August '25 Serial Reader Challenge

[Nell]

AUGUST '25 SERIAL READER CHALLENGE


The traditional birthstone for August, peridot symbolizes purpose and focus. A stone valued for its use in meditation, peridot is revered for its warm, friendly energy, and ability to instill a sense of calm and safety. Peridot ranges from a bright grassy hue to a rich olive green. and is one of the few gemstones that only come in one color.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AUGUST 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 July 20th.

♦Pairs will be posted on July 21st.

♦Select a series for your partner between July 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


🌻Hilary picks for Helen
🌻Trish picks for Hilary
🌻Linda picks for Trish
🌻Zermeena picks for Jennifer
🌻Meg picks for Linda
🌻Jennifer picks for Meg
🌻Helen picks for Zermeena

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

In again!!

Winter Witches of Holiday Haven by Various
Sleigh Spells (Aurora Hart, #1)
Reindeer Runes (Lumi Northrop, #1)

Janet Finsilver's Kelly Jackson series
Murder at the Mansion
Murder at the Fortune Teller's Table

Barbara Barrett's Nailed It Home Reno series
Loose Screw
Death by Drywall

Kathy Daley's Tess and Tilly series
The Christmas Letter
The Valentine Mystery

Karen MacInerey's Grey Whale Inn Series
Berried to the Hilt
Brush with Death

[Trish]

I'd like to give it a go again!

Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss


Andy Carpenter Mysteries by David Rosenfelt


Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery by Molly MacRae


Paws & Claws Mystery by Krista Davis


Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette

[Linda]

In for August!

Wind River Reservation by Margaret Coel


Gideon Oliver by Aaron Elkins


Raven's Nest Bookstore by Allison Kingsley


Sweet Pepper Brigade by J.J. Cook


Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander

[Zermeena]

I can't believe August is almost here!

Tourist Trap by Lynn Cahoon


Cat Latimer by Lynn Cahoon


Knit and Nibble by Peggy Ehrhart


Bookmobile Cat by Laurie Cass


Country Store by Maddie Day

[Meg]

August 2025

I wish I was still in Maui. Fastest vacation ever!🏝️ Some mysteries set in Hawaii might help with the blues, though:

Islands of Aloha
Isle Be Seeing You
Poipu Rain: An Islands of Aloha Mystery

Maui Mystery series
A Plan for Murder: Case of the Kihei Killer
A Misfortunate Murder: A Mother Being Hunted

Cat Cozy
Hawaii Time
Maui Holidaze

Back to the U.S. mainland:

Merry Wrath
Meerkats and Murder
Make Believe Murder

A side trip to historical England:

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

[Jennifer]

August series:

Humorous Tiffany Black


Posadas County


Detective Lavender


Kylie Berry


Celebrity Mysteries

[Helen]

I’m in again for August.

Donna Leon Commisario Brunetti


Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs


Harriet Steel Inspector de Silva


Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache


Sarah Yarwood-Lovett Nell Ward

[Nell]

Welcome Serial Readers! Pairs are posted at msg 2

Please pick a series for your partner.

[Meg]

Hello, Linda! I'm picking the Sweet Pepper Brigade by J.J. Cook for you. I enjoyed this series.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

Helen wrote: "I’m in again for August.

Donna Leon Commisario Brunetti


Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs
[bookcover:Leaving Ev..."

Some great choices here Helen, I think I am going with Inspector Gamache books for you this month! Enjoy :D

[Linda]

Trish wrote: "I'd like to give it a go again!

Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss
[bookcover:Fondue or..."

Hi Trish,

I've actually read a couple of your series and I'm going with the Key West food critic for you. Much better to visit Florida in a book right now than the actual heat. Happy reading!

[Linda]

Meg wrote: "Hello, Linda! I'm picking the Sweet Pepper Brigade by J.J. Cook for you. I enjoyed this series."

Thank you! Looking forward to them.

[Jennifer]

Meg wrote: "August 2025

I wish I was still in Maui. Fastest vacation ever!🏝️ Some mysteries set in Hawaii might help with the blues, though:

Islands of Aloha
[book:Isle..."

Meg, to help you reacclimate to real life I'm picking Merry Wrath for you. I hope you enjoy!

[Meg]

Sounds good, Jennifer. I'm trying to work my way through that series at a little faster pace so it helps the effort!

I do have a Hawaii-based book or two on my August tbr so I'll still be able to bask in the sun and sea and plan next year's trip.

[Jennifer]

I am not wild about the Toby Neal series you have on your list but I really like the books I've read from his Paradise Crime series.
Here's book 1:
.

[Zermeena]

Hi Jennifer, I'm not familiar with any of your series. I'm choosing Posadas County mysteries because I love the southwest.

[Meg]

Jennifer wrote: "I am not wild about the Toby Neal series you have on your list but I really like the books I've read from his Paradise Crime series.
Here's book 1:
."

I've read the first two or three of the Paradise Crime books and they were just a bit grim and dark for me. I'll probably read the next one in a few months or so...I have to really space them out.

[Jennifer]

Meg wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am not wild about the Toby Neal series you have on your list but I really like the books I've read from his Paradise Crime series.
Here's book 1:
[bookcover:Blood Orchids|54331..."

Have you read Landis' Tiki Goddess cozies? They're set in Hawaii.

[Meg]

Yes, loved them, especially the Hula Goddesses. 😊

[Helen]

Zermeena wrote: "I can't believe August is almost here!

Tourist Trap by Lynn Cahoon


Cat Latimer by Lynn Cahoon
[bookcover:O..."
Hi Zermeena,
All of yours sound good. I think I’ll choose the bookmobile cat for you.

[Helen]

Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) wrote: "Helen wrote: "I’m in again for August.

Donna Leon Commisario Brunetti


Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs
[bookco..."

Thank you Hilary. It is about time I got back to them.

[Zermeena]

Thank you Helen!

[Jennifer]

Zermeena wrote: "Hi Jennifer, I'm not familiar with any of your series. I'm choosing Posadas County mysteries because I love the southwest."

I'm looking forward to getting back into these! Thank you.

[Trish]

Hillary,

I am choosing Karen MacInerey's Grey Whale Inn Series for you! I hope you enjoy!

[Trish]

Thank you so much! I've been meaning to start this series for YEARS!

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

Trish wrote: "Hillary,

I am choosing Karen MacInerey's Grey Whale Inn Series for you! I hope you enjoy!"

Thank you Trish, this challenge is getting me to work through the series nicely lol.

[Trish]

I have this series on my to read spreadsheet, it may be turning up in a future challenge!

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

I finished my first (Berried to the Hilt by Karen MacInerney ) and an in between novella (Blueberry Blues by Karen MacInerney ) last night and I started my second - so yay!

[Helen]

Finished my first last week,but have been too distracted by a hospital visit for surgery to post.

[Helen]

Just finished my second . I couldn’t listen to the audiobook while I was in hospital!
Thank you for getting my back to Inspector Gamache, Hilary.