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Ashley's Reading Challenges
October 2017 Challenges ContinuedNew York New York
Color Challenge
Comics Challenge - Classic
Disney Princess Reading Challenge
Challenges to start
Never Have I Ever...
Celestial Challenge
He Said, She Said; He Wrote, She Wrote Reading Challenge
My Hero Challenge
The Heroine Challenge
NBRC 26 Alphabet 9: Hero Alphabet (Yearly)
NBRC 26 Alphabet 11: Heroine Alphabet (Yearly)
NBRC 26 Alphabet 12: Life's a Box of Chocolates: A to Z (Spell-it-Out)
NBRC 26 Alphabet 22: Villains Alphabet (Yearly)
Oh My Gods!
A Puzzling Mystery
Super Bowl Season
Fantasy - Round 1
Fiction - Round 1
A Sign of the Times Reading Challenge
A Sign of the Times Reading Challenge: Chinese Zodiac Edition
Just Desserts Reading Challenge
A Book A Day Keeps the Boredom at Bay Reading Challenge
Young Adult - Round 1
Historical Fiction - Round 1
Contemporary - Round 1
12 Months of Halloween Reading Challenge
Around the World in 80 Days
Antonym Challenge
50 States Challenge
Build-A-Monster
...And The Oscar Goes To... (2017)
Love Quote Mad Libs
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
All About You, Part One!
All About You, Part Two!
NBRC 26 Alphabet 2: Animals: A to Z (Spell-it-Out)
Build-A-Body Challenge
All About Audiobooks: A Reading Via Your Ears Challenge
All About Audiobooks PART TWO: A Reading Via Your Ears Challenge
Choose Your Own Adventure: New York New YorkDuration: Open
Option 2: Movies
Book Level: Statue of Liberty : 25+ books
Progress: 0/25
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Choose Your Own Adventure: New York New YorkDuration: Open
Option 7: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: The Big Apple : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
Color ChallengeOpen
Level: Violet 25 + books
Progress: 3/25
B- Blubber 10/26/2018
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C- Mister Bud Wears the Cone by Carter Goodrich 11/19/2018
K- #8: The Worst Pet by Jaden Kent 9/19/2018
W- A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems 11/10/2018
H- Hello Lighthouse 1/24/2019
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D- Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! 11/17/2018
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W- Waiting is Not Easy! 11/17/2018
P- The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! 11/24/2018
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W- Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity 11/17/2018
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Comics Challenge - ClassicOpen
Level: Snoopy: 25 + books
Progress: 1/25
1. Beetle Bailey, by Mort Walker.
◉ Read a book where the character joins the Army (like Beetle, any branch - artillery, armor, infantry and paratroops)
◉ Read a book where the character wears fatigues or a hat.
◉ Read a book about a character that loves to climb trees or (almost) goes over a cliff.
2. Blondie, by Chic Young
◉ Read a book with the female protagonist is well-endowed and blonde (natural or enhanced by a bottle)
◉ Read a book with a character who loves and or makes sandwiches
◉ Read a book that has a dog that gives birth to a litter of puppies (repeatedly?).
3. Bloom County, by Berkeley Breathed
◉ Read a book that examines events in politics and culture
◉ Read a book that is set in a small town Middle America
◉ Read a book where the animals talk/communicate to one another.
4. Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson,
◉ Read a book with a character who is a six-year-old boy Children Books: Eating 5 Colors with Foodie the Dwarf 10/31/2017
◉ Read a book with a tiger in it
◉ Read a book with a character who indulges in anthropomorphism.
◉ Read a book that explores broad issues like: environmentalism, public education, and the flaws of opinion polls.
5. Cathy, by Cathy Guisewite.
◉ Read a book with a character that is a single woman who struggles through the "four basic guilt groups" of life — food, love, mom, and work.
6. Dilbert, by Scott Adams.
◉ Read a book that has a character that uses satirical humor
◉ Read a book with a character who works in a white-collar-micromanaged office
◉ Read a book with a character who is an engineer.
7. Doonesbury, by Garry Trudeau,
◉ Read a book that has a character with a liberal outlook
◉ Read a book that has a character that attended Yale.
◉ Read a novel that won a Pulitzer Prize, or another book by a PP Winning author.
8. Far Side, by Gary Larson
◉ Read a book where one of the characters is a surrealistic artist
◉ Read a book with a character who has a strange sense of humor.
◉ Read a book that has a scene with an uncomfortable social situation, has improbable events, or bizarre disasters.
◉ Read a book with a character that searches for meaning in life.
9. For Better or Worse, by Lynn Johnston
◉ Read a book where the main characters have children
◉ Read a book where the setting is Canada.
10. Hägar the Horrible, by Dik Browne
◉ Read a book with a Medieval setting
◉ Read a book that takes place in a Scandinavian country.
◉ Read a book that has a hero that is a primitive Viking or has a "caveman" mentality, raids (or visits) England and France.
◉ Read a book with a character who is any of these things: shaggy, scruffy, overweight, red-bearded, or slovenly.
◉ Read a novel about a character that is captain of his own ship or becomes shipwrecked.
11. Li'l Abner, by Al Capp
◉ Read a book where the setting is Kentucky
◉ Read a book where the character lives in a small town.
◉ Read a book where the protagonist is really tall, impoverished, or the male character is a paragon of innocence or he is marriage minded.
12. Little Orphan Annie, by Harold Gray
◉ Read a novel that is set in the 1920’s
◉ Read a novel where the main character is an orphan
◉ Read a book that is considered a “classic”.
13. Non Sequitur, by Wiley Miller
(Translated from Latin as "it does not follow.")
◉ Read a book where the character speaks and understands Latin.
◉ Read a book that was first published in the 1990s.
14. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz
◉ Read a book that features a group of friends.
◉ Read a book with a character that flies a kite, plays football, plays baseball
◉ Read a book where the character lacks self-confidence.
15. X-Men, by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby
◉ Read a book that has an “X” in the title or author’s name.
◉ Read a book where a character has one eye or wears an eye patch
◉ Read a book where a character is an angel.
◉ Read a book where the protagonist is or has a wolf.
◉ Read a book in which the setting is Phoenix or somewhere that it is icy.
I grew up with several of these ladies on VHS.Open
Level: Aficionado: 25 + books
Progress: 0/25
♚Pocahontas:
♚ Read a book where the protagonist is Native American
♚ Read a book where the character loves nature
♚ Read a book where the character displays shamanic powers.
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of Pocahontas.
♚Princess Jasmine:
from Aladdin
♚ Read a book where the protagonist is of Arabic descent
♚ Read a book where the character is named Jasmine
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of Aladdin.
♚Snow White:
♚Read a book where the protagonist has fair skin and dark hair.
♚Read a book where the protagonist is German (or of German descent).
♚Read a book where the protagonist has many male friends.
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Snow White.
♚Aurora:
more commonly known as Sleeping Beauty
♚ Read a book where the protagonist has a curse placed upon her at birth.
♚ Read a book where the main character is unaware of her biological family or where she comes from.
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
♚Mulan:
♚ Read a book where the protagonist is Chinese (or of Chinese descent), she must also be able to kick some serious ***.
♚ Read a book where the protagonist disguises herself as a man or enlists in the army.
♚Ariel:
from The Little Mermaid
♚ Read a book where the protagonist has red hair, has a lot of sisters, or is a mermaid.
♚ Read a book where the protagonist frequently disobeys her father.
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of The Little Mermaid.
♚Belle:
from Beauty and the Beast
♚ Read a book where the protagonist loves books and reading.
♚ Read a book about a protagonist who adores her father
♚ Read a book with a man who is not handsome (he can have scars, be it emotional or physical) or is temperamental .
♚ Read a book that is retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
♚Esmeralda:
from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
♚Read a book where the protagonist is a Gypsy
♚Read a book where the character has a pet goat (this should be interesting).
♚Read a book that is a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
♚Megara:
from Hercules
♚Read a book where the protagonist has a low opinion of men
♚Read a book where the character is cynical about love.
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Hercules.
♚Tiana:
from The Princess and the Frog
♚Read a book where the protagonist is African American
♚Read a book that takes place in New Orleans
♚Read a book where the character is a waitress or an excellent cook.
♚Read a book that is a retelling The Princess and the Frog.
♚Cinderella
♚Read a book about someone who has an evil stepmother
♚Read a book about someone who has had a difficult life but perseveres with the help of love.
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Cinderella.
♚Rapunzel:
♚Read a book where the MC has really long hair
♚Read a book where the MC was kidnapped.
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Rapunzel.
♚Alice
♚Read a book where the protagonist lives in a dream world or discovers an alternate (fantasy) world
♚Read a book where the protagonist defies a monarch (preferably a queen).
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland.
♚Jane
from Tarzan
♚Read a book where the protagonist is an artist
♚Read a book set in Africa or in a rural (out of reach) area
♚Read a book that has a vibrant yellow cover or features someone on the cover dressed in yellow
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Tarzan.
♚Tinker Bell
from Peter Pan
♚Read a book where the protagonist is a fairy (not to be mistaken with a faerie ).
♚Read a book where the protagonist is very shy or has problems communicating .
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Peter Pan (but it has to feature a Tinker Bell).
November 2017 ChallengesOver the Hill
Let's Do the Time Warp Again Reading Challenge
The Harry Potter Sorting Hat Reading Challenge
Peer Pressure
Deja Vu
Mind~Body~Spirit
The Jurassic Park--What Dinosaur are you?
Quests & Legends
Mythical Creatures: A to Z
Reading University Challenge
Reread Rewind
The Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder Squad Reading Challenge - PART I
The Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder Squad Reading Challenge - PART II
The Fibonacci Sequence Reading Challenge
Rebel Reader/Banned Book Challenge
Finish This Sentence...A Reading Challenge Part 2
Time to Kill
Underwater
Vanguard
Astronomy
Birthday Party Reading Challenge
Big Bang Theory
Duos Challenge
Eras
Challenges to start
NBRC 26 Alphabet 21: Title Challenge: Read the Alphabet
In Pursuit of a Title
CYOA: Over the HillDuration: Open
Option 2: Published
►Read books published over 40 years ago
Book Level: Professional : 25+ books
Progress: 0/25
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CYOA: Over the HillDuration: Open
Option 7: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Veteran : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
Let's Do the Time Warp AgainDuration: Open
Level: Extreme - 5 books per time period (20 books total)
+Plus: BONUS - Read 4 books about time travel
Progress: 0/24
Rules:
--> Books with page counts of over 100 pages
--> Re-Reads do not count for this challenge
--> Any readable format counts (paper, digital, audio)
--> Picture books not allowed, MG allowed if YA is also listed
--> No Graphic Novels / Manga allowed
Period 1?
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Time Travel
1. Timebound
2. Time's Edge
3. Time's Mirror
4. Time's Divide
The Harry Potter Sorting Hat Reading ChallengeDuration: Open
Level: Hard
Progress: 0/24
Rules:
--> Books with page counts of over 100 pages
--> Re-Reads do not count for this challenge
--> Any readable format counts (paper, digital, audio)
--> Picture books not allowed, MG allowed if YA is also listed
--> No Graphic Novels / Manga allowed
Rivals are...
Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw
Gryffindor
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic animal is the lion: Read a book about a lion (or a shape shifter who turns into a lion).
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic colors are scarlet and gold: Read a book that has a predominately scarlet or gold cover.
➲ "Nearly Headless Nick" is the house ghost of Gryffindor: Read a book featuring ghosts or read a book in which someone was decapitated or beheaded. Yikes!
➲ Members of Gryffindor are described as courageous, chivalrous, and brave to the point of recklessness (sometimes) : Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.
➲ Godric Gryffindor was known as the most skilled duelist of his time. Read a book where the main character is a great swordsman/swords woman.
➲ Godric Gryffindor left behind 2 known relics, the Sorting Hat and a goblin-made ruby encrusted sword. Read a book with a decorated sword on the cover.
Slytherin
➲ Slytherin's emblematic animal is the snake: Read a book which features a snake on the cover or in the story.
➲ Slytherin's emblematic colors are green and silver: Read a book that has a predominately green or silver cover.
➲ The Bloody Baron is the house ghost of Slytherin: Read a book in which a suicide or murder takes place. You can also read a book where the protagonist loves someone who does not love them back.
➲ Members of Slytherin are described as cunning and shrewd: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book. Or read a book in which the protagonist irked you.
➲ Salazar Slytherin was a skilled Legilimens. Read a book where the main character is telepathic.
➲ The locket used as a Horcrux was said to have belonged to Salazar Slytherin. It was silver with a large "S" engraved on the front. Read either a book with a locket, or other large metal necklace on the cover or read a book by an author who's first name and last name both begin with the same letter.
Hufflepuff
➲ Helga Hufflepuff, the founder of Hufflepuff, was a witch during medieval times: Read a book that is set in a medieval time period (between 5th to the 15th century)
➲ Hufflepuff's emblematic colors are yellow and black: Read a book that has a predominately yellow or black cover.
➲ Fat Friar, the house ghost of Hufflepuff, dedicated his life to religion: Read a book about someone who is extremely religious.
➲ Members of Hufflepuff are described as hard working, patient, and loyal: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.
➲ The relic of Helga Hufflepuff used by Voldemort as a Horcrux was a small golden cup. Read a book with a cup on the cover.
➲ Helga Hufflepuff was known to be skilled with food related charms, Harry Potter wikia states, the basis of her charms are still used for Hogwarts feasts. Read a book with food on the cover.
Ravenclaw
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic animal is the eagle: Read a book which features an eagle on the cover or in the story. You can also read a book about someone who can shape shift into a bird of any type.
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic colors are blue and bronze: Read a book that has a predominately blue or bronze cover.
➲ Rowena Ravenclaw, the founder of Ravenclaw, was Scottish: Read a book that takes place in Scotland.
➲ Members of Ravenclaw are described as intelligent, witty, and wise: Read a book in which the protagonist is scholarly, bookish, all knowing, etc...
➲ Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem was a magical artifact that was charmed to enhance the intelligence of the wearer. Read a book with a pronounced diadem, crown, etc. on the cover.
➲ Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, Helena, who was murdered by the Baron, was the ghost of Ravenclaw known as the Grey Lady. Read a book that either has an author or main character's name is Helena/Helen or that has the word "Grey" or "Lady" in the title.
Peer PressureDuration: Open
Option 1: Best of....
Book Level: Play the Game : 25+ books
Progress: 0/25
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Peer PressureDuration: Open
Option 5: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Paragon : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
Deja VuOpen
Level: Four Sight: Read 25+ books
Progress: 0/25
Rules:
-books with the same or similar covers. (We have some examples listed below or check out this Goodreads Listopia - Cover Couples)
-books with the same title.
--> Books with page counts of over 100 pages
--> Any readable format counts (paper, digital, audio)
--> Picture books not allowed, MG allowed if YA is also listed
--> No Graphic Novels / Manga allowed
Mind~Body~SpiritOpen
Level Five: Sixth Sense - Double it! Go for 24 books; pick and choose your categories.
Rules:
--> Books with page counts of over 100 pages
--> Any readable format counts (paper, digital, audio)
--> Picture books not allowed, MG allowed if YA is also listed
--> No Graphic Novels / Manga allowed
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The Jurassic Park--What Dinosaur are you?Open
Goal: 25 books
Rules:
--> Books with page counts of over 100 pages
--> Any readable format counts (paper, digital, audio)
--> Picture books not allowed, MG allowed if YA is also listed
--> No Graphic Novels / Manga allowed
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Quests & LegendsOpen
Option 2: Quests & Legends Themed Books
Book Level: Heroic : 25+ books
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Quests & LegendsOpen
Option 5: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Epic : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
Mythical Creatures: A to ZOpen
Option #1
Goal: 25 books
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F- Freedom Song: The Story of Henry "Box" Brown 12/9/2018
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F- Franklin and Luna Go to the Moon 3/2/2019
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Reading University ChallengeI'm in. This will be my spot.
Reread RewindOpen
Option 5: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Flip-flop : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
The Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder Squad Reading Challenge - PART IOpen
Level: Crime Scene Investigator - 21-30 books (do more than one of your favs)
Progress: 0/21
SUB-GENRES OF MYSTERY
Amateur Sleuth: The amateur sleuth tries to solve the murder of someone close. Either the police have tried and failed, or misread the murder as an accident/suicide. Both the loss and need for a solution is personal. Examples: Miss Marple Series; Murder, She Wrote Series (Jessica Fletcher). (Special Note: Contrast with “Professional Sleuth” below.)
Aristocratic Detective: The aristocratic detective novels are usually - but not exclusively - featuring a member of British gentry and set in Britain’s Golden Age. Examples: Lady Emily Series; Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries; Sebastian St. Cyr Series; Inspector Lynley Series; Her Royal Spyness Mysteries.
Caper: A caper is a comic crime story. Instead of suave and calculating, the caper chronicles the efforts of the lovable bungler or protagonist who either thinks big or ridiculously small. Finally we get to laugh. Examples: The Spellmans Series; Stephanie Plum Series; Melodie Campbell’s The Goddaughter; Carl Hiaasen’s Tourist Season; Donald E. Westlake’s The Fugitive Pigeon and God Save the Mark: A Novel of Crime and Confusion as well as his Dortmunder Series.
Cozy Mystery: A bloodless crime and a victim who won’t be missed. The solution can be determined using emotional (Miss Marple) or logical (Poirot) reasoning. Examples: A great indexed site is www.cozy-mystery.com which has books wonderfully arranged by theme, author, holidays, professions, hobbies, state, etc.
Culinary Mystery: Chef, baker, wine connoisseur; if it’s ingestible and includes recipes, it’s a culinary mystery. Examples: Check out listopia’s Mysteries in Good Taste.
Double Act: It takes two to solve this mystery. They may be working together at the beginning, or not. Nevertheless, these partners help each other out by the end. Examples: Chet & Bernie Mysteries; Cut & Run Series; Elvis Cole Series (though his partner, Joe Pike, is not listed in the series’ title); Rosemary & Thyme Mysteries; Rizzoli & Isles Series; Lincoln Rhyme Series (though his partner, Amelia Sachs, is not listed in the series’ title); Tommy & Tuppence.
FBI/CIA/ATF: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). While the FBI, CIA, and ATF appear in many mysteries, for this sub-genre category we want books where a main character is an employee of one of these government agencies, even if they are not a field agent. Examples: FBI Thriller Series; Quincy & Rainie Series; FBI/US Attorney Series; CIA Spies; Tony Wolf/Tim Buckthorn Series; James Grady’s Six Days of the Condor.
Forensic Specialist: A medical examiner, forensic pathologist, forensic psychologist, forensic anthropologist, forensic entomologist…you get the idea. Examples: Dr. Thorndyke Mysteries; Kay Scarpetta Series; Temperance Brennan Series.
Futuristic: Set in the future, whether in our world or another. Examples: J.D.Robb’s In Death Series or Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Retrieval Artist Series.
Historical Mystery: Move your mystery into the past, near or far, and you've entered the realm of the historical mystery. Examples: Victor Legris Series; Amelia Peabody Series; Erast Fandorin Mystery Series; Chronicles of Brother Cadfael.
Legal: Although popular, these tales are usually penned by actual lawyers due to the demands of the information presented. Examples: Kindle County Legal Thriller Series; some books by John Grisham; Kermit Roosevelt’s In the Shadow of the Law: A Novel.
Medical: Doctors make effective protagonists since they seem to exist on a plane far above the rest of us. As with the “Legal” sub-genre, these tales are usually penned by actual doctors due to the demands of the information presented. Examples: Prescription for Trouble Series; Dr. Steven Dunbar Series; medical mysteries by Dr. Tess Gerritsen; Dr. Robin Cook’s Coma and his Dr. Marissa Blumenthal Series.
Missing Person Mystery: Someone’s gone missing! However, you can find one of these in most all the other sub-genres. Finding the missing person should be the focus of the storyline. Example: Walter Mosley’s Devil in a Blue Dress.
Noir: While much PI is Noir, Noir also covers stories from the other side of the fence. Noir is a mood: gritty, bleak, and unforgiving. The usual brutality is about as far from Cozy as you can get. Examples: Great classic authors for this sub-genre are Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett; however, listopia has more at Best Noir and Best Noir of the 21st Century, to name just two.
Romantic Suspense: Add a hefty dose of romance to a suspense and produce a romantic suspense novel. Not only does justice prevail, but love conquers all. Examples: Check out listopia’s Best Romantic Suspense and Romantic Suspense Full of Action.
Rooting for the Bad Guy: Not you average heroes, still you find you can’t help yourself in cheering for them. Examples: Dexter Series; Artemis Fowl Series; Dortmunder Series; Gentleman Bastard Series.
Paranormal Mystery: Paranormal books involve unusual experiences that lack a scientific explanation. Some popular subjects in paranormal books are supernatural creatures, ESP, clairvoyance, ghosts, UFOs, telepathy, and psychics. Examples: GhostWalkers Series; Psy-Changeling Series; Charley Davidson Series; The Dresden Files Series.
Police Procedural: The police procedural emphasizes factual police operations. Law enforcement is a team effort where department politics often plays a large role. If you plan to write one of these, you need to spend time with police officers and research the tiny details which will make your story ring true. While the FBI, CIA, or other governmental agencies may make an appearance in these books and stir up the politics, they are not the main foci. Examples: 87th Precinct Series; Harry Bosch Series; Arkady Renko Series.
Private Eye: The PI is as much an American icon as the Western gunslinger. From the hardboiled PIs of the 30s and 40s to the politically correct investigators of today, this sub-genre is known for protagonists with a strong code of honor. They can be found all over the globe. Examples: Kinsey Millhone Series; Matthew Scudder Series; Spenser Series; Harry Stoner Mysteries; No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series; Jeri Howard Mysteries; V.I. Warshawski Series.
Professional Sleuth: The professional sleuth is an amateur sleuth in a professional setting, preferably a setting which is unique and intriguing. Not only is inside information used, but solving the crime returns order to a cloistered environment. Example: English Garden Mysteries where the professional sleuth is botanist Lawrence Kingston. Or Harlan Coben’s former FBI agent turned sports agent in the Myron Bolitar Series. (Special Note: Contrast with “Amateur Sleuth” above.)
Proprietor Mysteries: Small business owners in mysteries are plentiful. Whether they run bookshops, bed & breakfast inns, coffeehouses, pie shoppes, or beauty shops, etc., they still like to solve a good mystery when it happens in or near their home turf. Examples: Amish Mysteries; Cheese Shop Mysteries; Bed & Breakfast Mysteries; Gray Whale Inn Mysteries; Manor House Mysteries; Bath & Body Mysteries; Tea Shop Mysteries; Coffeehouse Mysteries; Booktown Mysteries.
Sci-Fi: While the Sci-Fi/Sci-Fy category is a broad genre of fiction that often involves speculations based on current or future science or technology, GoodReads explains: (view spoiler) Examples: Robot Series; Takeshi Kovacs Series; China Miéville’s The City and the City.
Scotland Yard: The epitome of the investigator needed to solve a mystery, Britian’s Chief Inspectors working for Scotland Yard are in a class by themselves. Examples: Adam Dalgliesh Series; Gideon Series; Roderick Alleyn Series; and Richard Jury Mysteries Series.
Thriller: Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more-powerful and better-equipped villains. This ride will be a bumpy one! More under spoiler: (view spoiler) In other words, don’t just think “spy,” as James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans falls into this sub-genre. To quote David Morrell, “As long as you have that breathlessness and sense of excitement, then they're in.” Example: Jack Reacher Series.
Technothriller: Technothrillers are a hybrid genre, drawing subject matter generally from science fiction, thrillers, spy, action, and war. The inner workings of technology and the mechanics of various disciplines (espionage, martial arts, politics) are thoroughly explored, and the plot often turns on the particulars of that exploration. Examples: Jurassic Park Series; Sigma Force Series; Jack Ryan Series; Patrick McLanahan Series; Jeffery Deaver’s The Blue Nowhere.
The Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder Squad Reading Challenge - PART IIOpen
Level: Crime Scene Investigator - 21-30 books [exchange 4]
Progress: 0/21
SUB-GENRES OF MYSTERY
• Action & Adventure – AKA Testosterone-Drenched Tales: Completely chauvinistic of us to think that these only apply to male leads, but you get the idea. (Plus, the females will get their turn.) Think of authors Clive Cussler or James Rollins. GoodReads shelves have Adventure Action Mystery Novels.
• Blackmailed: We’re not talking about those Harlequin books were the heroine is romantically pressured. With these mysteries, it’s all about the money, money, money. Or is it? Try this link to a Barnes & Nobel search.
• Chick-lit Mysteries: Mainly mysteries, but still concentrating on young working women and their emotional lives. GoodReads shelves has at least two: Chick-Lit Mystery Books and Popular Chick Lit Mysteries Books as places to start. There is also GR’s listopia Murder, Mystery Chick Lit. (Examples: Cat DeLuca Mysteries, by K.J. Larsen; The Spellmans, by Lisa Lutz.)
• Classic Whodunit: Although basically a synonym for mystery, the term “whodunit” is generally used to describe works such as many of the “traditional” or “classic” mysteries of the 1920’s and 30’s, which contain significant elements of a puzzle. Modern when it was published, it is therefore not a true Historical Mystery found in Part I of this challenge.. We’ll take anything published over 50 years ago. You’ll find some on listopia’s Classic Mysteries.
• Cold Case or Hard Case Crimes: Unsolved mysteries from the past are resurrected. Overbooked.org has a nice list; Barnes & Nobel has a bit of one.
• Computer Hacking or Business/Corporate: We’ve combined these, for obvious reasons, but feel free to use a book that involves one without the other. Try listopia’s Computers in Literature. Or Barnes & Noble Industrial Espionage search.
• Crafters/Hobbyist: There are variety of these for many different enthusiasts. (Examples: Embroidery Mysteries; Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries; Crochet Mysteries; Decoupage Mysteries; Glassblowing Mysteries; Craft Corner Mysteries; Do It Yourself Mysteries; Stamping Sisters Mysteries; Haunted Home-Renovation Mysteries; Threadville Mysteries.)
• Ecclesiastical Mystery/Religious Protagonist (Priest, Nun, Rabbi, Reverend, Shaker, etc.): Any lead protagonist whose main calling is working for God. (Examples: Sister Fidelma Mysteries, by Peter Tremayne; Father Koesler Series, by William X. Kienzle; Rabbi Small Mysteries, by Harry Kemelman; Sister Rose Callahan Series, by Deborah Woodworth. Also, WakefieldLibrary.org has a listing, as does Detecs.org and Cozy-Mystery.com.)
• Fantasy/Urban Fantasy: A mystery that contains rudiments that are not realistic, such as magical powers, talking animals, supernatural phenomena, etc. as a plot element, theme, or setting. GRs shelf Best Detective/Urban/Fantasy and Best Fantasy Mystery Detective.
**SPECIAL NOTE: Contrast with Magical Realism below. Fantasy distinctly differs in that it creates new worlds where the presence of the supernatural is something to which special attention is drawn.
• Famous People: Both real and fictitious, these are more than mere walk-on parts. They are either the sleuth, the person requesting their services or hiring them, or even assisting them. So, Ladies of St. Jude's Abbey Series, by Jocelyn Kelley would work here because their missions are at the behest of the Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. So would the Nikki Heat Series, as its famous fictitious author, Richard Castle, writes these. Cozy-Mystery.com has a list entitled Real People as Characters in Mystery Books. (Examples: Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery Series, by Elliott Roosevelt; Rat Pack Mysteries, by Robert J. Randisi; The Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries, by Gyles Brandreth.)
• Female Detective: Be she a P.I., a policewoman, or amateur sleuth, she carries double X chromosomes and uses them to their full potential. Check out listopia’s Fearless Females. (Examples: Kinsey Millhone Series, by Sue Grafton; V.I. Warshawski Series, by Sara Paretsky; Carlotta Carlyle Mysteries, by Linda Barnes.)
• Furry Sleuth or Pet Owner Mysteries: Protagonist owns a pet of some kind - be it a cat, a dog, or a bird, etc. - that plays a MAJOR role in helping them solve the mystery. Cozy-Mystery.com has a listing. (Examples: Cat Who Series, by Lilian Jackson Braun; Joe Grey Series, by Shirley Rousseau Murphy; Chet & Bernie Mysteries, by Spencer Quinn; Bookmobile Cat Mysteries, by Laurie Cass.)
• Holiday Mysteries: Setting is during one of the major holidays [Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patirick’s, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, etc.]. Your favorite series surely has one of these! (Examples may be found on listopia’s Fun Holiday-Themed Mysteries. Also, Cozy-Mystery.com has a nice listing by holiday.)
• Horror/Splatterpunk: As far as Horror, try Best Horror Novels; you might find some on Horror Heroes on listopia. Splatterpunk is defined as “a literary genre characterized by the explicit description of horrific, violent, and often pornographic scenes.” You all are going to have to find your own for this one. Ugh.
• “Howdunit” or “Howcatchem" or Inverted: The identity of the killer and their motive are revealed early in the story. The main focus is the means by which the detective or investigator catches them. Some by author Ellery Queen and others of the Lord Peter Wimsey Novels, by Dorothy L. Sayers were done this way. Also, think, “What would Columbo do?”
**SPECIAL NOTE: Contrast with Locked Room. Differs from Locked Room in knowing who the killer is from the beginning, and it may not necessarily involve a locked room or escape.
• “I Never Knew You at All”/Masquerade: Someone very close to the protagonist has been masquerading as someone else for years, or has a hidden past that suddenly comes into play in the mystery. These might be harder to find, as I can’t find a list other than GoodRead’s Family Secrets shelf, but The Husband's Secret, by Liane Moriarty, Family Tree Genealogy Mystery Series, by Patricia Sprinkle, and Die for You, by Lisa Unger certainly work.
• Locked Room/Puzzle: Careful observation and extraordinary logic reveal the means of a seemingly impossible crime or escape. The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by Edgar Allan Poe started it all. (Example: Mystery Writers of America Presents The Mystery Box, edited by Brad Meltzer.)
**SPECIAL NOTE: Contrast with “Howdunit.” Differs from “Howdunit” in that the focus is on the impossible feat, and the culprit may not be known.
• Magical Realism: Magical Realism specifically with a mystery, not just the mystery of where the magic is coming from. Check out those listed on listopia: Mystery & Magical Realism Shelf.
**SPECIAL NOTE: Contrast with Fantasy. Remember, Magical Realism and Fantasy are different. Most Fantasy distinctly differs in that it creates new worlds where the presence of the supernatural is something to which special attention is drawn, whereas for Magical Realism writers, the presence of the supernatural is accepted in the ordinary. [From RoadSigns.org.]
• Miscellaneous or Mixed Bag: Catch-all category, or for those which have too many overlapping categories to count. Or you found something we haven’t covered.
• Pastische: This is a technique where an author imitates another author’s style (and/or characters), in a respectful way. The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr is a Pastische; here is an imitation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s style and character, Sherlock Holmes. Or one such as Joan Hess’s book Mummy Dearest, which pays homage to Elizabeth Peters’s book The Mummy Case. (GRs shelf Pastiche Mysteries.)
• Serial Killer: Why are we fascinated by man’s inhumanity to man? Does it matter? The hunt is on! listopia has Best Serial Killer Books and I Like Serial Killers.
• Setting - Exotic Local: Protagonist is often on vacation to a foreign country. Cozy-Mystery.com has quite a listing, breaking it down alphabetically by author: A-B; C-D; F-H; K-R; and S-W. They also have Mystery books that take place on cruise ships. There is also listopia’s Death in a Warm Climate.
• Setting - Isolated Local: Such as a private island, cabin-in-the-woods, or other deserted setting. Protagonist(s) is left (relatively) alone with murderer and/or suspects. They are somehow unable to communicate with authorities for assistance, or help can’t get to them soon. Fittingly, you’re on your on here as far a listing.
• Setting - Southern U.S.: With all its charm and hospitality, they explore issues of family and community and usually don’t shy away from sensitive racial issues. listopia has Best Southern Mysteries.
• Setting - Third World: Characters are drawn entirely from those (often unfamiliar) cultures. (Examples would be No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series, by Alexander McCall Smith; Inspector Ghote Series, by H.R.F. Keating; Darko Dawson Series, by Kwei Quartey.)
• Setting - Quaint English Village: It is all about the ambiance of this charming local. St. Mary Mead - and its resident Miss Marple - is probably best known, but there are many others. Belinda Bauer often uses this setting. ReginaLibrary.ca has a listing. (Examples: Aunt Dimity Mysteries, by Nancy Atherton; Agatha Raisin Series, by M.C. Beaton, although, Agatha does travel.)
• Soft-boiled: A contrast to the realism and cynicism of the Hard-boiled or Noir, these are tempered with optimism, and light humor, but not quite as slapstick as Caper. Authors such as Martha Grimes, Joan Hess, and Sharyn McCrumb have books that fall into this category. (Examples: Lawrence Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr ("Burglar") Series; Lola Cruz Mysteries, by Misa Ramirez.)
• Spy/Espionage: You asked for it, here it is. Just a good, old-fashioned spy mystery. There is listopia’s Best Spy Novels for a starting reference list.
• Steampunk: Just add “mystery” to the Steampunk definition: A subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting. It could be described by the slogan “What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner.” It includes fiction with science fiction, fantasy or horror themes. Although usually set in Victorian England, we’ll also take Western Steampunk and Medieval Steampunk. (Examples: Steampunk Victorian Mystery Shelf.)
• Theft (art, jewelry, etc.): Major theft or heist of some kind. A few on listopia: Great Books About Heists-Fiction, and True Crime, Lost, Stolen, or Conned.
• True Crime: Non-fiction. Check out Best True Crime and True Crime on listopia.
• Young Adult: Youthful protagonist. Check out Best YA Spy Mystery and YA Children Mystery & Horror on listopia. (Example: Flavia de Luce Series, by Alan Bradley.)
The Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder Squad Reading Challenge - PART II (Just in case)
Looks like a lot of fun!The Fibonacci Sequence Reading Challenge
Open
Level: Bunny Explosion ⇔21+ books
Progress: 0 books
Rebel Reader/Banned Book ChallengeOpen
Level: Rebel: 26+ books
Progress: 0/26
Finish This Sentence...A Reading Challenge Part 2Open
Level: Executive Editor – Read 140-150 books
Progress: 1 books
"I checked to make sure that..."
"Cats are good pets; they are..."
"Christmas is..."
"Wow, does that..."
"He ran out of money so he had to..."
"The book is in/on..."
"Everyone was busy, so I..."
"It was getting dark and..."
"She advised him to..."
"Yes, I think it's a good environment for..."
"How was the..."
"Should we start class now, or..."
"Sometimes it is better to just..."
"He got a small piece of..."
"She always speaks to him..."
"If I don't like something..."
"Malls are great places to..."
"I would have gotten the promotion, but..."
"I currently have..."
"He did his best to..."
"The waves are..."
"She was too short to..."
"A song can make you..."
"I want..."
"She wrote him..."
"We have never been to..."
"Let's all be..."
"They got there early and..."
"I plan to spend 2 weeks in/on..."
"I love eating..."
"It's not really as bad as..."
"Why did they..."
"The dog jumped over the..."
"I saw a/an..."
"I really want to go..."
"I am too sick to..."
"I'd rather be a/an..."
"He said he..."
"Many people saw..."
"The lake is..."
"Sometimes, all you need to do is..."
"When I was little I had..."
"I still remember..."
"He said goodbye to..."
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"I often see..."
"I hear that..."
"Has anyone asked..."
"Are you happy about..."
"Life isn't so..."
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"They got really good..."
"Let me help you with your..."
"The mysterious diary records..."
"She plays the..."
"The memory we share is..."
"This is a/an..." Quest 2/7/2018
"He comes asking for..."
"I am counting..."
"I think I will buy the..."
"My Mom tries to be cool by..."
"I am never at home on..."
"I'll stay away from..."
"The roads were..."
"We need to rent a/an..."
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"My attendance was..."
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"I am happy to take your..."
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"He folded his..."
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"I thought it would be..."
"Check back..."
"I will see if..."
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"The old man revels in..."
"She tiptoes by a/an..."
"Would you mind..."
"I have never..."
"Have you ever..."
"Next summer I/we..."
"He was afraid to..."
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"You are always..."
"I don't own a/an..."
"Five weeks ago..."
"Why can't the..."
Time to KillOpen
Option 2: Time to Kill Themed Books
►Read books that have Mystery, Crime, Spy, Legal Thriller, Military, and War listed as a Main Page Genre.
Book Level: Guillotine : 25+ books
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Time to KillOpen
Option 5: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Flame Thrower : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
UnderwaterOpen
Option 2: Underwater Themed Books
►Read books that have the main part of the setting on/in water or where the main character is facing unbelievable struggles.
Book Level: Gone to blazes : 25+ books
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UnderwaterOpen
Option 5: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Davy Jones : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
VanguardOpen
Option 2: Vanguard Themed Books
►Read books that are firsts: first in a series, first book by an author, about breakthroughs, about a visionary in a field, innovators or discovers, pioneers, etc.
Book Level: Originator : 25+ books
Progress: 0/25
1. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Stargirl #1 12/17/2018
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VanguardOpen
Option 5: Scavenger Hunt Freestyle
Scavenger Hunt Level: Avant-grade : 121 + words
Progress: 0/121
Word List
(view spoiler)
Astronomy ChallengeDuration: Open
Option 3: Spell Out the Planets
Book Level: Cosmonaut : 25+ books
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Birthday Party Reading ChallengeOption 2: Birthday deserts in the title
Level: Birthday Cake: 21 or more books
Progress: 21/21
COMPLETED 2/7/2018
1. Brownie Pearl See the Sights 11/26/2017
2. Brownie Pearl Make Good 11/26/2017
3. Cupcake 11/26/2017
4. Brownie Pearl Hit the Hay 12/3/2017
5. Brownie Pearl Take a Dip 12/3/2017
6. If You Give a Cat a Cupcake 12/3/2017
7. If You Give a Mouse a Brownie 12/3/2017
8. Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes 12/3/2017
9. Little Babymouse and the Christmas Cupcakes 12/3/2017
10. Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox 12/3/2017
11. Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes 12/3/2017
12. Thunder Cake 12/3/2017
13. Brownie Pearl Grab a Bite 12/10/2017
14. Brownie Pearl Go for a Spin 12/10/2017
15. Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise 12/10/2017
16. Bones and the Apple Pie Mystery 12/10/2017
17. Pie in the Sky 12/10/2017
18. Once I Ate a Pie 1/12/2018
19. The Apple Pie That Papa Baked 1/26/2018
20. Richard Scarry's The Great Pie Robbery and Other Mysteries 1/26/2018
21. Zuzu's Wishing Cake 2/7/2018
Big Bang TheoryDuration: Open
Option 3: Spell-it-Out* Episode Titles
Book Level: Sheldon : 25+ books
The Bat Jar Conjecture
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Duos ChallengeDuration: Open
Option 3: Duo Spell-it-Out
Book Level: Big : 25+ books
bed and breakfast
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Choose Your Own Adventure: ErasDuration: Open
Option 3: Historical Era Spell-it-Out
Book Level: Contemporary History : 25+ books
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Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Franklin and Luna Go to the Moon (other topics)Lola Loves Stories (other topics)
Now We Are Six (other topics)
In Plain Sight (other topics)
I Love My Hair! (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Aaron Reynolds (other topics)Richard Jackson (other topics)
Natasha Anastasia Tarpley (other topics)
Jill Twiss (other topics)
Margarita Engle (other topics)
More...
(view spoiler)[
S
Safe
Satisfied
School bus
Secure
Seductive
Self-Reliant
Sensational
Sensible
Sensitive
Serene
Sharing
Skillful
Smart
Smashing
Smile
Smooth
Sparkling
Spiritual
Splendid
Splendiferous
Strong
Stunning
Successful
Sugar
Sunflower
Sunshine
Superabundant
Superb
Swell
Swift
T
Talented
Taxi
Tenacious
Tennis Balls
Terrific
Thankful
Thrilling
Thriving
Timely
Transcend
Trusting
Truthful
Try
U
Ultimate
Unerring
Unfetter
Unique
Upbeat
Uplift
User-friendly
V
Valiant
Valid
Valuable
Versatile
Vibrant
Victorious
Vigorous
Vivacious
Vivid
W
Warm
Warmth
Water
Wealthy
Welcome
Well
Whole
Wholehearted
Willing
Win
Wisdom
Wise
Witty
Wonder
Wonderful
Worthwhile
Worthy
Wow
X
Xanthomonad
Xanthomonas
Xanthophyll
Xanthopsia
Y
Yea
Yeah
Yearn
Yes
Yippee
Yolk
Young
Youthful
Z
Zeal
Zest
Zest
(hide spoiler)]