Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion
2022 Level Three (Super Sleuth)
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Jennifer's First-Timer Cozies Book Challenge 2022
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Mid-January check in: Four cozy mysteries read so far:
- Murder on the Silk Road (Charlotte Graham #4) by Stefanie Matteson (Travel ~ to China)
- A Killer Carol (Amish Mystery #7) by Laura Bradford (Holiday-based)
- Latte Trouble (Coffeehouse #3) by Cleo Coyle (Culinary)
- Mind Over Murder (Raven's Nest Bookstore #1) by Allison Kingsley (Paranormal)
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End-of-January check in: Total of seven cozies read for January:
- Murder on the Silk Road (Charlotte Graham #4) by Stefanie Matteson (Travel ~ to China)
- A Killer Carol (Amish Mystery #7) by Laura Bradford (Holiday-based)
- Latte Trouble (Coffeehouse #3) by Cleo Coyle (Culinary)
- Mind Over Murder (Raven's Nest Bookstore #1) by Allison Kingsley (Paranormal)
- Murder Past Due (Cat in the Stacks #1) by Miranda James (Animal)
- The Celtic Riddle (Archaeological Mystery #4) by Lyn Hamilton (Reader's Choice)
- The Man in the Brown Suit (Colonel Race #1) by Agatha Christie (Travel ~ to Africa)
Two travel-based are taken care of for this challenge! A nice start to this challenge and I'm hoping to keep the momentum going.
Mid-February check in: Three more cozies read:
Buried in a Book (Novel Idea #1) by Lucy Arlington (Career-based)
Tart of Darkness (Chef-to-Go Mystery #1) by Denise Swanson (Culinary)
The Angel Makers (Constance Piper #2) by Tessa Harris (Historical)
Two culinary cozies down!
Currently reading Pretty Poison (Peggy Lee Garden Mystery #1) by Joyce and Jim Lavene.
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- Two from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
- Two career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
- Two holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)
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A-few-days-late check-in for February 2022: A total of five cozies read in February:
Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington (career-based)
Tart of Darkness by Denise Swanson (culinary)
The Angel Makers by Tessa Harris (historical)
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James (reader's choice)
Pretty Poison by Joyce and Jim Lavene (career-based)
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- Two from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
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- Two holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)
Total YTD: twelve cozies read!
Mid-March check in: Three more cozy books read (Orchard series #1, #2, #3 by Sheila Connolly). Doing a March Madness read-a-thon to work on my physical TBR pile and picked out several authors to work on their series.
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- Two from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
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- Two holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)
A slightly late end-of-March check-in.Doing a "March Madness Readathon" really helped me plow through some books in my physical TBR pile.
Cozies read in March:
Orchard series #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #7 by Sheila Connolly
Every Trick in the Book by Lucy Arlington (Freebie)
Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates (Paranormal)
A Deadly Yarn by Maggie Sefton (Craft-related)
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
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- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
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- Two holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)
My end-of-April check-in.I've made a bit of a dent in my physical TBR pile...and then two local libraries had their spring book sales and I added an enormous amount of books (many of them cozies) to Mount TBR. However, I supported two libraries and once I read the books, they're donated back again. Win-win all around!
Cozies read in April:
Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton
File M for Murder and Classified as Murder by Miranda James
A Spell for Trouble and A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison (Paranormal)
Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell
Death by Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum
The Maltese Goddess by Lyn Hamilton
Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis (Holiday-based, takes place at Thanksgiving)
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
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- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)
Mid-May Check-in: So far this month, Avery Aames and Krista Davis have been my authors of choice! I should have the Cheese Shop series caught up by tomorrow. All are e-books borrowed from the local library.
Avery Aames books read this month:
The Long Quiche Goodbye
To Brie or Not to Brie
Lost and Fondue
Days of Wine and Roquefort
As Gouda as Dead
Krista Davis books read this month:
The Diva Paints the Town
The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit
End-of-May check-in: So my Libby account has been getting a workout, which is great (support the libraries!) but my physical TBR pile has barely been touched. I plan to rectify this in June, as I have a massive pile of cozies in the physical TBR pile.
Anyway, I discovered some new cozy authors which thrilled me. Cozies read in May (all but one were e-books from the library, The Lighthouse was the only physical book).
Cozy mystery books read in May 2022:
Avery Aames:
The Long Quiche Goodbye
To Brie or Not to Brie
Lost and Fondue
Days of Wine and Roquefort
As Gouda as Dead
For Cheddar or Worse
Krista Davis:
The Diva Paints the Town
The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit
Vivien Chien:
Death by Dumpling
Dim Sum of All Fears
Kylie Logan:
Button Holed
P.D. James:
The Lighthouse (Outside the U.S. ~ England)
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
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- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)
Oooooooh... So many good titles (yet so little reading time!). I have read or (now) TBRed a lot of your entries.Kylie Logan's Button Box series (Button Holed) is a favorite. I've read several of her series (under her different pseudonyms).
BTW... Are you really the only Level-3 participant?
Hi! I haven't updated in several weeks due to work and school. Going to try and update this coming weekend. I pick up a lot--I mean A LOT--of cozies at local library book sales and borrow through the Libby app. I have three bookshelves packed with cozies to read and they will be donated right back to the library for their next book sale.
I really like the Button Box series. Unfortunately the two libraries I patronize don't have the series as e-books and I don't want to purchase Kindle Unlimited--I have so many books to get through first. Hopefully I can find the rest of the series somehow.
I do believe I am the only Level 3 participant! I gotta be different, I guess. :)
Early September check-in:This is the first time I've updated in a few months. Life and work has been keeping me occupied, though I've been able to read on a regular basis.
My Libby account keeps getting a workout which is great, but since my physical TBR pile has barely been touched I decided for September the majority of my reading will be physical books. I started reviewing books from NetGalley, and at this point they'll be the only e-books I read for a while.
I discovered a few more new-to-me cozy authors which made me happy.
*** = physical book
^^^ = book from NetGalley
The remainder are e-books, either purchased or borrowed from the library.
June 2022 Cozies:
***Grace Among Thieves by Julie Hyzy
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
***Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton
Egg Drop Dead and Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien
July 2022 Cozies:
***Fleece Navidad, ***Knit One, Kill Two, and Skein of the Crime by Maggie Sefton
Murder Lo Mein and Wonton Terror by Vivien Chien
A Plus One for Murder and A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford
August 2022 Cozies:
Makeup & Murder, Kiss & Makeup, and Eyeliner & Alibis by Stephanie Damore
Jezebel in Blue Satin by Peter S. Fischer
Strawberry Cream Cupcake & Murder by Ann S. Marie
***Cover Her Face by P.D. James
^^^Dead Men Don't Decorate by Cordy Abbott
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- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
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- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
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I've read to date 62 cozies. Think I will search out some that are animal-related and historical, and I will have read from all the categories!
I just noticed you were the sole level three coxie-teer! I am amazed your read 62 cozies this year!!! I have only read 15 and have five to go. I believe I have read 37 books this year though. My usual goal is 20 cozie with my 50 book reading goal.Currently, I am reading the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen. I have about six more books in this series to rad. I try to read the series in order.
I have read Rhys Bowen's Constable Evans series, Her Royal Spyness series, and Molly Murphy series I favor the historical settings. Any suggestions as to what series I should select for the 2023 challenge?
Elaine
Jennifer wrote: "I've read to date 62 cozies. Think I will search out some that are animal-related and historical, and I will have read from all the categories!"First, congratulations on 62 books! You surpassed the level 3 version A goal! (And, if you were in Level 4 doing the "A" version, you'd be done and a Sleuth Extraordinaire.) :o)
I usually have issues getting all the B categories. I like reading what I want when I want without restriction, so I do the "A" version of the challenge and see where the "B" categories fall. I usually wind up having issues with historicals and out-of-the-countrys, though I have had trouble with crafting and travel in different years, too. I don't think in all the time I've done this challenge I have ever hit all the "Bs" regardless of the number of books I've read.
As for the Bs you're missing...
I love that the definition for historicals is really broad (any mystery not set in the present), but still have trouble because I don't usually read what I think of as historical (early 20th century and before??) and most cozies are sort of timeless -- that is, unless you know they're set in the past, there's usually no way to determine when a cozy takes place. I know technology (pay vs mobile phones, computers vs typewriters, etc.) can "age" a mystery, but even then, unless I know they're set in a specific time frame, I always picture them in the present.
That said, I found a new-to-me series set specifically in 1986 (so "historical"), Joanna Campbell Slan's Friday Night Mystery Club. There are two books in the series to date.
As for animals...
There are lots of cozies with animals. Addison Moore writes several paranormal series featuring animals. Her Murder in the Mix series features a woman who can see ghosts, but the ghosts are usually the pets of characters who are going to be murdered. The ghost pet then helps (sometimes while hindering) the protagonist investigate the murder. There are 44!! books in the series to date. While I've liked some entries more than others, I enjoy the series overall. They're fun, quick reads. I'm currently 8 behind because I "fluked" it -- put it on the back burner -- for a while. I'm planning on getting back to it before the end of the year (depending on what tickles my reading fancy, of course!).
Good luck with the rest of the Bs and finishing level 3!!
One thing that has helped me with reading so many cozies this year is the backlog of my massive physical TBR pile. I shop at local library book sales--I mean, $25 per bag and they give you a HUGE shopping bag! I can stuff 30+ paperbacks in one of those bags. I really hunt for cozy mysteries and I swear, I have probably 150 cozies alone in the physical TBR pile...and I have in my car another bag of 20 cozies that I got at a library book sale two weeks ago. It's a win-win because I donate those books back to the libraries for resale. I get great reads at great prices and the libraries get books to sell. :)Thanks so much for your recommendations. I read Joanna Campbell Slan's Jane Eyre Chronicles several years ago and enjoyed them. I haven't read any of her other books so I'll find the Friday Night Mystery Club.
You know, I have such a narrow definition of "historical"--for some reason I was thinking of "historical" being 100+ years ago. So in my thinking 1986 happened "recently" (because of being a teenager during the 80s) when it was actually 35+ years ago!
Murder in the Mix sounds right up my alley!
Thanks for the suggestions. This is my first year participating so I wasn't certain how it would go due to work and school. This has been a nice way to work on my physical TBR pile and next year I'll do the 40 books.
I have such a huge physical TBR pile and I actively seek out cozies at local library book sales, so that's my advantage to being able to read so many this year. I do like historical books, it's a matter of seeking them. I have one of the Jane Austen series by Stephanie Barron and a few from the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy series by Carrie Bebris.
Right now I'm working on one shelf where I have books by Laura Childs (Tea Shoppe and Scrapbook mysteries) and Monica Ferris (Needlecraft mysteries). There's 19 books on that shelf and I've gotten through four of them so far.
The Cozy Mystery List Blog has been a huge help to me with finding cozies by theme, location, historical, etc.
Jennifer wrote: "I have such a huge physical TBR pile and I actively seek out cozies at local library book sales...."
I had a serious hard copy book addiction before I was downsized. I would hit the used stores, sales, etc. and get all I could in the different series I read (or discovered!). That all stopped when the paychecks stopped. I promised myself I wouldn't purchase any new-to-my-home books until I'd read what I had on hand. I hit the boxes and started using the library and elibrary more for new-to-mes. I did really well, though I still have a couple of unread boxes. Then, efreebies started coming (though mainly Kindle) and I built up that mountain of TBRs. While I love reading hard copies, I rarely purchase now -- cost and no space -- and mainly do e-versions when I do (usually when there's no other way to get the book I have to have). I do have to box up my hard-copy "finisheds" to sell or donate.
Jennifer wrote: "I have such a narrow definition of "historical"--for some reason I was thinking of "historical" being 100+ years ago. So in my thinking 1986 happened "recently" (because of being a teenager during the 80s) when it was actually 35+ years ago!"
Ditto. That's what held me back from hitting the "historical" category. I don't really think of things that happened in my lifetime as "historical" either, so a book set in 1986... But, the definition for the challenge is broad and since 1986 is specified and it isn't the present, I went with it. As I said, most cozies are timeless so unless it's known or specified, they're pretty much all "present" to me. [And, it's sad when you remember something that happened in your life and realize that it happened 40 years ago! When did I get old...]
Jennifer wrote: "Right now I'm working on one shelf where I have books by Laura Childs (Tea Shoppe and Scrapbook mysteries) and Monica Ferris (Needlecraft mysteries)."
I have the Tea Shoppe an Needlecraft series TBRed. However, I love the Scrapbook series (which is why I TBRed Childs' other series). As for the Needlecraft series... I love crafting mysteries and though I'm not very good at it, I like to crochet and knit. Those books (crafting, needlecrafting especially) always remind me of my Mom and her friends who formed a craft group when were were in grade school. Plus, I always learn things when reading them.
Jennifer wrote: "The Cozy Mystery List Blog has been a huge help to me with finding cozies by theme, location, historical, etc."
I like that site a lot. I also use Stop You're Killing Me (http://stopyourekillingme.com/index.html). They don't break down by sub-genre (crafting, culinary, etc.), but they have breakdowns by job, setting, historical times, etc. Also, they're great for finding pseudonyms for authors. Before this site, I never realized that some of my favorite authors wrote under numerous names (which leads to more TBRs...).
BTW... I just updated my level 4 (version A!) challenge page (Karen's Kozies). I hit the (easier) goal and then some. Now I'll just keep adding gravy (and see if what I read fills the "B" categories).
It's one week before Christmas and I reviewed my 2022 cozy mystery shelf: a total of 80 cozies read this year! I made a nice dent into my TBR and I have so many cozies on those TBR shelves. Looking forward to the 2023 challenge and to working further on the TBR.
Clearing out e-mail; apologies for the late...Congratulations on hitting the goal and then some!!!
Did you join this year's challenge?
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Authors mentioned in this topic
Joanna Campbell Slan (other topics)Addison Moore (other topics)
Kylie Logan (other topics)
This is my first time participating in this challenge. I have a huge pile of TBRs and many are cozies. What better way to have fun while tackling the TBR pile?
My biggest challenge isn't going to be reading thirty cozies, it's going to be ensuring I keep Goodreads updated throughout 2022! :)
I've started a reading journal for the first time and I have a section for this challenge. Good luck everyone!
Level three (Super Sleuth) - Listing this to help me track:
B) Read two books from each sub-genre in level one plus an additional 10 cozy books of your choice (total of 30 books)
- Two from culinary (anything dealing with food: restaurants, baked goods, etc.)
- Two from animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
- Two from craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
- Two from paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.)
- Two from cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
- Two career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
- Two holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
- Two travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
- Two historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
- Two are your choice! (freebie!)