March is for Readers
Did you know that March is Reading Month? Yeah, I didn’t either until last year. Why is it reading month? Because of Dr. Seuss’s Birthday! Do we really need a whole month dedicated to reading?
Um. I don’t know what kind of question that is…
Now, if you’ve been around here for awhile, you know that I’m a big reader. And you know that I encourage others to give a little of their time to reading, too. So, to keep things fun, I’m going to be sharing some reading challenges to help us all expand our reading lists.
Ready for the first challenge?
Drumroll…
Read a series!
I wasn’t much of a series reader until recently. Last year I started reading The Heroines Behind the Lines series by Jocelyn Green. All four books are set during the Civil War and highlight different women who act courageously in dire situations. I enjoyed this series because the writing was consistent and every once in awhile, the characters made an appearance in later novels. I enjoyed the grit and the grime that made these stories so very real. I appreciated the extreme research Jocelyn did in order to write these women into being. I’m so glad I read this series from start to finish. I’m also looking forward to sharing the books with my daughter when she’s old enough.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that Spy of Richmond, the last in the series, released yesterday! I’m having a difficult time trying to decide which of the 4 were my favorite. I’ll have to say it’s a tie between Yankee in Atlanta and Spy of Richmond.
Here’s the thing about reading a series, you get to see the evolution of a writer when reading along. Whether it’s Hunger Games or Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, the reader grows along with the writer. That’s fun! Also, it takes patience to get to the conclusion. I’ll tell you what, there’s nothing more satisfying than reading The Chronicles of Narnia all the way through to the BEAUTIFUL end of The Last Battle.
My challenge to you is to commit to reading one series this year. Start to end. Bite off what you can easily chew. Don’t think you could tackle a 2,000 page series in one year? That’s cool. Find a shorter one. Have kids? Bring them in on the fun. Last summer my kids and I read all the Wizard of Oz books (there are 14). We bonded over the recurring characters and formed inside jokes as we read.
So, what series do you love? Which ones left you feeling flat? Which collection of books are you itching to read? I love book recommendations. And I love hearing from you!
susiefinkbeiner.com 
LOVE Roseanna White’s Culper Ring series (love her in general, anyhow – but, well, that one totally take the cake). I read Jocelyn’s first book (when I was an ACFWer) and I can hardly believe there are THREE more! I am totally behind on that one! And her new cover? GORGEOUS!
A couple years ago, we read through the Chronicles of Narnia as a family one summer. Was FABulous. I hadn’t read them all since I came to Christ, and it certainly was something!!
And I’ve known March was reading month for YEARS – of course, the fact that I was a teacher back in the 90’s might be a factor LOL.
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We’re planning to read through Narnia this summer. I can’t wait!
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I loved the culper ring series too!
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I’m glad to know that. And I appreciate they choose a longer month, so we have 31 days to celebrate books!
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Hooray! 🙂
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I love Jocelyn Green’s series, Lynn Austin, Francine Rivers, and the list goes on forever! I’m an avid reader and can’t ever find enough time to read!
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I hear ya! I wish I had more time for reading, too!
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Wow, what a surprise to see Heroines featured in your post today! I’m honored. More importantly, thanks for your challenge to read a series. I actually have a new-to-me series all lined up on my Kindle to start soon and very soon. The American Patriot Series by J.M. Hochstetler. It’s Revolutionary War stuff, and I really can’t wait. My kids and I are reading through the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, too. We’re On the Shores of Silver Lake right now, and I’m hoping to glide right through it so we can get to The Long Winter and get some perspective!
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Well, it fit perfectly with my plan for this month! 🙂 I was just worried about spelling Heroine wrong…it can have a very (ahem) different meaning if spelled incorrectly.
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My favorite series is the river of time series by Lisa t. Bergen!
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Great! Thanks for stopping by, Tiffy!
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