Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET?



Pick at least one task from each course.

THE TASKS

BEVERAGES:

🍋LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover OR a book with a simple cover.

🧋ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.

🍷🍺WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together, i.e., argue & disagree (may be sleuth and police detective, NOT victim and culprit) OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.

🫗WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.

🥤SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a soft-boiled mystery** (cozy with an edge) OR a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.


APPETIZERS:

🥚DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en) OR a book that you can read quickly (125-200 pages); tell us how many pages.

🍇🍌FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover OR book #5 in a series; tell us the series.

🍉WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red OR a book with a compound word in its title.

🧀CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined) OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.

🌶️CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.

🥕🥒VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count).


SIDES:

🫘BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same OR a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state.

🥬COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) OR a book with a character who is worried about money (ex: struggling financially, loses money, steals).

🌽CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow OR a book that is #12 or higher in a series; tell us the series.

🥗PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.

🥔POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e) OR a book where the first letter of every word in its title can be found in POTATOSALAD (3-word minimum); a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase.


MAIN COURSES:

🍗FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).

🍔HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings OR a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title.

🌭HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel; it may be used more than once (not including, 'a', 'an' or 'the') OR a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.

🍖RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).

🌯WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only).


DESSERTS:

🍫S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.

🥟MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).

🟫BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert OR a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.

🍪COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name.

Summer Picnic Challenge
🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺

🐜Duration: Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 26 to Sep 1) or 3 months from start


🐜To Play:

🧺Copy and paste the tasks list on this thread.

🧺Set your challenge goal between 5 and 25 tasks.

🧺Update your progress.


🐜Rules:

🧺Must read at least one book for each course; minimum of 5 books.

🧺Can use tasks more than once.

🧺One task per book.

🧺Books must be at last 125 pp.

🧺Tell us which task option you choose.

🧺When the task requires it - Post the cover or author link, name the character or series.

🧺After you read one book for each course, you can pick additional tasks from any of the courses.

🙌🏽 Original challenge created by Co-Mod Barb; adapted for CMC by Nell.

Examples:


Beverages: 1
Wine & Beer
From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris - Sea Glass Saloon Mystery

Appetizers: 2
Watermelon
Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle - compound word
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - cover


Sides: 2
Baked Beans
Raquel V. Reyes, Mango, Mambo, and Murder - R/R
Town in a Blueberry Jam by B.B. Haywood - set in Maine

Main Courses: 3
Hamburgers
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood - 58,547 ratings
Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson - location

Hotdogs
(The) Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods - one vowel

Desserts: 1
Cookies/Biscuits
Nightshade for Warning by Bailey Cattrell - pen name of Bailey Cates

🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺
**The soft boiled mystery falls somewhere between the hard boiled and the cozy. It’s not as violent as the hard boiled, but not quite as clean as a cozy. Many soft-boiled mysteries have humorous elements. The detective can be a professional or amateur, and is usually a woman. The setting tends to be in bigger cities (versus the small town setting of the cozy). writersparkacademy.com

Players:


Barb

Becky

Helen

Jenny

Julesy

Meg

Nell

QnPoohBear

Trish

Zermeena

I'm in! Eating & drinking as much as I can lol

BEVERAGES:

LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover OR a book with a simple cover. The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose completed 6/26


ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.

****WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together (i.e., argue & disagree); *NOT including the victim and culprit OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
Rhett Butler's Peopleby Donald McCaig Completed 6-2

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue. Murder She Sang by Hazel Smith completed 7/15


SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a soft-boiled mystery** (cozy with an edge) OR a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.


APPETIZERS:

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en); post a link to the author's GR page OR a book that you can read quickly (125-200 pages); tell us how many pages. One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay completed 7/21

FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover OR book #5 in a series; tell us the series.

WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red OR a book with a compound word in its title. Someone We Know "SOMEONE" is the compound word
by Shari Lapena


CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined); post a link to the author's GR page OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.

CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count).


SIDES:

BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same; post a link to the author's GR page OR a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state.
MASSACHUSETTS
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen completed 7/26

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) OR a book with a character who is worried about money (ex: struggling financially, loses money, steals). Them Bones by Carolyn Haines completed 6/11

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow OR a book that is #12 or higher in a series; tell us the series. THE HANNAH SWENSEN SERIES
Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke completed 8/1

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e); post a link to the author's GR page OR a book where the first letter of every word in its title can be found in POTATOSALAD (3-word minimum); a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase.


MAIN COURSES:

FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name). The House on Monarch Street by Delon Nicole Starkey completed 6/11

HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings OR a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title.

HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel; it may be used more than once (not including, 'a', 'an' or 'the') OR a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.

RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only).


DESSERTS:

S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.

MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert OR a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.

COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name. Follow the Model: Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power by J. Alexander completed 7/29

Becky, that's cute!

Nell, I love this!

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET?
June 01 - Labor Day 2025

BEVERAGES:

LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover (also a book with a simple cover)
This Is Not a Game 06/21

ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title
Gone with the Whisker 08/12

WINE AND BEER: Read a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
An Unmentionable Murder 07/11

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover
Murder on the Italian Riviera 06/27

SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man 06/04


APPETIZERS:

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en)
The Deadly Detective Agency, Ann Parker 06/25

FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit on the cover
Very Buried Cheesecake 07/16

WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green
Deceptions Can Be Murder 06/23

CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined)
Death at a Scottish Wedding, Lucy Connelly 08/08

CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title
Bodies, Baddies, and a Crabby Tabby 07/15

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover (also a book with a 4 word title).
Gone With the Witch 07/24

SIDES:

BAKED BEANS: Read a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state. ==> Connecticut
Gone with the Woof 06/26

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum)
One of Us Is Dead 07/28

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow
Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door 06/05

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.
No Time Off 07/17

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e) ==> Agatha Christie
The Secret of Chimneys 06/12

MAIN COURSES:

FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name) ==> C L Bevill
Bubba and the Missing Woman 06/15

HAMBURGERS: Read a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title ==> Maggody
Madness in Maggody 07/13

HOT DOGS: Read a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS ==> Danger Cove
Dark Rum Revenge 07/13

RIBS: Read a book whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).
Cruises Can Be Murder 06/19

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title
The Obsession 08/05

DESSERTS:

S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors
Murder on Memory Lake 07/20

MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd 06/13

BROWNIES: Read a book that is predominantly chocolate brown.
Tuaca Tan 06/14

COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover (also an author who writes under a pen name) ==> many books on cover plus author uses pseudonym
The Silence of the Library 06/17

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET?

Progress: 17/15

Beverages: 4
Appetizers: 3
Side Dishes: 3
Main Course: 3
Desserts: 4


THE TASKS

BEVERAGES: 4

LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover OR a book with a simple cover.

🧋🧋ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.
The Dearly Departed by Elinor Lipman 7/26/25

Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson 8/31/25


🍷WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together, i.e., argue & disagree (may be sleuth and police detective, NOT victim and culprit) OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
Superfluous Women by Carola Dunn 6/08/25


🫗WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger 7/19/25 - river

SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a soft-boiled mystery** (cozy with an edge) OR a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.


APPETIZERS: 3

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en); post a link to the author's GR page OR a book that you can read quickly (125-200 pages); tell us how many pages.

FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover OR book #5 in a series; tell us the series.

🍉WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red OR a book with a compound word in its title.

The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood 8/19/25

🧀🧀CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined) OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.
The Corpse at the Crystal Palace by Carola Dunn 6/14/25

Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries by Tonya Kappes 8/10/25


CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count).


SIDES: 3

🫘BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same OR a book set in New England.
The Convivial Codfish by Charlotte MacLeod - MA 8/3/25


COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) OR a book with a character who is worried about money (ex: struggling financially, loses money, steals).

🌽CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow OR a book that is #12 or higher in a series; tell us the series.

Die Me a River by Denise Swanson 5/31/25

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name OR a book where the first letter of every word in its title can be found in POTATOSALAD.
T P O T - The Power of TED by David Emerald 8/27/25


MAIN COURSES: 3

🍗FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).

Dead in the Water by Denise Swanson 5/27/25 - cow & 1st name

🍔HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings OR a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title.
Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood 6/2/25


🌭HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel OR a book set in a location that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant


🍖RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).

The Bilbao Looking Glass by Charlotte MacLeod 7/29/25

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up.


DESSERTS: 4

S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.

🥟🥟MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).
Familiar Trouble by Carolyn Haines 6/17/25 - vowels


A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron 8/9/25 - mountain

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert OR a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.

🍪🍪COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name.

Leave No Scone Unturned by Denise Swanson 6/07/25 - biscuits
Verity Bright, A Very English Murder 7/13/25 - pen name

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET?

Pick at least one task from each course.

THE TASKS

BEVERAGES:

LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover OR a book with a simple cover.
Detective Aunty 6/17/25

ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.
The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies 6/16/25

WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together, i.e., argue & disagree (may be sleuth and police detective, NOT victim and culprit) OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
50% Off Murder 6/11/25

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.
A Night's Tail 7/14/25

SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a soft-boiled mystery** (cozy with an edge) OR a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.
Case of the Curious Kitten 5/27/25


APPETIZERS:

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en) OR a book that you can read quickly (125-200 pages); tell us how many pages.
Rogue Protocol (158 pages) 6/2/24

FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover OR book #5 in a series; tell us the series.
Fruit Cake and Fear 6/1/25

WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red OR a book with a compound word in its title.
The Witch and the Dead 7/10/25

CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined) OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.
Chocolate Cream Pie Murder 6/23/25

CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.
Gone With the Witch 7/8/25

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count).
The Peppermint Tea Chronicles 7/18/25


SIDES:

BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same OR a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state.
Yarned and Dangerous set in Connecticut 8/19/25

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) OR a book with a character who is worried about money (ex: struggling financially, loses money, steals).
Murder at the Mayfair Hotel 5/31/25

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow OR a book that is #12 or higher in a series; tell us the series.
A Vacation to Die For (#14) 6/12/25

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.
A Time of Love and Tartan 6/22/5

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e) OR a book where the first letter of every word in its title can be found in POTATOSALAD (3-word minimum); a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas 6/26/25


MAIN COURSES:

FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).
The Alpine Escape by Mary Daheim 6/10/25

HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings OR a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title.
The Briar Club (184,224 ratings) 7/28/25

HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel; it may be used more than once (not including, 'a', 'an' or 'the') OR a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.
The Witch and the Dead Set in Salem, MA 7/10/25
Ghost Story 7/5/25

RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).
Revenge in Rubies 6/26/25

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only).
Artemis 5/27/25

DESSERTS:

S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.
The Alpine Fury 7/8/25

MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).
Songs of Wine and Murder 7/31/25

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert OR a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.
Fatality by Firelight 6/8/25

COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name.
A Very English Murder 7/13/25

I'm going to join Becky and eat and drink as much as I can :)

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET?, 5/31 - 8/31
Pick at least one task from each course.

BEVERAGES:
LEMONADE: Read a book with a simple cover.
* The List, by Steve Berry, finished 6/9/25 ★★★★

ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title
* A Wolf CALLED Romeo, by Nick Jans, finished 6/6/25 ★★★★

WINE AND BEER: Read a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
* Double Shot (Top Shelf #4), by Lolli Powell, finished 6/24/25 ★★★★

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.
* canal : A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder, by Melinda Mullet, finished 7/1/25 ★★★.5

SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.
* Death on a Summer’s Day (Lord Edington Investigates #3), by Benedict Brown, finished 6/6/25 ★★★★


APPETIZERS:
(1) DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en); post a link to the author's GR page
* author Spencer Quinn – Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue (Mrs. Plansky #2), finished 6/10/25 ★★★★
QuiNN

FRUIT SALAD: Read book #5 in a series; tell us the series.
* Different Paths (Stella Crown #5), by Judy Clemens, finished 6/13/25 ★★★★

WATERMELON: Read a book with a compound word in its title.
* Death in the Sunshine (Retired Detectives Club #1), by Steph Broadribb, finished 6/16/25 ★★★★
Sunshine

CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined); post a link to the author's GR page
* Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, by Richard Hack, finished 7/10/25 ★★★★
DuChess of Death / RiChard HaCk

CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title
* The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs #7), by Jacqueline Winspear, finished 6/22/25 ★★★★

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a 4 word title (all words count).
* Murder in the Library (Miss Merrill & Aunt Violet #2), by Anita Davison, finished 6/5/25 ★★★★

SIDES:
BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same; post a link to the author's GR page
* author Michael McGarrity – The Judas Judge (Kevin Kerney #5), finished 6/29/25 ★★★★

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum)
* All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters Today, by Elizabeth Comen, finished 7/4/25 ★★★★

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow
* The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World, by Oliver Milman, finished 6/4/25 ★★★★

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages
* 310 pages : Murder by the Seaside (Patience Price #1), by Julie Anne Lindsey, finished 7/6/25 ★★★★

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e); post a link to the author's GR page
* author Graham Brack – The Noose’s Shadow (Master Mercurius #4), finished 6/8/25 ★★★★
GrAHAm


MAIN COURSES:
FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name)
* author Alex Michaelides – The Fury, finished 6/8/25 ★★★
MIchaElides

HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings
* 113,272 ratings : The Echo of Old Books, by Barbara Davis, finished 6/12/25 ★★★★

HOT DOGS: Read a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.
Harrison Falls NY : The Sayers Swindle (Book Collector #2), by Victoria Abbott, finished 7/30/25 ★★★

RIBS: Read a book whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).
* A Brief History of Motion: From the Wheel, to the Car, to What Comes Next, by Tom Standage, finished 6/26/25 ★★★.5
BRIef hiStory

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!)
Quicksand (Jaya Jones #3), by Gigi Pandian, finished 7/24/25 ★★★★

DESSERTS:
S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors
* in a vineyard : Batter Off Dead (Southern Cake Baker #2), by Maymee Bell, finished 7/9/25 ★★★.5

MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U)
Breaking the Mould (Vintage Kitchen #8), by Victoria Hamilton, finished 6/14/25 ★★★★
BrEAkIng the MOUld

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert
* Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (Savvy Summers #1), by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, finished 6/15/25 ★★★.5

COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover
* chairs, pancakes : Yeast of Eden (Pancake House #4), by Sarah Fox, finished 6/29/25 ★★★★

25/25 tasks completed as of 8/17 - woo-hoo!!




BEVERAGES:

(DONE) LEMONADE: Read a book with a simple cover: Dying To Read (Survivor's Book Club Mystery #5) by Lynn Calhoon; completed 7/12;


(DONE) ICED TEA: Read a book with ice on the cover: Death by Iced Coffee (A Bookstore Cafe Mystery #11) by Alex Erickson; completed 8/17


(DONE) WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together: The Vicious Vet by MC Beaton (Agatha Raisin #2); completed 6/5;
.
Neighbors Agatha Raisin and James Lacey seem to have a "I'm curious about you" and then "You've offended me and I'm going to avoid you for days" type of relationship.

(DONE) WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover; Secrets of the Lost Summer (Swift River Valley #1) by Carla Neggers; completed 5/30 (not a cozy)


(DONE) SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order:
Murder on the Class trip by Lee Hollis; Completed 6/17;


APPETIZERS:

(DONE) DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name: That Night on Thistle Lane (Swift River Valley #2) by Carla Neggers; completed 7/2; (not a cozy)

(DONE) FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover:
Death of a Kitchen Diva (Haylee Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery #1) by Lee Hollis; Completed 6/10;


(DONE) WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green: The Potted Gardener by MC Beaton (Agatha Raisin #3); completed 6/18


(DONE) CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name: The Chocolate Cat Caper (Chocoholic Mystery #1) by JoAnna Carl; completed 7/19;


(DONE) CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book in which the main character has a significant other: Good Soil by Jeff Chu; Completed 6/26;

Not a cozy. The main character is married to Tristen his husband and he talks about him a lot.

(DONE) VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count): This book completes BOTH requirements! Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez; completed 7/9. Not a cozy.



SIDES:

(DONE) BAKED BEANS: Read a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state. Cappuccinos, Cupcakes and a Corpe (Cape Bay Cafe Mystery #1 by Harper Lin; completed 6/3. This book took place in Massachusetts.

(DONE) COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) : Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze; completed 7/16; not a cozy;


(DONE) CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow: Body Movers #1 by Stephanie Bond, completed 7/30;
Body Movers

(DONE) PASTA SALAD: Read a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters: The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen; completed 8/4. This book has so many creepy diverse characters that connect. I couldn't stop reading! Not a cozy though.
The Golden Couple

(DONE) POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e): Alamo House by sARAh bird; completed 8/13; (not a cozy)



MAIN COURSES:

(DONE) FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name): The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith; completed 6/22;
; Not a cozy

(DONE) HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering American on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson; completed 5/31 (not a cozy)

It has 434,184 ratings!

(DONE) HOT DOGS: Read a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where: Guidebook to Murder (Tourist Trap Mystery Series #1) by Lynn Calhoon; Completed 7/25; The book is set in South Cove, California
Guidebook to Murder

(DONE) RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover: Poppy Harmon Investigates, A Desert Flowers Mystery #1 by Lee Hollis; completed 5/30
;

(DONE) WRAPS: Read a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only): Where Rivers Part, A Story of My Mother's Live by Kao Kalia Yang; Completed 6/11; (The object you can roll up is a skirt) This is not a cozy.



DESSERTS:

(DONE) S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors; No Good Tea Goes Unpunished (Seaside Mystery #2) by Bree Baker; completed 7/6;


(DONE) MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U). Boundary Waters Search and Rescue: Beyond Imagination, Book 2 by Joy Harding; completed 5/31


(DONE) BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert; Pies & Prejudice (A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery #1) by Ellery Adams; completed 8/8; main character Ella Mae bakes pies in her Charmed Pie Shoppe.
Pies and Prejudice

(DONE) COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book by an author who writes under a pen name: The Chocolate Bear Burglary (A Chocoholic Mystery #2) by JoAnna Carl; completed 7/20;

JoAnna Carl is the pen name for Eve Sandstrom.

Starting my second meal:

BEVERAGES:

LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover OR a book with a simple cover.

ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.

The Penguin Who Knew Too Much

WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together, i.e., argue & disagree (may be sleuth and police detective, NOT victim and culprit) OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
Murder at the Blarney Bash

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.

SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a soft-boiled mystery** (cozy with an edge) OR a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.


APPETIZERS:

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en)
Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett

Second meal:
OR a book that you can read quickly (125-200 pages); tell us how many pages.
Barking Up the Wrong Tree: A Furs and Feathers Cozy Mystery
182 pages

FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover OR book #5 in a series; tell us the series.

WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red OR a book with a compound word in its title.

CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined) OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.

CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count).
The Witch Is Back


SIDES:

BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same OR a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state.

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) OR a book with a character who is worried about money (ex: struggling financially, loses money, steals).

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow OR a book that is #12 or higher in a series; tell us the series.
Haunted Hibiscus
Tea Shop #22

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e) OR a book where the first letter of every word in its title can be found in POTATOSALAD (3-word minimum); a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase.


MAIN COURSES:

FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).
Death at a Paris Hotel: An utterly gripping and unputdownable cozy murder mystery by Verity Bright

HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings OR a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title.

HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel; it may be used more than once (not including, 'a', 'an' or 'the') OR a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.

RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only).
Six Geese A-Slaying

(scarves)

DESSERTS:

S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.

MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert OR a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.
Murder at the Lemonberry Tea

COOKIES/BISCUITS:

Second meal: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover

A Lark's Regret
OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name.

Jenny wrote: "my husband asked what I was chuckling about...I said "one of the words in the title has to rhyme with cheese!" I said with a huge grin. Needless to say he looked at me quite unimpressed."

I don't even bother to try to explain reading challenges to Hubby. It's not worth the frustration I would experience, and he *still wouldn't get it :)

Question - Do you have to "eat" one from each course before repeating a course? For example do you have to do a book for beverages, appetizers, main course, sides and dessert before you can do let's say 2 beverages then a main course etc? I don't think I'm explaining that very well, so I hope you understand my question.

Becky wrote: "Question - Do you have to "eat" one from each course before repeating a course? ..."

No. To complete the challenge, you have to select a task from each course. You can 'eat' as many from each course as you like. Just make sure if you eat several desserts or appetizers first that you save room for at least one main course, side and beverage. 😉

Nell wrote: "Becky wrote: "Question - Do you have to "eat" one from each course before repeating a course? ..."

No. To complete the challenge, you have to select a task from each course. You can 'eat' as many ..."

Sounds good!

Picnic Basket
May 26-Sep. 1

Progress: 25/25 COMPLETED

BEVERAGES:

🍋LEMONADE: Read a book with a simple cover.
The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Renée Nault - June 27


🧋ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.
Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? by Harold Schechter - July 4

🍷WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together, i.e., argue & disagree (may be sleuth and police detective, NOT victim and culprit) OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano - June 7

🌊WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.
Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison—and How We Stayed Connected by Jay Jay Patton - June 17


🥤SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.
Vera Wong's Guide to (S)nooping (O)n (a) (D)ead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto - May 26

APPETIZERS:

🥚DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name.
Bloody Mary: A Graphic Biography of Mary Tudor by Kristina Gehrmann - May 29

🍇FRUIT SALAD: Read a book #5 in a series; tell us the series.
Karen's School Picture by Katy Farina - Babysitters Club Little Sister series - July 7

🍉WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green.
The Daughters of Ys by M.T. Anderson - May 31


🧀CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined) OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.
The Monster Sisters and the Mystery of the Unlocked Cave by Gareth Kyle Gaudin - June 27

🍘CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.
Dead, White, and Blue by Annie McEwen - July 4

🥕VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a 4 word title (all words count).
We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer - May 27

SIDES:

🫘BAKED BEANS: Read a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state.
The Kiss Bet Volume Two: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel by Ingrid Ochoa - July 10

🥬COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum).
Into the Game! by FGTeeV - June 8

🌽CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow.
Chickenpox by Remy Lai - June 1


🥗PASTA SALAD: Read a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.
Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo - July 1

🥔POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e).
The Red Badge of Courage: A Graphic Novel Adaptation of Stephen Crane’s Classic by Steve Cuzor - June 2

MAIN COURSES:

🍗FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack - June 27

🍔HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings.
Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman - 853, 360 ratings - Aug. 1

🌭HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel.
Ghost Town: A Graphic Novel by Eric Colossal - July 17

🍖RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).
Realm of the Blue Mist by Amy Kim - Aug. 5

🌯WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only).
Poorcraft: The Funnybook Fundamentals of Living Well on Less by C. Spike Trotman - June 26

DESSERTS:

🍫S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.
Karen's Roller Skates by Katy Farina - June 3

🥟MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).
Absolutely Everything: A Graphic Novel by Damian Alexander - June 13

🍫BROWNIES: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.
Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust by Neal Shusterman - May 28


🍪COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name
Button Pusher by Tyler Page - June 13

I’m in, but as I’m in Australia, I have no idea when American public holidays are, so I’ll start on June 1st.
I’m aiming for 2 books for each course.

9/10

BEVERAGES:

LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover OR a book with a simple cover.

ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title OR a book with ice on the cover.

WINE AND BEER: Read a book with two characters who don't mix well together, i.e., argue & disagree (may be sleuth and police detective, NOT victim and culprit) OR a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover OR with a cover that is predominantly blue.


SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a soft-boiled mystery** (cozy with an edge) OR a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.


APPETIZERS:

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en) OR a book that you can read quickly (125-200 pages); tell us how many pages.

FRUIT SALAD: Read a book with some kind of fruit in its title or on the cover OR book #5 in a series; tell us the series.

WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red OR a book with a compound word in its title.

CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined) OR a book with a word in its title that rhymes with CHEESE.


CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title OR a book in which the main character has a significant other.

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a colorful cover OR a book with a 4 word title (all words count).


SIDES:

BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same OR a book set in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont); tell us which state.

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum) OR a book with a character who is worried about money (ex: struggling financially, loses money, steals).

An important character embezzles money from the college.

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow OR a book that is #12 or higher in a series; tell us the series.

PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book with a diverse 'cast' of characters.
has a very diverse cast of ship passengers and crew.

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e) OR a book where the first letter of every word in its title can be found in POTATOSALAD (3-word minimum); a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase.

MAIN COURSES:

FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with a common farm animal on the cover OR a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).
both Jacqueline Winspear’s names contain an I and an E.

HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings OR a book with the name of any location (street, city, nation) in the title.

HOT DOGS: Read a book whose title contains only one vowel; it may be used more than once (not including, 'a', 'an' or 'the') OR a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.

RIBS: Read a book with bones on the cover OR whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!) OR a book with something on its cover that can be rolled up (a blanket or rug, a tortilla, etc., but reasonable items only).


DESSERTS:

S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors OR a book with a contraction in its title.


MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book with a mountain on the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U).

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert OR a book with a cover that is predominantly chocolate brown.

COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover OR a book by an author who writes under a pen name.

Helen wrote: "I’m in, but as I’m in Australia, I have no idea when American public holidays are, so I’ll start on June 1st. ..."

May 26 to Sep 1

PLANNING TO READ:

🍋LEMONADE: Read a book with a beverage of some kind on the cover
Finished Reading - best book of the series so far.

WATER: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly blue.
- loved it will definitely be reading more of this series

DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name


WATERMELON: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly green or red


POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters)


CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow
Finished - Did not enjoy

FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name).


COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover


S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors
- LOVED IT!

well I have eaten at least one in each course! Now until the end of the challenge I'll just fill in as much as I can finish :P

I got one meal complete.

Finished my feast :)

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET?, 5/31 - 8/31
Pick at least one task from each course.

BEVERAGES:
LEMONADE: Read a book with a simple cover.
* The List, by Steve Berry, finished 6/9/25 ★★★★


ICED TEA: Read a book with a past tense verb in its title
* A Wolf CALLED Romeo, by Nick Jans, finished 6/6/25 ★★★★

WINE AND BEER: Read a book where the MC goes to a bar or pub.
* Double Shot (Top Shelf #4), by Lolli Powell, finished 6/24/25 ★★★★

WATER: Read a book with a body of water on the cover
* canal : A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder, by Melinda Mullet, finished 7/1/25 ★★★.5


SODA/SOFT DRINK: Read a book with the letters S-O-D-A in the title; can be in any order.
* Death on a Summer’s Day (Lord Edington Investigates #3), by Benedict Brown, finished 6/6/25 ★★★★

APPETIZERS:
(1) DEVILED EGGS: Read a book by an author with double consonants in their name (ex: E*ll*en); post a link to the author's GR page
* author Spencer Quinn – Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue (Mrs. Plansky #2), finished 6/10/25 ★★★★
QuiNN

FRUIT SALAD: Read book #5 in a series; tell us the series.
* Different Paths (Stella Crown #5), by Judy Clemens, finished 6/13/25 ★★★★

WATERMELON: Read a book with a compound word in its title.
* Death in the Sunshine (Retired Detectives Club #1), by Steph Broadribb, finished 6/16/25 ★★★★
Sunshine

CHEESE & COLD CUTS: Read a book with at least three Cs in its title and author name (combined); post a link to the author's GR page
* Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie, by Richard Hack, finished 7/10/25 ★★★★
DuChess of Death / RiChard HaCk

CHIPS & SALSA: Read a book with the word 'AND' intact and standing alone in its title
* The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs #7), by Jacqueline Winspear, finished 6/22/25 ★★★★

VEGGIES & DIP: Read a book with a 4 word title (all words count).
* Murder in the Library (Miss Merrill & Aunt Violet #2), by Anita Davison, finished 6/5/25 ★★★★

SIDES:
BAKED BEANS: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are the same; post a link to the author's GR page
* author Michael McGarrity – The Judas Judge (Kevin Kerney #5), finished 6/29/25 ★★★★

COLE SLAW: Read a book whose title contains only words that are no more than four letters long (3-word minimum)
* All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters Today, by Elizabeth Comen, finished 7/4/25 ★★★★

CORN ON THE COB: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly yellow
* The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World, by Oliver Milman, finished 6/4/25 ★★★★


PASTA SALAD: Read a book with an intact 10 in its total page count; tell us how many pages
* 310 pages : Murder by the Seaside (Patience Price #1), by Julie Anne Lindsey, finished 7/6/25 ★★★★

POTATO SALAD: Read a book by an author with a sandwiched letter in their name (any single letter between two identical letters; ex: Ste*V*e); post a link to the author's GR page
* author Graham Brack – The Noose’s Shadow (Master Mercurius #4), finished 6/8/25 ★★★★
GrAHAm

MAIN COURSES:
FRIED CHICKEN: Read a book with both 'I' and 'E' in the author's first or last name (both vowels in one name)
* author Alex Michaelides – The Fury, finished 6/8/25 ★★★
MIchaElides

HAMBURGERS: Read a book that is very popular (over 50,000 GR ratings); tell us how many ratings
* 113,272 ratings : The Echo of Old Books, by Barbara Davis, finished 6/12/25 ★★★★

HOT DOGS: Read a book set in a location (state, city, town, village, county) that begins with a letter in HOTDOGS; tell us where.
* Harrison Falls NY : The Sayers Swindle (Book Collector #2), by Victoria Abbott, finished 7/30/25 ★★★

RIBS: Read a book whose title contains all the letters in RIBS (not necessarily in order, nor in the same word).
* A Brief History of Motion: From the Wheel, to the Car, to What Comes Next, by Tom Standage, finished 6/26/25 ★★★.5
BRIef hiStory

WRAPS: Read a book with a one-word title (all words count!)
* Quicksand (Jaya Jones #3), by Gigi Pandian, finished 7/24/25 ★★★★

DESSERTS:
S'MORES: Read a book where the victim is found outdoors
* in a vineyard : Batter Off Dead (Southern Cake Baker #2), by Maymee Bell, finished 7/9/25 ★★★.5

MOUNTAIN PIES: Read a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O and U)
* Breaking the Mould (Vintage Kitchen #8), by Victoria Hamilton, finished 6/14/25 ★★★★
BrEAkIng the MOUld

BROWNIES: Read a book whose main character bakes dessert
* Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (Savvy Summers #1), by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, finished 6/15/25 ★★★.5

COOKIES/BISCUITS: Read a book with at least three almost identical items shown prominently on the cover
* chairs, pancakes : Yeast of Eden (Pancake House #4), by Sarah Fox, finished 6/29/25 ★★★★

Congratulations! That's an impressive feast!

Thanks, Nell. Yes, I'm still stuffed from all that good food :)

Finished -- my picnic basket runneth over!

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

Meg wrote: "Finished -- my picnic basket runneth over!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."
Hooray! Good for you! I ate one meal but I think I can eat another.

Thanks!! Typical of me in that I can't ever stop at one and, in fact, have to go for the whole thing if I can. lol.

Congrats, Meg!

Thanks, Barb!

Meg wrote: "Thanks!! Typical of me in that I can't ever stop at one and, in fact, have to go for the whole thing if I can. lol."

LOL good for you!

Finished! I ate the whole thing.

Sorry I don't know how post a link to message 9.

Zermeena wrote: "Sorry I don't know how post a link to message 9."

You can right-click directly on the gray time stamp (where it says, for example, 1 hour, 20 min ago), and scroll down to Copy Link Address*. Then go to where you want to post the link and paste what you've copied. That's all there is to it :)

The phrase differs slightly, I think, depending on the browser you're using (I use Chrome), but it will say something about copying the link.

Congrats to everyone who've finished!

Barb wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "Sorry I don't know how post a link to message 9."

You can right-click directly on the gray time stamp (where it says, for example, 1 hour, 20 min ago), and scroll down to Copy Lin..."

Thanks Barb, I gave it a try!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

And it worked, yay!