Cozy Mysteries discussion

By popular request . . .

Sabrina brought this one to our attention, and since a few people seemed interested, I figured I'd make it an "official" challenge. This challenge may especially appeal to those who read across different genres.

There are 5o categories to check off the challenge list (52 books, as one of the challenges is for a trilogy) over the coming year. As always, books can be applied to other challenges, but may only be used once for this one. You can find a printable checklist here. I tried adding their graphic, but for some reason it does not show up well here.

For your convenience, here are the 50 categories for this challenge — I've added a few links that may be helpful in finding books for some categories.



[ ] A book with 500 pages (List 1 List 2 List 3)
[ ] A classic romance (Suggested authors: Jane Austen, Agnes Bronte, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Georgette Heyer, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Barbara Cartland, Elizabeth Gaskell)
[ ] A book that became a movie
[ ] A book published this year
[ ] A book with a number in the title
[ ] A book written by someone age under 30
[ ] A book with nonhuman characters
[ ] A funny book
[ ] A book with a female author
[ ] A mystery or thriller

[ ] A book with a one-word title
[ ] A book of short stories
[ ] A book set in a different country
[ ] A nonfiction book
[ ] A popular author's first book (List 1 * List 2 * List 3 * List 4)
[ ] A book you have not read from an author you love
[ ] A book a friend recommended
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book
[ ] A book based on a true story
[ ] A book at the bottom of your to-read list

[ ] A book your mom loves
[ ] A book that scares you
[ ] A book more than 100 years old
[ ] A book based entirely on its cover
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
[ ] A memoir
[ ] A book you can finish in a day
[ ] A book with antonyms in the title
[ ] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
[ ] A book that came out the year you were born

[ ] A book with bad reviews
[ ] A trilogy
[ ] A book from your childhood
[ ] A book with a love triangle (List 1 List 2)
[ ] A book set in the future
[ ] A book set in high school
[ ] A book with a color in the title
[ ] A book that made you cry
[ ] A book with magic
[ ] A graphic novel (List 1 List 2)

[ ] A book by an author you've never read before
[ ] A book you own but have never read
[ ] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live)
[ ] A book originally written in a different language
[ ] A book set during Christmas (List 1 List 2 List 3)
[ ] A book written by an author with your same initials
[ ] A play
[ ] A banned book
[ ] A book based on or turned into a TV show
[ ] A book you started but never finished

My Gooood. More than a year, I think I should go... for a lot.

Marisa wrote: "My Gooood. More than a year, I think I should go... for a lot."


LOL . . . I think a lot of them could be folded into some of our other challenges here. Turned into a TV show -- you have books by Charlaine Harris (True Blood), Kathy Reichs (Bones) and Tess Gerritsen (Rizzoli & Isles).

Books with magic, colors in the title, haven't read yet, favorite author that you haven't previously read, published in this year, female author, mystery/thriller, nymber in the title, set in another country, set during Christmas, love triangle -- those will all fit mystery books easy peasy. ☺

Just curious here: What do you understand by "A classic romance"? ;)

Oh, I'm tempted to try this one now, but with the monthly mini-challenges, the seasonal challenges and the World Trip Challenge, I fear I may have more than enough on my plate already...

On the other hand, it wouldn't be a challenge without being challenging, right? :-)

And thanks for turning my suggestion into an official challenge Heather!

I'm in! Started Jan 1, 2015. Completed Oct 14, 2015. DONE

52/52

[X] A book with 500 pages - The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A classic romance - Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence ★
[X] A book that became a movie - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book published this year - First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with a number in the title - The 5th Horseman by James Patterson ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book written by someone under 30 - The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with nonhuman characters - Tiger Time by Marissa Dobson ★
[X] A funny book - An Ex to Grind in Deadwood by Ann Charles ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with a female author- The Wolfe Widow by Victoria Abbott ★ ★ ★
[X] A mystery or thriller - In Cold Pursuit: A Mystery From The Last Continent by Sarah Andrews ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with a one-word title - Beloved by Toni Morrison ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book of short stories - Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love by George R.R. Martin ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book set in a different country - The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A nonfiction book - Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M. Weiland ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A popular author's first book - Irish Thoroughbred by Nora Roberts ★ ★
[X] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet - Fortune's Daughter by Alice Hoffman ★ ★ ★
[X] A book a friend recommended - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A Pulitzer Prize winning book - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt ★ ★ ★
[X] A book based on a true story - The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book at the bottom of your to-read list Bitten by Kelley Armstrong ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book your mom loves From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell ★ ★ ★
[X] A book that scares you - Coraline by Neil Gaiman ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book more than 100 years old - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book based entirely on its cover - All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld ★
[X] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't - Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A memoir - I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book you can finish in a day - Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham by M.C. Beaton ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with antonyms in the title - Between Light and Dark by Elissa Wilds ★ ★ ★
[X] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit - The Ringmaster's Daughter by Jostein Gaarder ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book that came out the year you were born - We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with bad reviews - The Awakening by Kate Chopin ★
[XXX] A trilogy - Jewels of the Sun ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Tears of the Moon ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Heart of the Sea ★ ★ ★ ★ by Nora Roberts
[X] A book from your childhood - The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with a love triangle - Tiger's Promise by Colleen Houck ★ ★ ★
[X] A book set in the future - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book set in high school - Avalon High by Meg Cabot ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with a color in the title - The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book that made you cry - Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book with magic - Panther Prowling by Yasmine Galenorn ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A graphic novel - Through the Woods by Emily Carroll ★ ★ ★
[X] A book by an author you've never read before - Medicus by Ruth Downie ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book you own but have never read - Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live) - Summer of the Big Bachi by Naomi Hirahara ★ ★ ★
[X] A book originally written in a different language - Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett ★
[X] A book set during Christmas - Murder for Christ's Mass by Maureen Ash ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book written by an author with your same initials - Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A play - The Mousetrap and Other Plays by Agatha Christie ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A banned book - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
[X] A book based on or turned into a TV show - The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen ★ ★ ★
[X] A book you started but never finished - Port Townsend: An Illustrated History of Shanghaiing, Shipwrecks, Soiled Doves and Sundry Souls by Thomas W. Camfield ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I was wondering... what if a book meets more than one category? Can you use the same book more than once?

And... just what is "a book based entirely on its cover"? Does that mean I only picked it up for its cover?

Kirsten wrote: "And... just what is "a book based entirely on its cover"? Does that mean I only picked it up for its cover?"

Yes, I think that's what it means: a book you picked purely because the cover interested you, not because the short description on the back looked promising.

As a librarian, I absolutely love this challenge so I'm in! Thanks Sabrina and Heather.

Kirsten wrote: "I was wondering... what if a book meets more than one category? Can you use the same book more than once?"

Sorry, but no. The point of the challenge is to read 52 different books, so each book can only be used once.

Marisa wrote: "Just curious here: What do you understand by "A classic romance"? ;)"

Classic romance to memeans authors like Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Georgette Heyer. Does that help?

Kirsten wrote: "And... just what is "a book based entirely on its cover"? Does that mean I only picked it up for its cover?"

As Sabrina said, choose a book based soley on the cover. I'm sure we've all picked up a book at some time or other just because we thought it was beautiful, or the artwork was funny. :-)

Kirsten wrote: "I was wondering... what if a book meets more than one category? Can you use the same book more than once?"

I don't really see a problem with using a book for more than one category.
My friends and I saw this on another website and are doing the challenge among ourselves. Since it's supposed to be a personal challenge, we re-set the "rules" and agreed books can be used for up to 3 categories. We also agreed that we'd prefer if everyone read different books, rather than us all reading the same 52 (or 18) books.

Heather L wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Just curious here: What do you understand by "A classic romance"? ;)"

Classic romance to memeans authors like Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Georgette Heyer. Does that help?"

Yes, as a romance reader I was thinking in other meaning of classic ;)

Wow! If I joined this one, I'd have to read a lot of book types I'd never normally touch. Would be a real challenge indeed. Will give some thought over the holidays to this one.

I'm definitely going to try this challenge. I agree that it should be reading 52 different books. Some of the categories may be hard to find... but I'll have fun doing it!

Lynn wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I was wondering... what if a book meets more than one category? Can you use the same book more than once?"

I don't really see a problem with using a book for more than one category..."


If you follow the link to the site that posted the original challenge, you'll see that the object of the challenge is to read more books while diversifying your reading. You can't accomplish either if you are applying one book to more than one criteria. ,-)

Heather L wrote: "If you follow the link to the site that posted the original challenge, you'll see that the object of the challenge is to read more books while diversifying your reading. You can't accomplish either if you are applying one book to more than one criteria. ,-)"

More is a relative term. If someone read 10 books last year, but during the challenge, even using the same book for three categories, reads 18 books, that's more books.

Among my friends, we agreed that the same book can be used for more than one category. Some of the participants don't feel they read fast enough to read 52 books a year. I was just saying that since it is a personal challenge, it is possible to change the "rules" to fit your needs.

I am in! I am really loving all these challenges.

Boy, remind me not to post from my iPad... Half my comment was lost. :P I had also wrote that I get to read books I wouldn't otherwise read. Thank you Sabrina for suggesting this challenge. And, thank you Heather for making it "official." :)

Right, I've decided: I'm in as well!

Some of the categories will be quite tricky... a book my mom loves? Where am I going to find that since my mom has never read a book in her life... Can I use somebody else's mom? :-)

Well, Sabrina, if you like UF or mystery novels, I can lend you my mom ;)

Sabrina wrote: "Right, I've decided: Some of the categories will be quite tricky... a book my mom loves? Where am I going to find that since my mom has never read a book in her life... Can I use s..."

LOL... I'm sure your mom has read at some point in life. My mom died a few years ago, so I thought I would use one I remember her mentioning from her childhood, The Bobbsey Twins, which I recently picked up free at B&N. If your Mom isn't currently a reader, maybe you could ask if she had afavorite as a child, or borrow a friend's mom. ,-)

I'm going to give this a try. I don't know if I can read 52 books in a year as I only read 25 this year but that will make it a challenge for sure. :)

33/52
A book with 500 pages
[ ] A classic romance
[✓] A book that became a movie Paper Towns07.16.15
[✓] A book published this year The Last Time We Say Goodbye 05.16.15
[ ] A book with a number in the title
[✓] A book written by someone under 30 Scarlet 07.19.15
[✓] A book with nonhuman characters Dead in the Family 05.17.15
[✓] A funny book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? 08.25.15
[✓] A book with a female author Button Holed 01.17.15
[✓] A mystery or thriller Cooking Up Murder 03.22.15
[✓] A book with a one-word title Cinder 03.31.15
[ ] A book of short stories
[✓] A book set in a different country Room with a Clue 04.15.15
[✓] A nonfiction bookNot My Father's Son: A Memoir11.07.15
[ ] A popular author's first book
[✓] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet The Husband's Secret 06.23.15
[✓] A book a friend recommended On What Grounds03.28.15
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book
[✓] A book based on a true storyBurial Rites10.15.15
[ ] A book at the bottom of your to-read list
[ ] A book your mom loves
[✓] A book that scares you Mr. Mercedes 12.29.15
[✓] A book more than 100 years old The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus 12.03.15
[✓] A book based entirely on its cover Ticker 04.19.15
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
[✓] A memoir Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography 06.18.15
[✓ ] A book you can finish in a dayThe Amersham Rubies 12.30.15
[ ] A book with antonyms in the title
[✓] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit The Cuckoo's Calling 04.25.15
[✓] A book that came out the year you were born High Stakes 05.30.15
[✓] A book with bad reviews The One & Only09.21.15
[✓] A trilogy Witches of East End 01.07.15 Serpent's Kiss 02.15.15 Winds of Salem 03.15.15
[ ] A book from your childhood
[✓] A book with a love triangleThe Selection 04.21.15
[✓] A book set in the futurePines10.16.15
[ ] A book set in high school
[ ] A book with a color in the title
[✓ ] A book that made you cry Big Little Lies 02.01.15
[✓] A book with magic Brownies and Broomsticks 05.31.15
[ ] A graphic novel
[✓] A book by an author you've never read before How to Murder a Millionaire 01.01.15
[✓] A book you own but have never read Sweet Masterpiece 06.27.15
[✓] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live)A Timely Vision 12.05.15
[ ] A book originally written in a different language
[ ✓] A book set during Christmas Killer Christmas 12.29.15
[] A book written by an author with your same initials
[ ] A play
[ ] A banned book
[ ] A book based on or turned into a TV show
[✓] A book you started but never finished Alpine for You 07.05.15

Well, here we go, and I'll give it a try, we'll see how many I can read. I think my biggest problem will be a book chosen by cover as I don't choose them (I can go to examine it if I like the cover, but if I don't like the blurb...) (Problem solved: I choose by cover... for challenges ;) )

Jan, 1 2015 - Dec 31, 2015

(42 / 52)

[X] A book with 500 pages: Alien Separation by Gini Koch (28/06/2015 - ★★★★)
[ ] A classic romance:
[X] A book that became a movie: The Trouble With Harry by Jack Trevor Story (30/12/2015 - ★★★)
[X] A book published this year: Rock Hard by Nalini Singh (20/03/2015 - ★★★★★)
[X] A book with a number in the title: Zero-Degree Murder by M. L. Rowland (01/02/2015 - ★★★★)
[ ] A book written by someone under 30:
[X] A book with nonhuman characters: The Case of the Cursed Dodo by Jake G. Panda (28/01/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A funny book: Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett (15/03/2015 - ★★★★★)
[X] A book with a female author: A Seamless Murder by Melissa Bourbon (11/01/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A mystery or thriller: A Tale of Two Biddies by Kylie Logan (18/01/2015 - ★★★)

[X] A book with a one-word title: Moonflowers by Helen Haught Fanick (03/02/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book of short stories: The Unorthodox Engineers by Colin Kapp (12/03/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book set in a different country: Pirate Vishnu by Gigi Pandian (27/09/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A nonfiction book: In the Beginning...Was the Command Line by Neal Stephenson (17/01/2015 - ★★)
[X] A popular author's first book: Gentle Pirate by Jayne Castle (03/03/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet: The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston (03/04/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book a friend recommended: Pia Does Hollywood by Thea Harrison (18/11/2015 - ★★★★)
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book:
[ ] A book based on a true story:
[X] A book at the bottom of your to-read list: Death by Inferior Design by Leslie Caine (01/03/2015 - ★★★)

[ ] A book your mom loves:
[X] A book that scares you: No Ghouls Allowed by Victoria Laurie (13/12/2015 - ★★★★)
[ ] A book more than 100 years old:
[X] A book based entirely on its cover: Pies & Peril by Janel Gradowski (16/02/2015 - ★★★★)
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't:
[X] A memoir: Ada's Algorithm: How Lord Byron's Daughter Ada Lovelace Launched the Digital Age by James Essinger (10/12/2015 - ★★)
[X] A book you can finish in a day: Trust No One by Jayne Ann Krentz (07/01/2015 - ★★★)
[X] A book with antonyms in the title: A Tine to Live, a Tine to Die by Edith Maxwell (25/01/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh (21/03/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book that came out the year you were born: Restoree by Anne McCaffrey (28/03/2015 - ★★★★)

[ ] A book with bad reviews:
[X] A trilogy:
* The Diamond Throne by David Eddings (17/05/2015 - ★★★★)
* The Ruby Knight by David Eddings (20/05/2015 - ★★★★)
* The Sapphire Rose by David Eddings (24/05/2015 - ★★★★★)
[X] A book from your childhood: Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie (31/12/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book with a love triangle: Towards Zero by Agatha Christie (06/01/2015 - ★★★)
[X] A book set in the future: Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb (14/02/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book set in high school: Murder Is Our Mascot by Tracy D. Comstock (26/05/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book with a color in the title: The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie (23/01/2015 - ★★★)
[X] A book that made you cry: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs (18/03/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book with magic: Three Parts Fey by Viola Grace (08/09/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A graphic novel: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol I by Alan Moore (06/04/2015 - ★★)

[X] A book by an author you've never read before: Mercenary Instinct by Ruby Lionsdrake (03/01/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book you own but have never read: Room With a Clue by Kate Kingsbury (09/03/2015 - ★★★★)
[ ] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live):
[X] A book originally written in a different language: El Hombre Que No Era Nadie by Edgar Wallace (19/04/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book set during Christmas: Forgotten Spirits by Barbara Deese (08/03/2015 - ★★)
[X] A book written by an author with your same initials: Weather the Storm by Monette Michaels (01/06/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A play: Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie (09/05/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A banned book: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (08/05/2015 - ★★★★)
[X] A book based on or turned into a TV show: Margaritas & Murder by Donald Bain (09/10/2015 - ★★★)
[ ] A book you started but never finished :

Well I'm going to give it a shot. I don't know that I will do them all, but it's fun to try
Jan, 1 2015 - Dec 31, 2015

7/ 50

* A book with 500 pages Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! 1/8/15 512 pages
[ ] A classic romance
[ ] A book that became a movie
[ ] A book published this year
[ ] A book with a number in the title
[ ] A book written by someone under 30
* A book with nonhuman characters Rest in Pieces 1/1/15
[ ] A funny book
[ ] A book with a female author
* A mystery or thriller Dance Hall of the Dead 1/30/15
[ ] A book with a one-word title
[ ] A book of short stories
[ ] A book set in a different country
[ ] A nonfiction book
[ ] A popular author's first book
[ ] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet
[ ] A book a friend recommended
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book
[ ] A book based on a true story
[ ] A book at the bottom of your to-read list
[ ] A book your mom loves
[ ] A book that scares you
[ ] A book more than 100 years old
[ ] A book based entirely on its cover
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
[ ] A memoir
[ ] A book you can finish in a day
[ ] A book with antonyms in the title
[ ] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
[ ] A book that came out the year you were born
[ ] A book with bad reviews
* A trilogy Standing in the Rainbow 2/13/15
[ ] A book from your childhood
[ ] A book with a love triangle
[ ] A book set in the future
[ ] A book set in high school
[ ] A book with a color in the title
[ ] A book that made you cry
[ ] A book with magic
[ ] A graphic novel
* A book by an author you've never read beforeMurder Buys a T-shirtby Christy Fifield
* A book you own but have never read Ghastly Glass 1/16/15
[ ] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live)
[ ] A book originally written in a different language
* A book set during Christmas Visions of Sugar Plums 1/9/15
[ ] A book written by an author with your same initials
[ ] A play
[ ] A banned book
[ ] A book based on or turned into a TV show
[ ] A book you started but never finished

Kimberly wrote: "I am in! I am really loving all these challenges.

Boy, remind me not to post from my iPad... Half my comment was lost. :P I had also wrote that I get to read books I wouldn't otherwise read. Thank..."

Yeah the GoodReads app can be a pain!

Sabrina wrote: "Right, I've decided: I'm in as well!

Some of the categories will be quite tricky... a book my mom loves? Where am I going to find that since my mom has never read a book in her life... Can I use s..."

Are you sure? Have you asked her? Maybe you can use a friend's mom? Or your mom-in-law (if you're married)?

Kirsten wrote: "Sabrina wrote: "Right, I've decided: I'm in as well!

Some of the categories will be quite tricky... a book my mom loves? Where am I going to find that since my mom has never read a book in her lif..."

I'll ask her, but in all of my 40 years of age I have never seen my mother read a book... There are also no books in her house. But I can try, and if need be, I'll just use a friend's mom.

If not, Sabrina, you can use my mom's favorite book: Dune by Frank Herbert

Kirsten wrote: "If not, Sabrina, you can use my mom's favorite book: Dune by Frank Herbert"

Thanks for the tip Kirsten, a friend of mine is also very much into this series, so I might just take you up on that!

Lynn wrote: "Heather L wrote: "If you follow the link to the site that posted the original challenge, you'll see that the object of the challenge is to read more books while diversifying your reading. You can't..."

Hey, Lynn -- you and your friends can set up whatever rules you like, but if you participate in the challenge here, our rules are that each book can only be used once per challenge. ;-)

Here's a good site to find authors that have your same initials. There weren't very many with mine, but I did find a couple good ones. Find your last initial in the alphabet group, then you'll have to scroll down the list to find your first initial:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

I'm not too sure I'll get this done, but you never know unless you try, so I'm joining in.

Jan, 1 2015 - Dec 31, 2015
0 / 50

[ ] A book with 500 pages
[ ] A classic romance
[ ] A book that became a movie
[ ] A book published this year
[ ] A book with a number in the title
[ ] A book written by someone under 30
[ ] A book with nonhuman characters
[ ] A funny book
[ ] A book with a female author
[ ] A mystery or thriller
[ ] A book with a one-word title
[ ] A book of short stories
[ ] A book set in a different country
[ ] A nonfiction book
[ ] A popular author's first book
[ ] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet
[ ] A book a friend recommended
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book
[ ] A book based on a true story
[ ] A book at the bottom of your to-read list
[ ] A book your mom loves
[ ] A book that scares you
[ ] A book more than 100 years old
[ ] A book based entirely on its cover
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
[ ] A memoir
[ ] A book you can finish in a day
[ ] A book with antonyms in the title
[ ] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
[ ] A book that came out the year you were born
[ ] A book with bad reviews
[ ] A trilogy
[ ] A book from your childhood
[ ] A book with a love triangle
[ ] A book set in the future
[ ] A book set in high school
[ ] A book with a color in the title
[ ] A book that made you cry
[ ] A book with magic
[ ] A graphic novel
[ ] A book by an author you've never read before
[ ] A book you own but have never read
[ ] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live)
[ ] A book originally written in a different language
[ ] A book set during Christmas
[ ] A book written by an author with your same initials
[ ] A play
[ ] A banned book
[ ] A book based on or turned into a TV show
[ ] A book you started but never finished

Naomi wrote: "Here's a good site to find authors that have your same initials. There weren't very many with mine, but I did find a couple good ones. Find your last initial in the alphabet group, then you'll ha..."

I just searched my list of the books I already had.

I have a problem, I have four initials ;-( Well, I'll have to reduce (or choose ;) )

I just used my first and last initials... too complicated going for all 3.

Kirsten wrote: "I just used my first and last initials... too complicated going for all 3."

I'm going to have to do this as well I'm afraid, I can't find any authors with my 3 initials...

Read 38/52
Karen Rose - Don't tell √
Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre √
Agatha Christie Murder on the Orient Express √
Lauren Oliver - Vanishing Girls √
Emmy Laybourne- Monument 14 √
A book written by someone under 30 Samantha Shannon - The Bone Season
Philip Pullman - The Golden Compass√
Janet Evanovich - Back to the bedroom √
Jill Sanders - Someday Beach √
Annette Blair - Larceny and Lace /
Christopher Golden - Unmagician √
Roald Dahl- Collected short stories√
A book set in a different country Maddy Hunter - Top of the mournin'
A nonfiction book Kate Hubbard - Serving Queen Victoria
Linda Fairstein - Final Jeopardy √
Tess Gerritsen - The Surgeon√
Joseph Delaney - The Spook's Apprentice √
Steve Coll - The Bin Ladens √
Cathy Glass - Run, mummy, run √
Danielle Steel - Mirror Image /
Jenny Colgan - Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams √
Stephen King - It √
Johanna Spryri - Heidi √
A book based entirely on its cover Lori Wilde - The
Christmas Cookie Selection
Noel Streatfeild - Ballet shoes √
Anne Frank - The Diary of a young girl √
Scott Nicholson - After: First Light √
Will Young - Funny Peculiar √
Elizabeth Peters - Crocodile on the sandbank √
A book that came out the year you were born Agatha Christie - The Clocks
J K Rowling - The Casual Vacancy√
Anna Carey - Eve √ Anna Carey - Once √ Anna Carey - Rise √
C S Lewis - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader √
Cassandra Clare - City of Ashes √
A book set in the future J D Robb - Glory in death
Richelle Mead - Frostbite√
Bethany Griffin - Masque of the Red Death√
A book that made you cry Jodi Picoult - My Sister's Keeper
A book with magic D D Barant - Death Blows
Fantastic Four - God War √
Belle Malory - The Twelfth Keeper √
Miss Read Storm in the Village √
Sheila Quigley - Run For Home√
A book originally written in a different language Cornelia Funke - Inkheart
Leslie Meier - Mistletoe Murder√
A book written by an author with your same initials Cindy Sample - Dying for a date
Anton Chekhov - The Cherry Orchard√
A banned book Aldous Huxley - Brave New World
A book based on or turned into a TV show Kathy Reichs - Deadly Decisions
A book you started but never finished Robert Ludlum - The Bourne Identity

Naomi wrote: "Here's a good site to find authors that have your same initials. There weren't very many with mine, but I did find a couple good ones. Find your last initial in the alphabet group, then you'll ha..."


Thanks for the helpful link, Naomi. I just made a list of authors with whom I share initials, only a few of which I recognized -- but there are a couple I might actually be able to find. The easiest would be Harper Lee, but as I've recently reread To Kill a Mockingbird that's out.

I'll give this one a whirl.

Jan, 1 2015 - Dec 31, 2015

25/50

[x A book with 500 pages...[book:The Firebird|15942636]....3/18/15
[ ] A classic romance...

[x] A book that became a movie...And Then There Were None
[x] A book published this year....For Whom the Bluebell Tolls....2/15/15
[x] A book with a number in the title...Cruising in your Eighties is Murder....2/23/15



[ ] A book written by someone under 30
[x] A book with nonhuman characters...A Spirited Tail.....2/1/15
[x] A funny book ....As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust.....1/8/15
x] A book with a female author...Relatively Dead....1/4/15
[ x] A mystery or thriller...A Lonely Death....1/6/15




[x] A book with a one-word title.....Joyland......1/18/15
[x] A book of short stories .... The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding...1/2/15
[x] A book set in a different country...Murder at Mullings...1/1/15
[x] A nonfiction book....The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America......4/13/15
[ ] A popular author's first book



[x ] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet ...Festive in Death.....2/4/15
[x] A book a friend recommended....Caught Dead Handed....4/8/15
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book
[x] A book based on a true story....Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case...8/12/15
[x] A book at the bottom of your to-read list....The Circular Staircase....7/3/15



[x] A book your mom loves....The Pale Horse.....5/14/15
[ ] A book that scares you
[ ] A book more than 100 years old
[ ] A book based entirely on its cover ...Murder at Honeychurch Hall
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't



[ ] A memoir
x] A book you can finish in a day....Keeper of the Castle.....2/28/15
[ ] A book with antonyms in the title...A Healthy Homicide....3/24/15
[x] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit...Murder at Midnight....1/25/15
[ ] A book that came out the year you were born



[x] A book with bad reviews....Merrick...8/27/15
[ ] A trilogy
[ ] A book from your childhood
[x] A book with a love triangle....Murder at Beechwood.....5/29/15
[x] A book set in the future....Obsession in Death.....2/24/15



[ x] A book set in high school...Schooled in Lies....5/22/15
[x] A book with a color in the title.....Murder Under Blue Skies.....2/14/15
[ ] A book that made you cry
[x] A book with magic....Shadow Study....3/22/15
[ ] A graphic novel



[x] A book by an author you've never read before
The Midwife's Tale.....1/7/15
[x] A book you own but have never read ....Magic Mirror.....4/18/15
[x] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live)...The Dead Key...7/14/15
[ ] A book originally written in a different language ....My Soul to Take.....1/24/15
[ ] A book set during Christmas ....Dae's Christmas Past....2/11/15



[ ] A book written by an author with your same initials
[ ] A play
[ ] A banned book
[ ] A book based on or turned into a TV show
[x] A book you started but never finished....Midnight Crossroad....3/20/15

Nell wrote: "Here's a GR link to Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

And a list of some banned or challenged books

https://www.goodreads..."


Thanks, Nell, but I think you missed the fact that I not only linked to the Pulitzer and Banned Books sites, but also to the definition of antonyms in the challenge list. ;-D

Heather L wrote: "Nell wrote: "Here's a GR link to Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

And a list of some banned or challenged books

https://..."

Heather - I did see that. The Pulitzer link went to a general page with all of the prizes listed by each year. I didn't see a listing for fiction that named the winners through the years - though I might have missed it. The banned book link you provided was much more direct.

**I checked again at the official Pulitzer link Heather posted and found a listing of past fiction winners. It's a few clicks from the main page. I'm posting a direct link below:

http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Fiction

Heather - I deleted my previous post.

Whew! After several days of pouring through my TBR pile and browsing Amazon, I've finally figured out what books I'm going to read next year to fulfill my challenges. I'm up to 74 books so far, so I've left room add more when I have time to read them :)

I may join this one. Giving it a little more thought.

I think I've decided to join in as well. I'll post my list later today.

Going to give this one a try. It will definitely give my reading more diversity!

52/52

[X ] A book with 500 pages --- Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber by L.A. Meyer
[X ] A classic romance --- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
[X ] A book that became a movie --- The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
[X ] A book published this year --- As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
[X ] A book with a number in the title --- Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich
[X ] A book written by someone under 30 --- The Young Elites by Marie Lu
[X ] A book with nonhuman characters --- Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
[X ] A funny book --- Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
[X ] A book with a female author --- More than Happy: The Wisdom of Amish Parenting by Serena B. Miller
[X ] A mystery or thriller --- Return To Atlantis by Andy McDermott
[X ] A book with a one-word title --- Smile by Raina Telgemeier
[X ] A book of short stories --- American Fairy Tales by L. Frank Baum
[X ] A book set in a different country --- The Baklava Club by Jason Goodwin
[X ] A nonfiction book --- Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Bill Dedman
[X ] A popular author's first book --- The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
[X ] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet --- Killer Physique by G.A. McKevett
[X ] A book a friend recommended --- The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer by Krista Davis
[X ] A Pulitzer Prize winning book --- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
[X ] A book based on a true story --- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
[X ] A book at the bottom of your to-read list --- The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
[X ] A book your mom loves --- Angel Unaware by Dale Evans Rogers
[X ] A book that scares you --- Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
[X ] A book more than 100 years old --- The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
[X ] A book based entirely on its cover --- Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
[X ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't --- Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
[X ] A memoir --- Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir by Eddie Huang
[X ] A book you can finish in a day --- Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
[X ] A book with antonyms in the title --- Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne
[X ] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit --- Murder at Westminster Abbey by Amanda Carmack
[X ] A book that came out the year you were born --- Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume
[X ] A book with bad reviews --- Murder Soufflé: A Cozy Murder Mystery by Alexa Cookster
[X ] A trilogy --- Switched, Torn, Ascend by Amanda Hocking
[X ] A book from your childhood --- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
[X ] A book with a love triangle --- Dead Between the Lines by Denise Swanson
[X ] A book set in the future --- The One by Kiera Cass
[X ] A book set in high school --- Also Known As by Robin Benway
[X ] A book with a color in the title --- For Whom the Bluebell Tolls by Beverly Allen
[X ] A book that made you cry --- Giants: The Dwarfs of Auschwitz by Yehuda Koren
[X ] A book with magic --- The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
[X ] A graphic novel --- Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm
[X ] A book by an author you've never read before --- A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes
[X ] A book you own but have never read --- Splintered by A.G. Howard
[X ] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live) --- A Done Deal by Jenna Bennett
[X ] A book originally written in a different language --- Candide by Voltaire
[X ] A book set during Christmas --- Silent Knife by Shelley Freydont
[X ] A book written by an author with your same initials --- The Call by Michael Grant
[X ] A play --- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
[X ] A banned book --- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
[X ] A book based on or turned into a TV show --- The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
[X ] A book you started but never finished --- Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron

I'm going to try this one out, it looks like fun.

January 1,2015-December 31st, 2015
14/52
[ ] A book with 500 pages Dragonfly in Amber
[ ] A classic romance
[ ] A book that became a movie
[ ] A book published this year
[ x] A book with a number in the titleFirst King of Shannara
[ ] A book written by someone under 30
[x ] A book with nonhuman charactersCross Your Heart
[ ] A funny book
[ x] A book with a female authorLet Sleeping Dogs Lie
[x ] A mystery or thrillerDead and Kicking
[ x] A book with a one-word titleBallad: A Gathering of Faerie
[ ] A book of short stories
[ x] A book set in a different countryAn Irish Doctor in Peace and at War
[ ] A nonfiction book
[ ] A popular author's first book
[ x] A book from an author you love that you have not read yetJason
[ ] A book a friend recommended
[ ] A Pulitzer Prize winning bookAngela's Ashes
[ ] A book based on a true story
[ x] A book at the bottom of your to-read listThe Owl Keeper
A book your mom lovesA Girl of the Limberlost
[ ] A book that scares you
[ ] A book more than 100 years old
[ A book based entirely on its cover
[ ] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't
[ x] A memoirWild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
[ x] A book you can finish in a dayA Sound Like Someone Trying Not To Make A Sound
[ ] A book with antonyms in the title
[ x] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visitBurned
[ ] A book that came out the year you were born
[ ] A book with bad reviews
[ ] A trilogy[book:The Sweet Scent of Blood
[ ] A book from your childhood
[ ] A book with a love triangle
[ ] A book set in the future
[ ] A book set in high school
[ ] A book with a color in the title
[ ] A book that made you cry
[ x] A book with magicThe Good the Bad and the Witchy
[ ] A graphic novelSmile
[x ] A book by an author you've never read beforeMidnight Riot
[ x] A book you own but have never readTo Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine
[ ] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live)Miramont's Ghost
[ ] A book originally written in a different languageFaust
[ ] A book set during Christmas
[ ] A book written by an author with your same initials
[ ] A play
[ ] A banned book
[ ] A book based on or turned into a TV show
[ ] A book you started but never finished

I'm going to try this. I doubt I'll complete it, especially since I'm participating in several challenges in another group, but I'll give it a good try. Actually, I can't complete it because of this category: "A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't." I read every book I was required to read and hated every minute of most of them. In my high school more than three decades ago, all of the books I was required to read were classics, and I didn't have the maturity to enjoy them. Can I add the word "enjoy" to the end of that category and read one of those classics in order to complete that category? :->

Is there going to be a limit on the number of children's books that can be used for this challenge?

Heather L., will you please set up a tracker for this challenge?

I set up a tracker for this at https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/... and am recording my progress at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... .