Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion

My 2026 Sleuth Extraordinaire (40+ reads) challenge journey via cover:

🔍 I'm a Snoopy Investigator Super Sleuth striving once again to be a Sleuth Extraordinaire!!

As usual, I'm doing version "A," reading what I want and seeing where they fall for version "B." I'll list and track sub-genres when I post updates to 1) help those who do the "B" version; and 2) see whether I hit the "B" goal reading what I want when I want.

I've hit both goals for the past four years!! I still have problems with historical and out-of-US--I'm not much of an "historical" mystery reader and for some reason most of the series I read or set in the US. The good news is that I was able to get some ideas from other participants' lists for both genres. (Thank y'all!)

Funny, when it came to the end in 2025, I was down one craft-related mystery to his the "B" goal. When I started reading cozies years ago, craft-related series were all over the place. I know craft-related series are out there, but it's a matter of whether or not those series appeal to me overall. Still, I do have a few "crafties" TBRed and the broad definition of any kind of hobbies should help--though not all hobbies are craft-related.

Of course, the other issue that hits is whether I'm in the mood for certain genres when I pick up a book. I am a seat-of-the-pants reader which is not always conducive to specific challenge goals. (Thus the reason I'm an "A" version participant!)

So for the 2026 Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge...
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)

B categories (two each of 9 specific sub-genres; plus 22 "freebies"):
* Culinary (anything dealing with food…)
* Animal-related (cats, dogs, birds...)
* Craft-related (any kind of hobbies...)
* Paranormal (witches, vampires...)
* Mystery (series) based outside the US
* Career-based (housekeeping, wedding planner...)
* Holiday-based (set during any holiday...)
* Travel (cruise, touring another area...)
* Historical mystery (any not set in the present…)
* Freebies (22 total)

📚 There's no shortage of items. I'm constantly adding more to my mystery TBR (okay... all my TBRs!) than I take off.* And, because most cozies come in series, there are always new additions to catch up.

*Gotta love tsundoku--a combination of the words tsumu<.i>--to pile up--and doku--to read-- describing the act of accumulating books rather than reading them. That is, Mt TBR! Never at a loss of something to read.

Great to see you going for another year with this challenge. I always like seeing what you are reading and using it to fill some of my gaps.