Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

SPRING CLEAN-UP CHALLENGE
DURATION: March - June



It’s spring, and that means it’s time to do some spring cleaning! Yeah, I know … cleaning = ick! But this cleaning project should be a bit more fun: Let’s start cleaning out that TBR list! Kudos to Barb for creating this challenge!

Tasks

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

Spring Clean-Up Challenge

Levels:

😽A lick and a promise: 4 to 6 books

💪🏽Elbow grease: 7 to 9 books

🧼Spick and span: 10 to 12 books

👞Spit and Polish: 13 to 15 books

🧹Clean sweep: 16 books

*This challenge counts books read, not tasks completed. Every book read counts. You can choose to read 1 book even if the task says 2 or 3.

How to Play:
Pick a level.
Copy and paste the tasks list in this thread.
Your name in msg 3 will become a link to your post.
Update your progress at the top of your post. (Progress: 3/12)

Let us know when you complete the challenge.

Rules:
One task per book.
Books must be at least 125 pages.
Books can be any genre. Cozies are preferred.
Any format of book is ok.

This is a classic challenge created by Barb. Challenge levels added by Nell.

Players:


Zermeena

Trish - Clean sweep 🧹

QnPoohBear- A lick and a promise Elbow Grease 💪🏽

Nell - A lick and a promise Elbow Grease 💪🏽

Meg - Clean sweep 🧹

Linda R - Spick and span

Karen - Clean sweep

Jenny - Spick and span

Helen - Spick and span

Becky - Elbow grease

Barb - Clean sweep 🧹

Duration - 3.1.25 - 6.30.25

Spick and span - 10-12

11/16

Tasks

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.
Triple Jeopardy 3/28/25
Deadly Notions 5/3/25
3 Men and a Body 6/3/25

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.
Murder by the Seashore 6/6/25

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
Dead Man Running 4/3/25
Agony of the Leaves 4/21/25
Dangerous Alterations 5/21/25

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).
Hanging Curve 6/20/25

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
Killer Librarian 3/7/25

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
Mocha, She Wrote 5/6/25
Premeditated Mortar 5/16/25

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

Going for Elbow Grease, but hopefully more. Will update later as I go.

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.
1. I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919
2. Becoming

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
1. Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned about Ghosts
2. Remarkably Bright Creatures

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

SPRING CLEAN-UP CHALLENGE
DURATION: March - June

Level: A lick and a promise Elbow grease

Progress: 7/6

Tasks

😽😽1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.
Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self-Recovery by bell hooks 4/29/25
We Should All Be Millionaires: by Rachel Rodgers,

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.

😽😽😽3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
Domestic Diva #17: The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis 5/18/25
Countess of Harleigh #7: An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman 5/24/25
Magical Garden Mystery #2: Nightshade for Warning by Bailey Cattrell

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).

😽😽6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
Lynn Messina, A Brazen Curiosity
Evie Woods,The Lost Bookshop

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

I can manage A lick and a promise: 4 to 6 books

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.

a)Witch Upon a Star
b)The Witch Is Back

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
a. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
b.Two Weddings and a Murder
c. Strong Temptations

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).
a. We'll Always Have Parrots
b. Double Grudge Donuts

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).


6. Read two books from your TBR list that are b. by authors you’ve never read before.

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
a. The Wagtail Murder Club
b. The Beast of Littleton Woods

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

9 so far

I just did this! I'll have to see what else comes up.

Tasks 16/16 Clean Sweep!

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.
First Frost 3/28/25
Murder of a Small-Town Honey 5/13/25
An American in Scotland 4/8/25

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.
The Deep End 3/30/25
The Great Witches Baking Show 5/16/25

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
Moonflower Murders 3/7/25
A Court of Mist and Fury 3/16/25
Murder of a Sweet Old Lady 5/24/25

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).
A Language of Dragons 3/25/25
Artificial Condition 3/27/25

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).
A Time of Love and Tartan 6/22/25
Chocolate Cream Pie Murder 6/23/25

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
The Dry 5/20/25
The Deep End 3/31/25

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
A Poisonous Palate 3/21/25
A Court of Mist and Fury 3/16/25

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

I'll try for the whole thing, but I just cleaned up my TBR, so I'm not sure what's left to remove.

SPRING CLEAN-UP CHALLENGE, 3/1 - 6/30
16/16 BOOKS READ

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.
* added 10-17-22 : The Burning Issue of the Day (Lady Hardcastle #5), by T.E. Kinsey, finished 3/1/25 ★★★.5
* added 7-10-22 : Granny Bares It All (Secret Agent Granny #4), by Harper Lin, finished 3/12/25 ★★★.5
* added 7-14-13 : The Haunted Abbot (Sister Fidelma #12), by Peter Tremayne, finished 3/15/25 ★★★★

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.
* Diana : A Death in the Small Hours (Charles Lenox #6), by Charles Finch, finished 3/6/25 ★★★★
* Linda : Goodbye Cruller World (Deputy Donut #2), by Ginger Bolton, finished 3/8/25 ★★★.5

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two).
The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
* Murder Off the Books (By the Book #3), by Tamara Berry, finished 3/5/25 ★★★★
* Unhallowed Ground (Chron. of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #4), by Melvin R. Starr, finished 3/22/25 ★★★★
* Murder in the Grave (Redmond & Haze #5), by Irina Shapiro, finished 3/25/25 ★★★★

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).
Sorted by title, A-Z
* Essence of Foul Play, by Daryl Wood Gerber, finished 3/3/25 ★★★.5
* The Body in the Wetlands (Jazzi Zanders #2), by Judi Lynn, finished 3/8/25 ★★★★

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).
Sorted by title, A-Z
* To Kingdom Come (Barker & Llewelyn #2), by Will Thomas, finished 3/12/25 ★★★★
* Thrown for a Scoop (Shake Shop #4), by Dana Mentink, finished 3/21/25 ★★★★

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
* author Allie Pleiter – One Sharp Stitch (Nimble Needle #1), finished 3/2/25 ★★★.5
* author Kelly Mullen – This is Not a Game, finished 3/7/25 ★★★.5

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
* author Ann Cleeves – The Long Call (Two Rivers #1), finished 3/11/25 ★★★★
* author Susan Wittig Albert – Death Come Quickly (China Bayles #22), finished 3/14/25 ★★★★

BONUS: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!
No time to do this now, but I intend to do it soon :)

As of 5/27 I got a CLEAN SWEEP. I was originally trying for...SPIC AND SPAN.

1. (DONE) Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.
#1) Cutie Pies & Deadly Lies, Addison Moore (finished 3/25)
#2) Prairie Fires, Caroline Frasier (finished 4/8) - not a cozy

#3) Pity the Garage Sale Addict, Martha Kemm Landes (finished 4/5)


2. (DONE) Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.

#1) The Quiche of Death by MC Beaton- recommended by my best friend (finished 3/28)

#2)A Deadly Grind by Victoria Hamiton - recommended by my cousing (finished 5/19)
-

3. (DONE) Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.

#1) Eggs in a Casket, Cackleberry Club #5 by Laura Childs (finished 3/4)
#2) Egg Shooters, Cackleberry Club #9 by Laura Childs (finished 3/14)
#3) Bedeviled Eggs, Cackleberry Club #3 by Laura Childs (finished 3/31)

4. (DONE) Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

#1) The Long Quiche Goodbye - A Cheese Shop Mystery #1 by Avery Aames (finished 3/17)

#2) Death is Like a Box of Chocolates - A Chocolate Covered Mystery #1 by Kathy Aarons (finished 3/19)


5. (DONE) Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).

#1) Death Will Get You Sober, Bruce Kohler #1 by Elizabeth Zelvin (finished 4/13)
#2) The storied Life of AJ Fikery by Gabrielle Zelvin (finished 5/26) - not a cozy but a wonderful fiction book about books!


6. (DONE) Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
#1) Campervans, Cooking & Corpses - Tyler Rhodes (finished 3/9)

#2) An Act of Murder, Professor Prather Mystery #1 - Mary Angela (finished 3/14)


7. (DONE) Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
#1) Brewed, Crude & Tattoed, by Sandra Balzo (finished 4/28)

#2) Definitely Dead, Empty Nest Mystery by Lois Winston (finished 4/25)


I didn't try too hard but I only deleted out TWO books!

Spring Clean-Up
March - June 2025

Clean sweep ==> 16 books

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.

Killer Gourmet 04/07 ==> 2019
Memories of the Dead 04/18 ==> 2020

Seven Deadly Sequins 05/24 ==> 2022

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.
A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times 03/27
An American in Scotland 04/04

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
Swan with the Wind 03/08
A Prescription for Murder 03/12
Bonefire of the Vanities 03/22

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose)
Dead Man Talking 03/18
Murder on Wheels 05/04

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).
Legally Blind Luck 03/06
Sparkling Cyanide 03/12

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
Dying in the Wool 03/10
Book Scavenger 03/21

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit 04/11
Of Mutts and Men 04/30

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted! = 30

I’m in.
Spick and Span (10-12)

11/12 + 1

Tasks

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.



3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.


7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.


Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!

I have no idea how this got on my list. I don’t speak German.

Clean Sweep = 16 books

Tasks

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two). The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.

Bonus: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!
Good Reading Everyone!

reply | flag

Finished

SPRING CLEAN-UP CHALLENGE, 3/1 - 6/30
16/16 BOOKS READ

1. Read three books that have been on your TBR list for more than a year.
* added 10-17-22 : The Burning Issue of the Day (Lady Hardcastle #5), by T.E. Kinsey, finished 3/1/25 ★★★.5
* added 7-10-22 : Granny Bares It All (Secret Agent Granny #4), by Harper Lin, finished 3/12/25 ★★★.5
* added 7-14-13 : The Haunted Abbot (Sister Fidelma #12), by Peter Tremayne, finished 3/15/25 ★★★★

2. Read two books that you added to your TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.
These need to be from someone you know (real-life or online), NOT recommendations from book sites or magazines/newspapers, etc.
* Diana : A Death in the Small Hours (Charles Lenox #6), by Charles Finch, finished 3/6/25 ★★★★
* Linda : Goodbye Cruller World (Deputy Donut #2), by Ginger Bolton, finished 3/8/25 ★★★.5

3. Read three books from your TBR list that you need to help catch up in a series (or two).
The books can be from the same series, or from different series, it's up to you.
* Murder Off the Books (By the Book #3), by Tamara Berry, finished 3/5/25 ★★★★
* Unhallowed Ground (Chron. of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon #4), by Melvin R. Starr, finished 3/22/25 ★★★★
* Murder in the Grave (Redmond & Haze #5), by Irina Shapiro, finished 3/25/25 ★★★★

4. Read two books from the first page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in whatever method you choose).
Sorted by title, A-Z
* Essence of Foul Play, by Daryl Wood Gerber, finished 3/3/25 ★★★.5
* The Body in the Wetlands (Jazzi Zanders #2), by Judi Lynn, finished 3/8/25 ★★★★

5. Read two books from the last page of your Goodreads TBR list (sorted in the SAME method that you used for task #4).
Sorted by title, A-Z
* To Kingdom Come (Barker & Llewelyn #2), by Will Thomas, finished 3/12/25 ★★★★
* Thrown for a Scoop (Shake Shop #4), by Dana Mentink, finished 3/21/25 ★★★★

6. Read two books from your TBR list that are by authors you’ve never read before.
* author Allie Pleiter – One Sharp Stitch (Nimble Needle #1), finished 3/2/25 ★★★.5
* author Kelly Mullen – This is Not a Game, finished 3/7/25 ★★★.5

7. Read two books from your TBR list by your favorite author/s.
* author Ann Cleeves – The Long Call (Two Rivers #1), finished 3/11/25 ★★★★
* author Susan Wittig Albert – Death Come Quickly (China Bayles #22), finished 3/14/25 ★★★★

BONUS: Go through your Goodreads TBR list and delete any books you’re no longer interested in reading. Let us know how many you deleted!
No time to do this now, but I intend to do it soon :)

Wow Barb! Congratulations 🎊

Thanks, Nell. Chronic insomnia = lots of time to read/listen to books!

I got a lick and a promise still in progress.

I've edged my way to Elbow Grease with 7 books!

Nell wrote: "I've edged my way to Elbow Grease with 7 books!"

Congratulations! I did too, with 9 books.

Congrats, everyone!

Finished!

See my challenge here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I am doing a clean sweep (sorry to be late to the party)

1 - Three books that have been on TBR list for more than a year.


2. Two books added to TBR list based on a friend’s recommendation.


3. Three books from TBR list to catch up in a series.


4. Two books from the first page of Goodreads TBR list (My TBR list is called "Next")


5. Two books from the last page of Goodreads TBR list


6. Two books from TBR list by authors never read before.


7. Two books from TBR list by favorite author/s.


Bonus: Go through TBR list and delete any books no longer interested in reading.

I deleted about a dozen books earlier this month

Congratulations QnPoohBear, Meg and Trish! 🎉🎊🙌🏽

Congrats, everyone!

I finished this age ago and never updated my post. I got a clean sweep but didn't delete any books. 🙄

With a clean sweep, some of those TBR books are now read! Congratulations! 🎉

Thank you Nell!