Adding New Book Series to My List of Addictions

It’s been a while since I’ve updated my list of favorite book series, so I thought it was high time to share the time suck.

When we last left off, 50 Shades and Dragon Tattoo were the latest releases, but there SO MANY more now!  I can’t believe I’ve devoured so many titles in so little time, but I find myself heading into a two-week vacation with too many cliffhangers and nothing left to read.  I share my latest favorites below, but please help me out and share yours, too.  I really need some good reads!!

The Clifton Chronicles – By Jeffrey Archer

From 1920’s through the 1960’s in both England and the U.S., Archer introduces us to two families, the Cliftons and Barringtons, who will capture your heart and make you want to wring the necks of their adversaries.  Harry Clifton was born to working class parents on the docks of Bristol and this three-book series will lead you through the ups and downs of his life as he tries to figure out his place in society as well as WWII and beyond.  You’ll fall in love with his selfless working mother, cheer for the love of his life, and eventually suffer the heartbreaks of parenthood along with him.  At the end of Book 3, you may curse me for recommending these titles, since Archer leaves us with such a cliffhanger, you’ll mark your calendars in anticipations of Books 4 and 5.

The Mortal Instruments – By Cassandra Clare

It’s hard to pinpoint this series into a specific genre, but I’d say it’s somewhere between Twilight and Hunger Games.  Technically of the Young Adult Lit target age, but definitely still page turners for adults.  This series follows a group of teens with special powers through their struggles with finding their own identity, as well as battling the evils of this world and other hidden worlds. Vampires, werewolves, angels, and demons fill the cast of characters that will take you beyond reality, consistently holding onto the edge of your seat.

The Divergent Trilogy – By Veronica Roth

Hailed as the next Hunger Games (even with movie rights under contract), this is another Young Adult postapocalyptic trilogy that separates factions of humanity into categories that lead to uprising.  While only the first two of the three titles have been released yet, you’ll be anxiously awaiting the release of “Allegiant,” the third title in the series, to find out what the citizens of the city will do when they discover the truth of how their world was created and why they were divided into such distinct characteristics.

House of Grey – By Collin Earl

I stumbled across these titles last summer while searching for cheap Kindle downloads.  These books call to mind the Harry Potter series with more high school angst than epic battles, but still were entertaining.   Magic, mystery, and fantasy serve up characters and a setting that will keep you turning the virtual pages.  With six titles under $4.00 for e-readers, this is what I classify as perfect summer reading.  Don’t expect too much and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Still Waiting…

Sam Heughan – cast as Jamie Fraser

I am still waiting with bated breath for the next releases of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series.

Gabaldon claims that “Written In My Own Heart’s Blood” will be published in 2014, while Starz network is working on creating a TV series of her Outlander story, complete with hunky actor, Sam Heughan, cast as Jamie Fraser (swoon)!!

George RR Martin’s publicists claim that 2014 will also bring us the sixth book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, more commonly referred to as the “Game of Thrones” series, thanks to the popular HBO recreation.  If you loved the first five epic books in this series as much as I did, you’ll be buying “Winds of Winter” as soon as it is released, too.

So what other series are you addicted to that I need to find and add to my list?  I always want more titles!!