Today is the official start to The Book Bloggers Appreciation Week 2010 (BBAW) and I wanted to do something a little different this year. Instead of simply having contests each day (they are still here, I promise), I also wanted to introduce a few of the blogs that I have stumbled upon over the last year. So I’ve invited a few to stop by LE this week and the first visitor is the fabulous Book Chick City. I’m sure she isn’t new to anyone, but if you haven’t made it to this site yet, then you really need to. I am always finding something interesting going on and there are some amazing features that I constantly keep on the lookout for.
My Top 5 Series I *Must* Read!
I have bookcases full of series that I haven’t got around to reading yet, but even though I know that I have shelves chock full I still seek out more. This means my TBR shelves are getting rather cramped…
This is a list of 5 series I actually have on my shelves that I’m desperate to start reading, but as we all know, it’s just finding the time….
Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
This series has been on my shelves for over a year – I’ve heard such good things about it that I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet.
Books in series order:
Mercy Thompson’s life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she’s fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn’t exactly normal herself.
The Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost
I’ve had this one on my shelves for some time, but it was only recently while reading tweets about a particular page/chapter that I took this series seriously and have desperately wanted to read it but have just struggled to find the time.
Books in series order:
- Halfway to the Grave
- One Foot in the Grave
- At Grave’s End
- Destined for an Early Grave
- This Side of the Grave (2011)
Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.
In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
I’ve heard that this is one the best paranormal YA series out there, and as I have all the books in the series staring at me, I really should crack open book one!
Books in series order:
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.
Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward
I’ve seen lots of bloggers go completely nuts over this series and I can tell you I’m intrigued. I have the first four books in the series so far.
Books in series order:
- Dark Lover
- Lover Eternal
- Lover Awakened
- Lover Revealed
- Lover Unbound
- Lover Enshrined
- Lover Avenged
- Lover Mine
- Lover Unleashed (2011)
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.
Raine Benares series by Lisa Shearin
I heard from one particular blogger that this series is one of their favourites – and as I respected their recommendations I went straight to Amazon and ordered the entire series. That was quite a few months ago now…
Books in series order:
- Magic Lost, Trouble Found
- Armed & Magical
- The Trouble with Demons
- Bewitched & Betrayed
- Con & Conjured (3/29/2011)
Raine Benares is a Sorceress Seeker of average ability until she comes into possession of an amulet that amplifies her powers-and her enemies.
So, that’s it – my top five series of the many, many I own but haven’t actually read yet.
Let me know if you’ve read any of the books I’ve listed and what you thought of them – are any worth me putting everything else on hold just to dive in and start reading immediately?
Are you like me? Do you have lots of series stacking up on your shelves?
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Thank you Book Chick City for stopping by Literary Escapism!
Contest Time! I did say there were going to be daily contests and here’s the first one. Today’s giveaway is for a copy of Marked by Elisabeth Naughton and Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom to a lucky reader. All you have to do is answer Carolyn’s question: Do you have lots of series stacking up on your shelves? Is there a certain series that’s worth putting everyone else on hold just to dive in and start reading immediately?
As always, there’s more ways of getting your name in the hat (remember, these aren’t mandatory to enter, just extra entries):
- Leave a comment answering the days questions. Yes, I’ll be asking everyone a question and it may be something inquiring minds want to know or it could be something random. I have no clue yet, but you have to answer the question in order to enter. This is mainly so I don’t see “please enter me”. That’s too easy.
- Post about the contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, share it with the world. You just have to let me know you did it in the same post as your answer to the question.
- Introduce someone new to Literary Escapism and/or Book Chick City. Get them to leave a comment any where on either site, including this contest, and they’ll get entered as well as giving you one more chance to win (they must include in the comment that you sent them).
The contest will stay open until 2pm on September 14th, at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer and the List Randomizer. (Although honestly, winners won’t be announced until this weekend)
I have not been contacting winners, so you will need to check back to see if you’ve won.
I have a huge TBR pile. I have certain authors that I buy the minute the new book is released. Then I read them before I start on the new to me series on my TBR pile. My next series that I am going to start is the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.
Thanks for the Raine Benares love- I don’t see nearly enough about it and it’s so good! Hopefully some people who read this post pick it up because it deserves a bazillion fans!
I have multiple TBR piles plus a batch of books on my kindle that I haven’t read yet. I try to alternate between books from series that I’m already reading and books from new series/authors.
Both the Mercedes Thompson and the Night Huntress series are really good. The Vampire Academy series was OK. I read the first two Vampire Academy books but haven’t had a desire to read the others in that series.
This is the series I would start if you haven’t read it yet. You *have to discover Bones…
The Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost
I have the first book in about 6 series. I am trying to decide which one to start….
I don’t tend to collect whole series but just the first book of series. I have to read one book to know if I like the whole series before I invest in rest of the books…but some of those first books have been on my shelves for a long time!
For some reson I’m different with trilogies and have to have all three books before I start reading so I know there’s an end in sight…
I’ve just started Halfway to the Grave and have Magic Lost, Trouble on my shelf. I really recommend the Mercy Thompsons series – they’re fab books! :-)
There are a lot of series I just have to read as soon as a new book comes out.
Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
I have not tried Raine Benares series by Lisa Shearin yet but I have added it to my to be read pile as the other series mentioned are ones I love:-)
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I have a bad habit of reading the first book in a series, enjoying it, buying the next one or two or five in that series, and then taking months (sometimes close to a year) to get back to it. But I will drop everything if Richelle Mead comes out with a new Georgina Kincaid book.
Yes, I have lots of series stacking up on my shelves. A few of them I’m missing one book in the middle so I’m waiting until I get that book. Yes, there are certain series that are worth putting everyone else on hold to start reading immediately – Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse, Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress, Keri Arthur’s Riley Jenson are some I can think of.
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My TBR pile is growing bigger every day – I’m not sure I’ll ever manage to get all of my books read LOL. I have the start of quite a few series in the pile but one I’ve been wanting to start for ages now is the Dark Hunters series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I really must bump that to the top of the pile :o) I would definitley recommend the Night Huntress series – I love that one. I also really like the Mercy Thompson series & Vampire Academy!
I’m putting in my own two cents here….series I have waiting for me to start are:
* Corine Solomon by Ann Aguirre
* Skin by Ava Gray
* Hunter’s Kiss by Marjorie Liu
* Myth & Magic by Keri Arthur
* Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent
* Vampire Queen by Joey W Hill
Although, as for BCC’s selection, she totally needs to read Frost – I will second/third that – as well as Briggs and Mead. All three are fabulous series and are books I go out on release day for.
I tend to wait until there are at least two or three books out in a series before I start because I hate having to wait to read the next book. Right now, I’ve got the first book of Devon Monk’s Magic series, Nicole Peeler’s Jane True series, and the first two books of Stacia Kane’s Downside series waiting for me. Stacia’s is probably the one I’ll start next because I love really dark and angsty stories and I’ve heard such great things about this one. I’ll drop everything for a new Patricia Briggs or Ilona Andrews book – Bayou Moon at the end of the month has me salivating to get my hands on it.
As for the ones listed, BCC has three of my favs up there – Mercy Thompson, the BDB, and Night Huntress. She’s got to start at least one of them!
I do have plenty of series on my TBR shelves like:
* Unholy Ghosts + sequels by Stacia Kane
* Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman
* Shifters series by Rachel Vincent
I stop reading what I have whenever a Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews and Patricia Briggs book arrives at my house.
Oh I’m so jealous of you! The first three you mentioned are truly fantastic. I’m in the same boat with Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward. I just picked up the first one and I’m desperate to start reading it.
Christine – I have just bought the first book in the Kate Daniels series, I’ve heard really good things about it but my mind was made up by Abigail from ATUF, who said ‘Urban Fantasy really doesn’t get any better than this” :)
Bethany – I am very intrigued by the Raine Benares series, so I think I will be reading that one very soon :)
SandyG – I bought an iPad a few months ago and I’ve just bought a Kindle 3, so I will be joining you soon with huge TBR piles electronically! :)
Sharon – Hehe, I’ve heard a lot about ‘Bones’ ;)
Mel S – Sometimes I just by the first book in the series, but if I’ve heard enough people rave about it then I can’t help myself, I’ll buy the entire series. I also buy series like that due to my obsession with having a series all in the same style, I do hate it when publishers change covers mid way through! LOL
Mysteriousrose – I’m glad you found a new author/series from my list!
Sara M – Oh I’ve done that too Sara, I have lots of unfinished series on my shelf as well as series I haven’t even begun yet. I have the Goergina Kincaid series, the fact that you said you would drop everything for a new release has bumped this one up my list :)
Barbara – I am started the Sookie series in October and will be reading a book every month with my reviewer, Laura as a sort of joint challenge/ review, so looking forward to that – hope they are as good or better than the TV show :)
Sarah – I know how you feel – I seem to keep buying books even though I have piles and piles already! It’s crazy really, but that’s what we bookie’s do! We are obsessed LOL ;)
Jackie – Oh Jackie, you’ve just made me add more! I have the Corine Solomon on my shelf but the other’s are new to me or on my wishlist. With all this love for Frost, I think I’m going to have to read this series very soon! Also, thanks so much for having me over today – it’s been really fun! :)
JenM – I hate waiting for the next book two – I’ve recently read all three books in the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane and I absolutely LOVED it – but now I’m having to wait a year until book 4 and it’s killing me! LOL I recommend starting with Downside, it’s brilliant!!
Spav – Ooh, start with the Unholy Ghosts as that series is fantastic! I’ve read all three books and it gets better and better with each one. Can’t recommend it enough :)
Abigail – There’s just so many series out there that deciding which one to read next is really torture. I’ve just bought the first book in the Kate Daniels series on your heartfelt recommendation :)
Great list, BCC. I actually don’t have a series stacked up but I have Patricia Briggs on my TBR list (have also heard the Mercedes Thompson series is fantastic) and I have heard good things about Vampire Academy as well. I’ll have to give them a go . . one of these days! ;)
Look forward to your reviews on these series!
Yep! I have quite a few series on myselfs.. err stacks :)? I really enjoyed this post and the shared series are great, i’ve either started them or want to!
Some of the series I enjoy –
Dark Hunters – Sherrlyn Kenyon
Carpathians – Christine Feehan
Bridal Quartet – Nora Roberts
Moon Series – Nancy Gideon
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Wow! Great giveaway! It’s true that I have quite a collection of series standing proudly on my shelf. Here’s a couple of recommendations:
1) For people who love humor and fantasy: The Percy Jackson Series
It’s packed with fun and action! It will keep you hollering with laughter until the very last word!
2) For people who love paranormal fiction: The Blue Blood Series
The intriguing characters are so real that you could almost visualize the whole thing. One word: Fab.
3) For YA lovers: The Airhead Series by Meg Cabot
The whole idea of the series is refreshing and Cabot really keep the plot flowing with her signature humor
That’s it!
My TBR pile isn’t very large, since I usually buy the first book in a series and only after reading that get the rest. I try to read one series at a time before moving on to next but somehow I end up buying lots of books that are first in different series..
Mercy Thompson series is my all-time favorite (with Alpha and Omega). It’s definitely worth putting everything else on hold. :)
I actually just started reading the third Raine Benares book today. Lovely series. :) As it happens, next series on my TBR pile is the Night Huntress series. ;)
here’s something funny. . . I’ve got a similar problem with the Vampire Academy!
I have read the Night Huntress series, the Vampire Academy series, and the Raine Benares series. I’d say all are pretty much worth putting everything else on hold for, but especially the Night Huntress series! It’s just amazing!
I don’t have series stacking up, but I do have lots of first books in series. Too many. I can’t wait to read them all!
My problem is too many books! I have a number of series that I have book 3-4 and have read book 1 but don’t have book 2, or book 2 is missing (I moved a few years ago and there are a few missing boxes, somewhere) I finally found Jim Butchers Summer Knight and hope to read Death Masks soon, and then move on to some of the others. I’m still missing Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur to keep reading that series, and that’s just the series I can see over my shoulder!
Great post! I also like Patricia Briggs Alpha &omega series with Charles and Anna
and Devon Monks Magic series is amazing
Hi Carolyn,
Nice list. You’ve mentioned two that I need to try… Richelle Mead’s series (got book one in the TBR) and the other… Raine Benares series by Lisa Shearin? I haven’t even heard of it, so that piqued my curiosity alright.
am i too late to enter ? :)
since i live overseas, i just few series on my shelves. The Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost is one of the series that i was able to read back to back, thanks for Jeanine who sent them for me :)
as others series that mentioned above, too bad i only got JR Ward, lover mine, so i might want to post pone to read it.