June '25 Serial Reader Challenge

[Nell]

JUNE '25 SERIAL READER CHALLENGE



The traditional birthstone for June is the pearl. Pearls are unique among gemstones since they are the only ones formed within a living creature. This organic origin gives pearls an added layer of significance, underscoring themes of natural beauty and serenity. Beyond their lustrous beauty, pearls symbolize purity, wisdom, and enduring elegance. Pearls are often associated with the moon, water, and feminine energy. In different cultures, pearls carry diverse meanings. Throughout history, they've been adorned to attract luck and to serve as a reminder of the beauty of life, as they themselves are a product of an oyster's way of protecting itself.
"What Does a Pearl Symbolize?" diamondrensu.com

Pearls have a special fascination for those who see the world in a spiritual way. In Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, the “flaming pearl” symbolizes our own inner wisdom and strengthens our connection with the cosmos’ divine energies. Pearls are an introspective gem, encouraging us to really discover our true selves and our true purpose here on Earth. crystalsandjewelry.com

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JUNE CHALLENGE:

♦Pick five series that you want to read.

♦It can be a new or an on-going series.

♦Post the name of the series and the covers of at least two books that you have not read.

♦There must be at least two unread books in the series. No re-reads allowed.

♦You may re-post a series chosen before as long as there are at least two unread books.

♦Post series now through May 20th.

♦Pairs will be posted on May 21st.

♦Select a series for your partner between May 21st and 24th...sooner is better

♦Next month, read two (or more) books from the series selected for you.

New to the challenge? The thread for challenge guidelines and questions is here

Comments on this thread will be limited to members posting series until the 21st. After pairs are selected, the thread is open for discussion.

[Nell]

Players:


🐞Linda R picks for Meg
🐞Nell picks for Jenny
🐞Meg picks for Linda R
🐞Jenny picks for Helen
🐞Jennifer picks for Zermeena
🐞Trish picks for Jennifer
🐞Zermeena picks for Karen
🐞Helen picks for Nell
🐞Karen picks for Trish

[Linda]

I'm in for June! My theme this month are books for my OSU bingo challenge - categories this books can help with include - a number in the title, published 25 years ago and story includes travel.

A Friend for Hire by Laura Bradford


Body Movers by Stephanie Bond


True Confections mystery by Sarah Fox


Gideon Oliver by Aaron Elkins


Archeological Mystery by Lyn Hamilton

[Nell]

June Choices:


Detective by Day by Kellye Garrett


🐞Trouble Cat by Carolyn Haines, et al.


Romaine Wilder by Abby L. Vandiver


HoneyBun Shop by M.E. Harmon


Kadence MacBride by Janice Croom

[Meg]

Rescue Alaska
Finding Hope
Finding Destiny

Charles Lenox
A Beautiful Blue Death
The September Society

Charlie Parker
Cruises Can Be Murder
Deceptions Can Be Murder

Kiki Lowenstein
Make, Take, Murder
Ready, Scrap, Shoot

Lord Edgington
The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts
The Crimes of Clearwell Castle

[Jenny]

I am in for June.
I am interested in these series:
Agatha Raisin (by MC Beaton)



Cupcake Bakery (by Jenn McKinlay)



Professor Prather Mystery (by Mary Angela)



Jane Dorrowfield (by Barbara Ross)



Rose Strickland Mystery (by Terri L Austin)

[Jennifer]

June series:

Humorous Tiffany Black


Posadas County


Detective Lavender



Kylie Berry


Celebrity Mysteries

[Trish]

I'd like to give it a go, though I've never done anything like this before. These are my selectons:

Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss


Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley


Good Buy Girls Mysteries by Josie Belle


Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton


Hawthorne & Horowitz by Anthony Horowitz

[Zermeena]

I'm in for June. My choices are:

Tourist Trap by Lynn Cahoon


Cat Latimer by Lynn Cahoon


Mad for Mod by Diane Vallere


Magical Cats by Sofie Kelly


Country Store by Maddie Day

[Helen]

I’m in for June.

Donna Andrews Meg Langslow




Donna Leon Commisario Brunetti




Harriet Steel Inspector de Silva




Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache




Simon Brett Mrs Pargeter

[Karen]

I'm in for June. Here are my picks:

Candy Holliday Mysteries:


Dream Harbour Series:


Lady Hardcastle Mysteries:


The Vampire Knitting Club:


A Bookstore Cafe Mystery Series:

[Nell]

Welcome to the Challenge!

I've posted pairs at msg 2

Please pick a series for your partner and post your choice below.

[Nell]

Good choices Jenny. I've read all but one of your series.

I'm picking Agatha Raisin for you. I just re-watched the tv version of The Vicious Vet. It is different from the book but in both Agatha is a hoot!

[Linda]

Meg wrote: "Rescue Alaska
Finding Hope
Finding Destiny

Charles Lenox
[bookcover:A Beautiful Blue Death|87..."

Hi Meg,

I haven't read Charlie Parker but that is my pick for you, for some reason that's the one I was drawn to, might have been cruise in the title. Happy reading!

[Jenny]

Nell wrote: "Good choices Jenny. I've read all but one of your series.

I'm picking Agatha Raisin for you. I just re-watched the tv version of The Vicious Vet. It is different from the book but in both Agatha i..."

Thanks much! I started reading her per my best friend's suggestion and I am surprised I like it because I don't typically like British lit. I am excited to read books #2 and #3.

[Jenny]

Helen,
For June, try the new series by Simon Brett and let us know how it is :) Happy reading!

[Jennifer]

Zermeena wrote: "I'm in for June. My choices are:

Tourist Trap by Lynn Cahoon


Cat Latimer by Lynn Cahoon
[bookcover:A Story..."

Zermeena, I always like picking for you but you always make it hard! I'm picking Cat Latimer. :)

[Meg]

Hello, Linda: I chose The Body Movers for you! I've read the whole series and enjoyed it.

[Meg]

Thanks, Linda, for choosing Charlie Parker. I've followed this series (and her other one) for years.

[Linda]

Thanks Meg! Looking forward to getting back to this series.

[Karen]

Hi Trish,
I pick the Deep Dish Series for you.
Happy Reading,
Karen

Trish wrote: "I'd like to give it a go, though I've never done anything like this before. These are my selectons:

Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss
[bookcover:Curds of Prey..."

[Zermeena]

Jennifer wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "I'm in for June. My choices are:

Tourist Trap by Lynn Cahoon


Cat Latimer by Lynn Cahoon
[..."

Thank you! That is perfect as I need them for another challenge also!

[Zermeena]

Hi Karen - you have some great choices. I'm choosing Lady Hardcastle for you. I hope you enjoy them.

[Helen]

Nell wrote: "June Choices:


Detective by Day by Kellye Garrett


Trouble Cat by Carolyn Haines, et al.
[bookcover:..."

Hi Nell,
I don’t know any of your choices, but as I like a good cat mystery, I’ll choose the Trouble Cat series for you.
Enjoy.

[Helen]

Jenny wrote: "Helen,
For June, try the new series by Simon Brett and let us know how it is :) Happy reading!"

Thank you Jenny. They’ve been sitting in my Kindle stash for a while.

[Nell]

Thanks Helen. I'm looking forward to checking out this series.

[Jennifer]

Nell, if we want to give Trish the benefit of the doubt that she's busy on the holiday weekend, I'm good with waiting til Wednesday morning to give her all day Tuesday to stop by.

[Nell]

Jennifer wrote: "Nell, if we want to give Trish the benefit of the doubt that she's busy on the holiday weekend, I'm good with waiting til Wednesday morning to give her all day Tuesday to stop by."

OK

[Trish]

@Jennifer, I pick the Detective Lavender series for you. Sorry, traveling on the holiday weekend and lost track of things!!!

[Trish]

Karen wrote: "Hi Trish,
I pick the Deep Dish Series for you.
Happy Reading,
Karen

Trish wrote: "I'd like to give it a go, though I've never done anything like this before. These are my selectons:

Cheese Shop M..."

Thanks, Karen! I just finished a book and came to update and was thinking about which to read next!

[Jennifer]

Trish wrote: "@Jennifer, I pick the Detective Lavender series for you. Sorry, traveling on the holiday weekend and lost track of things!!!"

I figured that's what you were doing. Thanks for the excellent pick!

[Trish]

Must confess that I did look before taking off, but I kept looking in the "buddy read" section and was perplexed that I couldn't find this thread, but then I left and it was in the back of my mind, but then it disappeared. Now I know where to look! Sorry for the delay


Jennifer wrote: "Trish wrote: "@Jennifer, I pick the Detective Lavender series for you. Sorry, traveling on the holiday weekend and lost track of things!!!"

I figured that's what you were doing. Thanks for the exc..."

[Helen]

I’ve finished my first
Good classic cozy, and quite a quick read. Thank you for the choice, Jenny.

[Zermeena]

I listened to both my books A Story to Kill and Fatality by Firelight which are the first two books in the Cat Latimer series. I enjoyed them both. I would love to go one of her retreats just to eat the food! They had good mysteries along with a multibook mystery about Cat's late ex-husband. I'm looking forward to more of this series.

[Helen]

Finished my second

[Jenny]

I finished my two! Two MC Beaton books of the Agatha Raisin series. They are such quick reads! And I like the character depth of the main character.
- completed 6/5
- completed 6/18

[Trish]

I finished the first one and I'm just now finishing the second one

Really, really loved them!!!

Skipping July though - too much going on

[Linda]

Finished my second book, 4 Bodies and a Funeral over the weekend. Enjoyed it.