Cozy Mysteries

message 1: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Dec 15, 2014 06:01AM

Mod

World Trip Challenge

Are you an arm-chair traveler? Do you enjoy visiting foreign lands from the safety of your own living room? Then this is the challenge for you!

There are nearly 200 recognized countries around the world. Let's spend a year (or whatever time frame you set for yourself) exploring these countries through books. While you do not have to visit every country in the world, you are encouraged to visit each continent at least once.

Here are the rules:

** There is no time limit on this challenge. Some may choose to finish in a month or two; others may take their time as they meander from one country to the next over the next year. Choose the level that best suits you.

** Travel to as many or as few countries as you like, but try to visit each of the continents at least once. For this challenge they are:

Africa
Asia
Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea (we will count them together for this challenge)
Europe
North America
South America

Bonus: Read a book set in Antarctica.

** Books DO NOT have to be mysteries. You may read from any genre — mystery, romance, YA, children, classics, etc.

** You do not have to choose or list your books in advance, but please choose your level (see below).

** You may only use a book once. If a book takes place in multiple countries, choose the one for which it will count (typically, whichever country will be harder to find in another book). For example, the book Dark Passage travels through the Panama Canal, stopping in Aruba, Costa Rica and Mexico. Since I have another book in Mount TBR set in Mexico, I might choose to use this one for Costa Rica.

** This challenge is designed to be fun, to encourage you to read books set in different countries, and to stir up your TBR piles. Let's start traveling!

Levels:

Level 1: Weekend Warrior (3-6 books)
– The Weekend Warrior likes to keep things simple and enjoys exploring close to home.

Level 2: The Wayfarer (7-12 books)
– The Wayfarer doesn't like to plan; he/she likes to journey as the need takes them, deciding where to go on a whim or inspiration or simply how they're feeling.

Level 3: The Casual Tourist (13-18 books)
– The Casual Tourist likes to explore the places he/she visits, with a minimum of planning involved.

Level 4: The Seasoned Traveler (19-24)
– The Seasoned Traveler doesn't do anything by half-measures: they go all out, and the more obscure or off the beaten path the better!

Suggested book lists:

** A Year of Reading the World

** Reading the World

** GR Passports to the World Challenge

Have fun!

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message 2: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (last edited Sep 21, 2020 07:46AM) (new)

Dec 15, 2014 06:01AM

Mod

SUGGESTED READING LIST

Here are a few ideas, many taken from my own TBR shelves, for your trip around the world. You might also want to check out other peoples’ lists to see where they have traveled.

The Gideon Oliver series by Aaron Elkins are primarily set outside the US:
Fellowship of Fear (#1) — Germany, Italy, Spain
The Dark Place (#2) — Oregon, USA
Murder in the Queen's Armes (#3) — England
Old Bones (#4) — France
Curses! by Aaron Elkins (#5) — Yucatan/Mexico
Icy Clutches (#6) — Alaska, USA
Make No Bones (#7) — Oregon, USA
Dead Men's Hearts by Aaron Elkins (#8) — Egypt
Twenty Blue Devils by Aaron Elkins (#9) — Tahiti
Skeleton Dance by Aaron Elkins (#10) — France
Good Blood by Aaron Elkins (#11) — Italy
Where There's a Will (#12) — Hawaii, USA
Unnatural Selection by Aaron Elkins (#13) — England
Little Tiny Teeth by Aaron Elkins (#14) — the Amazon
Uneasy Relations by Aaron Elkins (#15) — Gibraltar
Skull Duggery by Aaron Elkins (#16) — Mexico
Dying on the Vine by Aaron Elkins (#17)— Italy

Most books by Nancy Atherton are set in the England, but Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea is set in Scotland (or island off the coast of) and Aunt Dimity Down Under is set in New Zealand.

Most books by Agatha Christie are set in England, with some exceptions:
Appointment with Death — Israel and Jordan
Death on the Nile — Egypt
Murder in Mesopotamia — Iraq
Murder on the Orient Express — Croatia, Turkey, Yugoslavia

Anne Perry has a couple series set in England/ Europe.

Elizabeth Peters’s books are set primarily in Egypt.

Susan Wittig Albert’s “Beatrix Potter” series are set in England

Most books by Dick Francis are set in the UK, with some exceptions.

OTHERS:

Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton — England
Hamish MacBeth series by MC Beaton — Scotland
County Cork series by Sheila Connolly – Ireland
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith — Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa)
Isabel Dalhousie series and 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith — Scotland
Scottish Bookshop series — Paige Shelton
Hat Shop series — Jenn McKinlay — England

Deadlock by Iris Johansen — Afghanistan
The Doll Makers by Penny Grubb — Scotland
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell — Sweden
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson — Sweden
Inferno by Dan Brown — Italy
The Lighthouse by PD James — Cornwall
The Likeness by Tana French — Ireland
Listen for the Whisperer by Phyllis A. Whitney — Norway
Midnight in Ruby Bayou (Donovan #4) by Elizabeth Lowell — Russia
The Looking Glass War by John Le Carré — (East) Germany
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear – England
Pearl Cove (Donovan #3) by Elizabeth Lowell — Australia
Still Life by Louise Penny — Canada
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley — England

NON-MYSTERIES:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho — Spain, Egypt
The Aspern Papers by Henry James – Italy
The Aviary Gate by Katie Hickman — Turkey
Bookends by Jane Green — England
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens — England
Far from the Madding Crowd — England
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier — Holland
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck — China
Green Mansions — Venezuela
Hotel Pastis: A Novel of Provence by Peter Mayle — France
Kim and The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling — India
The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini — Afghanistan
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky — Russia
On Wings of Eagles by by Ken Follett — Iran (Non-fiction)
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx — Canada
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See – China
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar — India
A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn – Kenya
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova — US/France
The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough — Australia
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough — Australia
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas — France

For GR Group Reads (Other groups I belong to):

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt — Ireland
Bleak House by Charles Dickens — England
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak — Germany
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding — UK/Scotland
Chocolat by Joanne Harris — France
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas — France
The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato — Italy
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo — France
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson — England
Middlemarch by George Eliot — England
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain — France
A Passage to India by EM Forster — India
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren — Sweden
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks — Austria, England, Israel, Italy, Spain, Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro – UK
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay — France
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins — England

IDEAS FOR ANTARCTICA:
I found a couple lists here on GR that might help in pursuit of this difficult continent:

Stories set in Antarctica
To The Poles

I found a couple books on the lists that look good. One, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Poe, is included in a classics anthology on my Nook, and another, In Cold Pursuit: A Mystery From The Last Continent by Sarah Andrews, sounds like something people in this group might like.

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message 3: by Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator (last edited Dec 15, 2014 06:15AM) (new)

Dec 15, 2014 06:14AM

Mod

Thank you! I'll try to look for the books at my TBR... and I think I'll begin on Jan 1 :D

BTW: Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea together: that makes sense according to my geography memories :D

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message 4: by Jonquil (last edited Feb 02, 2015 06:35AM) (new)

Dec 15, 2014 06:23AM

Level 2: The Wayfarer (7-12 books)

6/7 Continents
17 books

2 Africa Botswana A Carrion Death Michael Stanley 1/1 ★★★

4 Australia Queensland The Mighty Quinns: Callum 1/3 ★★★
5 Australia Sydney Skin and Bone 1/2 ★★★★

6 N America Maine and Massachusetts Last to Die 1/2 ★★★★★
11 N America California The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror
7 N America Canada & US Bones Never Lie 1/7 ★★★★
16 7 N America Arctic Circle The Bone Seeker 1/31 ★★★

8 Europe France The 7th Woman 1/5 ★★★
3 Europe Paris Killer Critique 1/1 ★★
9 Europe England Iron & Velvet 1/16 ★★★
10 Europe England Cover Her Face 1/1 ★★★★
1 Europe England Elegy for a Queen 1/1 ★★★
17 Europe Italy Every Boy's Got One 2/2 ★★★

12 South America Argentina and many other places What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding 1/12 ★★★

13 Asia Thailand Provincetown Follies, Bangkok Blues 2/1 ★★★
14 Asia Siberia, Russia, Africa The Kill Switch 1/21 ★★★★★
15 Asia outside Iran All Fall Down 1/31 ★★★★

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message 5: by Linda (new)

Dec 15, 2014 06:36AM

This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. My 2 goals for the challenge - Level 2 Wayfarer and to complete this in less than the 5 years it took me to get to all 50 states (1 to go and it's waiting for me at the library!).

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message 6: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (last edited Sep 21, 2020 07:03AM) (new)

Dec 15, 2014 08:16AM

Mod

Linda wrote: "This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. My 2 goals for the challenge - Level 2 Wayfarer and to complete this in less than the 5 years it took me to get to all 50 states."

ROFL at the goal to complete it in under five years. I sooo hear you on that, as I've yet to finish the last six states needed for the USA challenge. Guess that needs to be a goal for 2015!

Preparing this challenge had me looking over my own TBR stacks. I have a lot of books set in Europe (mystery, romance, and classics), several for Australia, a couple for Asia, and at least one for South America (an Aaron Elkins). The February classic group read is set in Russia, which is a tricky one, being in both Asia and Europe -- but it's also proving to be a difficult book to find.

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message 7: by Sabrina (last edited Jan 13, 2015 03:56AM) (new)

Dec 15, 2014 08:52AM

Count me in as well, and I'm going to try to do a level 4 (Seasoned Traveler).

I will keep track of the books I'm reading for this challenge in my personal challenge log.

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message 8: by Kimberly (new)

Dec 15, 2014 09:28PM

Oh, wow! This one looks exciting, as well as challenging. Since we don't have a time limit, I'm going for level 4-the seasoned traveler. :) Good luck and happy travels to all. :)

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message 9: by Amber (last edited Jan 14, 2017 06:33PM) (new)

Dec 16, 2014 09:20AM

This sounds like fun. I am going to aim for level 3

Progress18/18

1 Australia Big Little Lies 02.01.15
2 China Cinder 03.31.15
3 England Room with a Clue 04.15.15
4 Switzerland Alpine for You 07.05.15
5 United States Murder Past Due 07.18.15
6 France Scarlet 07.19.15
7 St. Marco's Saving Grace 08.26.15
8 Iceland Burial Rites 10.15.15
9 Scotland Royal Flush11.29.15
10 Canada Killer Christmas 12.29.15
11 Ireland The Amersham Rubies 12.30.15
12 St. Thomas The Melody Lingers On 02.28.16
13 Brazil How to Be Single 03.13.16
14 Amsterdam The Goldfinch 04.13.16
15 Italy Pasta Imperfect 07.13.16
16 Greece Stars of Fortune 08.31.16
17 Egypt Crocodile on the Sandbank 11.03.16
18 Germany The Bullet 01.14.17

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message 10: by Naomi (last edited Nov 30, 2015 01:24AM) (new)

Dec 17, 2014 04:14AM

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message 11: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Dec 17, 2014 01:44PM

Mod

I am impressed with those going for levels three and four. Good luck! ☺

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message 12: by Melissa (last edited Dec 31, 2015 09:04AM) (new)

Dec 18, 2014 10:03AM

World Trip Challenge
Jan 2015 - ???
Level 4: The Seasoned Traveler (19-24)
Books Completed: 28
Continents Completed: 7

1)Africa
South Africa - Random Violence - Jassy Mackenzie - 7/10/15
Botswana - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith - 12/10/15

2)Asia
Laos - A Good Death - Christopher R. Cox - 1/19/15
Thailand - Cockroaches - Jo Nesbø - 5/8/15
Taiwan - Ghost Month - Ed Lin - 10/25/15
India - The Case of the Missing Servant - Tarquin Hall - 12/14/15
China - Death of a Red Heroine - Qiu Xiaolong - 12/23/15

3)Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea
Australia - G'Day to Die - Maddy Hunter - 3/15/15

4)Europe
Finland - My First Murder - Leena Lehtolainen - 1/8/15
Norway - Dregs - Jørn Lier Horst - 1/12/15
Iceland - Black Skies - Arnaldur Indriðason - 1/31/15
Switzerland - Alpine for You - Maddy Hunter - 2/26/15
Ireland - Top O' the Mournin' - Maddy Hunter - 3/1/15
Italy - Pasta Imperfect - Maddy Hunter - 3/4/15
England - The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries - Emily Brightwell - 3/18/15
Holland - Dutch Me Deadly - Maddy Hunter - 3/22/15
Sweden - The Blood Spilt - Åsa Larsson - 5/14/15
Scotland - Bonnie of Evidence - Maddy Hunter - 6/4/15
France - Fleur de Lies - Maddy Hunter - 8/21/15
Monaco - Toured to Death - Hy Conrad - 8/28/15
Denmark - The Hanging Girl - Jussi Adler-Olsen - 10/21/15
Russia - Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses - Mary McHugh - 12/4/15

5)North America
USA - Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates - Kathy Aarons - 1/16/15
Mexico - The Xibalba Murders - Lyn Hamilton - 9/27/15
Canada - The Bone Seeker - M.J. McGrath - 11/8/15
Greenland - Valhalla - Robert J. Mrazek - 11/17/15

6)South America
Brazil - Blood of the Wicked - Leighton Gage - 10/3/15

Bonus: Read a book set in Antarctica.
Antarctica - In Cold Pursuit: A Mystery From The Last Continent - Sarah Andrews - 11/29/15

Here's my map with my read and TBR books listed so far:

visited 14 states (6.22%)
Create your own visited map of The World or Brazil travel guide for Android

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message 13: by Melissa (new)

Dec 18, 2014 10:04AM

So, do you have to have one book from each continent to complete the challenge? But then within continents you can read from as many countries as you want? I've been on a huge Nordic Noir spree lately, so I can easily knock off those five countries, but they are all in Europe.

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message 14: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Dec 18, 2014 11:07AM

Mod

Melissa wrote: "So, do you have to have one book from each continent to complete the challenge? But then within continents you can read from as many countries as you want? I've been on a huge Nordic Noir spree l..."

You don't have to have a book from every continent, but you are encouraged to try to visit each one at least once.

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message 15: by Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator (last edited Dec 25, 2015 01:17PM) (new)

Dec 21, 2014 10:16AM

Mod

I think I'll go with Level 3: The Casual Tourist, and I'll improve if I'm able to. I'll begin on Jan 1, 2015

14 / 18

1.- Towards Zero (England)
2.- A Tale of Two Biddies (USA)
3.- The Man in the Brown Suit (South Africa)
4.- The Case of the Cursed Dodo by Jake G. Panda (01/28/2015 - ★★★★) (Morocco)
5.- Rock Hard by Nalini Singh (03/19/2015 - ★★★★★) (New Zealand)
6.- A Cereal Killer by Morgana Best (04/05/2015 - ★★★) (Australia)
7.- Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses by Mary McHugh (04/06/2015 - ★★★★) (Russia)
8.- Appointment with Death: A Stage Play by Agatha Christie (05/09/2015 - ★★★) (Jordan)
9.- Necklace and Calabash by Robert van Gulik (06/13/2015 - ★★★) (China)
10.- A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie (08/18/2015 - ★★★★) (Caribbean Islands)
11.- Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (08/24/2015 - ★★★) (Irak)
12.- A Cruise to Die For by Charlotte Elkins and Aaron Elkins (08/24/2015 - ★★★★) (Greece)
13.- Margaritas & Murder by Donald Bain (09/10/2015 - ★★★) (Mexico)
★★★★) (Canada)
14.- Little Tiny Teeth by Aaron Elkins (12/25/2015 - ★★★★) (Peru)
15.-
16.-
17.-
18.-

Author options:

* Laurie King
* Lyn Hamilton

* Africa:

The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

The Case of the Cursed Dodo (The Endangered Files, #1) by Jake G. Panda

* Asia

Appointment with Death A Stage Play by Agatha Christie

Necklace and Calabash by Robert van Gulik

Murder in Mesopotamia (Hercule Poirot, #14) by Agatha Christie

* Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea

Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2) by Nalini Singh

A Cereal Killer (A Sibyl Potts Cozy Mystery, #1) by Morgana Best

* Europe

Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses by Mary McHugh

A Cruise to Die For (Alix London, #2) by Charlotte Elkins

* North America

A Tale of Two Biddies (League of Literary Ladies #2) by Kylie Logan

A Caribbean Mystery (Miss Marple, #10) by Agatha Christie

Margaritas and Murder (Murder, She Wrote, #24) by Jessica Fletcher

* South America

Little Tiny Teeth (Gideon Oliver, #14) by Aaron Elkins

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message 16: by Julesy (last edited Jan 26, 2016 01:07PM) (new)

Jan 03, 2015 07:02AM

I'm going to be a lightweight since I don't read too many mysteries that occur outside of the U.S., so I'll be a Level 1: Weekend Warrior (3-6 books).

Progress: 6/6 +BONUS
Updated: Jan. 26, 2016 COMPLETED

Africa

Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot, #17) by Agatha Christie

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie - Egypt

Asia

The Shanghai Moon (Lydia Chin & Bill Smith, #9) by S.J. Rozan

The Shanghai Moon by S.J. Rozan - China

THE BALI MYSTERY Amelia Moore Detective Series by Linda Weaver Clarke - Bali

Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea (we will count them together for this challenge)

Play Dead by Harlan Coben - Australia

Europe - England

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Death of a Mad Hatter (A Hat Shop Mystery, #2) by Jenn McKinlay

Death of a Mad Hatter by Jenn McKinlay

Ring of Lies by Victoria Howard

The Twelve Deaths Of Christmas by Marian Babson

Romania

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Russia

You Are One of Them by Elliott Holt

France

French Pastry Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #21) by Leslie Meier

French Pastry Murder by Leslie Meier

North America - Hawaii

The Musubi Murder (The Molly Barda Mysteries, # 1) by Frankie Bow

The Musubi Murder by Frankie Bow

South America - Colombia

The Emerald-Eyed Cat Mystery (Nancy Drew, #75) by Carolyn Keene

The Emerald-Eyed Cat Mystery by Carolyn Keene

BONUS:

Back to Christmas by Dennis Canfield - This Christmas book takes place in both the North Pole and the South Pole (i.e., Antartica)!

visited 11 states (4.88%)
Create your own visited map of The World

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message 17: by Leslie (new)

Jan 03, 2015 12:15PM

I'm in! I am trying to read more books in translation this year so I will attempt Level 3: The Casual Tourist (13-18 books).

And although this doesn't count towards my goal of reading books in translation, I am currently reading The Luminaries so I am set for New Zealand.

Where would I count a book set in the South Seas Islands (Oceania)? Is that part of Australia/NZ?

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message 18: by Kimberly (new)

Jan 03, 2015 12:45PM

I read The Luminaries and really enjoyed it. :) I understood it to take place in New Zealand, so I figure it would work just fine for Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea. :) Enjoy the book!

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message 19: by ❂ Murder by Death (new)

Jan 03, 2015 02:22PM

Leslie wrote: "Where would I count a book set in the South Seas Islands (Oceania)? Is that part of Australia/NZ?"

From National Geographic:
"Islands located near a continent are generally considered, in a geographical sense, part of that continent. Greenland, for example, is politically part of Europe but belongs geographically to North America, as do the islands of the Caribbean and the western North Atlantic Ocean. There are some islands and island groups, however, that are not considered part of any continent, geographically speaking. New Zealand, Hawaii, and French Polynesia are among them.

Oceania is the collective name for the lands of the Pacific Ocean, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Oceania is a convenient way to name these areas, which, with the exception of Australia, are not part of any continent. But Oceania itself is not a continent."

(source: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/sit...)

So technically, books taking place on any of the Oceania islands don't count towards a continent, although certainly count in the challenge as countries. But Heather should make the official determination for the purposes of this challenge.

I didn't know this, and neither did my husband, so we learned something new. :)

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message 20: by Leslie (new)

Jan 03, 2015 03:53PM

Thanks Jennifer - I didn't know that there was land that wasn't part of any continent!

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message 21: by ❂ Murder by Death (new)

Jan 04, 2015 01:32PM

Leslie wrote: "Thanks Jennifer - I didn't know that there was land that wasn't part of any continent!"

No worries - since I moved down under I've been curious about a lot of stuff like this and your question got me thinking (and googling). I didn't know about any of this either so it was pretty interesting stuff (also, National Geo is a pretty great site!)

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message 22: by Skeetor (last edited Apr 08, 2015 03:07PM) (new)

Jan 04, 2015 04:31PM

This sounds like fun! I think I will shoot for the Seasoned Traveler. :) (I will probably be meandering all year...)

Progress: 8/24

1 Viy: English and Russian Language Edition by Nikolai Gogol (Ukraine - Europe/Eastern Europe)
2 The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (UK - Europe/Western Europe)
3 Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language by Deborah Fallows (China - Asia/East Asia) -not recommended
4 Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino (Japan - Asia/East Asia)
5 The Musubi Murder by Frankie Bow (Hawaii - America/North America)
6 An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943 by Rick Atkinson (Algeria & Tunisia - Africa/Northern Africa)
7 Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino (North Korea - Asia/East Asia)
8 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (France & Germany - Europe/Western Europe)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
<

visited 10 states (4.44%)
Create your own visited map of The World or Brazil travel guide for Android

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message 23: by Jill (last edited Dec 30, 2015 09:17AM) (new)

Jan 04, 2015 11:04PM

Level 4: The Seasoned Traveler (19-24)
31/24

1. That Night by Chevy Stevens Vancover, Canada: North America
2. Once Upon a Grind by Cleo Coyle New York, USA: North America
3. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Cornwall, England: Europe
4.The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Melborne, Australia
5. The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion, New York, USA
6. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear London, England: Europe
7. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Witney, England: Europe
8. Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers London, England: Europe
9. The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
10. The Orchard: A Memoir by Theresa Weir Burlington, Iowa: North America
11. Euphoria by Lily King New Guinea
12. Downton Abbey: Rules for Household Staff by Justyn Barnes Yorkshire, England: Europe
13. Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Elsinore, Denmark: Europe
14. The Alchemist's Daughter by Mary Lawrence Southwark, England: Europe
15. Villa America by Liza Klaussmann, Antibes, France: Europe
16. Tudors: The History of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I by Peter Ackroyd, London, England: Europe
17. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith London, England: Europe
18. Emma by Jane Austen Highbury, England: Europe
19. The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie London, England: Europe
20. Game of Mirrors by Andrea Camilleri Montelusa, Italy: Europe
21. A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn London, England: Europe
22. An Italian Wife by Ann Hood Naples, Italy: Europe
23. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Carriveau, Frace: Europe
24. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Yorkshire, England: Europe
25. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz Sweden: Europe
26. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Antarcitca
27. The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff Berlin, Germany: Europe
28. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Stockholm, Sweden: Europe
29. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson Grenada
30. The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters Luxor, Egypt: Africa
31. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson Stockholm, Sweeden: Europe

Africa

The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody, #2) by Elizabeth Peters

Asia:

Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea:

Europe:

Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs, #1) by Jacqueline Winspear

Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey) by Dorothy L. Sayers

Downton Abbey Rules for Household Staff by Justyn Barnes

The Alchemist's Daughter (Bianca Goddard Mysteries #1) by Mary Lawrence

Tudors The History of England from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I (The History of England, #2) by Peter Ackroyd

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1) by Robert Galbraith

A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell Mystery, #1) by Deanna Raybourn

Game of Mirrors (Inspector Montalbano, #18) by Andrea Camilleri

The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium, #3) by Stieg Larsson

North America:

Once Upon a Grind (Coffeehouse Mystery, #14) by Cleo Coyle

The Rosie Effect (Don Tillman #2) by Graeme Simsion

South America

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2) by Stieg Larsson

*BONUS* Antarctica:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

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message 24: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Jan 05, 2015 01:08PM

Mod

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "So technically, books taking place on any of the Oceania islands don't count towards a continent, although certainly count in the challenge as countries. But Heather should make the official determination for the purposes of this challenge.

I didn't know this, and neither did my husband, so we learned something new. :)"

They would obviously count as a country. If you're looking to assign them to a continent, we can lump them in with Australia/New Zealand. ;-)

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message 25: by Charity (last edited Nov 30, 2015 06:19PM) (new)

Jan 05, 2015 02:47PM

I believe I will try to work this in with my other challenges. I will try for Level 3: The Casual Tourist and adjust as needed.
World Trip Challenge

Level 3: The Casual Tourist

7/7 Continents

1. Europe - UK - England - London - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 1/4/15
2. Europe - Russia - St. Petersburg - Angelopolis 1/26/15
3. Europe - Czech Republic - Prague - Daughter of Smoke & Bone 2/25/15
4. North America - USA - The Notebook 3/3/15
5. Europe - Italy - Florence - An Appetite for Violets 3/16/15
6. Europe - France - Code Name Verity 4/12/15
7. Australia - New South Wales - Sydney - Big Little Lies 4/14/15
8. Asia - China - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan 5/20/15
9. Europe - Poland - The Book of Life 5/24/15
10. Asia - Japan - Tokyo - A Tale for the Time Being 6/3/15
11. South America - Chile - Maya's Notebook 6/8/15
12. Europe - Denmark - The Copenhagen Connection 6/20/15
13. Antarctica - South Pole Where'd You Go, Bernadette 7/8/15
14. Asia - India - Calcutta - The Marriage Plot 7/30/15
15. Europe - Iceland - Burial Rites 8/12/15
16. South America - Ecuador - Nights in Rodanthe 8/13/15
17. Africa - Egypt - The Alchemist 8/14/15
18. Europe - United Kingdom - Scotland - Outlander 11/29/15

visited 16 states (7.11%)

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message 26: by Melissa (last edited Jan 08, 2015 06:16PM) (new)

Jan 08, 2015 06:15PM

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Where would I count a book set in the South Seas Islands (Oceania)? Is that part of Australia/NZ?"

From National Geographic:
"Islands located near a continent are generally consider..."

I have a few books set in Greenland. So are we going NA or Europe with Greenland? I think geographic, right, so North America?

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message 27: by Linda (new)

Jan 09, 2015 12:17PM

Heather L wrote: "Linda wrote: "This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. My 2 goals for the challenge - Level 2 ..."

Heather - Do you know which Aaron Elkins book is set in South America? South America is proving to be more difficult than I though it would and his books don't sound bad.

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message 28: by ❂ Murder by Death (new)

Jan 09, 2015 01:03PM

Melissa wrote: "❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Where would I count a book set in the South Seas Islands (Oceania)? Is that part of Australia/NZ?"

From National Geographic:
"Islands locat..."

If you don't hear from Heather about it (and I'm sure she'll respond next time she drops in, I'd go with geographic (N.A.).

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message 29: by Kathy (new)

Jan 10, 2015 09:01PM

Linda wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Linda wrote: "This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. My 2 goals for the ch..."
Little Tiny Teeth is set along the Amazon. I don't know of any that are set in a specific South American Country.

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message 30: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Jan 12, 2015 09:32AM

Mod

Linda: I believe Kathy is correct, Little Tiny Teeth is set in South America. I've been working on a list of suggested authors/titles for this challenge, just haven't had a chance to get it up yet. The list includes Elkins' books by location. I've read several Gideon Oliver books of his and have yet to be disappointed.

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message 31: by Melanie (last edited May 28, 2015 07:07PM) (new)

Jan 12, 2015 01:54PM

I am going to meander all year so I am going to attempt Level 4: The Seasoned Traveler.

I'll track my list here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

...and then report back on my status. :-)

Status is currently 21/24 and 4/7 continents as of May 28/2015

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message 32: by Julesy (new)

Jan 12, 2015 03:44PM

Linda wrote: "This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. "

Same with me! Unfortunately, all but 1 of Maddy Hunter's books are set in Europe. I had already read the Australian one. :-(

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message 33: by ❂ Murder by Death (new)

Jan 12, 2015 03:52PM

Julesy wrote: "Linda wrote: "This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. "

Same with me! Unfortunately, all but..."

Kerry Greenwood has two series set in Australia, if you need AU: one is set in the late 1920's and one in present day. And one of the Aunt Dimity Books takes place in New Zealand - funnily enough, Aunt Dimity Down Under. :)

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message 34: by Leslie (new)

Jan 12, 2015 04:30PM

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Kerry Greenwood has two series set in Australia, if you need AU: one is set in the late 1920's and one in present day. And one of the Aunt Dimity Books takes place in New Zealand - funnily enough, Aunt Dimity Down Under. :).."

Also Arthur W. Upfield's Inspector Bonaparte books are a great Australian mystery series which often are set in the Outback or other remote locations.

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message 35: by Julesy (last edited Jan 12, 2015 04:36PM) (new)

Jan 12, 2015 04:36PM

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Julesy wrote: "Linda wrote: "This sounds like a fun way to start 2015! It looks like a good excuse to push some Maddy Hunter books to the top of the list. "

Same with me! Unfortu..."

Thanks! I think I found my Australian book, but who knows when I'll be able to read it.

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message 36: by Barbi (new)

Jan 12, 2015 10:18PM

Great challenge - I am going to do it! I will make this a full year challenge so will go with:

Level 4: The Seasoned Traveler (19-24)
– The Seasoned Traveler doesn't do anything by half-measures: they go all out, and the more obscure or off the beaten path the better.

How should we track our progress?

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message 37: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Jan 13, 2015 08:18PM

Mod

Barbi: You can keep track of your list in a post here, or you can create your own folder in the Members Reading/Challenge Lists section of the group.

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message 38: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Jan 13, 2015 08:19PM

Mod

Hi everyone!

I added a "suggested reading list" in message number two of this discussion, for those who may be looking for ideas. I hope you find it helpful! ☺

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message 39: by Kimberly (new)

Jan 13, 2015 08:47PM

I discovered Lyn Hamilton wrote an archaeological mystery series where the main character owns an antique store in Toronto, Canada, but travels throughout the world. I have only read the first one so far (The Xibalba Murders), but I thought it was pretty good. :) Thought this might be helpful to others who are looking for possible books. :)

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message 40: by Sabrina (new)

Jan 13, 2015 10:20PM

Heather L wrote: "Hi everyone!

I added a "suggested reading list" in message number two of this discussion, for those who may be looking for ideas. I hope you find it helpful! ☺"

Heather, that is superb, thanks a lot for this!

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message 41: by ❂ Murder by Death (new)

Jan 13, 2015 10:45PM

Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series has quite a few books that take place in far flung locals: I know of one that's in Japan, another in Jerusalem, one in India. If you like Sherlock Holmes, these are by far the best pastiche's I've yet read.

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message 42: by Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator (new)

Jan 13, 2015 11:58PM

Mod

Thank you, Jennifer! I love Holmes pastiches, and I think I can get some of her books. And Lyn Hamilton books will be very useful too, I think.

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message 43: by Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator (new)

Jan 14, 2015 05:18AM

Mod

Reading the list at the second message I've found an old friend, that I've read in Spanish and I love a lot: The Ladies of Missalonghi. I've never imagined it's set at Australia, but it's a good moment to read it again.

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message 44: by Sabrina (new)

Jan 14, 2015 05:34AM

❂ Jennifer (reviews on BookLikes) wrote: "Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series has quite a few books that take place in far flung locals: I know of one that's in Japan, another in Jerusalem, one in India. If you like ..."

This is good to know, I still have to read the Sherlock Holmes series so this will be an ideal opportunity to knock some off the list.

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message 45: by Linda (new)

Jan 14, 2015 05:46AM

Awesome list Heather! Thanks for the ideas!

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message 46: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Jan 14, 2015 06:31AM

Mod

Thanks, Sabrina and Linda! Glad it's helpful. ☺

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message 47: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (new)

Jan 14, 2015 06:45AM

Mod

Marisa wrote: "Reading the list at the second message I've found an old friend, that I've read in Spanish and I love a lot: The Ladies of Missalonghi. I've never imagined it's set at Australia, but ..."

I found that one yesterday in our local Little Free Library. I'm guessing from your post it is as good as it sounds?

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message 48: by Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator (last edited Apr 16, 2015 09:55AM) (new)

Jan 14, 2015 06:51AM

Mod

I was going to try for "Weekend Warrior," but think I might be able to do "Wayfarer" (7-12 books) easy-peasy. Just need to get out of the UK...

AFRICA

ASIA
A Passage To India by E.M. Forster -- India

Australia/New Zealand/New Guinea
The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough -- Australia

EUROPE:
The Lighthouse by PD James -- Cornwall
The House of Hades by Rick Riordan -- Croatia
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding -- England
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy -- Ireland

North America
The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood -- Canada
Button Holed by Kylie Logan -- USA

South America

.

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message 49: by Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator (new)

Jan 14, 2015 08:26AM

Mod

Heather L wrote: "I found that one yesterday in our local Little Free Library. I'm guessing from your post it is as good as it sounds? "

It's a curious romance novel, quite tender but daring in some aspects. I liked it a lot (You'll never look brown clothes in the same way ;) )

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message 50: by Leslie (new)

Jan 15, 2015 06:40PM

Heather L wrote: "I was going to try for "Weekend Warrior," but think I might be able to do "Wayfarer" (7-12 books) easy-peasy. Just need to get out of the UK..."

That's my trouble too! But I am glad to be making the effort, even though it is pushing me more towards police procedurals instead of cozies.

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