2016 Olympics Challenge

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

For those who love challenges . . .


The 2016 Summer Olympics begin in Rio on August 5, and end on August 21. This challenge will run the entire month of August. Books may be used only once in this challenge, but may be used in other challenges.

The object of this challenge: Read books with covers (or spines) with a main color matching one of the colors of the Olympic Rings, plus the flag background, or a book in which the color is a word in the title (e.g.: Grace Sees Red), or an author's last name (e.g.: Juliet Blackwell):


BLUE —

YELLOW —

BLACK —

GREEN —

RED —

WHITE —

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics.




History of the Olympic Flag courtesy of Wikipedia:

The symbol of the Olympic Games is composed of five interlocking rings, colored blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white field, known as the "Olympic rings". The symbol was originally designed in 1912 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, co-founder of the modern Olympic Games. According to Coubertin, the ring colors with the white background stand for those colors that appeared on all the national flags that competed in the Olympic games at that time. Upon its initial introduction, Coubertin stated the following in the August, 1912 edition of Olympique:

"...the six colors [including the flag’s white background] thus combined reproduce the colors of all the nations, with no exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the tri- colors of France, England and America, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, the yellow and red of Spain next to the novelties of Brazil or Australia, with old Japan and new China. Here is truly an international symbol."

In his article published in the "Olympic Revue" the official magazine of the International Olympic Committee in November 1992, the American historian Robert Barney explains that the idea of the interlaced rings came to Pierre de Coubertin when he was in charge of the USFSA, an association founded by the union of two French sports associations and until 1925, responsible for representing the International Olympic Committee in France: The emblem of the union was two interlaced rings (like the vesica piscis typical interlaced marriage rings) and originally the idea of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung: for him, the ring symbolized continuity and the human being.

[Valerie]

OK, I am in....Seems like fun!

6/6
The object of this challenge: Read books with covers (or spines) with a main color matching one of the colors of the Olympic Rings, plus the flag background, or a book in which the color is a word in the title (e.g.: Grace Sees Red), or an author's last name (e.g.: Juliet Blackwell):


BLUE — The SPINE is...as well as back cover. A Grave Prediction From Kiss to Queen

YELLOW — Illusion Town

BLACK — Passenger to Frankfurt

GREEN — The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House

RED — Maids of Misfortune

WHITE — Make Me Love You

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics

[Becky]

BLUE —

YELLOW —

BLACK —

GREEN —

RED —

WHITE —

[Kimberly]

Oh! I like this challenge! Count me in! :) I'll keep my list in my individual challenge folder, located here.

And, thanks for the blurb about the flag. That was interesting. :) I learn something new every day. ;) :)

[Creative Caprice]

The object of this challenge: Read books with covers (or spines) with a main color matching one of the colors of the Olympic Rings, plus the flag background, or a book in which the color is a word in the title (e.g.: Grace Sees Red), or an author's last name (e.g.: Juliet Blackwell):


BLUE — Sweet Taffy and Murder: Sweet Taffy Cozy Mysteries Book #1 ] by Dana Moss 08/08/16 ****

YELLOW - Yellowthread Street by William Marshall 08/25/16 ***

BLACK — The Proletarian by Scott Bartlett 08/12/16 ****

GREEN— The Dressing Table Murder by Cassandra Chan 08/30/16 ***

RED — Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling 08/11/16 ***** (Spine is Red)

WHITE — The Mystery of Nevermore by C.S. Poe 08/20/16 *****

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics.
BONUS Reckless in Rio by M.J. Summers 08/26/16 ***

[Mary Ann]

I'll give it a try.

[Gary]

What is the time frame for this challenge?

[Julesy]

Looks like fun! I'll try it.

2016 Olympics Challenge
August 1-31, 2016

Update: Aug. 28
Progress: 6/6

BLUE — Ukulele Murder by Leslie Langtry - finished Aug. 14

YELLOW — Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay - finished Aug. 28

BLACK — Painted Truth by Lise McClendon - finished Aug. 8

GREEN — The Diary by Eileen Goudge - finished Aug. 1

RED — The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene - finished Aug. 1

WHITE — Killer Physique by G.A. McKevett - finished Aug. 23

Bonus: Ukulele Murder had surfers and Killer Physique had bodybuilders in them for athletes.

[Becky]

Gary wrote: "What is the time frame for this challenge?"

Aug 1-31st

[Linda]

What I'm planning to read.

BLUE — A Fatal Fleece

YELLOW — On What Grounds

BLACK — The Alibi

GREEN — Dutch Me Deadly

RED — The Job

WHITE — Murder Runs in the Family

[Julesy]

Linda wrote: "WHITE — Murder Runs in the Family Murder Runs in the Family by Anne George (they don't have my white cover in here) ."

Linda - I added the white book cover to the library. You can re-add the book cover again if it doesn't show up automatically.

[Linda]

Julesy wrote: "Linda wrote: "WHITE — Murder Runs in the Family Murder Runs in the Family by Anne George (they don't have my white cover in here) ."

Linda - I added the white book cover to the library. You can re..."

Thanks!!

[Carla]

Olympic Challenge
August 1st to 31st
7/7

BLUE — Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses 08/11/2016

YELLOW — Murder Has Nine Lives 08/23/2016

BLACK — Insidious 08/16/2016

GREEN — Cracked to Death 08/13/2016

RED — Friendly Fire 08/12/2016

WHITE — Tea Cups and Carnage 08/22/2016

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it Kilt at the Highland Games 08/47/2016

[JennH]

2016 Olympics Challenge

BLUE —

YELLOW —

BLACK — Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly

GREEN — Golden Malicious by Sheila Connelly , The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

RED — Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

WHITE — The BFG by Roald Dahl

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics.

[Amber]

BLUE —

YELLOW —

BLACK —

GREEN —

RED —

WHITE —

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics.

[Kimberly]

Quick question... Would an ex-pro-football player count for an athlete in the bonus book? I'm thinking yes, because even though they aren't playing anymore, they did play football professionally, and therefore, an athlete. :) But, I thought I'd see what others thought. :) The book I'm wanting to use is Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson...

[Sz]

What I'm starting today
Blue-
Loved the first two. Glad I had both 3and 4 to read together. Tony and Kate are great together. Liked this book really well dived right into # 4. Completed 8/7

Yellow-
First book in this series and so glad to have found it. Good mystery, funny and great characters. Will read more !Completed 8/20
Black-
Very entertaining. Kate's family in the thick of it and Tony' patience seems never ending. Hard to put down. Completed 8/10

Green-
Rereading from number 1. Theo, Haley and Drayton never fail to satisfy. So much better than her last book. So glad I am rereading. Reminds me of what I loved about the series. Completed 8/4

Red-
Pry up to her elbows in manure and head over heels in love and murder comes calling. Very entertaining book. Completed 8/31/2016. Just under the wire.

White-
New series for me. Seemed very precious and simplistic at times. Characters were entertaining. Undecided if I will read more of series. Completed. 8/13
BONUS. Double Exposure: a Kovak & Quaid Horse MysteryGot very into equestrian so decided to find an equestrian. Again the first of the series. Loved it. Just horsey enough writer is informative without talking down to reader. Good mystery already downloaded next one. Completed 8/23

[Paula]

Sz wrote: "What I'm starting today
Blue-

Yellow-

Black-

Green-
Re..."

For South America you could read - Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends by Mary McHugh it takes place in Rio

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kimberly wrote: "Quick question... Would an ex-pro-football player count for an athlete in the bonus book? I'm thinking yes, because even though they aren't playing anymore, they did play football professionally, a..."


Yes, I would say it counts. ;-)

[Julesy]

There are a couple of Olympic mystery novels, not necessarily cozy:
The Games by James Patterson, written just in time for the games in Rio.
Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by John Feinstein
There is a non-Olympic ice skating cozy mystery series by Alina Adams.


Paula wrote: "For South America you could read - Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends by Mary McHugh it takes place in Rio."

Sounds like a perfect choice! I haven't tried this series yet, but I've been eyeing for a while.

[Sz]

Paula wrote: "Sz wrote: "What I'm starting today
Blue-

Yellow-

Black-

Green-

Yellow-

Black-

Green-

Yellow-

Black-

Green-[bookcover:Gunpowder Green..."

Thanks Paula. Already added to my list!

[Valerie]

For anyone who might be interested, A Grave Predictionby Victoria Laurie has a BLUE spine. I know for Kindle readers this may be difficult to know; and since the cover looks purple, it is hard to know that the back, and spine are BLUE when looking at only the cover on Goodreads.

[Amanda]

2016 Olympic Challenge

4/6 Complete

The object of this challenge: Read books with covers (or spines) with a main color matching one of the colors of the Olympic Rings, plus the flag background, or a book in which the color is a word in the title (e.g.: Grace Sees Red), or an author's last name (e.g.: Juliet Blackwell):


BLUE —Reading Up a Storm by Eva Gates 8/5/16


YELLOW — Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke 8/2/16


BLACK — Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan 8/17/16


GREEN —

RED —

WHITE — Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck 8/8/16


Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics.

[Carla]

I am getting there. Did 4 of 6 colours and the bonus. Just yellow and white left to read.

[Betty]

Good Luck

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Let's see what I can do:

1.- Blue: Dearly Departed by Hy Conrad (8/20/2016 - ★★★☆)
2.- Yellow: 4:50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie (8/5/2016 - ★★★★)
3.- Black: Monster Baiter by Viola Grace (8/2/2016 - ★★★★☆)
4.- Green: A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie (8/22/2016 - ★★★★)
5.- Red: The Fox and Her Bear4094] by Lynn Red (8/10/2016 - ★★★☆)
6.- White: Tea Cups and Carnage by Lynn Cahoon (8/30/2016 - ★★★★)

Bonus: Read a book taking place in South America: Bossa Novas, Bikinis, and Bad Ends by Mary McHugh (8/27/2016 - ★★★☆)

[Linda]

Finished up over the weekend.

BLUE — A Fatal Fleece 8/3/16

YELLOW — On What Grounds 8/6/16

BLACK — The Alibi 8/20/16

GREEN — The Final Reveille 8/12/16

RED — The Job 8/14/16

WHITE — Elephants can Remember 8/9/16

[Julesy]

Congratulations, Linda! At the same time that the Olympics ended as well. LOL

[Carla]

Way to go Linda, and yes, right on schedule with the Olympics. Congrats.

[Linda]

Carla wrote: "Way to go Linda, and yes, right on schedule with the Olympics. Congrats."

Julesy wrote: "Congratulations, Linda! At the same time that the Olympics ended as well. LOL"

And I didn't even time it that way!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Way to go, Linda!

[Kimberly]

Congratulations Linda! :)

[Valerie]

Good job, Linda!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Linda!

[Carla]

Finished the Olympic Challenge, including the bonus.

BLUE — Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses 08/11/2016

YELLOW — Murder Has Nine Lives 08/23/2016

BLACK — Insidious 08/16/2016

GREEN — Cracked to Death 08/13/2016

RED — Friendly Fire 08/12/2016

WHITE — Tea Cups and Carnage 08/22/2016

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it Kilt at the Highland Games 08/17/2016

[Julesy]

Excellent job, Carla!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats!

[Kimberly]

Way to go Carla! :)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Good job, Carla!

[Kimberly]

Finished! :)

2016 Olympic Challenge
7/7

BLUE- The Blue Coyote by Karen Musser Nortman 8/27/16

YELLOW- The Help by Kathryn Stockett 8/15/16

BLACK- In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick 8/11/16

GREEN- Sanctuary by Donna Ball 8/14/16

RED- The Hour Before Dark by Douglas Clegg 8/19/16

WHITE- White Hot by Sandra Brown 8/22/16

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete, takes place in South America, or deals with the Olympics-Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson 8/23/16 (love interest is ex-pro-football player)

[Julesy]

Congratulations, Kimberly!

[Julesy]

I finished my last book while reading in the bath tub last night. LOL This was a fun challenge. See message #8 for my list,

[Kimberly]

Great job Julesy! :)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Kimberly! Congrats, Julesy!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Way to go, Julesy and Kimberly!

[Creative Caprice]

Complete!
Read: 6/6 + Bonus =7


BLUE — Sweet Taffy and Murder: Sweet Taffy Cozy Mysteries Book #1 ] by Dana Moss 08/08/16 ****

YELLOW - Yellowthread Street by William Marshall 08/25/16 ***

BLACK — The Proletarian by Scott Bartlett 08/12/16 ****

GREEN— The Dressing Table Murder by Cassandra Chan 08/30/16 ***

RED — Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling 08/11/16 ***** (Spine is Red)

WHITE — The Mystery of Nevermore by C.S. Poe 08/20/16 *****

Bonus: Read a book with an athlete in it, any book taking place in South America, or having anything to do with the Olympics.
BONUS Reckless in Rio by M.J. Summers 08/26/16 ***

[Kimberly]

Congratulations Creative Caprice! :)

[Julesy]

Good job, Creative!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Creative Caprice!

[Linda]

Congrats to everyone who finished and is finishing up!