Cozy Mysteries discussion

I thought those planning for a holiday weekend would appreciate this going up early. Here are your mini challenges for the month of June 2015:


RULES:

** Books DO NOT all have to be mysteries. You can use any genres.

** You can only use a book once for this challenge, but can use it for other challenges (such as the Ultimate, World Trip or seasonal challenges).

** You DO NOT have to choose books in advance.


1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

June Mini Challenge
Progress: 3

Cat on the cover.
The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss by Krista Davis

Off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.
The Precious One by Marisa de los Santos - Diane S

Veggies on the cover
Heaven Preserve Us by Cricket McRae

June Mini Challenge
2/5 as of 6/27/15

1.June-National Adopt a Cat Month & June 4-Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.

2.June 8-Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

3.June 13-Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4.June-National Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Month, June 16-Fresh Veggies Day & June 17-Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market. Farmed and Dangerous by Edith Maxwell

5.June-Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18-Go Fishing Day & June 25-National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing. Prodigal Son (two characters go fishing) by Danielle Steel

Thanks for posting this early, Heather. Since it's a long weekend, I'll spend some time planning my reading for June.

Julesy's tracking post.

Updated: June 18th
Progress: 4/5

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day:
Read a book with a cat on the cover.
The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett - the cat is looking out the window from the turret

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.
Fearless in High Heels by Gemma Halliday

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day:
Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).
Hanging by a Thread by Monica Ferris

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day:
Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.
Clammed Up by Barbara Ross

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day:
Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

June Mini-Challenge
Duration: 1 - 30 June 2015
Status: 5/5

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.

The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt 26 Jun ★★★

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

Christina - Top O' the Mournin' by Maddy Hunter 16 Jun ★★★

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

Cross Stitch Before Dying by Amanda Lee 25 Jun ★★★

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

Pasta Imperfect by Maddy Hunter (tomatoes on the cover) 19 Jun ★★★

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

Dead Boogie by Victoria Houston 28 Jun ★★★

June Mini-Challenge
Duration: 1 - 30 June 2015
Status: 3/5

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover. Fatal Fixer-Upperby Jennie Bentley completed 06/24


2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.
The Elegance of the Hedgehogby Muriel Barbery completed 06/07

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.
Chili con Carnageby Kylie Logan completed 06/28


5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

So how firm are you about just veggies? I have a book with apples (Rotten to the Core) that I'd like to use and one of the holidays is fruit and veggies. It's been a while since I read the first book in the series so I don't remember if she's involved with a farmers market or not. I'd also be interested in any ideas people have had for the fishing category too.

For fishing:
* Scales of Justice, by Ngaio Marsh (Fishing contest)
* Diners, Drive-Ins, and Death, by Christine Wenger
* Dead Angler, by Victoria Houston
* Fish Perfume, by Sammie Grace
* If Catfish Had Nine Lives, by Paige Shelton (fried fish ;) )

Marisa wrote: "For fishing:
* Scales of Justice, by Ngaio Marsh (Fishing contest)
* Diners, Drive-Ins, and Death, by Christine Wenger
* [book:Dead Angl..."

Thanks for the ideas!

Most of these topics don't fit in with my reading plan for the month, but we shall see if I can get in at least 2.


2/2

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover. Wish You Were Here 6/13/15

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends. Soulless 6/13/15

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

Some other "fish" ideas:

- Flush by Carl Hiaasen (YA)
- Hold the Cream Cheese, Kill the Lox by Sharon Kahn
- Several of Tim Dorsey's Serge Storms series have fish on the covers
- Kitty Kitty Bang Bang by Sparkle Abby
- As a recall, The Gray Whale Inn series by Karen MacInerney has a lot of fishing in them.
- Same with the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier with a lot of lobsterman and fishing in the plotlines.

I'm personally going to be reading Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley that has a lot of fishing in it.

I'm having a tougher time finding a book cover with veggies on it. Fruits, yes, but veggies are harder to find ... especially if they are on audio (75% of my reading is on audio).

There are vegetables on the cover of Heaven Preserve Us, the second book in May feature author Cricket McRae's series.


There is corn on the cover of Barbara Ross' Boiled Over, also second in the series.


Death al Dente, first in the series, has a picture of a food market with a vegetable cart on the cover.

Just noticed that there is also a cat on the cover. We can't do 'two-fers' but I'm surprised by the number of cozies with cats on the cover.

Barbara Ross's first book Clammed Up has corn on the cob on the cover as well. She must love corn. Lol I think that will be my veggie book because it's been on my Audible wish list for months.

I love your other suggestions, Nell, which are books I've considered but I seriously needed more books on audio.

Another good veggie book is Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton. It obviously has veggies on the cover and takes place at a farmer's market.

Sorry I can't provide links since I'm writing this via mobile. I'll edit my post when I get to my laptop.

*Edited*: Added links.

Where to fine Cozy Mysteries by Themes
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/cozy-myst...

Julesy wrote: "Barbara Ross's first book Clammed Up has corn on the cob on the cover as well. She must love corn. Lol I think that will be my veggie book because it's been on my Audible wish list for months.

I ..."

You're right - I missed the corn underneath the lobster. This is a great series.


I also noticed veggies (potatoes) on the first Domestic Diva. The cover photo is a Thanksgiving dinner.


For the sewing day theme, needlecrafts also include knitting, crochet and embroidery.

Thanks for all the great ideas! When looking through my books I found lots of cats and lots of tea sets, so I guess I need a tea challenge sometime!

Also forfishing: Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton and there is a fly-fishing series by John Galligan.

For veggies/farmer's market, try Paige Shelton.

4/5

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.Claws and Effect by Rita Mae Brown 6/2/15

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends. Barb's shelf Flowers on Main by Sherryl Woods 6/10/15

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch). Last Chance Knit & Stitch by Hope Ramsay 6/26/15

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book in which someone goes fishing. Plantation by Dorothea Benton Frank 5/6/15

June 2015 Mini Challenge
0/5 Finished

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Last Wool and Testament

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: A Witch Before Dying

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Deadly Patterns

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Going Organic Can Kill You

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day:Hot Enough to Kill

July second or third week 4-H fair.
August 22 through September 3 is the State Fair. These two events are at the Maryland Fairgrounds in Timmounin.

Bonnie, I think you may be confused or lost. This is a discussion set up for our June Mini challenges, based on mostly "fun" holidays, not necessarily "real" holidays or events. The idea is for members to try to find a book that fits each challenge. ;-)

Here is what I'm planning at the moment. Still narrowing down the possibilities for the other two categories.

National Adopt a Cat Month and Hug Your Cat Day: Suede to Rest

Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

Sewing Machine Day: Close Knit Killer

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, Fresh Veggies Day and Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

Aquarium Month, Fishing Week, Go Fishing Day and National Catfish Day: Dead and Berried

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.


2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.


3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).


4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.


5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

I am in! I am also going to add Author of the Month to make it 6. Have several in my TBR Mountain that will work for this month.

5/6

1. DONE Read a book with a cat on the cover.

2. DONE June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

3. DONE Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch). Twisted Threads

4.DONE Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. DONE Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

6. DONE Author of the Month. Elaine Viets

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends. Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography 06.18.15

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch). The Quick and the Thread 06.28.15

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

I am in again. I love these challenges because I am reading books I would normally not have read. I am going to start searching now. 3/5

1. Read a book with a cat on the cover. Behind the Walls 06/06/2015

2. Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends. Eggs Benedict Arnold 06/11/2015

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch). Pleating for Mercy 06/16/2015

4. Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market. Allergic to Death06/27/2015

5. Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing. If Catfish Had Nine Lives 08/06/2015

I'm in although I might not get all five read (bit like May!)

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

I'll give this a try.

June Mini-Challenge
Duration: 6.1.15-6.30.15
Status: 5/5 COMPLETED 6.28.15

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover. Cat Nap by Claire Donally 6.2.15 3.5 stars

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends. This book is on several friends shelves. Since Lesley (Ella's Gran) is playing this round, I will use her as the friend where I found it.Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen 6.5.15 4 stars

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch). Thread and Buried by Janet Bolin 6.26.15 3 stars

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market. A Killer Maize by Paige Shelton 6.28.15 3 stars

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing. This one also helps me finish another challenge. If Catfish Had Nine Lives by Paige Shelton 6.1.15 4 stars

June Mini-Challenge
Duration: 1 - 30 June 2015
Status: 4/5

1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.
Speak Ill of the Dead, June 14/2015

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened, June 8/2015

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch). Knit One, Kill Two, June 17/2015

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market. Planned: Be Careful What You Witch For

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing
Death of a Kingfisher, June 13/2015

Completed 4/5

Melanie wrote: 1. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing
Planned: Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton ..."

Thanks for that suggestion, I will try and do that one too.

June Mini-Challenge
Duration: 1 - 30 June 2015
Status: 0/5


1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover.

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends.

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing.

I'm new to the Cozy Mystery Discussion Group but was wondering if I would be able to join in your mini challenge? It looks like fun and I can think of a few things in my TBR pile that would fit these descriptions.

Welcome B, it is a lot of fun.

Carla wrote: "Welcome B, it is a lot of fun."
Thank you Carla - now just wondering do I list the titles as I finish them or wait and list them all at the end of the month?


1. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and June 4 is Hug Your Cat Day: Read a book with a cat on the cover. Finished: Drape Expectations by Karen Rose Smith

2. June 8 is Best Friends Day: Read a book off the shelf of one of your GoodReads friends. Finished The Whole Cat and Caboodle by Sofie Ryan off of my friend Liz's shelf.

3. June 13 is Sewing Machine Day: Read a book that involves needlecrafts (i.e.: sewing, quilting or cross-stitch).

4. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, June 16 is Fresh Veggies Day and June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day: Find a book with veggies on the cover, or set at a farmer's market.

5. June is Aquarium Month, the first week in June is Fishing Week, June 18 is Go Fishing Day and June 25 is National Catfish Day: Read a book with “fish” in the title or on the cover, or in which someone goes fishing

B wrote: "Carla wrote: "Welcome B, it is a lot of fun."
Thank you Carla - now just wondering do I list the titles as I finish them or wait and list them all at the end of the month?"
You can do either. I waited to put them in at the end for April and May, this time I checked for books a head of time to see if that makes me finish sooner. it is your choice. It is interesting to see what books others read as well. I have added more books to my TBR pile with these challenges.

B wrote: "I'm new to the Cozy Mystery Discussion Group but was wondering if I would be able to join in your mini challenge? It looks like fun and I can think of a few things in my TBR pile that would fit th..."

Hi Brenda, I'm glad to see that you have been looking around and have discovered the challenges. I want to warn you that they can become very addictive, and the mor groups you join the more challenges you'll find.

B wrote: "Carla wrote: "Welcome B, it is a lot of fun."
Thank you Carla - now just wondering do I list the titles as I finish them or wait and list them all at the end of the month?"

I sometimes list them after I have figured out what I want to read...just to help remind me what I chose. BUT, I sometimes change my mind when I find something different, and end up reading another book. The list is for YOU to help YOU keep track, and to share what good books you found. You can also use, if you want, the thread that has been made to keep track of your challenges. Since many of us do more than one (for instance, I am doing the June, the Spring, and the Ultimate 2015), you might want them all in one location to keep track. Some folks just link to that thread/list.

I like doing it in the thread for the challenge, and enjoy that others do so. When I get stumped for a book choice in a category, I look to see what others are reading, and sometimes have used their choice to help me find a new book.

Like said above, they can be addictive, but fun! We are glad you found us!

B wrote: "Carla wrote: "Welcome B, it is a lot of fun."
Thank you Carla - now just wondering do I list the titles as I finish them or wait and list them all at the end of the month?"

B - If you decide to list all or some of your reading choices in advance, you are not locked in to reading those books. You can change or add books to your post by clicking the edit button at the bottom of your comment.

In addition to posting here, you have the option of creating a personal thread. The thread Valerie mentions can be found on the main discussion page for the group. It's midway down the page so keep scrolling. The thread is "Members' Reading/Challenge List". You can create a personal thread in that folder to track your challenges or reading.

Welcome to the challenges, B! As others have said, you can keep track here, listing books as you go or when you finish -- or you can create your own Member thread HERE to keep track if you are doing multiple challenges as many of us do. Have fun!

I got off to a good start. My mom had a doctor's appointment yesterday and we were there for 4 hours. I read one book and most of a second. I need to keep the momentum going so I can complete other challenges as well. My "fish" book also helped me complete my SPRING Read the Season challenge. Gotta love it when you can double up!

Moondance wrote: "I got off to a good start. My mom had a doctor's appointment yesterday and we were there for 4 hours. I read one book and most of a second. I need to keep the momentum going so I can complete other..."


Doubling - and even tripling - is always good! One down, and on to the next for me as well. ☺

I'm going to give this a go.

1) Lilian Jackson Braun – The Cat who lived high
2) Robert J Crane – Broken
3) Kate Jacobs – Friday Night Knitting Club √
4) Miss Read – Miss Clare Remembers √
5) Leslie Meier – Mistletoe Murder

Updated at #27. Just finished my first book for #1, A Book With a Cat on the Cover,
1/5

Updated at #27, just finished my book with fish on the cover and someone going fishing, . Now 2/5

Updated at #34, finished my first book for #1, Drape Expectations featuring a cat on the cover. and finished my second book for #2, The Whole Cat and Caboodle from my friend Liz's shelf.
2/5

Edit message #27
I am now 3/5
I just finished for #2, a book off a friend's to read list. Only 2 more to go.

First three done, two to go... ☺

Heather L wrote: "First three done, two to go... ☺"

I'm the opposite: two done, three to go ;)

Leslie wrote: "Heather L wrote: "First three done, two to go... ☺"

I'm the opposite: two done, three to go ;)"


ROFL! ☺