I've had an idea to set up this reading challenge for a while now, but recently decided to put it into action when I realized that the latest In Death novel by author J.D. Robb, Kindred In Death, was released the other day. Kindred In Death is the 35th(!) installment in the well loved and very successful In Death series by romance author Nora Roberts who writes this series under the J.D. Robb pen name. The In Death series is futuristic romantic suspense series that consistently delivers an interesting, quality murder mystery; plenty of danger, intrigue and action; futuristic forensic methodology; and most of all, a riveting look into the professional and personal life of NYPSD detective Eve Dallas and her enigmatic lover and eventual husband, Roarke, along with a colorful cast of secondary characters.
If I did my research correctly, there are now 35 In Death stories published--30 full length novels and 5 novellas, with a 6th novella expected later this month. Clearly, Ms. Robb is doing something right as she continues to write these stories and readers continue buying, reading, and loving her work.
At this point, I've only read the first four books in the series, and even then, that was almost two years ago that I did so. You'd think I should be able to read these stories at least as fast as Ms. Robb can write them, but it appears I fall even further behind with each new In Death release. So to help remedy my own state of remiss, perhaps help motivate other readers who are similarly way behind in this series or to inspire readers to even start this series in the first place, I've decided to create an In Death Reading Challenge. I think this challenge may even be fun for readers who are already caught up in their In Death reading as they either revisit past books or simply enjoy watching the rest of us fall for this books for the first time.
Keep in mind that many, many libraries have the In Death series on their shelves, so you may not need to buy them if you don't want to or can't afford to. In other words, there's no excuse not to try one just one In Death book. Come on! You know you want to!
I will do this by myself if I have to, but would really love some company. So who's in?
CHALLENGE RULES:
+Open to anyone.
+Read one In Death book per month and make a post about it on your blog. It can be a review or just commentary, if you like. Please, please, PLEASE indicate somewhere at the beginning of your post whether or not your post includes spoilers in order to protect innocent eyes. It would also be great if you'd link back to this post in your monthly posts.
+If you don't have to have your own blog, I will permit readers to submit their posts to me to post on my blog. Please note this will be at my discretion. If I find anything in your post to be objectionable or inappropriate, I have the right to refuse to post it.
+Make your post on the last day of the month. This is for my benefit because I'm really awful at Reading Challenges and I need as much time as possible to procrastinate. I try to remember to do a reminder post one week before.
+If you miss a month, no worries. Just make it up if you want to. Or don't. This is for fun and generally not meant to cause anyone but me any stress. ;)
+Sign up to participate in the challenge in the comments of this post and then on the last day of the month, I'll make an In Death Series Challenge post in which we'll use Mr. Linky so we can find each other's posts easily. Or maybe I'll just do a link list. Maybe I'll be the only one in the challenge. Stay tuned.
+Feel free to grab the In Death Reading Challenge button for the sidebar of your blog. It would be great if you would link it back to this post. Thanks.
I'm open to starting the challenge this month or in December if enough participants are interested in an early start. Let me know in the comments.
*NYPSD stands for New York Police and Security Department.
Places of 'In Death' Interest and where I did my research on the published In Death novels currently available:
J.D. Robb website
WikiInDeath
45 comments:
Hellooo, just stopping by to tell you that I miss you too! =[
As you see I am now able to read posts but it's pretty impossible to write them myself so for now I'm just sticking to reading them. Also, I cannot add any new ones to my 'news feed' if you know what I mean. It's all very tedious. I'm still looking for a solution but it's taking more time than I expected. Anyways, thanks for the constant support!
Hilda
P.S: I see you had a layout make over... Looks awesome!
Hilda!!! =]
It's so nice to hear from you! I was so disappointed to hear of the trouble you've been having with blogspot over there. I can tell blogging is a great outlet for you, so I really hope the situation improves and you can access everything freely again soon!
Hang in there.
Fun idea, but I'm going to just follow along since I spent most of 2007 reading the In Death series. It'll be fun to see if your favorites are my favorites.
Thanks, Phyl. I have a feeling that more people are up to speed with this series than not, but like you said, it'll still be fun to compare our favorite books, scenes, character, etc. as I hopefully plow through this massive pile of In Death books!
Gosh, I have so many challenges until the end of the year. I've never read her though they sound like fun. I may pass this time but if i pick one up in the future I will post a review.
Great idea!
This is a great idea for a challenge! I am signing up but only if it is okay if I am not going to read one book every month! I most likely will read 4 or 5 books over the course of a year! JD Robb/Nora Roberts almost writes books faster than I can read them so I am not sure I will ever catch up!
Thanks!!!! I was thinking of hosting a similar challenge, and I'm so happy you jumped in first. I like your idea of one book a month. I'm in this one for sure. I think I've read maybe 5 of the novels (I'll have to check), but I do love the series. I'll post about this soon.
OH, fun! This is really a cute idea.
I've actually only read ONE of these! The first. Heck, maybe I'll do this!
*maniacal laughter in the background*
Oh, we will get you all, we will!
*ahem*
Yay for reading the In Death books!
I'm all caught up myself, but since I just love talking about the books and the characters, I'll be commenting on your posts :grin: more than usual, that is!
Michelle: I know what you mean about participating in too many challenges. I joined four for 2009 and while I have read the proper number of books for two of them, I'm SO behind in reviews. The other two are kind of washes at this point. I was more motivated in January. LOL. If you do pick up an In Death book in 2010, it would be awesome if you'd link it to the Challenge! :)
Marg: That's totally fine with me if you want to just do a handful throughout the year. If I do this right, I should be doing this challenge for two and a half years at this point. LOL!
Beth: Hello! I'm thrilled to have you join the challenge! Sorry I beat you to the punch of hosting it. ; )
Carolyn: Oh yes! Please join!!
azteclady: I thought of you reading Kindred In Death last week while I was typing up my little post here. You KNOW I enjoy your comments on anything I post, but I'm looking forward to sharing my 'In Death' excitement with you. : )
azteclady: Well,
I can beat Carolyn. I haven't read ANY of them! So, I may join in, but not likely each month. I've discovered that I get all gung ho, and then can't keep up. Sigh. But I've been wanting to try this series for a while now.
Let us know when you're officially starting it. I need to get to my library...
It was obviously meant to be...I picked up Promises In Death from the library yesterday (it's the book before Kindred In Death). So, I'll definitely be reading one In Death book this month :)
Please count me in, at least for the next three months...I'm counting the forthcoming novella as an In Death book too :) Is that OK? It's just that with my TBR list the way it is I don't know about re-reading any :( I also don't know about a review...I'm still trying to write one for a book I read 4 months ago, but I could ramble on about my thoughts?
Hilcia - good luck with sorting out your technical issues!
At this point, I've only read the first four books in the series, and even then, that was almost two years ago that I did so.
Ditto! I did the exact same thing. This sounds like a great challenge. I am not sure if I will get to it this month, or every month, but I do want to try.
I don't know how to use Mr. Linky. When the time comes, I may need your help.
Lori : Excellent! So glad you joined. I'll definitely let you know when we'll officially begin.
orannia : Sweet! Does that mean you're almost all caught up in this series already?!?
Also, it's Hilda with the technical issues, not Hilcia. ;)
Jill : It's sometimes uncanny how similar our romance reading experiences are, isn't it? So glad you're joining.
As far as Mr. Linky goes, it I do everything right on my end, it will be very easy for you to use it. I'll make a post on the last day of the month here on my blog and then there will be a Mr. Linky box at the bottom of the post and all you need to do is add your name and the link to your post. That's how it'll work in theory, anyway.
I'm all caught up in my In Death reading, and am reading the latest now, well, just finished. So, I'm going to follow along and watch as y'all come to ADORE the books. *G*
I'm guessing that this will be a perpetual challenge (no official end date). One book a month, RIGHT NOW, is nearly three years worth of reading!! :-)
I'm in. I've read the first four books. :-)
I'm not going to sign up, but I'll keep it in mind, Christine :D There's actually a few that I skimmed through and another few that I've never re-read. I might use this opportunity to re-visit them. In which case, I'll link back to your blog :D
By the way, is this challenge starting this month? or next year? :P
Brandy : Yeah, I noticed you were reading Kindred In Death over the weekend. It'll be fun having another seasoned J.D. Robb reader following along, though! :)
Christina : A perpetual challenge indeed! With 35 books and more on the way... three years is a long challenge, huh? If it holds our interest that long, I will definitely need to throw in some prizes for those who stick it out. SO glad you're joining! :)
nath : Sounds good! As for when the challenge is starting.. I thought January would make the most sense, but maybe now is good, too, while we're all excited about it. I'll wait another couple of days and see if we get more participants, then I'll revisit the start options with everyone.
This sounds like a wonderful challenge to get a jump-start on this huge series. I haven't read any but I'm listening to the audio books. I definitely have the characters' voices in my head. LOL
I started the year listening to Rapture in Death(book 4) and now I'm up to Visions in Death(book 22). I hope to be caught up with the series by end of next year.
I haven't done any reviews of the audio books but I'd be willing to give it a try for the challenge if that's okay?
Oh! This looks tempting. I would have to begin at the beginning, Christine.
I read Nora's books without fail, but not JD Robb... and knowing ME, I'll become totally engrossed in these books. I'm afraid of that backlist, my love of Nora's writing, and my obsessive tendencies when it comes to reading series, lol!
Let me think about it. ;P
I'm all caught up... LOVE me some Eve and Roarke.
I just bought the first 2 for my mom in Spanish, so it'll be interesting to see what she thinks. She's a huge Nora fan, I'm sure she'll love In Death.
I'll follow along to see what everyone thinks. Happy reading!
As usual, I have them, so if you can't find any mine are available.
Yes it does. Two and a half to go! Which I figure will take me comfortably to the end of the year *grin*
This sounds like so much fun. I'm knee deep in Nano and this new book review blog but I've been wanting to read these. I'll let you know if I do. Great Idea!
I think I'm going to go for it. This will be my first reading challenge so I hope I'm up for it! I haven't read any of the books and 35 is sure a daunting numnber!!!
Also, I posted a book review and linked you for your recommendation - thanks, I now have a new author in my favorite category!
http://sleeplessinneworleans2.blogspot.com/2009/11/too-good-to-be-true-by-kristan-higgine.html
Leslie : Yes, by all means, if you want to post reviews and or commentary on the audiobooks for the challenge, that's fine! Thanks for joining!
Hilcia : It's been 24 hours. Did you decide? Because I already marked you 'IN' the challenge. ;P
The back list isn't so scary when you've got company. Most of the participants have only read the first five or fewer. The books aren't too long and they're pretty engrossing. You'll love it. :)
Mariana : I hope your mom likes the series! And thanks once again, for offering your personal library for my loaning needs. You're a doll.
orannia : Now how'd you go sneaking that whole series under your belt? I've never seen you mention it before. Sneaky!
Kwana : It would be great to have you in the challenge. I don't think we're starting until January, so you've got time to wrap up Nano and join us! No pressure. ;)
Patti : Yay!! So glad you're joining!!! Like I said above, it'll be fun discovering this series together.
Wow! I'm so glad my Kristan Higgins recommendation worked for you and thank you so much for the shout out. I really love her writing style. It's so natural.
Since it is such a long haul to 35 books, I've decided I'm definitely going to offer prizes along the way to keep us all motivated. Something simple like Starbucks gift cards. I do believe there are Starbucks all over the world, so participants outside the US can reap the rewards, too.
I'm IN?!! Muahahah! Okay, I guess this is a good a time as any to start, Christine. ;P I'll look for Naked... *g*
I'm considering it! I'm somewhere around 29 or 30 in the series, and don't personally count the novellas, so that puts me 4 or 5 from the end, I think. I would NOT be able to play until January though, I don't think. I don't join a lot of challenges, so will have to sleep on it.
Hilcia : Pretty sneaky of me, eh? ;)
Lisa : No pressure! You're welcome to join for a few books, if you like. No worries if you decide not to. :)
No sign-up, I'm just here to say "fun idea!"
I only read the first and...hmm, that was it. :)
Hey, C!
Just stopped by to see what you're up to and found this.
I've been meaning to read this series ever since I read Remembered something or other...it was 2 stories in one book that linked the past & the present.
Anyway, point is that I'm game.
Hope all is with you & yours!
Taja, Thanks! I thought of it all by myself. ;)
dd03, your ears must have been ringing!! I was just thinking of you and thinking we need to catch up! I'm so excited you're going to join the challenge. I think it'll be a lot of fun AND it'll force you to keep in touch with me. ;)
OK, I couldn't even wait for you to officially begin the challenge. I already read the first one and reviewed it on IJFR. You will be the death of me this year. I am so not happy with you. hee hee
Okay, it's my first challenge and I'm already late. I'm almost finished the book and my computer died so I'm at the mercy of my husband and his computer. Will post in the next day or so and link to you.
Sorry!! :)
Lori, that's great! I will check out your review later today... a tad bit short on time right this moment, but I promise I will later and in fact make a post about the challenge on my blog again, too. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm! :D
Patti, don't worry! You are not late already! We will start the challenge officially in January, but if you want to start now, that's fine, too. I'm totally laid back about the structure of this challenge.
No worries.
No stress.
All fun! :)
I think I want to join this challenge!! I've read only the first one *gasp*!!
Will be on the lookout for the Mr Linky posts.
As for too many challenges...I am trying to find "crossover" challenges, so one book fits more than one challenge. I am sneaky that way LOL
Hugs,
Pearl
Yay, Pearl! I'm so happy you're joining the challenge! I joined a few too many challenges for 2010 myself. Not too many that are conducive to crossovers, I'm afraid, but I'll take advantage of that where I can, for sure!
lol. Yes, we'll have to catch up soon.
dd03, as much as I love the comment luv you left me the other day on my blog.... it doesn't count as 'catching up' with me. Just sayin'. :P
I am caught up reading this series but this summer have started at the beginning listening on audiobook. So I am sorta in and following along as others fall in love with Eve and Roark.
Heck. I'll join in. I've got Conspiracy In Death in my Library TBR right now. I started reading them at this time last year. I'm not really into romantic suspense (romance, yes - suspense, no), but Eve and Roarke bring me back every time.
I don't know about making an In Death post monthly--I don't like to review or talk about specific books. But I can keep up with the reading schedule. And hey, at this rate, by this time NEXT year with 35 books on the shelf, I still won't be finished :-)
Ohhh... I wish you had this challenge this year (2009). I read the entire series since April. I love it. I hate that I can't take part in this challenge. I love the series and I hope you all enjoy it as well.
Hi! This is a great challenge. I just read & reviewed Kindred in Death (see here) and would like to read the others but have committed myself to 2 others challenges for next year plus ARC's! I'll try though :-)
Nise', thanks for following along! If you wanted to join in and post as you listen to the audiobooks, that's fine with me.
Venus Vaughn, Excellent! Thanks so much for joining the 'In Death' Challenge. It'll be great having you along for the ride. You can certainly read and post at your own pace. I have a feeling I'll probably miss a month here and there, so will be doing this challenge for at least three years! LOL!
Shalanda, Oh no! At least you're all caught up now, but it would have been fun to have read them together. Come by now and then and join in any discussions the challengers are having with the series as we go along.
Jackie, your first In Death book was the most recent release?! LOL! By all means, start at the beginning and join the challenge! It would be fun to do this together! :)
I'm so excited to have so many readers in the Challenge. How fun!!! Thanks everyone! :D
Hello there! I came across your post from Holly's post at the Book Binge...
I love, love, LOVE the In Death series. I'm caught up on all the full length novels but I think there's 2 short stories that I haven't read. I would love to join the Challenge but I know I won't be able to write the reviews in time. I prefer to read them instead! Lol. So I think I'll just stop by and follow other readers' review. Great challenge!
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