JennH’s Comments (group member since Nov 17, 2023)

JennH’s comments from the 2025 Reading Challenge group.

I'm signing up for 6.

LET'S GET COZY
Duration: January 1 - January 31, 2025

6/6

1. Cozy Books: These sub-genres embody a sense of warmth, comfort and relaxation.
Read a book from the Cozy Mystery, Cozy Fantasy, or Cozy Horror bookshelf.
Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/24

2. Cozy Arrangement: A secret or informal agreement, often implying a sense of mutual benefit.
Read a book involving a secret arrangement, or with the word "secret" in the title.
Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25

3. Tea Cozy: A knit or cloth covering for a teapot used to keep the water inside warm.
Read a book with a tea cup or tea pot on the cover, or where characters serve or consume tea.
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25

4. Cozy Fireplace: A crackling fire provides warmth and comfort, and is associated with relaxation and intimacy.
Read a book with fire on the cover or in the title, or a self-help book.

5. Cozy Up: To snuggle up to someone, implying physical comfort and closeness.
Read a book where people are physically close to one another, including, but not limited to, a romance.
Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie 1/7/25

6. Cozy Winter Scene: A depiction of a serene winter environment, often featuring snow-covered landscapes.
Read a featuring a snowy image on the cover, or set in a cold place.
Wedding Cake Killer by Livia J. Washburn 1/7/25


7. Cozy Cabin: A rustic and intimate space, often featuring natural materials and warm lighting.
Read a book set at a cabin or lodge in the wilderness, or with natural materials (pine cones, feathers, etc.) in the cover art.
Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/27/25


8. Cozy Evening: A enjoyable evening spent in a comfortable setting, often featuring activities like reading or chatting.
Read a book where one or more people enjoy leisure time at home with books, games, movies, etc., or a book with leisure activity items on the cover.

I'm going for 10 books.

COZY ESCAPES
Duration: January 1 - January 31, 2025

7/10

1. Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/25
2. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25
3. Wedding Cake Killer by Livia J. Washburn 1/7/25
4. Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow 1/12/25
5. Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25
6. Pleading the Fish by Bree Baker 1/24/25
7. Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/27/25
8.
9.
10.

Update to message #14

24/24

Challenge completed.

Update to message #16

29/20

Challenge completed.

Update to message #17

7/10

I will sign up for 62. ==>70 ==>110

SERIAL READER
Duration: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025

105/110 (47 + Bonus 54) —> increasing goal to 110 to accommodate bonus books not originally on list

I will start __ series this year. (# 5 books)
I will finish __ series I have started before this year. (# 8 books)
I will read __ series from start to finish this year. (# 8 books)
I will read __ books that are part of a series. (# 49 books)
My total number of books is 70.

I will start 5 series this year. (# 5 books) 23/5
1 Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow 1/12/25
2 The Locked Room by Maj Sjöwall 1/12/25
3 The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri 1/19/25
4 The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan 2/16/25
5 One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia 2/22/25
6 The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl 3/1/25
7 The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino 3/26/25
8 Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett 3/30/25
9 Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25
10 Sheets by Brenna Thummler 5/14/25
11 Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper 5/19/25
12 What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera 6/2/25
13 Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss 6/10/25
14 The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai 6/12/25
15 Solo Leveling, Vol. 1 by Chugong 6/29/25
16 Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa 7/13/25
17 I am a Cat Volume 1 by Natsume Sōseki 7/20/25
18 Happy Birthday, Turk! by Jakob Arjouni 7/25/25
19 Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Vol. 1 by Umi . 7/30/25
20 The Hunter by Richard Stark 8/11/25
21 The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon 8/20/25
22 Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya 8/25/25
23 The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo 9/6/25
24 Tokyo Ghoul, Tome 1 by Sui Ishida 9/8/25

I will finish 4 series I have started before this year. (# 8 books) 3/8
Seaside Cafe Mystery by Bree Baker 2/2
1 - Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25
2 - Pleading the Fish by Bree Baker 1/24/25
Percy Jackson The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan 1/3
1 - The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan 5/17/25
The Selection by Kiera Cass 0/2
NYPD Red by James Patterson - 0/1

I will read 3 series from start to finish this year. (# 1/8 books)
Crescent City by Sarah J Maas 3
Renegades by Marissa Meyer 1/3
1 - Renegades by Marissa Meyer 4/24/25
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo 2

I will read 49 books that are part of a series. (# 49 books) 42/49
Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - 1/2
1 - Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi 7/27/25
Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie - 3/4
1 - Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie 1/7/25
2 - The Clocks by Agatha Christie 3/7/25
3 - Third Girl by Agatha Christie 6/1/25
Eragon by Christopher Paolini - 1
Harry Hole by Jo Nesbo - 1/2
1 - The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø 6/23/25
Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver - 1
Key West Food Critic Mystery series by Lucy Burdette - 1
Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton - 2/3
1 - D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton 1/17/25
2 - E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton 7/22/25
Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - 2
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree - 1
The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - 2
Incarnations of Immortality by Piers Anthony - 2
Alex Cross series by James Patterson - 2/2
1 - Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson 4/24/25
2 - The House of Cross by James Patterson 9/20/25
Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire - 3/3
1 - Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire 3/5/25
2 - Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire 6/10/25
3 - In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire 9/9/25
Temeraire series by Naomi Novik - 1/1
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik 9/2/25
Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson - 4/3
1 - 21st Birthday by James Patterson 3/9/25
2 - 22 Seconds by James Patterson 7/21/25
3 - The 23rd Midnight by James Patterson 9/8/25
4 - The 24th Hour by James Patterson 9/10/25
Finlay Donovan by Elle Cosimano - 1/1
1 - Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano 9/8/25
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas - 2/2
1 - Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas 5/10/25
2 - Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik 9/2/25
A Maine Clambake Mystery series by Barbara Ross - 2/2
1 - Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25
2 - Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross 7/27/25
Amish Candy Shop Mystery by Amanda Flower - 1/1
1 - Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower 6/18/25
Library Lovers Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay - 1/1
1 - A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay 5/11/25
A Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander - 1/1
1 - Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander 3/5/25
Cerulean Chronicles by TJ Klune - 1/1
- Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune 4/30/25
Phyrne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood - 5/2
1 - Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood 3/3/25
2 - The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood 3/17/25
3 - Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood 4/30/25
4 - Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood 5/18/25
5 - Ruddy Gore by Kerry Greenwood 7/19/25
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo 1/1
1 - The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe - 3/2
1 - Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe 6/8/25
2 - Lore Olympus: Volume Six by Rachel Smythe 6/10/25
3 - Lore Olympus: Volume Seven by Rachel Smythe 8/12/25
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells - 1/1
- System Collapse by Martha Wells 6/11/25
Coffeehouse Mystery by Cleo Coyle - 1/1
- No Roast for the Weary by Cleo Coyle 6/12/25
Noodle Shop Mystery series by Vivien Chien - 3/2
1 - Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien 4/19/25
2 - Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien 6/28/25
3 - Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien 8/15/25
Her Royal Spyness Mysteries by Rhys Bowen - 2/2
1 - Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen 1/29/25
2 - The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen 6/28/25

Other Series that I have continued: 30
Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/25
Wedding Cake Killer by Livia J. Washburn 1/7/25
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose 1/21/25
Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/27/25
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory 2/4/25
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean 2/8/25
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory 2/11/25
P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia 3/10/25
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi
1 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 2 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25
2 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 3 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/2/25
3 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 4 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/5/25
4 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 5 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/11/25
5 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 6 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/19/25
6 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 7 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/21/25
Sisters by Raina Telgemeier 5/23/25
7 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 8 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/30/25
Room to Dream by Kelly Yang 5/30/25
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole 5/31/25
8 - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi The Comic / Manhua Vol. 9 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 6/9/25
Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart 6/16/25
Guilt and Ginataan by Mia P. Manansala 7/4/25
Danger on the Atlantic by Erica Ruth Neubauer 7/25/25
Now or Never by Janet Evanovich 7/27/25
Peach Tea Smash by Laura Childs 7/27/25
Don't Sleep with the Dead by Nghi Vo 7/27/25
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis 7/31/25
Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø 8/14/25 - reread
The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis 8/24/25
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 2 by Natsuki Takaya 8/29/25
Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates 9/11/25
The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie 9/13/25
Killer Chef by James Patterson 9/13/25
The Trial by James Patterson 9/13/25
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 3 by Natsuki Takaya 9/14/25
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 4 by Natsuki Takaya 9/20/25
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 5 by Natsuki Takaya 9/26/25

Update to message #53

97/60

My goal was 60. While I did read more than my goal, I didn't quite read all the books I had originally listed. Apparently I really, really, really like reading serials and kept continuing and reading other series. lol

I'm in for 50!

39/42, 0/8

Who: 7/7, What: 7/7, When: 6/7, Where: 5/7, How: 7/7, Why: 7/7, Bonus Cases: 0/8

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR
Duration: January 1 - December 31, 2025

Our Unsolved Cases

Who: 7/7
Solve cases featuring a main character (sleuth, perp, victim, or suspect) in one of the below fields.
1. Music (singer, drummer, etc.)
The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood 3/17/25 - trumpeter
2. Driving (courier, taxi driver, etc.)
No Roast for the Weary by Cleo Coyle 6/12/25 - Uber driver
3. Food service (chef, barista, etc.)
Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow 1/12/25 - baker
4. Healthcare (psychiatrist, midwife, etc.)
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl 3/1/25
5. Games (athlete, game programmer, etc.)
Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25 - surfer
6. Books (editor, librarian, etc.)
A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay 5/11/25 - librarian
7. Events (wedding planner, photographer, etc.)
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25 - photographer

What: 7/7
What makes your case distinctive?
1. A middle grade or young adult sleuth
The Jules Verne Prophecy by Larry Schwarz 5/13/25
2. An emotion in the title
Guilt and Ginataan by Mia P. Manansala 7/4/25
3. A time in the title
Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger 8/4/25
4. A color in the title
Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower 6/18/25
5. An animal companion or narrator
The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis 8/24/25
6. A food on the cover
Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander 3/5/25
7. A mostly white cover
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo 3/9/25

When: 6/7
When did the dastardly deed take place or get reported (published)?
1. In the 1920s
Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/25
2. In the last 25 years
The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø 6/23/25 - 2005
3. Around a holiday
The Healer by Antti Tuomainen 5/18/25
4. During a vacation
Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen 1/29/25
5. In your birth month
6. Between dusk and dawn
D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton 1/17/25
7. In summer
The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro 1/19/25

Where: 5/7
Where did the dastardly deed take place?
1. At an orchard or farm
2. On an island
Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25
3. In a capital city
Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson 4/24/25
4. At a restaurant or bar
The Secret Talker by Geling Yan 7/21/25
5. At a hotel or lodge
Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/27/25
6. At a park or campground
7. In someone’s home
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino 3/26/25

How: 7/7
For this category, each means of murder must be distinctly different.
For example, pistols and rifles are both firearms; knives and daggers are too similar.
1. Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie 1/7/25 - dart
2. Wedding Cake Killer by Livia J. Washburn 1/7/25 - letter opener
3. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose 1/21/25 - poison
4. Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien 4/19/25 - knife
5. Third Girl by Agatha Christie 6/1/25 - pushed out a window
6. The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen 6/28/25 - gas
7. Ruddy Gore by Kerry Greenwood 7/19/25 - crushed by curtain counterweight

Why: 7/7
What motivated you to choose a particular case?
1. A favorite mystery author or series
21st Birthday by James Patterson 3/9/25
2. A favorite mystery subgenre
Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander 3/5/25
3. On a Goodreads listopia (Which one?)
Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger 7/15/25 - 2025 Mystery Thrillers True Crime
4. Won a literary prize for crime fiction (Which one?)
Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss 6/10/25 - Agatha Award for Best First Novel
5. A challenged or banned crime book
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett 7/23/25
6. A cold case (among your TBRs for over a year)
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai 6/12/25
7. Average Goodreads rating of 4 stars or above
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 3/4/25

Bonus Cases: 0/8
After completing all 42 standard cases, you may become an Interpol Fugitive Investigator by solving a crime in each of the eight inhabited regions of the world.
1. Africa
2. Asia
3. Europe
4. Oceania
5. Caribbean
6. North America
7. Central America
8. South America

I'm in for 26!

A-Z: WOMEN AUTHORS
Duration: January 1 - December 31, 2025

25/26

✔A - What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera 6/2/25
✔B - Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25
✔C - Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie 1/7/25
✔D - Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat 2/27/25
✔E - Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart 6/16/25
✔F - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett 3/30/25
✔G - D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton 1/17/25
✔H - Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood 1/18/25
✔I - Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland 5/24/25
✔J - Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean 2/8/25
✔K - The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl 3/1/25
✔L - The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong 2/20/25
✔M - Renegades by Marissa Meyer 4/24/25
✔N - Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/25
✔O - Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega 5/26/25
✔P - The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose 1/21/25
Q
✔R - Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25
✔S - Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25
✔T - The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu 2/20/25
✔U - Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger 7/15/25
✔V - The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo 6/9/25
✔W - Wedding Cake Killer by Livia J. Washburn 1/7/25
✔X - The Infinity Particle: A Graphic Novel by Wendy Xu 9/14/25
✔Y - Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/24/25
✔Z - Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi 2/23/25

GENRE BINGO CHALLENGE
Duration: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025

- - - -
- - -9-
- - - -
-17- - -20
- - -24-

1. Young Adult
Heir of Fire
2. Science Fiction by Sarah J. Maas 5/11/25
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers 2/21/25
3. Humor
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25
4. Art & Photography
The Burnt Orange Heresy (Movie Tie-In Edition): A Novel 7/22/25
5. Fantasy
The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson 2/21/25
6. Western
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt 9/25/25
7. Mystery
Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/25
8. Romance
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood 1/18/25
9. Steampunk
10. History
The White Rose: Munich, 1942-1943 by Inge Scholl 7/24/25
11. Hobbies
Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart 6/16/25
12. Satire
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen 6/14/25
13. Free Space
The Locked Room by Maj Sjöwall 1/14/25
14. Historical Fiction
Bud, Not Buddy: by Christopher Paul Curtis 2/22/25
15. Literary Fiction
Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior 2/26/25
16. Space Opera
System Collapse by Martha Wells 6/11/25
17. Religion
18. Biography
El Deafo by Cece Bell 5/12/25
19. Food & Drink
Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow 1/12/25
20. Essays
21. Classic Fiction
Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe 6/3/25
22. Contemporary Fiction
Milkman by Anna Burns 2/25/25
23. Horror
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin 2/28/25
24. Women's Fiction
25. LGBTQ+
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25

BIBLIOPOLY
Duration: January 1 - December 31, 2025

77/80

Corners
🗺️ 1. Go: Read a book set on two or more continents.
Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yōko Tawada 3/2/25
🔒 11. In Jail: Read a banned or challenged book.
Bud, Not Buddy: by Christopher Paul Curtis 2/22/25
🚘 21. Free Parking: Read a book of your choice. Anything goes!
D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton 1/17/25
👮‍♂️ 31. Go to Jail: Read a crime fiction or true crime book.
The Locked Room by Maj Sjöwall 1/12/25

Utilities
💡 13. Electric Company: Read a book with a light source on the cover.
The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan 2/16/25
🚿 29. Water Works: Read a book with any form of water on the cover.
Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25

Taxes
💲 5. Tax: Read a book with money on the cover or in the title.
💍 39. Luxury Tax: Read a book with a gemstone or precious metal on the cover or in the title.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 4/10/25

Community Chest
🎁 3. Community Chest: Participate in one of our Group Reads.
🎁 18. Community Chest: Participate in one of our Readathons.
Book Awards Readathon - Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson 2/28/25
🎁 34. Community Chest: Participate in one of our Buddy Reads or TBR Twins. (Which activity? What book did you and your twin/buddies read?)
The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo 9/6/25 - September buddy read

Chance
❓ 8. Chance: Read a book from your TBR shelf within the ten highest or lowest number of ratings. *A court of silver flames
❓ 23. Chance: Read a book from your TBR shelf among the ten oldest or newest additions.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood 1/18/25
❓ 37. Chance: Read a book from your TBR shelf within the ten highest or lowest average star rating.
James by Percival Everett 6/9/25 - 4.48 stars

Railroads
🚂 6. Reading Railroad: Read a book from a celebrity book club list, such as Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, etc.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 3/4/25
🚂 16. Pennsylvania Railroad: Read a book published under an author’s pen name.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher 4/26/25
🚂 26. B&O Railroad: Read a book with an author or title beginning with B or O. (Author’s first or last name; title’s first main word. Omit the, and, of, etc.)
Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/27/25
🚂 36. Shortline Railroad: Read a book under 200 pages long.
The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with Niksen by Maartje Willems 2/11/25

Purple Properties
🟪 2. Purple: Read a book with a wheelbarrow, garden tool or plant on the cover or in the title.
Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior 2/26/25
🟪 4. Purple: Read a translated book originally written in a language other than your native tongue.
The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri 1/19/25
🏠 The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl 3/1/25
🏠 Greek Lessons by Han Kang 2/28/25
🏠 Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin 2/28/25
🏠 Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø 8/14/25
🏨 Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya 8/25/25

Blue Properties
🟦 7. Blue: Read a book with any type of hat or head wear on the cover or in the title.
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory 2/4/25
🟦 9. Blue: Read a book with an author or character whose sexual orientation is different from your own.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 3/19/25
🟦 10. Blue: Read a book with any shade of blue on the cover or in the title.
Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie 1/7/25
🏠 Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood 3/3/25
🏠 Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower 3/30/25
🏠 Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter 8/5/25
🏠 Lore Olympus: Volume Seven by Rachel Smythe 8/12/25
🏨 Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien 8/15/25

Pink Properties
🌸 12. Pink: Read a book with any type of dog on the cover or in the title.
Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/25
🌸 14. Pink: Read a book with an author or character whose nationality or birth country is different from your own.
Pink Slime by Fernanda Trías 2/25/25
🌸 15. Pink: Read a book with any shade of pink on the cover or in the title.
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu 2/20/25
🏠 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose 1/21/25
🏠 Until August by Gabriel García Márquez 2/26/25
🏠 Demian by Hermann Hesse 8/16/25
🏠 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 8/18/25
🏨 Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 2 by Natsuki Takaya 8/29/25

Orange Properties
🟠 17. Orange: Read a book with a ship or boat on the cover, or involving water travel.
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo 3/9/25
🟠 19. Orange: Read a book with an author or character whose religious or spiritual beliefs are different from your own.
Milkman by Anna Burns 2/25/25
🟠 20. Orange: Read a book with any shade of orange on the cover or in the title.
Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien 4/19/25
🏠 P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia 3/10/25
🏠 Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25
🏠 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 7/20/25
🏠 Burnt Orange Heresy by Charles Willeford 7/22/25
🏨 Danger on the Atlantic by Erica Ruth Neubauer 7/25/25


Red Properties
🟥 22. Red: Read a book with a car, truck or bus on the cover, or involving a road trip.
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia 2/22/25
🟥 24. Red: Read a book with an author or character whose race or ethnicity is different from your own.
Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi 2/23/25
🟥 25. Red: Read a book with any shade of red on the cover or in the title.
Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow 1/12/25
🏠 The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine 5/2/25
🏠 Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen 1/29/25
🏠 The Trial by Franz Kafka 8/3/25]
🏠 The Hunter by Richard Stark 8/11/25
🏨 Demian by Hermann Hesse 8/16/25

Yellow Properties
🟨 27. Yellow: Read a book with a boot or shoe on the cover, or involving foot travel.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers 2/21/25
🟨 28. Yellow: Read a book with an author or character who has a physical disability or impairment, an emotional or mental disorder, or a neurodivergent condition.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 3/2/25
🟨 30. Yellow: Read a book with any shade of yellow on the cover or in the title.
Little Wolf’s Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow 3/2/25
🏠 Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett 3/30/25
🏠 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 4/15/25
🏠 The Time Machine by H.G. Wells 7/24/25
🏠 The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis 8/24/25
🏨 Yellowface by R.F. Kuang 8/27/25

Green Properties
🟩 32. Green: Read a book with a thimble, sewing or craft implement on the cover or in the title.
Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart 6/16/25
🟩 33. Green: Read a book with an author or character whose gender is different from your own.
Until August by Gabriel García Márquez 2/26/25
🟩 35. Green: Read a book with any shade of green on the cover or in the title.
A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay 5/11/25
🏠 Wedding Cake Killer by Livia J. Washburn 1/12/25
🏠 The Nest by Kenneth Oppel 3/2/25
🏠 Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe 8/9/25
🏠 The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon 8/20/25
🏨 Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi 7/27/25

Dark Blue Properties
🧿 38. Dark Blue: Read a book with any type of cat on the cover or in the title.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa 3/9/25
🧿 40. Dark Blue: Read a book that won an award. (Which one?)
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25 - Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original (2024)
🏠 Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat 2/27/25 - OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature for Fiction
🏠 Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yōko Tawada - Warwick Prize for Women
🏠 The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino 3/26/25 - Naoki Prize
🏠 The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai 6/12/25
🏨 I am a Cat Volume 1 by Natsume Sōseki 7/20/25

Update to message #39

22/22

Challenge completed!

Fun! I'll sign up for 36.

33/36

1. In your heart - happy, love, shame
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood 1/18/25

2. In the color wheel - crimson, green, sunshine
Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen 1/29/25

3. In the living room - sofa, television, laptop
The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with Niksen by Maartje Willems 2/11/25

4. In autumn - leaf, pumpkin, Halloween
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa 3/9/25

5. In a cave - crystal, bat, spider
The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim 5/18/25

6. Of the body - arm, heart, eye
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto 1/5/25

7. At the amusement park - rollercoaster, balloons, clown
8. On the table - napkin, hamburger, lamp
Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge by Ovidia Yu 1/27/25

9. On the farm - hay, tractor, sheep
Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower 3/30/25

10. In the church - angel, pew, candle
The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø 6/23/25

11. In communication - phone, typewriter, letter
Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe 6/8/25

12. In the toy box - jacks, blocks, stuffed animal
The Jules Verne Prophecy by Larry Schwarz 5/13/25

13. On the beach - sea, umbrella, towel
Partners in Lime by Bree Baker 1/14/25

14. In the library - book, video game, record
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 8/18/25

15. In celebration - balloons, fireworks, cake
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory 2/11/25

16. At the zoo - bear, snake, elephant
Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yōko Tawada 3/2/25

17. In the garden - vine, rose, tree
Murder at Wedgefield Manor by Erica Ruth Neubauer 1/3/24

18. In a glass - wine, milk, water
No Roast for the Weary by Cleo Coyle 6/12/25

19. At the ballpark - ball, hot dog, hat
Key Player by Kelly Yang 9/14/25

20. In the castle - throne, princess, crown
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean 2/8/25

21. In the hospital - doctor, needle, patient
22. In fiction - dragon, satyr, fairy
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 3/19/25

23. In your free time - puzzle, sewing machine, stamps
Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart 6/16/25

24. In school - book, locker, pencil
Demian by Hermann Hesse

25. At the museum - art, statue, dinosaur
The Girl Who Reads on the Métro by Christine Féret-Fleury 9/9/25

26. In the closet - jacket, scarf, vacuum
27. At the police station - detective, case, cell
The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri 1/19/25

28. In the family - brother, dad, aunt
P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia 3/10/25

29. In the city - people, street light, school
The Healer by Antti Tuomainen 5/18/25

30. In time - hour, year, later
22 Seconds by James Patterson 7/21/25

31. Under the sea - fish, seaweed, coral
Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25

32. In the sky - bird, kite, cloud
Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie 1/7/25

33. In the armory - gun, sword, helmet
Renegades by Marissa Meyer 4/24/25

34. In space - star, asteroid, alien
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 3/4/25

35. In the world - Canada, Asia, Atlanta
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 2 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25

36. In music - cello, notes, melody
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25

Ooh, this sounds interesting! I will go for 20 pairs - 40 books.

16 books/8 pairs

OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Duration January 1 - December 31, 2025

Opposite Titles
All/Nothing
1 All the Colors of the Dark
and
2 The Lost Art of Doing Nothing: How the Dutch Unwind with Niksen

In/Out
3 Naughty in Nice
and
4 Out of My Mind

Boy/Girl
5 The Boy in the Suitcase
and
6 Third Girl

After/Before
7 The Astonishing Color of After
and
8 Before We Say Goodbye

Off/On
9 Sealed Off
and
10 Confessions on the 7:45

White/Black
11 The White Rose: Munich, 1942-1943
and
12 Black Butterflies

After/Before
13 Echo After Echo
and
14 Before We Forget Kindness

Sisters/Brothers
15 Sisters
and
16 The Sisters Brothers

Update to message #9

5/5

Challenge completed.

I will go for 24 short stories.

ADVENT CALENDAR CHALLENGE
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2024

24/24

12/1 - Parable by Jess Walter
12/2 - A Planned Occasion by Angie Kim
12/3 - The Third Man by Mani Sheriar
12/4 - The Egg by Andy Weir
12/5 - The Chef by Andy Weir
12/6 - Access by Andy Weir
12/7 - Annie's Day by Andy Weir
12/8 - The Real Deal by Andy Weir
12/9 - Bored World by Andy Weir
12/10 - The Midtown Butcher by Andy Weir
12/11 - Fallen Grace by Sadeqa Johnson
12/12 - Speed Grieving by Allison Ellis
12/13 - Naomi's Gift by Martha Hall Kelly
12/14 - What Child Is This by Rhys Bowen
12/15 - Everybody Loves Kamau! by W. Kamau Bell
12/16 - All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
12/17 - Belle Mer by Luanne Rice
12/18 - Antihypoxiant by Andy Weir
12/19 - Meeting Sarah by Andy Weir
12/20 - Twarrior by Andy Weir
12/21 - Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
12/22 - Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
12/23 - Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
12/24 - Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria

I'd like to sign up for 4.

SPREADING KINDNESS CHALLENGE
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2024

4/4

1. Pay It Forward – Read a book where a character helps someone and inspires a chain reaction of kindness.
Criminal Crumbs by Jessica Beck 12/28/24

2. Compliment Someone – Read a book where kind words change someone’s day or perspective.

3. Support Local – Read a book set in your local community or one where characters make a positive impact on their neighborhood.

4. Donate to Charity – Read a book where charity or giving back is a key theme.

5. Lift Someone’s Spirits – Read an uplifting, feel-good book that brightens your day.

6. Help a Stranger – Read a book where a character helps someone they don’t know, leading to positive outcomes.
During the Snowstorm by Mo Bao Fei Bao 12/14/24

7. Show Gratitude – Read a book that focuses on the importance of thankfulness or gratitude.

8. Acts of Kindness to Animals – Read a book where characters care for or rescue animals.

9. Kindness in Crisis – Read a book where acts of kindness are shown during difficult times or emergencies.
The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura 12/26/24

10. Mentor Someone – Read a book where a character mentors or teaches someone, making a positive impact on their life.
The Searcher by Tana French 12/6/24

11. Celebrate Differences – Read a book that embraces diversity, inclusion, or kindness toward others from different backgrounds.

Update to message #8

4/3

Challenge completed.

Update to message #20

21/25

Update to message #12

58/58

Challenge completed! This was so much fun!