Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion

Welcome to the 11th annual Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge! Once again, I am going to give challengers the option of reading sub-genres or cozies of their choice.

To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com. This site is dedicated to cozy mysteries and does a great job of defining them as well as giving a list of cozy mysteries. This challenge is NOT restricted to what is on their list, it's just to be used as a guideline in case you need some hints on what to read.

This year's cozy mystery reading challenge once again has two ways to participate and you can choose whichever suits you the best:

A) Read only cozy mysteries of your choice.

Or

B) Read one book from these sub-genres:

- One from culinary (anything dealing with food: restaurants, baked goods, etc.)
- One from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- One from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- One from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
- One from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
- One career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
- One holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
- One travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
- One historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- One is your choice! (freebie!)

Here are the levels you can join for either A or B…

Level one (Snoop) -
A) Read 10 cozy mysteries of your choice.
B) Read one book in each of the above cozy sub-genres (total of 10 books)

Level two (Investigator) -
A) Read 20 cozy mysteries of your choice.
B) Read all the books in level one plus an additional 10 cozy books of your choice (total of 20)

Level three (Super Sleuth) -
A) Read 30 cozy mysteries of your choice.
B) Read two books from each sub-genre in level one plus an additional 10 cozy books of your choice (total of 30 books)

Level four (Sleuth Extraordinaire) -
A)Read 40 cozy mysteries of your choice.
B)Read two books from each sub-genre in level one plus an additional 20 cozy books of your choice (total of 40 books)

Here are the rules...

1. The challenge runs from January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2021.

2. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.

3. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!

4. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists.

This year I'm going to try something a little different. I will have one folder for "2021 Reading Challenge Participants". Under that folder, create your own topic to track your level and progress.

Have fun!

I am signing up for Sleuth Extraordinaire, I read a lot and I read fast. About 90% of the books I read are cozies, so this one should be very easy!

Thank so much for hosting this once again. This is a fun challenge. 2020 has been a challenging year in a lot of aspects. Going to dial back the social media and get back to basics in 2021!

Susy wrote: "I am signing up for Sleuth Extraordinaire, I read a lot and I read fast. About 90% of the books I read are cozies, so this one should be very easy!"

Enjoy the challenge!

Tonya wrote: "Thank so much for hosting this once again. This is a fun challenge. 2020 has been a challenging year in a lot of aspects. Going to dial back the social media and get back to basics in 2021!"

I think we've all felt the same way about 2020. Hope we all find many good cozy mysteries to enjoy this year.

I haven’t participated in awhile, my blog has been neglected, and I read a great deal less than I used to. I think I’ll participate here, and I’ll choose challenge B, Level 1 (Snoop).

It makes me sad that this is all I might read in a year. At one point I would’ve been able to do the highest level. But I have to start somewhere, and I hope the challenge is fun.

I am going to go for Sleuth Extraordinaire Level 2. I had so much fun doing it this year cannot wait to start over on topics :) Thanks for hosting again

Going to go for Level Four Super Sleuth. This is my favorite yearly
challenge.
Thanks for hosting.

Woot! one of my top two challenges!

Amazing! This will be my 3rd year (i think) and I am excited to see what new series I can discover.

I have taken some time off from this challenge and really feel like coming back to it in 2021 so I am so glad you all are still here!!!

I've never tried one of these before but it sounds like fun. I'll just lurk for a while to figure it all out.

I signing up for level 2. I keep forgetting this challege option- Options A&b

I didn't do great at keeping track this year. In fact I wasnt on goodreads much at all. I'm going to try to get back on track in 2021. I'm going to start at level 1 since I've been reading more different genres.

Kelly wrote: "I've never tried one of these before but it sounds like fun. I'll just lurk for a while to figure it all out."

Welcome. We always love seeing new faces.

I seem to have hit a wall this month. Normally I read nearly a book per day, but this month is way off. I have five half finished books sitting beside my chair and none of them have been able to hold my interest. Do others ever have this happen?

Susy wrote: "I seem to have hit a wall this month. Normally I read nearly a book per day, but this month is way off. I have five half finished books sitting beside my chair and none of them have been able to ho..."

It happens to me often. My reading has been down this year for this reason. Hopefully next year will be better and maybe not so many outside distractions.

I am signing up for Super Sleuth A. My first year! Thank you!

Anna Louise wrote: "I am signing up for Super Sleuth A. My first year! Thank you!"

Welcome! Enjoy!

I gotta go for Sleuth Extraordinaire!

New to the group. Signing up at Level 1 because I am doing several other challenges but want to keep reading cozies too!

I love this challenge, too!!! It keeps me reading cozies when I get distracted by other genres.

I'm in for another year. I'm going for Sleuth Extraordinaire again (40 items). I'll do option A and see where they fall for option B.

Good luck to all and every level!!

Jo wrote: "I think I’ll participate here, and I’ll choose challenge B, Level 1 (Snoop)... It makes me sad that this is all I might read in a year. At one point I would’ve been able to do the highest level. But I have to start somewhere, and I hope the challenge is fun."

You're right, Jo. You have to start somewhere. To you -- and others who are deciding whether to join and are not sure about reading so many items -- I say start at the lowest level (Snoop, 10 books) and move up as you each level's goal.

There was one reader this year who wasn't sure s/he'd make the first level and reached the top level. Anyone can do that. Start small, something that fits your life, and work your way up if the busyness of life allows.

Susy wrote: "I seem to have hit a wall this month. Normally I read nearly a book per day, but this month is way off. I have five half finished books sitting beside my chair and none of them have been able to hold my interest. Do others ever have this happen?"

So much!! The holidays slow my reading down -- and I have no idea where the time goes! Since the start of December, I've only read about 11 items, mostly short novellas that I can do in one sitting when I find myself with time.

I currently have three different mysteries started on three differnt readers. I started on one a few months ago (N3) and only finished chapter 1. Another (N2) I started before Thanksgiving and am only on chapter 3 or 4. The third (N1) is getting the most attention. I finished one mystery and started another. It's not that I don't like the stories stared on Ns2&3, but they're just not pulling me back right now to read them.

I'm hoping now that the wrapping, (pretend) cleaning, etc. is done I can get more reading time in, but??? Though I hit my challenge goal (YAY!!), I was hoping to get 80 cozies read by year's end -- which seemed doable when I set in on December 7 (I only needed 6 more). Since then, I've only completed the one That means getting 4 cozies read in the next five days. Don't know that I'll do that. :o(

That being said... All one can do is keep plugging away.

This year has not been a great one for hitting some of my reading challenges either!

Thank you, Yvonne, for hosting this fantastic challenge in 2021!
I had a hard time reading this year but I am hoping that next year will bring better concentration. I will once again shoot for Sleuth Extraordinaire! Happy Reading to everyone!

Welcome to everyone! I hope 2021 is a great year for cozy reading!

Thank you, I'm really looking forward to trying this challenge and getting into some cozy reading. :)

Thanks for hosting another year, Yvonne. I'm in at Level 2A this year. We're expecting a new grandson in April, and I think we'll be doing a lot of helping out with grandson #1, so my reading is up in the air, but I don't mind! Hope everyone has fun reading and stays healthy this year!

Donna (weegraydog) wrote: "Thanks for hosting another year, Yvonne. I'm in at Level 2A this year. We're expecting a new grandson in April, and I think we'll be doing a lot of helping out with grandson #1, so my reading is up..."

Congrats on your new grandson. Hope you have a great year!

I think I’m going to give this a try. I’ll shoot for level 3 Super Sleuth!

I forgot I’d signed up for this one I better get to filling it in!

Welcome to the challenge Shelly!

I’m signing up for level 1 - Snoop! Can’t wait to get started!

Just joined the group because I thought the challenge was interesting. I will start slowly: B group, level 1 (snoop)

I just joined today. I think I'll try Group A level 1 Snoop with an eye to changing to level 2.

Kimberly wrote: "I gotta go for Sleuth Extraordinaire!"

That is enviable! Wishing you a great year of cozies!

I'm excited! I'm fairly new to cozies and also to reading challenges. Needless to say, this is my first cozy reading challenge ever. Since I'm doing a few other challenges, I think I will aim for Investigator. If I make it to Super Sleuth, that will just be a bonus!

Hi! Please, would beverages (whiskey, wine, coffee, tea) count towards culinary? Thanks!

Can I join level one (and bump up to two depending on progress) - B

With the number of cozies set in or around coffee shops, it seems to me like it should.

Anastasia wrote: "...would beverages (whiskey, wine, coffee, tea) count towards culinary?"
~and~
Susy wrote: "With the number of cozies set in or around coffee shops, it seems to me like it should."

Don't coffee shops, bars, wine bars, etc. usually have food (cheese, snacks, pastries, etc.)... I'd count them.

Danielle wrote: "Can I join level one (and bump up to two depending on progress) - B"

That's the great thing about this challenge. You can start anywhere and go up/down based to how much reading time your schedule allows. You can go from one option to the other, too.

I say, start where you're comfortable and go from there. Good luck!

Thank you :)

Anastasia wrote: "Hi! Please, would beverages (whiskey, wine, coffee, tea) count towards culinary? Thanks!"

Yes!

Danielle wrote: "Can I join level one (and bump up to two depending on progress) - B"

Yes, you can always go up but not down :)

OH! I can add the Ellie Alexander Brewery series to my list. Or maybe just read a couple of Diane Mott Davidson books. I did just finish the latest 'Torte' book from Alexander, so that is one....

Deaflower (Dee's New Name) wrote: "Yvonne, can I ask please if there is a page minimum for the books we read?"

No page minimum. I usually use the criteria of - if Goodreads has it listed as a book with ISBN, that's good enough for me :)

Starting out with level two, "Investigator" and keep moving up.

I'm going to start with Level 1 and go up.

I am going to start off with the level one (snoop).