Michelle's 2024 Doubling Down on Series Challenge - 2nd List

[Michelle]

This list is a series challenge. I will read two books from some of my ongoing series. The alternate list will be made up of series books that by reading just this one I will be finished (or at least temporarily caught up) with the series. This one should be fun since all of these books are from tried-and-true series. There should also be a strong sense of accomplishment to completing this list since it will get me further along in several series and even complete a couple.

1. Hell Is Empty Longmire #7 Complete 1/10/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. As The Crow Flies Longmire #8 Complete 2/9/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Seven Up Stephanie Plum #7 Complete 1/18/24 ⭐⭐⭐
4. Hard Eight Stephanie Plum #8 Complete 3/25/24 ⭐⭐⭐
5. Pardonable Lies Maisie Dobbs #3 Complete 3/16/24 ⭐⭐⭐
6. Messenger of Truth Maisie Dobbs #4 Complete 5/24/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. The House of Unexpected Sisters No. 1 Ladies Detective #18 Complete 2/6/24 ⭐⭐⭐
8. The Colors of All the Cattle No. 1 Ladies Detective #19 Complete 5/26/24 ⭐⭐⭐
9. Silence Fallen Mercy Thompson #10 Complete 2/12/24 ⭐⭐⭐
10. Storm Cursed Mercy Thompson #11 Complete 05/31/24 ⭐⭐⭐
11. The Confession Club Mason #3 Complete 1/18/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
12. Earth's the Right Place for Love Mason #.5 Complete 3/4/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alternates
13. All the Dead Shall Weep Gunnie Rose #5 Completed 5/3/24 ⭐⭐⭐
14. Aurora's End Aurora Cycle #3 Completed 06/19/21 ⭐⭐⭐
15. Blackout Newsflesh #3 Complete 3/22/24 ⭐⭐
16. Muse of Nightmares Strange the Dreamer #2 Complete 7/22/24 ⭐⭐⭐

[Ioana]

Good luck! I haven't read any book in any of these series, hmmm...

[Jackie]

Great plans! Good luck.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

This looks like a duplicate of #2??

[Michelle]

Alondra wrote: "This looks like a duplicate of #2??"

You are right Alondra. How did I manage to get this out there twice. No worries the duplicate has been deleted.

@ Lea Thanks for the comment on my duplicated (now deleted) thread. You definitely need to get back to Stephanie Plum and I hope you will like the Newsflesh series. It is not a series that requires a lot of overthinking. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

[Michelle]

Ioana wrote: "Good luck! I haven't read any book in any of these series, hmmm..."

Hopefully something here will inspire you Ioana.

[Michelle]

Jackie wrote: "Great plans! Good luck."

Thanks Jackie!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Michelle wrote: "Alondra wrote: "This looks like a duplicate of #2??"

You are right Alondra. How did I manage to get this out there twice. No worries the duplicate has been deleted.

@ Lea Thanks for the comment o..."

Trying to tackle that TBR!!! 🤣🤣

[Ioana]

Michelle wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Good luck! I haven't read any book in any of these series, hmmm..."

Hopefully something here will inspire you Ioana."

LOL, I'm trying to avoid more inspiration, my TBR is screaming...

[Lea]

Michelle wrote: "@ Lea Thanks for the comment on my duplicated (now deleted) thread. You definitely need to get back to Stephanie Plum and I hope you will like the Newsflesh series. It is not a series that requires a lot of overthinking. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.."

We'll see if I can stop myself from my shocking ability to overthink everything! :-) You all are inspiring me to try and squeeze some Stephanie Plum in this year. She always gets kicked off my list while I'm trying to squeeze a few more books onto it! :-)

[Pam]

Great idea!

[Michelle]

Thanks Pam!

[Denise]

Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite series. Good luck with your challenge.

[Michelle]

Denise wrote: "Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite series. Good luck with your challenge."

Thanks Denise! Stephanie and company are always good for a laugh.

[Bill, Moderator]

Stephanie Plum, Longmire, Maisie Dobbs, Precious Ramotswe. You can't go wrong with those series. Enjoy all of your selections!

[Michelle]

Thanks Bill. They're all some of my favorites. This is a challenge full of comfort food.

[Ann at the Beach]

so many series .... so little time. I've read one Plum and one Ladies Dectective Series... Happy reading !

[Lillie]

Fun list Michelle! Maisie Dobbs and No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency are fantastic. Really need to get back to both.

And Strange the Dreamer, what a great duology!

Enjoy your challenge :)

[Michelle]

Thanks Ann! The No. 1 Ladies Detective series and Stephanie Plum are both great series. You should definitely pick up where you left off.

[Michelle]

Thanks Lillie. I've neglected the Ladies Detective series for so long I'm determined to catch up. Maisie Dobbs is a newer find. I'm excited to continue that one.

[Michelle]

Kicking this list off with The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg. I have been wanting to read more Elizabeth Berg and this will make me only one book short of completing her Mason series.

[Michelle]

Listening to Hell Is Empty. I'll be finished soon. I'm such a Longmire fan girl.

[Michelle]

First book of this list completed! Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson.

Sheriff Longmire pursues a gang of dangerous escaped convicts into the heart of a snowstorm. Cut off from back up by the weather and determined to get his man the sheriff tracks the convicts into the mountains with only a mysterious Indian guide to help.

This may be my favorite of the Longmire series so far. I do love the Sheriff and this one is pretty much all Sheriff. The outdoor mountain setting and the reappearance of a character from an earlier book as the guide combined to make this one memorable.

5 Just because he wasn't there doesn't mean he wasn't there stars.

Quotable:

"Talking with people was more confusing than being confused by yourself.”
― Craig Johnson, Hell Is Empty

“It’s never about who’s the fastest, strongest, toughest—it’s always about who, when everyone else would pause, will commit.”
― Craig Johnson, Hell Is Empty

[Bill, Moderator]

Michelle wrote: "First book of this list completed! Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson.

Sheriff Longmire pursues a gang of dangerous escaped convicts int..."

Sounds very interesting. I do like this series.

[Michelle]

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "First book of this list completed! Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson.

Sheriff Longmire pursues a gang of dangerous esc..."

A great series if you like a story with interesting characters.

[Ann at the Beach]

Always good to get the 1st one down. Looks like a good series—oh no—another one to add to the ever lengthy list of series.

[Michelle]

Ann at the Beach wrote: "Always good to get the 1st one down. Looks like a good series—oh no—another one to add to the ever lengthy list of series."

You can always binge watch the series instead but beware that's what I did and now I'm reading the series.

[Michelle]

Continuing to read The Confession Club and listening to Seven Up. Stephanie Plum always a fun one.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Kudos on finishing the first one; but I expect no less!

Always good to read a comforting series or author.

[Michelle]

Alondra wrote: "Kudos on finishing the first one; but I expect no less!

Always good to read a comforting series or author."

Luckily most of the ones on this list are exactly that. Comfort reads.

[Bill, Moderator]

Stephanie Plum is always a nice, entertaining break.

[Michelle]

Bill wrote: "Stephanie Plum is always a nice, entertaining break."

Yes. One way or another Stephanie always makes me laugh.

[Michelle]

FinishedThe Confession Club. The Mason series

Elizabeth Berg allows readers to visit the inhabitants of Mason, Missouri once again in this final book of the series. The book gives closure to some of our favorite characters from the Mason series concentrating mainly on two of them. First on Maddy who began the whole thing. Secondly on Iris, who appeared in the second book. Both women learn sweet lessons about love and getting what you want out of life.

Elizabeth Berg's writing makes this series a pleasure to read. I love a writer who can express the divine in the ordinary. Berg is certainly one of those writers with her poignant yet practical observations of every day life.

4 yellow box cake with chocolate icing stars.

Quotable:

“That’s what life is, at its best. A confession club: people admitting to doubts and fears and failures. That’s what brings us closer to one another, our imperfections.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Confession Club

“The cookie tray goes round and round. Outside, the moon rises. The wind is still. All over town, leaves hang on trees like open hands.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Confession Club

“little disappointments seem like paper cuts; they can bother you more than the big things do.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Confession Club

[Michelle]

Adding another number to the Stephanie Plum series completed list with Seven Up .

In her latest escapade Stephanie seems to be in constant pursuit tracking down her latest contract, Eddie DeChooch, rescuing Mooner and his buddy, getting engaged to Morretti while still imagining a night with Ranger. But not to worry Stephanie Plum alwayse get her man or does she?

I just love this madcap series. This audiobook included a little interview with the author at the end. In the interview Janet Evanovich says that she considers herself more of an entertainer than a writer. I would say she is a smashing success. Her writing is nothing if not entertaining. Good fun that makes you forget the real world for a minute. I did dock this book one star for the change in narrators. I normally like Loreli King a lot but in this case I enjoyed the previous reader with her accents better. No worries though I'm sure I will adapt as I move on through the series.

3 LOL stars.

Quotable:

“It's been almost a month since you found a body. I knew you were due."
Carl Costanza - Seven Up”
― Janet Evanovich, Seven Up

“Thinking very often resembles napping, but the intent is different. --Stephanie Plum”
― Janet Evanovich, Seven Up

[Michelle]

Listening to The House of Unexpected Sisters now. Good to get back to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series. As The Crow Flies coming soon.

[Michelle]

Checking off The House of Unexpected Sisters

In the 18th installment of the No. 1 Detective Agency series, Mma Ramotswe discovers that she has a sister she never knew. Mma Makutsi and Mr. Polopeleti investigate a case of wrongful dismissal which reveals potential catastrophe for Mma Makutsi all at the hands of her arch enemy Violet Sepotho. To make matters worse Mma Ramotswe's former husband returns to town. No worries though Mma Ramotswe skillfully navigates all dangers and avoids disaster, discovering along the way that some of life's unexpected things are blessings in disguise.

I actually think I had read at least part of this book before but didn't have it marked. That's O.K. It was a great way to get back into this series. I love the characters of this lovely series with their old fasioned values and their traditional life view. These books always leave me with a sense of calm optimism. That makes them great book therapy.

3 sipping a cup of redbush tea stars.

Quotable:

“Families come in different ways... sometimes they are given to you, but sometimes you find them yourself, unexpectedly, as you go through life.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The House of Unexpected Sisters

“She would give him the benefit of the doubt, as she always did: her experience had taught her that the names we gave to others, and the things we accused them of, often said more about us than they did about them.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The House of Unexpected Sisters

“Not forgiving was like scratching at a sore to keep the healing scab from forming.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The House of Unexpected Sisters

“Nobody is so bad that there is no chance of change.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The House of Unexpected Sisters

[Lillie]

Michelle wrote: "Checking off The House of Unexpected Sisters

3 sipping a cup of redbush tea stars”

I have this one downloaded on Libby and will be listening to it this month. I, too, enjoy the calm energy this series produces in me. I love revisiting these wonderful characters.

[Michelle]

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Checking off The House of Unexpected Sisters

3 sipping a cup of redbush tea stars”

I have this one downloaded ..."

Yes if we could all just reason through our problems the way Mma Ramotswe does the world would be a better place. Maybe the world needs Clovis Anderson's instruction manual.

[Martha]

Michelle wrote: "First book of this list completed! Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson.

Sheriff Longmire pursues a gang of dangerous escaped convicts int..."

This is the next Longmire up for me. Seems like each one is my new favorite in the series. Glad to see that you loved it.

I did this one year ... 2 from each of several series. I love moving along with some favorite series. Good luck with your challenge.

[Michelle]

Thanks Martha! It does feel like you are accomplishing something when you check these series reads off your list. Hope you enjoy the next Longmire. You are right each one seems a little better than the last.

[Kristine]

Michelle~that’s great that you are catching up on all your series. My Dad loves the Maisie Dobbs series and has all the books. He keeps telling me I’d like them. So far I have resisted Series reads, since well that will be another commitment and more on the TBR. I’ll probably break though and bring them to my house (library). Her last installment, think book #19, is coming out 6/4/24. Enjoy your Challenge!

[Michelle]

Kristine wrote: "Michelle~that’s great that you are catching up on all your series. My Dad loves the Maisie Dobbs series and has all the books. He keeps telling me I’d like them. So far I have resisted Series reads..."

Maisie Dobbs is a commitment but I have enjoyed the series so far. If your Dad is offering you all the books I don't know how you are resisting. Nothing better than having them available whenever you are in the mood.

[Kristine]

Michelle wrote: "Kristine wrote: "Michelle~that’s great that you are catching up on all your series. My Dad loves the Maisie Dobbs series and has all the books. He keeps telling me I’d like them. So far I have resi..."
Michelle, I really need to take a picture of my bedroom, that would explain a lot. My Dad lives 10 minutes away and I am over there practically every day. He has a huge stack of books, too. Might as well leave them with him until I start the series, you know after I finish the 8 books I have on Libby currently. I’m sure I will start reading them soon……He got me started on Kate Quinn and yes, after 7 years I just read The Alice Network. I had to put it on my 12+4 Twice. I have a little book problem 🤣

[Lillie]

Kristine wrote: "I have a little book problem 🤣"

I think we all do 😂

[Kristine]

Lillie wrote: "Kristine wrote: "I have a little book problem 🤣"

I think we all do 😂"
Lillie~So True 😂😥 📚📚📚

[Michelle]

LOL I don't think any of us can say no to books

[Michelle]

Checking another on off the list As The Crow Flies by Craig Johnson.

In this eighth book in the series Sheriff Longmire witnesses a terrible death and helps the inexperienced reservation Chief of Police track down a killer, all while planning his daughters wedding.

I just love this audiobook series. The writing is amazing and the audio productions enhance the story. The cast of characters is great but the star of course is Sheriff Longmire with his unique outlook on life. These are always enjoyable.

4 spirit guide stars.

Quotable:

“In a perfect cinematic world we would’ve captured the bad guys in spectacular fashion with explosions, car chases, and a parting kiss. She would’ve been played by Ava Gardner, and I would’ve been played by Robert Taylor.
― Craig Johnson, As The Crow Flies

“Stay calm, have courage, and watch for signs.”
― Craig Johnson, As The Crow Flies

[Michelle]

Getting back into the Mercy Thompson series now with Silence Fallen

[Bill, Moderator]

Michelle wrote: "Checking another on off the list As The Crow Flies by Craig Johnson.

In this eighth book in the series Sheriff Longmire witness..."

I've enjoyed everyone so far but I need to get back into it. Nice to see you are still enjoying.

[Michelle]

I'm going to keep rolling through them I think. They are refreshing breaks between more serious books. Hope you get a chance to get back into them Bill. Happy reading!