Cozy Mysteries discussion
Cozy corner
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Do you stick with one cozy series at a time or switch up?
I definitely switch around, not only between my favorite murder series, but also add books in other genres now and then.
Mary wrote: "I seem to burn out on the 3rd book. If I go back to the series later it's fresh and new again."I totally agree Mary. I love Harland Coben but after I'd read three one after the other, I needed a break!
I switch it up most of the time because I enjoy them more that way. But I may read a couple of books in the series one after the other if I am anxious to get to the next one!
Sometimes I don't want to get to the end of a series by one of my favourite authors, so I switch around so I can savour the anticipation of still having more to read!
I switch around. As a mystery writer I learn from every author. Each new series inspires me in a different way. Louise Penny is my go-to writer and I return to her books on regular intervals.
I like to switch around. I usually read one book from one series, and then change to another series.
Agree with most of you. I switch around the different book series every now and then. Unless, the series very interesting and i want to know what happens next. Otherwise I have to switch around because the interest gets worn out if i keep reading one after the other.
I pretty much run along lines of Nidah's reading style. Unless a series is so captivating that I cannot live without reading another book in same series, I will switch between my faves as not to get bored.
I keep switching out because I don't want to burn out on a series. Right now I have been reading one Stephanie Plum book a month and am up to 8.5 at this point. I got my hubby started on it and he is reading straight through and he is on box five since Christmas week.
I like to switch it up, too. I'll do probably two books in a row, move on to something else, and then come back to the series. I like the feeling of coming back to an old friend :)
For me it depends, if I really like a certain series then I will read several books in a row, but most of the times I also like to switch between more than one series.
I've been sticking with one series and burning through the whole thing until I run out! I don't mean to but they are too addictive! This is why I like cosies because they usually have lots of books in the series. This last year or two I've got into reading modern cosies but I have always been a huge Agatha Christie fan.
I can't remember now if I've answered here already or not. But to address the question: it varies. Sometimes I like to read a bunch in a series at once, assuming I don't have to wait for the author to publish the next. More often, I mix them up, as I may either tire of a single style, or don't want to "use up" a series I really like too fast!
Rebecca wrote: "I can't remember now if I've answered here already or not. But to address the question: it varies. Sometimes I like to read a bunch in a series at once, assuming I don't have to wait for the author..."I so agree...I don't want any series to end and by reading many, coming back to a favorite is a real treat.
My reading list is so long I get overwhelmed. There are a few that I have read all in the series and am anxiously waiting for the next. I also like to go to book stores (I read ebooks but still prefer the feel of holding the book in my hands) new and used and look for the First in a New Series on the front. It is an adventure and you can find new authors that grab your attention.
Ann wrote: "My reading list is so long I get overwhelmed. There are a few that I have read all in the series and am anxiously waiting for the next. I also like to go to book stores (I read ebooks but still pr..."
I know the feeling about getting overwhelmed. I sometimes say yes too often when asked to review books and I feel the pressure. I am trying to stay away from NetGalley and ignore most requests for reviewers. Now I just do them for the authors I like or the book sounds really interesting. You shouldn't get stressed out over reading, it should be for pleasure.
I know what you mean. When you are reviewing the books it takes some of the fun out of it. Plus, it takes long to read when you are making notes.
Paula wrote: "I know the feeling about getting overwhelmed. I sometimes say yes too often when asked to review books and I feel the pressure. I am trying to stay away from NetGalley and ignore most requests for reviewers. Now I just do them for the authors I like or the book sounds really interesting. You shouldn't get stressed out over reading, it should be for pleasure. "I agree. I am also cutting back on reviews. I sort of fell into doing it as a way to give my blog content, but it's become a chore, and I particularly feel stressed by the books that I agree to do for tours--somehow having a target date makes it harder to read the book.
Rebecca wrote: "I can't remember now if I've answered here already or not."Ditto...
I tend to read the entire series at once if it's one I'm starting or catching up on. HOWEVER, lately I have noticed I will lay aside a new-to-me series in favor of older series with new additions rather than making it/them wait in my TBR.
I find reading the series at once that I can get through the books faster because I'm used to the author's rhythm and style. It makes the reading flow more quickly for me. Plus, I want to see where the characters go within the series NOW! And, part of my reading OCD is being up-to-date with the series I read, so if I have to read a few to be current, I read them (thus allowing me to jump on new additions as soon as they're issued!).
Like some of you, too, I have several books going at once (car, purse, bedside, work, etc.) so even though I'm tackling a series (or a couple), I have other things going at the same time.
I love reading series all the way through. I so disappointed when a series ends. I agree with Jackie. Cozies have lots of books in the series and I can keep the characters.
I am an avid series reader. When I latch on to an author I like, I can't help but binge-read their other books. Every couple years I go back to Agatha Christie and read them all again. I read the Aurora Teagarden mysteries all at once, and right now I'm into Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series.
I am watching Agatha Rasin on PBS at moment . I never read any of MC Beaton before. I checked out the AR series and discovered that there is 20 books in the series. I do read on kindle but would rather read paper. Ugh.
I realized, given what I've been doing this week, that it's the re-reads that I tend to binge on! Munching happily through the Miss Fisher mysteries for at least the second time, having run out of new ones.
I hate to say "it depends" but with me, it really does. If I really love a book, I look to see whether there are more and if there are only a few more, I'll read them all one after the other. If there are lots more in the series, I'll usually read one or two more, then go on to something else before circling back and adding another one or two. I suppose that doesn't make sense, but I tend to forget who the characters are if I go too long between books.
Linda wrote: "I hate to say "it depends" but with me, it really does. If I really love a book, I look to see whether there are more and if there are only a few more, I'll read them all one after the other. If there are lots more in the series, I'll usually read one or two more, then go on to something else before circling back and adding another one or two. I suppose that doesn't make sense, but I tend to forget who the characters are if I go too long between books. "
I think it makes perfect sense. It allows you to stretch a series out, but not wait so long between that you forget why you cared in the first place. There is a certain amount of work that goes into getting engaged with characters, and having to re-do that too often takes some of the pleasure from the read.
Just recently I discovered a new author Gayle Lesson books. I bought the 3rd book not knowing that I needed to read the 1st and 2nd book of the series first. Luckly enough found the books at my UBS and really enjoyed the series.I an avid reader. I enjoy reading my favorite authors that I keep up to date most of the time but I love discovering new authors too.
I am currently reading Allison Brennan Lucy Kincaids series that I was a little bit behind. I read cozies, detective women series, thrillers and the funny mysteries like author Laura Levine and Janet Evanovich. Everyone needs a laugh or two.
I read them in paper, ebook and listen on audiobooks. One thing that really disturb me is I found an author that I love and the next one in series is hardback. I refuse to buy hardback books. Only if I have a very good coupon that I can get that hardback half price.
Switch and then eventually go back and pick up in series where I left off. There's been one or two series that I just had to read the next in the lineup.
Pat wrote: "I refuse to buy hardback books. Only if I have a very good coupon that I can get that hardback half price."That's what libraries are for!!! A lot of books are first released in e- or hardback format, with the paperback coming 6-12 months later. Check the library/e-library for the next-in-series. That's what I do when I'm up-to-date on series. If the library has or is going to have it, I can put the book (even the e-version) on hold (hoping I get in there fast enough to be at the top!). Love, Love, Love the library!
I have to switch it up. But I do keep with one author until I have read all their books (if I like them) and move on to the next author.
That's what libraries are for!!! A lot of books are first released in e- or..."Karen, I couldn't agree with you more! The library can afford to buy the books that you can't. And most public libraries are very accommodating to buy the books their tax payers want to read.
Sue T wrote: "Normally I switch around between different genres and series."Same here, and I even switch between fiction and nonfiction! :D
I agree Kimberly...I get bored if I keep reading in a series. It my sound crazy but they get stale, but if I read different series, I find myself looking forward to picking up a series I've been reading. Does that make any sense? I love series books because I get so wrapped up in the stories and characters.
If the series is short or I really like the author, I'll read them all. Otherwise I switch it up too.
I tend to read an author until I can't get the next book because it isn't released yet, or the library doesn't have it, then i skip around.
Libby wrote: "I tend to read an author until I can't get the next book because it isn't released yet, or the library doesn't have it, then i skip around."And then I realize 3 years later that I never got back to that series, and...
I prefer to read the same series as much as I can, sometimes I can't acquire the next book in a series or it isn't out yet so that's when I start a new one. That's for series I enjoy though, sometimes I start a new one and I'm not sure what I think of it so I try another one while I decide if I should continue or not.
I also belong to the "stick to it" group, if possible. That is, if I like it enough and don't get bored. For example I read lots of Daisy Dalymple books before I needed a break. But afterwards, I did needed a break and haven't come back somehow. I read Her royal spyness and molly murphy series one after another. I prefer it that way generally. Though sometimes if a book is just ok, but I don't love it, I do tend to switch to another until I'm on the mood for that particular series again. What I really hate is to to read a series in the wrong order. I just can't.
Thea wrote: "What I really hate is to to read a series in the wrong order. I just can't."Right there with ya! It's not like it never happens, but I'm getting sweaty just thinking about reading out of order. :o)
I used to be "anal" about reading in order. Then a dear friend of mine died very suddenly and unexpectedly. She always read whatever book she found in a series. She said life was too short to deprive yourself of a good book just because you didn't have the one or 10 that came before it. Turned out she was all too right and I've followed her lead since she's been gone.
I used to listen to all my books on audiobooks cause of my work that I was doing. I was a researcher of unpaid medical claims. Once I was listening to an audiobook and I was very into the book when I friend informed me that I was listening to last book of that series. So now on I make sure that I try to get the first book of the series.
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Charlaine Harris (other topics)Addison Moore (other topics)
Selma Eichler (other topics)
Ashley Gardner (other topics)
Colleen Helme (other topics)
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I've found Georgette Heyer's mysteries to be somewhat close in flavor to the Daisy Dalrymple series. Of course, hers are all stand-alones, not a continuous series, but who knows, that might make them easier to read!