Cozy Mysteries discussion

August 2026 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. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.

3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.

4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.



☀️🦶⛱️📖🏘️

August 2026 Mini Challenge


1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
Murder Being Once Done by Ruth Rendell 8/16/26

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble by Vicki Delany 8/14/26


3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates 8/11/26


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
The Watchmaker’s Hand by Jeffery Deaver 8/3/26

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong, Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 8/14/26

CM Mini
August 2026

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
The Case of the Body on the Orient Express 08/13

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Murder Under A Full Moon 08/14

3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Death Knells and Wedding Bells 08/14

4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block 08/01

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world
Enter the Nightmare 08/08

Once again, Heather, great job picking challenges that fit books I had on my reading list for the month already.

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: This Side of Murder

Wiggle Your Toes Day: Once Upon a Spine

National Lighthouse Day: Thread and Gone

National Thriftshop Day: Hot and Sour Suspects

Virtual Worlds Day: The Book of Candlelight

August 2026 Mini Challenge

(from library - one of the greatest inventions ever!) Amen to that!!

Before e-books, the Nashville Public Library only allowed a patron to check out 10 books at a time. I went through those in days and gas for frequent trips was out of my budget.
So I made a deal with my brother and niece (who lived in a house I passed driving back from the library). I would select and deliver 2 books each for them if I could keep the remaining 16 books for myself. Win, win,win!!

5/5 DONE

1. MC takes a trip -- to Little North Island, her now-departed godmother's island home Murder Will Out Jennifer K. Breedlove 8/5

2. feet on cover -- it's bizarre, but it's a foot The Unquiet Bones Loreth Anne White 8/2


3. set at a lighthouse or has one on cover Lighthouse Cottage Barbara Cool Lee 8/15


4. borrowed book (from library - one of the greatest inventions ever!) The Medici Manuscript C.J. Archer 8/6

5. set in a fictional town - Keeneston Final Vow Kathleen Brooks 8/1

Alice's spot

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location). The Chrysanthemum Tiger by Alys Clare

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.

3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.

4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book. Pork Pie Pandemonium by Steve Higgs

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world. The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber

August 2026 Mini Challenge

4/4

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
MC is on vacation- Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day 6 August; 4 1/2☆


2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Deadly Trade by Sara Driscoll 11 August; 5☆


3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates 2 August; 4 1/2☆


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
fictional town- A Crafter Quilts a Crime by Holly Quinn 4 August; 4☆

Mini Challenge
August 2026

4/4

1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation.
⛱️ MC Tara and her new husband when to Mexico for their honeymoon - Death, Taxes, and a Shotgun Wedding by Diane Kelly 8/5/26

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
⛱️ A Little Bit of Grace by Phoebe Fox 8/8/26


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
⛱️ Bought at a thrift store - Bad Faith by Aimée Thurlo 8/1/26

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
⛱️ Set in the fictional town of Crozet, Virginia - Pay Dirt by Rita Mae Brown 8/11/26

Linda — How serendipitous! 😄

Love that we’re both planning to use This Side of Murder, but for different prompts — I’m using it for the borrowed book.

August 2026 Mini Challenge ~ Any Genres

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere:
Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation
(does not have to be a summer location).

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day:
Read a book with feet on the cover.


3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day:
Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.



4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day:
Read a borrowed or used book.

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day:
Read a book set in a fictional town or world.

Lighthouse The Secret of Seaside By Agatha Ball
Toes- Happy Hour at Casa Dracula Marta Acosta (Read) 8-17-2026)
Used Book-Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Judy Blume (Read) (8-3-2026)
Northern Hemisphere- It's Not About You Wally Kent Elliott (Read) (8-29-2026)
Virtual World- Lily and the Horrible Dwarves Tyler Shaw/Russell Sanders

August 2026 mini challenge

Updated: Aug. 23
Progress: 5/5 completed

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
My Tokyo Summer by Abby Denson - Aug. 2

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Bad Kid (A Graphic Memoir): My Life as a "Troubled Teen" by Sofia Szamosi - Aug. 5


3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons: A Graphic Novel by Amanda Lovelace - Aug. 17


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
Safe Passage by G. Neri - Aug. 15

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
The New Student: A Graphic Novel by Aron Nels Steinke - Aug. 23

August 2026 Mini Challenge

0/5

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
The Body in the Kelp
2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Gone With The Ghost
3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Murder on Cape Cod
4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
TBD
5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
Lemon Drop Dead

Read a book in which the main character takes a trip

Can I read a travelogue for this assignment? The author recounts his journey on foot along the Rhine; it is already on my August reading list.

Cancel the question: I found a cozy mystery where the protagonist goes on a trip.

August 2026 Mini Challenge
5/5

1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation
Murder in a Yorkshire Village by Helena Dixon 4 stars
2. Read a book with feet on the cover.
A Murder Before Christmas by Isabella Bassett 4 stars
3. Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
The Lighthouse Keeper and the Bookshop Mystery by Daphne Anne Sotheby 3 stars
4. Read a borrowed or used book.
Every Time She Wakes by Petronella McGovern 3 stars
5. Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert 4 stars

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location). completed 8/1/2026

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover. completed 8/6/2026

3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover. completed 8/8/2026

4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book. completed 8/9/2026

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world. completed 8/11/2026

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
The Woman in Suite 11 08.27.26

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
08.26.26

3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
08.20.26

4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
Never Lie 08.18.26

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
The Art & Craft of Murder 08.02.26

COMPLETED 5 / 5
1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
Silversword by Phyllis A. Whitney - Finished 8/29/2026

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett - Finished 8/21/2026


3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette - Finished 8/27/2026


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
A Murder in Marylebone by Emily Sullivan - Finished 8/3/2026

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen - Finished 8/8/2026

One less book this month, but I think I’m done—provided an animal's paws count as feet (I couldn't find anything better).

August 2026 Mini Challenge

4/4

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
MC is on vacation- Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day 6 August; 4 1/2☆


2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
Deadly Trade by Sara Driscoll 11 August; 5☆


3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates 2 August; 4 1/2☆


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
fictional town- A Crafter Quilts a Crime by Holly Quinn 4 August; 4☆

1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).
Murder at the Mena House


2. Read a book with feet on the cover.
Murder at Wedgefield Manor


3. Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
Messenger of Truth


4. Read a borrowed or used book.
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness


5. Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club

Done!


1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: This Side of Murder 8/12/26

Wiggle Your Toes Day: Once Upon a Spine 8/3/26

National Lighthouse Day: Thread and Gone 8/9/26

National Thriftshop Day: Hot and Sour Suspects 8/6/26

Virtual Worlds Day: The Book of Candlelight 8/11/26

Finished!

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

August 2026 Mini Challenge

(from library - one of the greatest inventions ever!) Amen to that!!

Before e-books, the Nashville Public Library only allowed a patron to check out 10 books at a time. I went through those in days and gas for frequent trips was out of my budget.
So I made a deal with my brother and niece (who lived in a house I passed driving back from the library). I would select and deliver 2 books each for them if I could keep the remaining 16 books for myself. Win, win,win!!

5/5 DONE

1. MC takes a trip -- to Little North Island, her now-departed godmother's island home Murder Will Out Jennifer K. Breedlove 8/5

2. feet on cover -- it's bizarre, but it's a foot The Unquiet Bones Loreth Anne White 8/2


3. set at a lighthouse or has one on cover Lighthouse Cottage Barbara Cool Lee 8/15


4. borrowed book (from library - one of the greatest inventions ever!) The Medici Manuscript C.J. Archer 8/6

5. set in a fictional town - Keeneston Final Vow Kathleen Brooks 8/1

FINISHED

Mini Challenge
August 2026

4/4

1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation.
⛱️ MC Tara and her new husband when to Mexico for their honeymoon - Death, Taxes, and a Shotgun Wedding by Diane Kelly 8/5/26

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.
⛱️ A Little Bit of Grace by Phoebe Fox 8/8/26


4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.
⛱️ Bought at a thrift store - Bad Faith by Aimée Thurlo 8/1/26

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
⛱️ Set in the fictional town of Crozet, Virginia - Pay Dirt by Rita Mae Brown 8/11/26

This one might be stretched a bit, but it's the closest I've got to finishing for a couple of months.

1. August is the last month of meteorological summer and the last chance for vacations in the northern hemisphere: Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation (does not have to be a summer location).

Homage to Catalonia, George Orwell – 04/08/26
The author took a trip to Spain, where he fought in the Spanish Civil War. He travelled between Barcelona and the front near Huesca, and at the end of the book he and his wife escape from Barcelona back to London.

2. August 6 is Wiggle Your Toes Day: Read a book with feet on the cover.

The Christmas Baby, Kathi Daley – 27/08/26
This works as long as the feet can be paws!

3. August 7 is National Lighthouse Day: Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.

Shot Through the Book, Eva Gates – 18/08/26
Book #12 of the Lighthouse Library series, and the lighthouse can be seen through the window.

4. August 17 is National Thriftshop Day: Read a borrowed or used book.

A Murder on the Mountain, Ellie Alexander – 07/08/26
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited

5. August 20 is Virtual Worlds Day: Read a book set in a fictional town or world.

The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles, Malka Older – 24/08/26
Set in the future, on a settled version of Jupiter.


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Finished

August 2026 Mini Challenge
5/5

1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation
Murder in a Yorkshire Village by Helena Dixon 4 stars
2. Read a book with feet on the cover.
A Murder Before Christmas by Isabella Bassett 4 stars
3. Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover.
The Lighthouse Keeper and the Bookshop Mystery by Daphne Anne Sotheby 3 stars
4. Read a borrowed or used book.
Every Time She Wakes by Petronella McGovern 3 stars
5. Read a book set in a fictional town or world.
Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert 4 stars

Well done Phrynne :)

August mini-challenge

1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on a vacation. A Forgotten Murder - Jude Devereaux

2. Read a book with feet on the cover - Confessions of a Curious Bookseller - Elizabeth Green

3. Read a book set in a lighthouse or has one on the cover - The Lighthouse Keepers Daught - Hazel Gaynor

4. Read a borrowed or used book - The Coloring Crook - Krista Davis

5. Read a book in a fictional town or world - The Mad Apprentice - Django Wexler

Congrats to everyone who finished their challenge!

Stayed up long past bedtime to finish my last book of August, though since the bulk of it was read in August I still would have counted it if I’d finished the last couple chapters today.


1. Read a book in which the main character takes a trip or is on vacation. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

2. Read a book with feet on the cover. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

3. Read a book set at a lighthouse or that has one on the cover. Torn Asunder by Barbara Ross (It’s hard to see in thumbnail, but there is a lighthouse seen out the window)

4. Read a borrowed or used book. This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber (Libby)

5. Read a book set in a fictional town or world. Hidden Beneath by Barbara Ross