You know I read a lot of mysteries but it usually takes me a while to catch up with a series. Sometimes that’s not too bad as I can savor all the books yet to be read but on my library visit today I decided to look for the second installment of a couple of series I’m interested in.

I got Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood. The amateur sleuth is Phryne Fisher, a dashing Australian flapper. I thought the first book was fun and I particularly liked the description of Phryne’s clothes. I think there are 16 books in the series now so obviously I’ve got a ways to go.

The other book I checked out was Secondhand Smoke by Karen E. Olson. This series features the smart Annie Seymour, a crime reporter, not afraid to get to the bottom of things. There is one more in the series and the fourth one comes out this fall. Maybe I’ll be caught up by then.

And, the last book I included in my book bag was He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum. I read the first one several years ago and quite liked it but when I tried to read the second one back-to-back either I wasn’t in the mood for a mystery or maybe this wasn’t for me. Still, I’d like to give this book another chance.

So, any of you catching up on your series lately or feel like you need to go revisit one?

How is it that not only books to be read pile up but also the books that I’ve read and want to tell you about?! It’s a mystery. But anyway, today I finally put together some quick notes on some recent reads.

First, a book I really enjoyed which was Maggie Again by John D. Husband. A bit of time-travel mixed into this tale of friendship and growing up. I was pleasantly surprised by this book which proved to be a nice comfort read. You can read more about it here.

The other book which I was really looking forward to was Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward. I really wanted to like this book but found it a bit flawed. I think it would have been a great story if there had been just a bit less going on. The author seemed to be juggling lots of ideas for this story. You can read more of my thoughts here.

Hopefully I’ll tell you about some of my other reads soon, but now I better get back to the books. Today I just received two ARCs which I’m looking forward to they are: Keeper and Kid by Edward Hardy and The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer.

Oh and in case you are looking for some great reads in the blogosphere you must check out the March Bookworms Carnival hosted by Myrthe. Finally, for those of us who can’t get enough of reading challenges, check out this cute button thanks to Mrs. S. I would post it on my sidebar as I think it’s fitting but I’m still saving room over there for a couple of more challenges I’m planning to join. Heh.