan!
A scattergun approach to Level 14 but it goes down at last! Killed off the Wishcraft Mystery series by Heather Blake (4/5) by reading Some Like It Witchy. 50 points for series and 5 points for the book = 55 points
Then moved in on a new series: Tara Holloway by Diane Kelly about a feisty IRS agent in Dallas. I read Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure and Death, Taxes, and a Skinny No-Whip Latte for 10 points.
I continued the Kitty Norville series (5/15) with Kitty Raises Hell, Kitty's House of Horrors, and Kitty Goes to War for 15 points.
Then just to keep things interesting and fresh I killed of a book in each of a few other series I've been trying to keep up with --
Hold Me for 5 points
Last to Die for 5 points
Broken Homes for 5 points
and finally Ghost in the Guacamole for 5 points which may remain an orphan from a new series. I found it at the library buy haven't found any more in the series. So we'll see how that turns out. After all it's not like I don't have enough other series to keep me occupied, right?
Grand total - 100 points!
Wow Cherie, you're right!! I was looking at a different part of this thread and got my levels mixed up. Hard to keep track of the bodies, I mean books, sometimes. Thanks for your eagle eye! :)
Ok, just put down Level 16! I wrapped up the Rizzoli and Isles series (10 of 11 at this point) with Die Again. 100 points for the series and 5 points for the last book.
Susan wrote: "Ok, just put down Level 16! I wrapped up the Rizzoli and Isles series (10 of 11 at this point) with Die Again. 100 points for the series and 5 points for the last book."I liked Die Again after the meh performance of the prior one. I am looking forward to the next book though.
Cherie wrote: "Susan wrote: "Ok, just put down Level 16! I wrapped up the Rizzoli and Isles series (10 of 11 at this point) with Die Again. 100 points for the series and 5 points for the last boo..."I agree!
And Level 17 bites the dust! Completed Catherine Ling by Iris Johansen (3/4) by reading Your Next Breath. 40 points for series + 5 points = 45 points
Finished up the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch (4/5) by reading Foxglove Summer. 50 points for series + 5 points = 55 points.
Grand total 100 points
Good one, Susan. At some point, I hope to be pulling in these level squashers too. I just need to read more books to get there! he he he
I'm also out of the onesies and twosies, Cherie. I'm trying to plan how to juggle the new series I've started. I keep finding more to read, heehee.
Susan wrote: "I'm also out of the onesies and twosies, Cherie. I'm trying to plan how to juggle the new series I've started. I keep finding more to read, heehee."read just about any post from this group and you will find more series books to add to your list. I think I just added 3 #1s to my TBR list in the last hour. I am going to have to stop reading any of the posts and reporting threads.
Boom! Another one bites the dust! Level 18! Though thanks to the toppler I started two new series...I finished off Edie Spence by Cassie Alexander (2/5) for 50 points plus 15 points by reading Nightshifted, Shapeshifted, and Bloodshifted for 65 points.
Then I continued with Tara Holloway Diane Kelly (2/9) reading Death, Taxes, and Extra-Hold Hairspray for 5 points.
I took a chunk out of Kitty Norville by Carrie Vaughn (8/14) for 20 points with Kitty's Big Trouble, Kitty Steals the Show, Kitty Rocks the House, and Kitty in the Underworld.
The toppler introduced me to yet more series to work on with The Giver and In the Bleak Midwinter for 10 points giving me a grand total of 100 points for this level!
And another one's gone, and another one's gone. I've taken out Level 19 with one shot. I just finished 14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson with the last (most recent) in the Women’s Murder Club series (13/14) for 100 + 5 points.
Level 20 bites the dust with a one-two punch! Two series down.Completed The Culper Ring series by Brad Meltzer (2/3) for 30 points + 5 points for reading The President's Shadow for 35 points.
During the toppler I started The Giver Quartet Lois Lowry (1/4) so I've finished up the series for 40 points + 5 points each for reading Gathering Blue, Messenger,and Son for 55 points.
Then wrapped up the level by continuing the Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries by Julia Spencer Fleming (1/8) by reading A Fountain Filled With Blood and Out of the Deep I Cry for 5 points each.
Grand total for this level 100 points.
One of these days I wil finish the Giver Quartet, but when is a different story. The Food Challenge has served up a trilogy that I can finish, when I get the last book though. I think 20 might be out of my league, but who knows. ;0)
Cherie wrote: "One of these days I wil finish the Giver Quartet, but when is a different story. The Food Challenge has served up a trilogy that I can finish, when I get the last book though. I think 20 might be..."While I liked the second book, at first I was a little confused how they fit, but reading all four was definitely worth it. And each was a fairly quick read. I think you'd enjoy the quartet, Cherie.
Janice wrote: "Twenty levels and she's still walloping a punch. :) You certainly have stamina, Susan."Thanks, Janice! :)
And another one's gone, and another one's gone! Another one bites the dust! Hey I'm gonna get you too, another one bites the dust! Level 21 goes down with a struggle.Completed the Languedoc series by Kate Mosse (2/3) with Citadel for 30 points + 5 Points.
Completed the Flynn Brothers by Heather Graham (2/3) with Deadly Night for 30 points + 5 points.
Then rounded out the level by starting a new series from my July Beautiful Covers Challenge selection with The Walk for 5 points.
Continued stalking Rev. Claire and Chief Russ by reading To Darkness and to Death, All Mortal Flesh, I Shall Not Want, and One Was a Soldier for 20 points. I've just got one more book to go to finish them off!
And to round out the kill I read The Job for 5 points while I wait for the next one in that series to come out this year.
Level 21 - 100 points!
*boom, boom, boom* It's level 22. This one was fun.I knocked off the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones (7/ 8) with Eighth Grave After Dark. I love this series! I'm counting it as complete because the next book won't be out till 2016. Oh, the anticipation! So, 80 points for the series + 5 points for the book + 85 points.
To round out the level I read Miles to Go, the next book in the series I started on the last level for 5 points.
Then I moved on to a new series that I happened upon my chance when I just picked up a paperback at the library that looked interesting, only to discover that it was part of a series. So back to the library shelves I went to track down the rest of them! I read the first two for this level The Widow and The Angel for 10 points.
Level 22 - 100 points!
I read the first book of Charley Davidson some time back. In the last week, I've raced through books 2 & 3. I'm really enjoying them too.
Cherie wrote: "I love the summary of how you are making your way through each level, Susan."Thanks, Cherie! At this point I've wandered and strayed so far afield from my original plan for this challenge and I have discovered so many new series to explore that this kind of gives me some clue as to how I found some of these.
Hmmm. I just went back and reread that last post. I just kind of meandered all over that sentence. Obviously time for caffeine.
LOL! Even more awful - I understood what you meant. I am on my way for coffee now! Funny how a random thing like plucking a paperback book off a shelf or display at the library can lead to a whole new series or subject that you never would have explored otherwise.
Level 23 goes down quietly with Tail Gait. This recently released book polishes off the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown (23/24) for me with 100 points for the series + 5 points for the book = 105 points for this level. Her next book isn't due till Spring 2016, so I'm counting the series as complete for the purpose of this challenge.
23 levels - wow. Impressive! What did you think of the Languedoc series? I've read the first two books, but it was so long ago, I might have to refresh myself a bit before I dive into #3.
Colleen wrote: "23 levels - wow. Impressive! What did you think of the Languedoc series? I've read the first two books, but it was so long ago, I might have to refresh myself a bit before I dive into #3."
Thanks, Colleen! I also read the first two long ago. I struggled a bit with this last one, it was different than I remember, but still a good story.
I read a stand alone by the same author, The Winter Ghosts, that was rather eerie and engaging. I like the author, so I'm sure I'll like the Citadel once I get around to it. It's the 'getting around to it' part that seems to take so long. ;) Good to know you struggled a bit, I'll know not to get too discouraged.
And another one bites the dust on Level 24!Finished the Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries by Julia Spencer Fleming (7/8) by reading Through the Evil Days for 80 + 5 points = 85 points for this series.
I continued along with The Walk by Richard Paul Evans (2/5) reading The Road to Grace and A Step of Faith for another 10 points. Just one more book to go in this series, I'm eager to see how he wraps it up.
And to finish out the level I started with The Plantation the first book in a new series for the last 5 points I needed.
Level total 100 points.
Level 25! This one was quick and painless.I continued with The Mist as part of Boston Police/FBI by Carla Neggers for 5 points. I'll be finishing the series off on my next level.
Then I polished off A Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis (8/9) by reading The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss for 90 + 5 Points.
Level total = 100 points.
Onward!
Level 26! I finished off two series on this level and made progress on three more:I killed off Boston Police/FBI by Carla Neggers (3/4) by reading The Whisper for 40 + 5 points.
Then I jumped on Wicked Charms as soon as it came available at the library to kill off Lizzie and Diesel by Janet Evanovich (2/3) for 30 + 5 points.
Then I bounced all over the place trying to make some progress on other series in progress with Low Midnight, Death, Taxes, and Peach Sangria, Death, Taxes, and Hot-Pink Leg Warmers, and Sign Of The Cross, 5 points for each for another 20 points.
Level total = 100 points.
Congrats on Level 26! I liked Wicked Charms, a nice light read - the entire series was rather amusing. :)
Colleen wrote: "Congrats on Level 26! I liked Wicked Charms, a nice light read - the entire series was rather amusing. :)"
Thanks, Colleen! I've enjoyed the antics of Lizzie and Diesel. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for them.
I love your review of how you wrap up your levels, Susan. You are still charging through your levels and having a good time, it seems. It makes me take heart when I feel like I am being bogged down. Being almost done with a level makes me anxious to move on. I have to keep telling myself to stop and enjoy the books I am reading.
Thanks, Cherie! I will have to admit I get a little anxious myself about finishing levels, mainly because I keep finding new ones to explore and I'm trying to plan my levels to maximize point totals. I've really enjoyed peeking at everyone else's lists though. And I've come to terms with the fact that some series are just going to have to wait tbeir turn. :)
I know. At the beginning of the year, it seemed like there was so much time to get it all done and discover more. Now, it feels like there will never be enough time to take them all in because of all of the new ones that have sounded so good on everyone else's lists! :)
Alrighty! Wrapped up Level 27 just in time to start the Toppler! Lots of books on this level - luckily I've got a couple of books waiting on the shelf that will help me speed through the next level or two.So - for level 27 - finished the Rainshadow series by Jayne Castle (3/4) with Siren's Call, a book I just happened to find in the library, wasn't really looking for it. So yay! 40 points for series + 5 points for book.
I got totally hooked on the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne (0/7) and started with Hounded, Hexed, Hammered, Tricked, and Trapped for 25 points. I'll getting back to Atticus soon.
I went back to Tara Holloway Diane Kelly (5/9) with Death, Taxes, and Green Tea Ice Cream, Death, Taxes, and Silver Spurs and Death, Taxes, and Cheap Sunglasses for 15 points. almost finished with that one, just gotta pick up the last one.
Started a new series with Throne of Glass for 5 points.
Revisited Meg Langslow by Donna Andrews (17/19) with The Nightingale Before Christmas for 5 points.
And read Something Wicked This Way Comes for 5 points for the monthly book read not realizing it was part of a series and would kill off this level nicely! Score!
100 points and on to the next level.
Way to keep forging on, Susan! I liked book #7 of the Iron Druid series. Can't wait for the new book next year now.
Books mentioned in this topic
Cat in a Zebra Zoot Suit (other topics)Dragonbane (other topics)
Winter (other topics)
One Silent Night (other topics)
Sins of the Night (other topics)
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I wrapped up the China Bayles series by Susan Wittig Albert (22/23) by reading the just released Bittersweet for 100 +5 points for a total of 105 points for this level.