Cozy Mysteries discussion

Here's an updated list of what I've managed to finish so far:

[X] A book based on a fairy tale - Cress by Marissa Meyer
[X] A young adult bestseller - Fire by Kristin Cashore
[X] A book translated into English - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
[X] A romance set in the future - Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
[X] A book set in Europe - At the Drop of a Hat by Jenn McKinlay
[X] A book that is under 150 pages - Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs
[X] A New York Times bestseller - Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
[X] A book that is being made into a movie in 2016 - Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
[X] A book you can finish in one day - The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
[X] A book that's more then 600 pages - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
[X] A book from Oprah's book club - Night by Elie Wiesel
[X] A science fiction novel - The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith
[X] A book with a protagonist that has your occupation - Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse by Harper Lin
[X] A book that takes place during the summer - Clammed Up by Barbara Ross
[X] A murder mystery - Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too by Nancy Martin
[X] A dystopian novel - End of Days by Susan Ee
[X] A book with a blue cover - Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
[X] A book about a road trip - Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish
[X] A book that takes place on an island - Nil by Lynne Matson
[X] A book guaranteed to bring you joy - Reap the Wind by Karen Chance

That's 20/41 so far, so I'm about halfway done! I'm planning on reading a novel that was recommended to me by my mother next to cross another category off this list.

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Wow! Great job!! I'm over 1/2 way and am stuck on some of the non-fiction ones. What did you read for self-help?"

I have Diabetes, and I did Dealing with Diabetes Burnout. I had to read it for my support group, so it worked out well.

Marisa wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I only have two more left. (But, remember folks, I was on sick leave for two months). One, I will be reading while in the sauna...so, it will take a while, and the futuristic romanc..."

Absolutely LOVE her. Love her under Amanda Quick as well. Jayne Ann Krentz is good most of the time...especially when she is doing crossover stories.

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I only have two more left. (But, remember folks, I was on sick leave for two months). One, I will be reading while in the sauna...so, it will take a while, and the fu..."

I like those as well. That was my first introduction to this author...then, I read the Jayne Castle when she started those. I have only done a few with her modern day romances. Not my favorite of the genre (I prefer historical, and paranormal), but I like the ones that tie in with the other two names.

I've made it half way thru.. 21/41! :) And I've got several more already planned out, I just got to read them. ;) My full list is here.

A book based on a fairy tale-UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn 5/16/16
A science-fiction novel-Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 5/16/16
A book recommended by a family member-The Black Ice by Michael Connelly 6/11/16
A satirical book-Animal Farm by George Orwell 6/27/16
A book guaranteed to bring joy-Bubba and the Ten Little Loonies by C.L. Bevill 6/20/16

So, I was hunting down books for the July challenge and found one for every category except for Cow Appreciation Day. I decided to to a broad search in my library's online catalog-I searched for "cow." :) Tons of books came up, mostly children's books, but then I found it...the one I'll be reading... Holy Cow by David Duchovny. Yep, as in the actor from The X-Files! So, not only can I use it for the July Mini Challenge, but I can use it for the "book written by a celebrity" for the 2016 Ultimate Challenge! :) I just had to share in case anyone else needed a book for either of these challenges. :)

July Update

My progress seems to have slowed down somewhat but I'm still reading my way through the list.

32/41

[X] A book translated to English – Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne - 7/18/16
[X] A book about a culture you’re unfamiliar with – Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan by Bruce Feiler – 7/31/16

Here's another update on my progress:

[X] A book recommended by a family member - Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo
[X] A graphic novel - Constantine, Vol. 1: The Spark and the Flame by Ray Fawkes

Right now I'm reading some poetry by Emily Dickinson and I'm also reading a book published in 2016, so I'm getting there slowly but surely.

22/41 and soon to be 24/41.

I too have slowed down since reaching the halfway mark. Still hope to check a few more off before end of the year. Can't believe we're in August already!

Finished. I just did the Jayne Castle one I was waiting on. It was worth the wait.

Now, back to my monthly and seasonal ones!

Finished 3 more:

[X] A book that's published in 2016 - A Familiar Tail by Delia James
[X] A book of poetry - Poems by Emily Dickinson, Series One by Emily Dickinson
[X] A book from the library - The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens

25/41

I'm at 31 of 35 and I have the one I'm reading and four more that I hope to get through by 9/20, so I guess it's time to up my goal to 45.

Congrats on finishing the challenge, Valerie!

Congrats, Valerie! And I'm glad you've liked Jayne Castle's book, I've enjoyed it too.

Way to go Valerie! :)

August update:

I'm getting close.

36/41

[X] A book that’s under 150 pages – Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain - 8/8/16
[X] A book written by a comedian – All I Know About Animal Behavior I Learned In Loehmann's Dressing Room by Erma Bombeck – 8/11/16
[X] A book with a protagonist who has your occupation – Too Big to Miss by Sue Ann Jaffarian – 8/15/16
[X] A graphic novel – Fire and Flight by Wendy Pini - 8/22/16

I have been doing this challenge in my mind, but not updated the list so here goes:

01. [X] A book based on a fairy tale Cinder 07/01/2016
02. [X] A National Book Award Winner (NOTE: Because this award is relatively new, we will allow finalists and well as winners, in order to give you more options.) Birdie 02/17/2016
03. [ ] A young adult (YA) bestseller
04. [ ] A book you haven’t read since high school
05. [ ] A book set in your home state (or province/territory)

06. [ ] A book translated into English
07. [ ] A romance set in the future
08. [ ] A book set in Europe
09. [ ] A book that is under 150 pages
10. [ ] A New York Times bestseller

11. [ ] A book that is being made into a movie this year
12. [ ] A book recommended by someone you just met
13. [ ] A self-improvement book (Note that this can be on any topic: finance, health, etc)
14. [ ] A book you can finish in a day
15. [ ] A book written by a celebrity

16. [ ] A political memoir
17. [ ] A book at least 100 years older than you
18. [ ] A book that’s more than 600 pages
19. [ ] A book from Oprah’s book club
20. [ ] A science-fiction novel

21. [ ] A book recommended by a family member
22. [ ] A graphic novel
23. [ ] A book that is published in 2016
24. [ ] A book with a protagonist (main character) who has your occupation.
25. [ ] A book that takes place during summer

26. [ ] A book and its prequel
27. [ ] A murder mystery
28. [ ] A book written by a comedian
29. [ ] A dystopian novel
30. [ ] A book with a blue cover

31. [ ] A book of poetry
32. [ ] The first book you see in a bookstore
33. [ ] A classic from the 20th century
34. [ ] A book from the library
(Knowing that not everyone in this group has access to a public library, we will count books found at a local Little Free Library, purchased at a library used book sale, or found on a Goodread friend’s bookshelf)
35. [ ] An autobiography

36. [X] A book about a road trip A Turn in the Road 08/31/2016
37. [ ] A book about a culture with which you are unfamiliar
38. [ ] A satirical book
39. [ ] A book that takes place on an island
40. [ ] A book guaranteed to bring you joy

I'm in (very late)...

22/40

01. [ ] A book based on a fairy tale
02. [ ] A National Book Award Winner
03. [X] A young adult (YA) bestseller Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
04. [X] A book you haven’t read since high school The Great Gatsby (Finished 10/11/16)
05. [X] A book set in your home state (California) Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell
06. [ ] A book translated into English
07. [ ] A romance set in the future
08. [X] A book set in Europe The Paris Key by Juliet Blackwell
09. [X] A book that is under 150 pages The Book of Tea by Kakuzō Okakura
10. [X] A New York Times bestseller Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
11. [ ] A book that is being made into a movie this year
12. [ ] A book recommended by someone you just met
13. [X] A self-improvement book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
14. [X] A book you can finish in a day Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman Finished 8/11/16
15. [ ] A book written by a celebrity
16. [ ] A political memoir
17. [X] A book at least 100 years older than you Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
18. [ ] A book that’s more than 600 pages
19. [ ] A book from Oprah’s book club
20. [ ] A science-fiction novel
21. [X] A book recommended by a family member Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
22. [X ] A graphic novel Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The First Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (Finished 10/12/16)
23. [X] A book that is published in 2016 Jilo by J.D. Horn
24. [ ] A book with a protagonist (main character) who has your occupation.
25. [ ] A book that takes place during summer
26. [X] A book and its prequel Ajax Penumbra 1969 and Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
27. [X] A murder mystery It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
28. [ ] A book written by a comedian
29. [ ] A dystopian novel (currently reading Pattern Recognition by William Gibson)
30. [X] A book with a blue cover Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton
31. [ ] A book of poetry
32. [ ] The first book you see in a bookstore
33. [X] A classic from the 20th century The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham
34. [X] A book from the library Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel
35. [X] An autobiography Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson
36. [X] A book about a road trip Take Me with You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
37. [X] A book about a culture with which you are unfamiliar Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
38. [ ] A satirical book
39. [X] A book that takes place on an island The Colorado Kid by Stephen King
40. [X] A book guaranteed to bring you joy Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Here's an updated list of everything I've finished so far:

[X] A book based on a fairy tale - Cress by Marissa Meyer
[X] A National book winner (runner-up's count) - Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
[X] A young adult bestseller - Fire by Kristin Cashore
[X] A book set in your home state - The Kill List by Nichole Christoff (New Jersey)
[X] A book translated into English - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
[X] A romance set in the future - Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
[X] A book set in Europe - At the Drop of a Hat by Jenn McKinlay
[X] A book that is under 150 pages - Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs
[X] A New York Times Bestseller - Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
[X] A book that is being made into a movie in 2016 - Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
[X] A book recommended by somebody you just met - Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
[X] A book you can finish in one day - The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
[X] A book that's more then 600 pages - Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
[X] A book from Oprah's book club - Night by Elie Wiesel
[X] A science fiction novel - The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith
[X] A book recommended by a family member - Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo
[X] A graphic novel - Constantine, Vol. 1: The Spark and the Flame by Ray Fawkes
[X] A book that's published in 2016 - A Familiar Tail by Delia James
[X] A book with a protagonist that has your occupation - Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse by Harper Lin (Barista)
[X] A book that takes place during the summer - Clammed Up by Barbara Ross
[X] A murder mystery - Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too by Nancy Martin
[X] A dystopian novel - End of Days by Susan Ee
[X] A book with a blue cover - Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
[X] A book of poetry - Poems by Emily Dickinson, Series One by Emily Dickinson
[X] A book from the library - The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens
[X] An autobiography - The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
[X] A book about a road trip - Owl and the Japanese Circus by Kristi Charish
[X] A book about a culture with which you are unfamiliar - Chocolat by Joanne Harris
[X] A book that takes place on an island - Nil by Lynne Matson
[X] A book guaranteed to bring you joy - Reap the Wind by Karen Chance

30/41

I'm also working on The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton but I'm still deciding which category I'm going to place that in. While it's a classic from the 20th century it's also 100 years older then me.

All done! :) I did have one alteration... I didn't visit an actual bookstore this year. :O I get most of my books online or from the library. So, I used my library... The librarians have a couple of bookshelves up front with themes that change every week or two. I grabbed the first one that caught my eye. :) Other than that, I was able to complete all the categories. :) Onto 2017! :) :) :)

Ultimate 2016 Reading Challenge
41/41

A book based on a fairy tale-UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn 5/16/16
A National Book Award winner-All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 4/10/16
A young adult bestseller-Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 8/31/16
A book I haven't read since high school-Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 1/31/16
A book set in my home state-Bubba and the Zigzaggery Zombies by C.L. Bevill 4/25/16
A book translated into English-Candide by Voltaire 8/4/16
A romance set in the future-Delirium by Lauren Oliver 11/14/16
A book set in Europe-From Bad to Wurst by Maddy Hunter 8/20/16
A book under 150 pages-Murder in Hatterton Crow by Ormolu Mockingbird 4/27/16
A New York Times bestseller-The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 12/8/16
A book being made into a movie this year-Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen 9/19/16
A book recommended by someone I just met-Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams 12/5/16
A self-improvement book-Healing the Angry Brain: How Understanding the Way Your Brain Works Can Help You Control Anger and Aggression by Ronald T. Potter-Efron 9/14/16
A book I finish in one day-Common Sense by Thomas Paine 8/6/16
A book written by a celebrity-Holy Cow by David Duchovny 7/11/16
A political memoir-No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington by Condoleezza Rice 11/14/16
A book at least 100 years older than me-Mansfield Park by Jane Austen 2/28/16
A book greater than 600 pages-Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm 3/31/16
A book from Oprah's Book Club-Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 7/30/16
A science fiction novel-Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 5/16/16
A book recommended by a family member-The Black Ice by Michael Connelly 6/11/16
A graphic novel-Odd Is on Our Side by Dean Koontz and Fred Van Lente 4/18/16
A book published in 2016-And Then There Were Nuns by Kylie Logan 11/4/16
A book with a protagonist who has my occupation-A Quiche Before Dying by Jill Churchill 3/25/16
A book that takes place in summer-Loose Screw by Rae Davies 8/1/16
A book and it's prequel-Rhys Bowen-Murphy's Law 1/15/16 The Amersham Rubies 4/29/16
A murder mystery-A Fatal Grace by Louis Penny 12/18/16
A book written by a comedian-Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher 11/25/16
A dystopian novel-Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 4/10/16
A book with a blue cover-Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey Cates 4/17/16
A book of poetry-Collected Poems by Emily Dickinson 11/5/16
First book I see in a bookstore-Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz 12/28/16
A classic from the 20th century-The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 3/29/16
A book from the library-The Moon-Spinners by Mary Stewart 11/28/16
An autobiography-The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin 1/15/16
A book about a road trip-The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 10/13/16
A book about a culture I'm unfamiliar with-I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai 3/9/16
A satirical book-Animal Farm by George Orwell 6/27/16
A book that takes place on an island-The Legend of Sleepy Harlow by Kylie Logan 3/23/16
A book guaranteed to bring joy-Bubba and the Ten Little Loonies by C.L. Bevill 6/20/16

Congrats on finishing, Kimberly -- and congrats to all those who made an effort, especially if you set a goal to read a certain number of Ultimate Challenge books and succeeded! :-)

My goal was to read books for half of the criteria on this list, and I managed to do 27/41. I had books slated for about a dozen others, but was unable to get to them. Maybe next year . . .


Status: 27/41



01. [ ] A book based on a fairy tale
02. [ ] A National Book Award Winner
03. [X] A young adult (YA) bestseller Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
04. [X] A book you haven’t read since high school The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
05. [X] A book set in your home state Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

06. [X] A book translated into English The Stranger by Albert Camus
07. [ ] A romance set in the future
08. [X] A book set in Europe Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
09. [X] A book that is under 150 pages The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West
10. [x] A New York Times bestseller Florist Grump by Kate Collins

11. [X] A book that is being made into a movie this year The BFG by Roald Dahl
12. [ ] A book recommended by someone you just met
13. [ ] A self-improvement book
14. [X] A book you can finish in a day Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
15. [ ] A book written by a celebrity

16. [ ] A political memoir
17. [X] A book at least 100 years older than you The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
18. [X] A book that’s more than 600 pages The Insider by Ridley Pearson
19. [ ] A book from Oprah’s book club
20. [ ] A science-fiction novel

21. [X] A book recommended by a family member Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
22. [ ] A graphic novel
23. [X] A book that is published in 2016 Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
24. [X] A book with a protagonist (main character) who has your occupation. Thread End by Amanda Lee (Retail, specifically in crafts industry).
25. [X] A book that takes place during summer Grace Among Thieves by Julie Hyzy

26. [X] A book and its prequel The Abandoned and The Visitor by Amanda Stevens
27. [X] A murder mystery Twisted Threads by Lea Wait
28. [ ] A book written by a comedian
29. [ ] A dystopian novel
30. [X] A book with a blue cover Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

31. [X] A book of poetry The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis
32. [X] The first book you see in a bookstore Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower
33. [X] A classic from the 20th century O Pioneers! by Willa Cather (1913)
34. [X] A book from the library Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
35. [X] An autobiography Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton

36. [X] A book about a road trip United We Spy by Ally Carter
37. [ ] A book about a culture with which you are unfamiliar
38. [ ] A satirical book
39. [X] A book that takes place on an island An Early Wake by Sheila Connolly
40. [X] A book guaranteed to bring you joy A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg


.

I finished all but one category - a book with more than 600 pages.

Congratulations Heather! :) Congratulations Teresa! :)

Thanks, Kimberly!

That's awesome, Teresa. Ironically, a book with 600 pages was the first thing I read last year. Here's hoping I can get through at least one that length this year! :-D