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3rd Annual Reading Challenge
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Michelle's 2024 Doubling Down on Series Challenge - 2nd List
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Finishing Elizabeth Berg's Mason series with the prequel Earth's the Right Place for Love.Mason is a wonderful place for Arthur as he grows into a man. His family struggles but Arthur learns the value of hard work. His weekend jobs introduce him to new friends in town who teach him life lessons and are there when he needs support. His older brother Frank dreams of leaving Mason someday but in the meantime, he mentors Arthur through his teen years. Then there is Nola his first crush, his one true love. With time and patience, he is certain they will have a future together right there in Mason.
This book gives readers the backstory for Arthur Trulove and reveals how Mason and its inhabitants shaped him into the man he became. I enjoyed reading about Arthur's youth and most of all learning the details of his sweet love story with Nola. The character who is absent in later books but known to readers of the series by Arthur's devotion to her. Like all the books in this series this was a sweet story focused on the simple and ordinary things that lead to contentment and joy.
4 true love stars.
Quotable:
“You know, if I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s this: you can push away everything but love. It will not leave. It will wait. Unto death, it will wait. You might as well accept it. You might as well give it freely, too—even more than freely. Anything else is pure exhaustion.”
― Elizabeth Berg, Earth's the Right Place for Love: A Novel
“love came in without knocking and stayed without your permission. And when hard times came between you and the one you loved, you didn’t run away. You stayed. His mother had told him that. His mother had demonstrated that.”
― Elizabeth Berg, Earth's the Right Place for Love: A Novel
Mod
I have to get back to this series.
I confess Bill it's not a series that I feel compelled to read the next book but I always enjoy them when I do get back to them. So well written and all the books have that comfortable feeling. True cozy mysteries.
Michelle wrote: "I confess Bill it's not a series that I feel compelled to read the next book but I always enjoy them when I do get back to them. So well written and all the books have that comfortable feeling. Tru..."I really enjoyed the first half dozen or so and told everyone about the series. Then I got to the 9th book and disliked it. I’d have to go back to my notes but I think it felt like the series took a sharp turn. And I felt let down. Maybe I should reread it or start the series in audio format. I hate leaving a series, that I’d initially enjoyed, unfinished. Think there are 8 more in the series since.
I'll keep your warning in mind and watch out for number 9. At the rate I'm going I still have lots of time to enjoy the series. I do listen to them on audio and enjoy them but I wouldn't say the audio productions are outstanding in any way.
Feeling cozy with Maisie Dobbs and
Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear.In the third book of the series Maisie responds to requests for help from three different friends. The police ask her to help interrogate a thirteen-year-old murder suspect. She is also asked by a father to help get the details of the death of his son in the war. This leads to a third request from a dear friend to investigate the circumstances of the death of her brother in the war. All three investigations become entangled and suddenly someone seems to want Maisie dead but which case has brought on the threat? Maisie is left to sort it all out. And of course she does.
I love the Maisie Dobbs series. The are such comfortable reads. The epitome of a cozy mystery. They are also extremely well written. You don't always find the two things together but when you do its good book therapy for sure.
3 war heroes and spies stars.
Quotable:
Seek the opportunity to swim beyond your own little pond.”
― Jacqueline Winspear, Pardonable Lies
“Sometimes you can’t slay those dragons; they can’t be done away with, just like that.” She snapped the fingers of her free hand. “You have to know how not to disturb them, how to mollify them if they become roused, and, above all, you have to come to respect them.”
I have started listening to Blackout finishing up the Newsflesh series. Fingers crossed that it will end strong.
Mod
I don't know if strong is the word I would use.
Kudos on all of your progress.. :)
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I have started listening to Blackout finishing up the Newsflesh series. Fingers crossed that it will end strong."I don't know if strong is the word I would use.
..."
Hmmm. I don't like the sound of that.
Finishing the Newsflesh series with an underwhelming
Blackout.In this final installment of the Newsflesh series Georgia Mason is brought back to life by the bad guys via cloning and some fictional memory restoring science. The plan is to use her as bait to capture and control her brother Shaun Mason. Unfortunately, Shaun rescues his sister's clone and together they expose the evil CDC and it's plot to control the world.
This series started out with a bang but fizzled the closer it got to the end. This third book was still humorous and had some good action moments but mostly there was a lot of dialog. Lots of talking. Lots. The series strayed away from its zombie apocalypse plot into the world of evil political cover ups and just never really recovered. Also, I'm just going to say that there was a relationship throughout the series that, while the author explained it away, I still found to be very uncomfortable. I couldn't see any real reason for that particular plot device and it became increasingly prominent as the series progressed. I'm going to make the last book pay for some of the flaws in the series and give it:
2 you should have just stuck to the zombies stars.
Quotable:
“Some people say I have issues. I say those people need to expand their horizons because I don't have issues, I have the Library of Congress”
― Mira Grant, Blackout
“You don’t go that far past the borders of Crazytown and come waltzing out unscathed.”
― Mira Grant, Blackout
Mod
Hard Eight. Stephanie Plum back in action!"Stephanie is great!
A perfect read when you need something you can depend on to be light and funny.
Laughing out loud with Stephanie Plum and
Hard Eight.Stephanie and Joe have called it quits. Mostly. Maybe. Ranger takes advantage of the break and makes his big move. In the meantime Stephanie has been asked by a neighbor to find a missing woman and her child. In order to do it she has to stay one step ahead of the other bounty hunter on the case and the local thugs. As usual Stephanie is ready for all challenges.
With corpses, multiple exploding vehicles, and killer bunnies, this may be the zaniest book in the series so far. There is nothing like a Stephanie Plum book for mindless entertainment. That isn't a slur to the series. Sometimes what we need most is mindless entertainment.
3 if you think Stephanie is tough you should meet her Mom and her Sister stars.
Quotable:
“Holy Mary, mother of God," my mother said. "You were being chased by Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and a rabbit.”
― Janet Evanovich, Hard Eight
“If the Jetsons had hired Tim Burton to decorate, it would have turned out like this.”
― Janet Evanovich, Hard Eight
“He reached out, opened the glove compartment, and took out a gun. It was a Smith & Wesson .38 five-shot special. It looked a lot like my gun.
"I stopped by your apartment this morning and picked this up for you," Ranger said. "I found it in the cookie jar."
"Tough guys always keep their gun in the cookie jar."
"Name one."
"Rockford."
Ranger grinned. "I stand corrected.”
― Janet Evanovich, Hard Eight
Mod
2 you should have just stuck to the zombies stars. ..."
EXACTLY!! Because what was that?? Ugh, and i really enjoyed the first 2 books. *sigh*
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "he series strayed away from its zombie apocalypse plot into the world of evil political cover ups and just never really recovered. Also, I'm just going to say that there was a rela..."Yep! Too bad. It had so much promise but the author just lost control of the plot somehow.
I was reading The Colors of All the Cattle but it went back to the library so I'm at the mercy of the hold list again. 13 weeks! I hope I can still pick up where I left off.
Right on target with
All the Dead Shall Weep the 5th in the Gunnie Rose series.Lisbeth's sister and her young brother-in-law come to visit but right away things seem to go amiss. The brothers take off in pursuit of a roving group of mercenaries leaving the sisters to pick up the pieces back home. Meanwhile they are visited by a long string of suitors looking for an alliance with Felicia, Lisbeth's sister.
Gunnie Rose has her hands full.
I think this was definitely a filler book bridging the series from one focus to another. I didn't dislike it but I also didn't feel it was much of a story. I was very pleased that at least half of the story was back to Lisbeth's POV. Unfortunately, it looks like from now on the series will have multiple POVs, the sister being one of them and I do not enjoy Felicia. I'm questioning whether I will continue with the series if that is the case. On the other hand the author seems ready to open up a new storyline that might be more interesting.
3 luke warm on this one stars.
Mod
So, does that mean list 3 is coming?? I haven't even looked at the first list yet. Mmmmm?
I mean, its not even June yet!
Alondra wrote: "Look at you! 11 of 12!! So, does that mean list 3 is coming?? I haven't even looked at the first list yet. Mmmmm?
I mean, its not even June yet!"
She's seriously leaving us all in the dust!!
List 3 is out Alondra and Alissa. I'm not sure I call it leaving you guys in the dust when I haven't actually completed one challenge yet.
Mod
Mod
I have enjoyed the first two books. I have a few others waiting on my bookshelf.
Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Listening to Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear. I always enjoy Maisie Dobbs."I have enjoyed the first two books. I have a few others waiting on ..."
I am enjoying the series Bill. Maisie Dobbs books are cozy mysteries with heft. The characters and the plots are fully fleshed out and the writing is solid.
You’ve almost finished this challenge! Will you be trying to read all 16 or will you stop at 12? Just checked out your newest challenge, those are some heavy books. Ok, off to check out your 2nd (or was it 1st) challenge list ;)
Counting down with Maisie Dobbs #4
Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear.Maisie Dobbs takes on an investigation into the suspicious death of an artist noted for his depictions of the great war. As usual Maisie's investigation reveals far more on a professional and a personal level than anyone could have guessed. Billy looses his youngest daughter to diphtheria, prompting Maisie to take up the cause of London's underprivileged. As a result she inspires her client to write about the plight of those in the inner city during the depression.
I always enjoy Maisie Dobbs. This series is one of those that always leaves the reader with a sense of contentment, in spite of the fact that it often touches on very serious subjects. Jacqueline Winspear is an excellent writer and gives readers a real sense of the period in which the story takes place. I don't know if there is such a thing as a hardcore cozy mystery but if there is I think the Maisie Dobbs series would be it.
4 meditation and mystery stars.
Quotable:
“If her soul were a room, it was as if a light were now shinning in a corner that had been dark.”
― Jacqueline Winspear, Messenger of Truth
“With a true masterpiece, there are no words required. Discourse is rendered redundant. That's why the work of a master transcends all notions of education, of class. It rises above the onlooker's understanding of what is considered good or bad, or right or wrong in the world of art. With the artist who has achieved mastery, skill, experience and knowledge are transparent, leaving only the message for all to see.”
― Jacqueline Winspear, Messenger of Tr
Aiming for a kinder state of mind with Mma Ramotswe and
The Colors of All the Cattle. In this edition of the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series Mma Ramotswe is pushed into running for election to the city council by Mma Potakwane. Mma Ramotswe's friends rally around to get her elected despite her protests. Mma Ramotswe will not be persuaded to indulge in shallow campaign promises, however, and runs on an honest platform of "I'll do the best I can". Charlie takes on a case of his own for the detective agency and struggles in his personal life to leave his youthful days behind.
I love this series but I wouldn't say this was one of the better books in the series. I did not like the way that Mma Ramotswe allowed herself to be bullied into running for election or all the lengthy discussion among the characters about how the election should be carried out. I did like the ending however when everything works out to Mma Ramotswe's satisfaction. I also liked Charlie's story, but I would rather the book focused on his case and his struggles without the election scheme. Either way as always in this series a lot of emphasis is placed on kindness and respect. I do love that.
3 above all else be kind stars.
Quotable:
“If only people could keep that in their minds—if they could remember that the people they met during the day had all the same hopes and fears that they had, then there would be so much less conflict and disagreement in this world. If only people remembered that, then they would be kinder to others—and kindness, Mma Ramotswe believed, was the most important thing there was. She knew that in the depths of her being; she knew it.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The Colors of All the Cattle
“Tea, thought Mma Ramotswe – no matter what was happening, no matter how difficult things became, there was always the tea break – that still moment, that unchangeable ritual, that survived everything, made normal the abnormal, renewed one’s ability to cope with whatever the world laid before one. Tea.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The Colours of all the Cattle
“she did look remarkably like a chair—a great, accommodating upholstered armchair. You could certainly sit on Mma Potokwane and feel perfectly comfortable: she was the sort of chair into which one might sink after a hard day’s work—sink, and possibly not reappear until hours later, emerging from voluminous feather-filled cushions.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The Colors of All the Cattle
Michelle wrote: "Aiming for a kinder state of mind with Mma Ramotswe and The Colors of All the Cattle. In this edition of the Number 1 Ladies Detec..."
Felt the same way regarding this book, I would’ve rather have read more about the mystery than the political machinations. But still enjoyed the interactions of the main characters.
Mod
I love the Mme Ramotswe series. :)
Thanks Alondra! I'm forging ahead trying to get in all 16.
Not taking life too seriously with the Mercy Thompson series.
Storm Cursed.Mercy and the wolf pack defend their territory against an invasion of witches. The outbreak of black magic turns up in unexpected places. Most memorably with a herd of miniature zombie goats. But they won't get the best of Mercy.
I enjoy this series so much. If I tried to read them back to back they might get old but just when I think there can't be anything new the author comes up with miniature zombie goats. Good fun.
3 cute and cuddly zombie goat stars.
Quotable:
“But I’ve learned that there are always terrible things, and sometimes it is very important to grasp what joy and beauty you can, whenever you can.”
― Patricia Briggs, Storm Cursed
Getting so close to the end with
Aurora's End.So, this wraps up the Aurora series for me. The members of Squad 312 flung to different times and locations at the end of the last book have to figure out what is happening and come together once again in order to defeat the enemy and preserve the universe.
There was plenty of action in this final book in the series and I liked how each of the main characters played a part. Everything came together at the end. I will only say that the end went on a bit too long. I think the authors could have wrapped up this book and maybe even the series without a lot of the filler that stretched it out so long. Sometimes less is more and makes for a tighter more enjoyable book.
3 time travel, space travel, alien invasion stars.
Quotable:
I will see you in the stars.”
― Amie Kaufman, Aurora's End
Done and done!! Finishing the series and the list with
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor.In the second installment of the series, Laslo tries to save his true love and in doing so finds at last answers to his questions about who he is and where he came from. Of course, he also has to defeat a series of angry god-like opponents and square off everyone in the city.
This series is written with a dreamlike/fairy tale atmosphere that I loved. I also loved the main character Laslo Strange. I do think that the entire series would have been improved by sticking to Laslo as the only POV. I felt that once we moved away from that things got complicated and less interesting. On the whole though I enjoyed this book more than the first one. Mainly because all questions were answered, and the action was more straight forward. A good series in spite of my little quibbles.
3 dreams and nightmares stars.
Quotable:
“There comes a certain point with a hope or a dream, when you either give it up or give up everything else. And if you choose the dream, if you keep on going, then you can never quit, because it's all you are.”
― Laini Taylor, Muse of Nightmares
“Once upon a time, a sister made a vow she didn't know how to break, and it broke her instead.
Once upon a time, a girl did the impossible, but she did it just a little too late.”
― Laini Taylor, Muse of Nightmares
“Can we leave the past behind us?"
Could they? The question was everything.
"That's an excellent place for the past," said Suheyla. "If you don't leave it there, it clutters everything up and you just keep tripping over it.”
― Laini Taylor, Muse of Nightmares
This list is completed!! It was a good list. There weren't a lot of barn burners but most of them were consistently good. Since they were all from series that I have enjoyed in the past, this is to be expected. It was a nice comfortable list and I wouldn't mind doing one like it again sometime.
Nice. I love making progress in reading my series books! I'm glad that most of the books you enjoyed.
Lea wrote: "Nice. I love making progress in reading my series books! I'm glad that most of the books you enjoyed."Yes, this was a very satisfying challenge and it helped me close out a few series. Unfortunately, I am always starting more of them.
Mod
Sweet!!! Great Job, Michelle!! You read some great books this challenge.
Woot!!
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "This list is completed!! It was a good list. There weren't a lot of barn burners but most of them were consistently good. Since they were all from series that I have enjoyed in the..."Thanks Alondra! I'm pretty sure I should always challenge myself to read a couple of books a year from some of my ongoing series. I enjoyed getting back into some of them.
Mod
No problem. A great series can be so comforting. Returning to great characters and writing and becoming a part of that world. ☺️
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Books mentioned in this topic
Muse of Nightmares (other topics)Aurora's End (other topics)
Storm Cursed (other topics)
The Colors of All the Cattle (other topics)
Storm Cursed (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Laini Taylor (other topics)Jacqueline Winspear (other topics)
Jacqueline Winspear (other topics)
Jacqueline Winspear (other topics)
Jacqueline Winspear (other topics)
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Mercy is kidnapped by vampires and taken to Europe. Adam and a choice selection of Mercy's friend follow in pursuit. Unfortunately by the time they arrive, Mercy has already escaped and is stirring up trouble in the old country.
If this series doesn't satisfy your need for paranormal creatures, you need to be worried. Kudos for adding yet another creature to the list with an appearance by a Golem in this one. This wasn't the strongest of the series but it was still a lot of fun. Fast paced action and plenty of laughs.
3 Mercy vs. the monsters stars.
Quotables:
“I'm a mechanic; I fix things that are broken. I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote. I have powerful friends. But when it comes right down to it, my real superpower is chaos." -Mercy”
― Patricia Briggs, Silence Fallen
“Running from vampires, again. Still. Go me!”
― Patricia Briggs, Silence Fallen