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Posted on by Debbie

That empty feeling when you finish a series #WOYBS

Welcome to another month of #WOYBS!

Another month has flown by and it’s time for our What’s On Your Bookshelf post and linkup.

This year is all about exploring and I’m making sure I explore my world in many ways, including what books I’m reading!

What’s On Your Bookshelf Challenge (WOYBS) #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge

What have I read since my last post?

A real mixed bag so far this month – just the way Iike it.

  • Looking for Eden – Caroline Overington via Audible 3*
  • Taken – Dinuka McKenzie – Borrowbox ebook 4*
  • Taken – Lisa Stone – Borrowbox ebook 4* – funny story, I was looking for Dinuka McKenzie’s book but downloaded this one from the library by mistake as they have the same title, but it ended up being a good read!
  • Jo Tracy’s next book (lucky me) – Christmas at Mannus Ridge – and it’s really good, my rating 5*!! It won’t be out until Oct/Nov this year so in the meantime, if you haven’t read any of Jo’s books yet, there are heaps you can get into – see link here and here. Easy to read, great storylines, characters you can relate to, food, recipes plus usually a happy ending – what’s not to love?? Yes it’s a shameless plug for our stunning co-host Jo but she’s a fabulous author and a great friend plus she’s a co-host (did I mention that already) 🙂
  • A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett – Kindle 4*

Farewelling Dr Ruth Galloway – a series by Elly Griffiths

When I get into a series I don’t give up easily and if I can, I try to read them in order in rapid quick-fire succession. Thankfully our local library had most of these available although I had to reserve a couple, but they were very quick with getting them in from other libraries. It was actually the local librarian who suggested I might enjoy this series and she was right, I did!

I started the first in the series in December 2022 and finished with #15 in March 2023 – not a bad effort!! It takes commitment to read a series and I’m glad I made the effort.

Griffiths’ first series features as a main character forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, who lives in a remote seaside cottage near King’s Lynn in Norfolk and teaches at the University of North Norfolk. This character was inspired by Griffiths’ husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt, “who lives on the Norfolk coast and filled her niece’s head with the myths and legends of that area”. Griffiths released the first book in this series, The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway, #1), in 2009. Wikipedia

If you like any of these genres: Mystery, crime, fiction, archaeology, mystery thriller, romance – then I’m sure you’d enjoy these, they’re reasonably light and easy to read. I came to like and admire Ruth and her family and friends, and feel lost now that we’ve finished our journey together.

Since The Crossing Places in 2009, Elly Griffiths has written a book every year in her Dr Ruth Galloway series with final (?) book, The Last Remains, being published earlier this year (February 2023). I rated all of the books 4* along the way with the final book getting 5*.

  1. The Crossing Places
  2. The Janus Stone
  3. The House at Sea’s End
  4. A Room Full of Bones
  5. Dying Fall
  6. The Outcast Dead
  7. The Ghost Fields
  8. The Woman in Blue
  9. The Chalk Pit
  10. The Dark Angel
  11. The Stone Circle
  12. The Lantern Man
  13. The Night Hawks
  14. The Locked Room
  15. The Last Remains 5*

My review of The Last Remains on Goodreads: Well this was the final Dr Ruth Galloway book #15 and I’ve powered my way through the series over the past few months. I was determined to read them all in order and luckily the local library had them available with minimal wait times. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series and liked the way this one tied everything up, but I’ll miss Ruth, Kate, Nelson, Cathbad and the rest of them. I was worried of the outcome for a while during this book but was happy in the end.

Have you read any of this series? I know everyone has their own tastes when it comes to books but I would recommend.

Ending a book series

Ending a good book series is sort of bittersweet. You get to find out what happens in the story but at the same time, you also have to say goodbye to the characters you’ve grown to know and love. It’s hard to say goodbye but it’s also exciting to move onto the next series and start a new adventure. I’m sure you can relate 🙂

Can you recommend a good series to get into? Leave me a comment if you have any suggestions.

Books in a series

What am I reading at this very moment?

  • Great Expectations by Charles Dickens – our online bookclub has started reading this classic by breaking it into sections. We had our first zoom discussion after chapters 1-20 in earlier this week, two later we’ll meet to discuss chapters 21-41, then in late April we’ll have our final discussion of chapters 42-60 and our cooking session. I will also try and watch the movie towards the end of the month to get an overall picture of the book. It’s going well so far though!
  • Zero Day Code – (end of days #1) by John Birmingham via Audible
  • A Gentleman in Moscow – Amor Towles our next Bookclub read
  • Dark Mode – Ashley Kalagian Blunt – paperback STOP THE PRESS – I’ve only this minute finished this book and it’s amazing! A real page turner which I could not put down, a psychological thriller that will stay with me for quite some time – a massive 5 stars!!

A real mix there let me tell you!!

What’s on Your Bookshelf link party

I’m very happy to co-host this link party with my good friends, Sue, Donna,  & Jo and enjoy discovering new books to add to my ever increasing piles. I always make notes of new books to read as I go through everyone’s posts each month. Do you do that too?

We all share different tastes in books so we’ll probably have something to interest you, and it could even lead to a new author or genre! We all try to visit everyone who has joined the linkup and we appreciate your support.

Will you join us?

If you’re into reading, please consider joining us, even if it’s just to leave a comment with what you’ve been reading lately. We’ve added a linkup (at the end of my post) so you can add your posts directly there and see what others have posted about for the month as well.

Sue, Donna, Jo and I hope that you will join us in this fun series.

You can read more from my stunning co-hosts here:

Sue from Women Living Well After 50

Donna from Retirement Reflections

Jo from And Anyways

We’re all in this together, sharing our love of reading 🙂

All my WOYBS posts can be found here – we started this series in August 2021 and the good news is that it’s still going strong!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
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Happy reading!

Deb xx

You can see all my reading challenges and books here on my Book Page

Guidelines for WOYBS:

What: What’s On Your Bookshelf #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge
When: Third Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Third Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere).

Third Thursday, 2 pm (PST)/Third Friday, 8 am (AEST). Coming dates:

  • March 16/17 2023
  • April 20/21
  • May 18/19
  • June 15/16
  • July 20/21
  • Aug 18/19
  • Sept 14/15
  • Oct 19/20
  • Nov 16/17
  • Dec 14/15

Why: Share a love of reading.
Where: Linkup, Blog, Blog Comments, Instagram or other Social Media.
Who: This linkup is open to everyone.
How: You can share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social media of your choice. You can use the hashtag #Whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge

You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.

Debbie in rock chick mode

Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here

Copyright © 2023 debs-world.com – All rights reserved

46 Replies to “That empty feeling when you finish a series #WOYBS”

  2. I really need to read the Elly Griffiths series. Off to place reservations on some via my library app! Thanks also for the shout-out for Mannus Ridge – and for helping me name it.

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  4. You had me at the title Deb – I LOVE a great book series and always feel so sad when I’m realize I’m at the last book. Series always allow extra character development and side characters get a chance to shine as it progresses. I’m on the hunt for a new fantasy series atm….

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    1. Thanks Leanne, the title was exactly what I was feeling last week! The way the characters emerge and we find back stories and other interests, always intrigues me as I get into a series. Hope you find a new fantasy series soon!

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  5. Hi, Debbie – Despite another busy month of family, exploring and many other things, you’ve managed to get in several great books. I agree that Manus Ridge is a 5-star read. I look forward to rereading it again this Christmas. I also look forward to finishing reading Great Expectations. I recently watched the 1998 film version with Ethan Hawke, Anne Bancroft, Gwenyth Paltrow, Robert DeNiro and Hank Azaria. Despite the all-star cast, it was not remotely what I expected. It was still worth watching – but is only loosely based on the book.

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    1. Hi Donna, yes I always try to fit in as much reading as I can wherever I happen to be and this month was no exception. I’m going to look for a Great Expectations movie when I get a bit further though the book, so will keep your suggestion handy!

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  6. Wow, you read a lot of books, Debbie! I feel the same way about finishing a series, like I’ve lost touch with friends. Toby Neal writes a lot of excellent series that are set in Hawaii; most of them are “paradise crime fiction” with strong women as the protagonists. Some are old enough to find in the library or an inexpensive boxed set if you follow her newsletter. I’ll have to check out Jo’s books, both you and Donna had high praise 👏

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  7. Hope to get a quick post together to join you gals in the next day or two. Have been knee-deep in LIFE. Exhausting. And leaves little time for reading.

    Dark Mode went instantly on my to-read list on Pinterest. Sounds like a page-turner. And a great distraction.

    Would like to encourage all my book club to read Jo’s newest book when it comes out. Sounds fabulous.

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  8. I’m pretty sure I will skip Dark Mode. It’s definitely not my genre as I wouldn’t sleep, or I would have nightmares. But the series you just finished sounds like one I would like.

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  9. Oh gosh Deb, you’ve really sold me on the Ruth Galloway series so now that’s another 15 books to add to my wish list to read! There is never enough time for all the books I want to explore. I shall also be looking forward to Jo’s new book later in the year. Thanks for sharing

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  10. I love books about forensic archaeologists or anthropologists so will definitely check out this series. My books post will be late, unfortunately I thought it was due next week…..aaargh. Have a good weekend!

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  11. I love a good series. There’s one by Kim Harrison that I’ve invested in. A fantasy which is unusual. I’m trying my hand at writing my own but it’s a large undertaking. I wonder if your writer plotted the whole series or just added the next one each time?
    Maybe one day I’ll tempt you to try one of my books!!

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  12. I live less than two hours from Kings Lynn so am sure that I would soon be able to imagine the location of those books especially as we’ve made several visits to the Norfolk coast over the years.
    I have just started a book in a series by Donna Leon which I am enjoying (and loving the fact that there are more to read!) They are mysteries investigated by Commissario Brunetti, an Italian policeman based in Venice. The author lived in Venice and her description of the area makes me want to hop on a plane and go back to refresh my memory of going there years ago!

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    1. Oh wow, you could have been in one of Ruth Galloway’s stories Deb, living so close to Kings Lynn! I think I’ve heard of the Donna Leon series before so thanks for the reminder.

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  13. Well I could sure use a “happy ending” type of book soon as what I’ve read in the last month are all sad. So I’m going to check out Jo Tracy’s books! I read For Whom the Bell Tolls which was good, however, I don’t think I’m much of a Hemingway fan. I read the Maus books, very well done and interesting back and forth. The author inserts some conversations with his father within the story of the father’s Holocaust survival story. That man was very smart and lucky! So, while he did survive, the horrors of the Holocaust are on full display so might not be for everyone. I read the second of the March books by John Lewis and need to finish the third one but I’ve wanted to read The Handmaid’s Tale for a long while so I started that and am over halfway done. My daughter gave away the ending somewhat when she said “it doesn’t get better”. Interesting tale. So, yea, I’m ready for a happy tale for sure!

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  14. OH yes! I LOVE a good book series and while it makes me so happy to find a new one and dive in… I do find I slow down my reading just a bit as I’m nearing the end since I feel that bit of sadness knowing I’ll have to say goodbye to the characters in the end.

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    1. Thanks Joanne, as I said to Sue, it’s a bittersweet moment when you’re close to finishing the last in a series because they’ve got under our skin and feel like real friends!

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  15. Hi Deb, I love a book series and like you am always disappointed when I’ve finished the series. Vera, Shetland, The Armand Gamache series are a few I’ve read. I haven’t heard of the Ruth Galloway series but I will definitely be reading all the books in the series as I enjoy the crime genre. Thanks for being a stunning co-host of What’s On Your Bookshelf? and I know what I’ll be reading over the coming months x

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    1. Thanks Sue, it’s a real bittersweet moment finishing a series isn’t it? I’ve read a few of those you mention and enjoyed them. So glad we enjoy reading and can share ideas like this. You’re a great co-host and I always get ideas of things to read next from your posts.

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    1. I can assure you Jo’s book is worth the wait Janis, just hang in there!! No I’ve not read anything else by the author so I’m looking forward to it, having heard good things. Dark Mode is a real page turner!

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  17. I don’t have enough to contribute to a full blog post so won’t do the link thing (even if I knew how to). I’ll stick with commenting – hope that’s okay.

    I have recently joined a bookclub through my local U3A (my first ever bookclub). The focus is ‘reading great literature’ and this year we’re reading The Gulag Archipeligo by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

    So far, and we’ve only read the first four chapters, it’s been a traumatic read: reading of the vast (unimaginable numbers) of people who were arrested, tortured, and imprisoned; of the atrocious conditions of their imprisonment; and particularly traumatic when reading of the many methods of torture the interrogators used. Completely hideous.

    One member of the group (I am the youngest by about 15 years) said she thought “the wimpy privileged children of today” should read it. Moments later, and with that comment seemingly unsaid (perhaps unheard), another member asked if we could stop reading it because it was so distressing. I doubt I was the only one to put those two comments together.

    So that’s my not-so-cheery reading for the next little while! I might need another, lighter, book to read in between times.

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  18. Pingback: On my Bookshelf: Women in the Resistance Movement/Spying #WomensHistoryMonth #WhatsOnYourBookshelfChallenge #WOYBS - Reading Ladies

  19. I had a post almost ready for this in fact it is three months long, but am recovering from another joint replacement surgery, this one my left knee 12 days ago, so getting to my laptop and the required energy do not always coordinate well. I am happy to report that with the reading I have been able to do since January, i have already exceeded my very small carefully chosen goal for the year. So I will keep on keeping on and see where I end up. I think i will transform my post into a generic what I have been reading and just let it on my wall so it is out there. Looking over your list, I think I might try “A Change of Heart for the Cornish Midwife” I continue to be amazed by the number of books you are able to read and digest. Hope all is well, blessings, Michele

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    1. Oh dear Michele, hope you’re recovering OK after all the surgery! Thanks for your comment given the situation and I’m sure you’d enjoy the Midwife book although it’s a bit bleaker than some of the others, just warning you! I read a lot I know 🙂 Take care and I’ll keep an eye out for your post.

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  20. Deb, finishing off a book series for me is like saying goodbye to a group of friends whose company you’ve enjoyed and had fun. I am going to enjoy contributing to this link up, just need to stay focussed on reading and then writing. Have a good week x

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  21. Oh, I agree about saying goodbye to anything you’ve grown attached to. I love the author, Dorothea Benton Frank. She wrote books about the Lowcountry (aka South Carolina, US). Since my daughter lived there for a few years, I could always related to the books, and, while they weren’t really a series, some characters would show up in other books. She passed suddenly a few years ago, and I was devastated to learn there would be no more Dottie Frank books. If you like a light-ish read, hers are always good!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation Marsha, I’ll definitely have a look. It’s sad when you find out your favourite author has passed away and you realise there’ll be no more books.

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  22. Pingback: Women in the Resistance Movement/Spying #WomensHistoryMonth #TopTenTuesday - Reading Ladies
  23. Pingback: #DickensChallenge Novella #4 – The Battle of Life – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

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