Cozy Mysteries discussion

July 2025 Mini Challenge

RULES

** Books DO NOT all have to be mysteries. You can use any genres.

** A book can be used only once for this challenge, but can be used for other challenges (Seasonal, World Trip, Ultimate, etc.).

** You DO NOT have to choose books in advance, and can change your mind at any time if you do.

** Do as many as you are able and have fun!


1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.


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PUNNY TITLES

A punny title is one that plays on words, using humor or double meanings. It can be a clever way to make a title more memorable and engaging. It often involves replacing one word of a popular title or phrase with a word that sounds similar or rhymes with the word being replaced.

Key elements in punny titles are:

* Word play: Puns rely on words that sound alike but have different meanings, or words with multiple meanings.

* Humor: They aim to be funny or lighthearted.

* Memorability: A good pun can make a title stand out and be easier to remember.


Some examples that twist well-known titles:

* A Tale of Two Cities might become A Tale of Two Kitties or A Tale of Two Biddies or A Tail of Two Kitties.

* The Lord of the Rings might become Lord of the Wings.

* Gone With the Wind becomes Gone with the Twins or Gown with the Wind.

* And Then There Were None becomes And Then There Were Nuns.

* Clear and Present Danger becomes Éclair and Present Danger.

* Better Off Dead becomes Cheddar Off Dead or Cheddar Off Dead.


It works with popular sayings, too:

"To be or not to be" is changed to To Brie or Not To Brie.

"Stark raving mad" is instead Stork Raving Mad.

"We'll always have Paris" changes to We'll Always Have Parrots.

"LMNOP" translates to Ella Minnow Pea.


Links to sample book lists:

* Naperville Library
https://naperlib.bibliocommons.com/v2...

* Titlemania I: Puns in the Title
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

* 52 Book Club 2025: #1 - A Pun In The Title
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...


If you unsure whether a title fits, feel free to ask here!


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July 2025 Mini Challenge


1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews 7/9/2025

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
A Necessary End by Peter Robinson 7/27/2025 (Scotland)

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

CM Mini
July 2025

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Murder Most Finicky 07/09

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place 07/19

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.
Gone With the Witch 07/24

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
A Killer in King's Cove 07/22

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Booking the Crook 07/13

July 2025 Mini Challenge

1. Read a book you forgot you wanted to read.
Rivers of Hell by Marina Finlayson 4 stars
2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
In a Place of Darkness by Stuart MacBride 5 stars
3. Read a book with a punny title
Tea with Jam & Dread by Vicki Delany 3 stars
4. Read a book set in a country not your own.
Save Her Soul by Lisa Regan 5 stars
5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library
Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert 3 stars

July 2025 Mini Challenge
Duration: 1/7/25 - 31/7/25
5/5

#1. Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Flashpoint by Tara Ellis 5★s 5/7/25

2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley 4★s 13/7/25

3. Read a book with a punny title.
Evan's Gate by Rhys Bowen 4★s 1/7/25

4. Read a book set in a country not your own.
Bleak Times at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane 5★s 1/7/25 UK

5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert 3★s 2/7/25

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
The Booklover's Library 07.18.25

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
Eleven on Top 07.24.25


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)
We Wish You a Murderous Christmas 07.27.25

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
A Mind to Murder by P.D. James 07.05.25

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
A Murder for the Books 07.15.25

Mini Challenge
July 2025

5/5



1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
🥁 Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower 7/7/25

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
🥁 Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan 7/5/25


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.
🥁 Flame and Fortune by Jana Deleon 7/11/25

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
🥁 Set in England - Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess 7/1/25

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
🥁 A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mystery #1) by Victoria Gilbert 7/15/25

July 2025 Mini Challenge

5/5

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
One Body Short of a Picnic by Zoey Chase 2 July; 3 1/2☆


2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
Mourning Gloria by Susan Wittig Albert 10 July; 4 1/2☆


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.
A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany 4 July; 4 1/2☆


4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
Ashland, Oregon (I'm Italian)- Muffin But the Truth by Ellie Alexander 7 July; 4 1/2☆


5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates 6 July; 4 1/2☆

Alice's spot

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent). How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below) Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own. The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

July picks!

I Forgot Day: The Pale Horse

Yellow Pig Day: The Celtic Riddle

Tell an Old Joke Day: Beyond a Reasonable Stout

International Day of Friendship: The Maltese Goddess

July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: A Murder for the Books

July 2025 Mini Challenge

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa 7/13/25

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
The Third Man by Graham Greene 7/20/25


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff 7/10/25

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

JULY MINI CHALLENGE

1. July 2 is
I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

Leslie Meier

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day:
Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
While We're Far Apart
Lynn Austin

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day:
Read a book with a punny title.
Broken Bone China
Laura Childs

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship:
Read a book set in a country not your own.
A Murder Is Announced
Agatha Christie

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian:
Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians:
True Stories of the Magic of Reading
James Patterson + worldwide compilation of librarians and booksellers

July 2025 Mini Challenge

2/5

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
Read 18/07

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)
A punny title is one that plays on words, using humor or double meanings. It can be a clever way to make a title more memorable and engaging. It often involves replacing one word of a popular title or phrase with a word that sounds similar or rhymes with the word being replaced.

Key elements in punny titles are:

* Word play: Puns rely on words that sound alike but have different meanings, or words with multiple meanings.

* Humor: They aim to be funny or lighthearted.

* Memorability: A good pun can make a title stand out and be easier to remember.


4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
Read 03/07

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

Book set in Maryland, US - I am from the UK.

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

July 2025 mini challenge

Updated: July 24
Progress: 5/5 COMPLETED

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Murder with a Cherry on Top by Cynthia Baxter - July 15

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo - July 1


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)
Dead, White, and Blue by Annie McEwen - July 4

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros - set in Canada - July 3

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology: A Graphic Novel by Angela Hsieh - July 24

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

July 2025 Mini Challenge
0/5

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

July 2025 Mini Challenge - COMPLETED
=================================

5/5

✔ 1. Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read - One by One by Freida McFadden 7/21/25 2★

✔ 2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent) - by James Patterson 7/10/25 3★

✔ 3. Read a book with a punny title - Joy to the Duke by Darcy Burke 7/2/25 2★ - Pun on the words - Joy to the World

✔ 4. Read a book set in a country not your own - The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie 7/15/25 3★ - Set in Paris

✔ 5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library - Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg 7/18/25 4★

July 2025 Mini Challenge

5/5 DONE

1. forgot you wanted to read Flashback Iris Johansen 7/4

2. yellow cover Laura Levine 7/15

3. punny title Murder by the Hook Betty Hechtman 7/3

4. set in a country not your own Italy The Terra-Cotta Dog Andrea Camilleri 7/5

5. features a librarian AND is set in a library Shot Through the Book Eva Gates 7/14

July Mini Challenge

Progress: 2

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
The Dearly Departed by Elinor Lipman 7/25


2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.
Sleight of Paw by Sofie Kelly


4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own. England
A Very English Murder by Verity Bright 7/13


Our July Featured Author: Read a book that features a librarian.
Pinned for Murder by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

July Mini Challenge
0/4

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.


Baubles to Die For by Tonya Penrose

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).


Limoncello Yellow by Traci Andrighetti

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.


The Gathering Murders by Keith Moray

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.


The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

July 2025 Mini Challenge
0/5

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Murder and Guacamole
2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
Limoncello Yellow
3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)
Up to No Gouda
4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
Boiled Over
5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Death Overdue

Finished!

July 2025 Mini Challenge

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
One Body Short of a Picnic by Zoey Chase 2 July; 3 1/2☆


2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
Mourning Gloria by Susan Wittig Albert 10 July; 4 1/2☆


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.
A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany 4 July; 4 1/2☆


4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
Ashland, Oregon (I'm Italian)- Muffin But the Truth by Ellie Alexander 7 July; 4 1/2☆


5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates 6 July; 4 1/2☆

Great to go, Patrizia!

Finished :)

July 2025 Mini Challenge
Duration: 1/7/25 - 31/7/25
5/5

#1. Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Flashpoint by Tara Ellis 5★s 5/7/25

2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley 4★s 13/7/25

3. Read a book with a punny title.
Evan's Gate by Rhys Bowen 4★s 1/7/25

4. Read a book set in a country not your own.
Bleak Times at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane 5★s 1/7/25 UK

5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert 3★s 2/7/25

Great job, Brenda!

Thanks Marisa!

Well done Brenda:)

Thanks Phrynne :)

FINISHED

Mini Challenge
July 2025

5/5



1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
🥁 Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower 7/7/25

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
🥁 Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan 7/5/25


3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title.
🥁 Flame and Fortune by Jana Deleon 7/11/25

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
🥁 Set in England - Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess 7/1/25

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.
🥁 A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mystery #1) by Victoria Gilbert 7/15/25

Great job, Lali!

Done for July!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Awesome, Meg!

Thanks, Heather! 😊

July 2025 mini challenge

0/5

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read-Dirty Little Secrets-7/11/25

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own-Debt Inheritance-7/6/25

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

July 2025 Mini Challenge

5/5 DONE

1. forgot you wanted to read Flashback Iris Johansen 7/4

2. yellow cover Laura Levine 7/15

3. punny title Murder by the Hook Betty Hechtman 7/3

4. set in a country not your own Italy The Terra-Cotta Dog Andrea Camilleri 7/5

5. features a librarian AND is set in a library Shot Through the Book Eva Gates 7/14

Great job, Jonquil!

Finis!


1. Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read. Murder in the Mews by Agatha Christie

2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent). The Worst Witch Strikes Again by Jill Murphy

3. Read a book with a punny title. A Room With a Brew by Joyce Tremel

4. Read a book set in a country not your own. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard (Denmark)

5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library. A New Keeper by J.C. Gilbert

Well done to all who have finished :)

Good job, Heather! Congrats!

July 2025 Challenge: Jul 1, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
Done

1.- I Forgot Day: Loving Rose by Stephanie Laurens (20/07/2025 - ★★★★☆)
2.- Yellow Pig Day: The Unorthodox Engineers by Colin Kapp (02/07/2025 - ★★★★☆)
3.- Tell an Old Joke Day: The Persian Always Meows Twice by Eileen Watkins (29/07/2025 - ★★★★☆)
4.- International Day of Friendship: Echoes of the Past by Bianca D'Arc (12/07/2025 - ★★★★☆)
5.- Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer but librarian: A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert (26/07/2025 - ★★★★)

Finished just under the wire.

I Forgot Day: The Pale Horse 7/6/25

Yellow Pig Day: The Celtic Riddle 7/29/25

Tell an Old Joke Day: Beyond a Reasonable Stout 7/12/25

International Day of Friendship: The Maltese Goddess 7/4/25

July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: A Murder for the Books 7/9/25

Good job, Linda! And just on time ;)

Finished with 2

July 2025 Mini Challenge


1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.
Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews 7/9/2025

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.
A Necessary End by Peter Robinson 7/27/2025 (Scotland)

Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library

Good job, Genevieve!

COMPLETED

July 2025 Mini Challenge
=================================

5/5

✔ 1. Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read - One by One by Freida McFadden 7/21/25 2★

✔ 2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent) - by James Patterson 7/10/25 3★

✔ 3. Read a book with a punny title - Joy to the Duke by Darcy Burke 7/2/25 2★ - Pun on the words - Joy to the World

✔ 4. Read a book set in a country not your own - The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie 7/15/25 3★ - Set in Paris

✔ 5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library - Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg 7/18/25 4★

Great, Meghana!

Congrats to everyone on your challenges!

Well, I managed four out of five of the prompts this month - didn't get time to finish the last one, although I hope to read that tomorrow - so only a day late..

1. July 2 is I Forgot Day: Read a book you forgot you had, or forgot you wanted to read.

Telling Lies, L.A. Dobbs – 01/08/25
I got it not that long after it came out, a cood few years ago,, and then forgot I had it.

2. July 17 is Yellow Pig Day: Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).

Sheine Lende, Darcie Little Badger
52.5% yellow according to TinEye

3. July 24 is Tell an Old Joke Day: Read a book with a punny title. (See below)

Fishing for Trouble, Elizabeth Logan – 28/07/25
The mystery revolves around a fish packing firm and the students working there for the summer.

4. July 30 is International Day of Friendship: Read a book set in a country not your own.

Tooth and Claw, Craig Johnson – 26/07/25
Set in Alaska, USA. I live in the UK.

5. Our July Featured Author has not only held the title of writer, but librarian: Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library.

A Murder for the Books, Victoria Gilbert - 31/07/25
The MC is a librarian.

1. , 2. , 3. , 4. , 5.

Finished
July 2025 Mini Challenge

1. Read a book you forgot you wanted to read.
Rivers of Hell by Marina Finlayson 4 stars
2. Read a book with a mostly yellow cover (at least 50 percent).
In a Place of Darkness by Stuart MacBride 5 stars
3. Read a book with a punny title
Tea with Jam & Dread by Vicki Delany 3 stars
4. Read a book set in a country not your own.
Save Her Soul by Lisa Regan 5 stars
5. Read a book that features a librarian or is set in a library
Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert 3 stars