The County Library discussion

note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
41 views
Reading Challenges > 2023 October Reading Challenge

Comments Showing 1-49 of 49 (49 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Can you believe it's Autumn? I can't! Your challenge for this month is a setting's challenge, you need to read a book that takes place primarily during Autumn.

You might enjoy this cozy murder mystery, A Waffle Lot of Murder, or the magic realism of First Frost. You also might enjoy this nonfiction title Autumn Light: Season of Fire and Farewells. There are plenty of cookbooks and craft books that you may enjoy, like The Little Book of Pumpkin Spice: Celebrate the cozy comfort of autumn days, or Simple Harvest: A Bounty of Scrappy Quilts and More.

I'll also add a comment with some lists with other suggestions below.

Happy Reading!


message 2: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Here are a couple of booklists, that might be fun to look through:

Cozy Fall Reading List
looklovelyliving.com/2019/09/2019-fal...

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in Fall or Autumn
abookwanderer.com/top-ten-tuesday-boo...

The Perfect Autumn Vibes Reading List for 2023
https://www.perpetualpageturner.com/f...


message 3: by Greg (last edited Oct 02, 2023 06:08PM) (new)

Greg (danceyeah) | 289 comments I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

I'll admit, I had already been thinking about reading Sleepy Hollow, so this gave me a perfect excuse.

And, since it was right there next to it on the shelf (so to speak), I also read Rip Van Winkle by Irving. While not exactly an 'autumn' book, Rip certainly still has the feel.

They're shorter books than I typically pick, but there's a reason they're classics.

8/8 challenges complete for 2023
(12 books total)


Britt, Book Habitue (britt--bookhabitue) | 767 comments Ooh fall reading. Nice!


message 6: by Brittany (new)

Brittany | 120 comments Does anyone know if Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children has an autumn setting? The book cover looks like very autumn-ish.


message 7: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Greg wrote: "I read
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by Washington Irving.

I'll admit, I had already been thinking about reading Sleepy Hollow, so this gave me a perfect excuse.

And, since it was right there ..."


That's amazing!


message 8: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Teresa wrote: "https://cozy-mystery.com/Thanksgiving...
https://cozy-mystery.com/Halloween-My..."


Thanks for the extra list ideas!


message 9: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Brittany wrote: "Does anyone know if Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children has an autumn setting? The book cover looks like very autumn-ish."

It has been a very long time since I've read this, and I don't recall it taking place in the fall. However, I may be wrong. The movie makes it look like it takes place in the summer. Has anyone read it more recently than me?


message 10: by Debbie (last edited Oct 03, 2023 02:21AM) (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments I read it earlier and won't do a redux. The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates, one of the Lighthouse Library series is set at Halloween. There is also Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie,
which is a Poirot story.


message 11: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments I've wanted to read a book by Monica Ferris for a long time so I've chosen Hanging by a Thread.


message 12: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments I read A Deadly Brew by Lynn Calhoon.
"As Halloween approaches South Cove, California, four couples get into the spirit of the holiday by conjuring up spirits. . ."
In cozy mysteries, why are so many protagonists dating the local cop? Why is this a trope?


message 13: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments Teresa wrote: "I read A Deadly Brew by Lynn Calhoon.
"As Halloween approaches South Cove, California, four couples get into the spirit of the holiday by conjuring up spirits. . ."
In cozy mysteries, why are so ma..."


It gives them access to information paths that would otherwise be unavailable, like investigation information, maybe get a license plate run, does someone they are looking up have a record?


message 14: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments Debbie, I think you're right.


Britt, Book Habitue (britt--bookhabitue) | 767 comments They're also inevitably thrown together. I prefer "dating the cop" to "constantly fighting with the idiot cop" personally.

I love the Lynn Cahoon series, by the way.


message 16: by Darin (new)

Darin | 121 comments I think I will also read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I don’t believe I’ve ever read it. Also, it is very short. I do see that it is on audio, but not yet available, so, because it’s short, I checked out the ebook, and think I can get that done before the end of the month.

I wanted to listen to a cozy mystery, just to take a break from my usual listening, but didn’t take the time to find one I wanted. Got to pick one and get going!


message 17: by Darin (last edited Oct 09, 2023 07:10PM) (new)

Darin | 121 comments Oh! And I just wanted to say I just saw the musical Jekyll & Hyde at the CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville - they did an excellent job! Creepy and depressing, yes - perfect for October. I’d listened to the music for years, but never actually saw the musical until now. Great music. Dark musical. Very well done! It runs through October 24th, isn’t too expensive. No, I don’t work for them - just plugging them a bit.

I probably should read that book sometime…


message 18: by Greg (new)

Greg (danceyeah) | 289 comments Darin wrote: "Oh! And I just wanted to say I just saw the musical Jekyll & Hyde at the CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville - they did an excellent job! Creepy and depressing, yes - perfect for October. I’d..."

I love the music! I've never seen it. I didn't know it was being staged, locally!


message 19: by Darin (new)

Darin | 121 comments Greg wrote: "Darin wrote: "Oh! And I just wanted to say I just saw the musical Jekyll & Hyde at the CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville - they did an excellent job! Creepy and depressing, yes - perfect fo..."

Yep - you ought to give it a go while you can. They have two casts - MWF and TTS. I’m sure they’re both great, but we went on a Saturday.


message 20: by Carolyn (new)

Carolyn | 26 comments I just finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. This book takes place mostly in the fall. I love this book! I have always been a fan of Jane Austin, but I had not read this book before. It is not one of my favorite Jane Austin books.


message 21: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments A radio play of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It aired in 1948. https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com...


message 22: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments I also finished The Diva Haunts the House.


message 23: by Darin (new)

Darin | 121 comments Thanks, Teresa, for that link. I’ll give it a go!


message 24: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Darin wrote: "Oh! And I just wanted to say I just saw the musical Jekyll & Hyde at the CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville - they did an excellent job! Creepy and depressing, yes - perfect for October. I’d..."

Oh, I once saw it years ago at The Grand Theater (that's at SLCC's South Campus) it was different from what I had expected, and really fun. But yes, dark.


message 25: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Carolyn wrote: "I just finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. This book takes place mostly in the fall. I love this book! I have always been a fan of Jane Austin, but I had not r..."

This is my favorite Austen novel. "I can listen no longer in silence. I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever...." is one of my most favorite things ever written ever.


Britt, Book Habitue (britt--bookhabitue) | 767 comments Bellwether by Connie Willis, while not really fall themed, takes place mostly in October (into November).
And I've listened to it three times this month.
(Don't judge me for my comfort reading)


message 27: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Bellwether by Connie Willis, while not really fall themed, takes place mostly in October (into November).
And I've listened to it three times this month.
(Don't judge me for my comfort reading)"


I WILL judge you for your comfort reading! Two thumbs and two big toes up! YOU GO, GIRL!
And now everyone reading this can share a smile.


message 28: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments I also read the children's book The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything.


message 29: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Teresa wrote: "I also read the children's book The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything."

I love that book!


message 30: by Debbie (last edited Oct 14, 2023 08:09PM) (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments I have finished Hanging by a Thread by Monica Ferris ( Review ) a cozy mystery set in October.

I also read If the Broom Fits by Sara Bourgeois ( Review ) , a cozy mystery that, while not set in October, does have witches.


message 31: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments Elizabeth, I remember that book and The House That Drac Built from watching Reading Rainbow with my kids.


message 32: by Audrey (new)

Audrey (niceyackerman) | 673 comments I read Thirteens, which takes place on and around Halloween.


message 33: by Em (new)

Em | 69 comments Completed A Catered Thanksgiving 10/15 to keep my challenge streak going. This book was not my cup of tea, but I finished it to meet October's theme.


message 34: by Linda (last edited Oct 21, 2023 05:41PM) (new)

Linda Nielson | 279 comments I read The Skeleton Haunts a House (Family Skeleton Mystery, #3) by Leigh Perry The Skeleton Haunts a House. This is a cozy mystery. It takes place at Halloween at a haunted house.


Britt, Book Habitue (britt--bookhabitue) | 767 comments It's Sid! I love those books.


message 36: by Linda (new)

Linda Nielson | 279 comments Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "It's Sid! I love those books."

I will probably read more of these books. It was a fun read.


message 37: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments Six days to November. Any idea what the next reading challenge will be. This one has been fun!


message 38: by Deborah (new)

Deborah | 184 comments I have read two books that take place in Autumn this month. They are as follows:

1. Falling Inn Love by Erin Branscom
2. Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte


message 39: by Linda (new)

Linda Nielson | 279 comments If we have an idea, I would also like to know what our challenge is for next month. I go to the library on Sat (it's when I have time) and would like to be able to look for my book.


message 40: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
The November reading challenge has been posted!


message 41: by Darin (new)

Darin | 121 comments I finished reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The thing I liked about it the most was the descriptive setting - that was amazing!


message 42: by Brittany (new)

Brittany | 120 comments I wasn't sure if I would finish the challenge this month, but I did it! :)

I read The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. This book has two timelines, and one of them takes place in September and October.


message 43: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Darin wrote: "I finished reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The thing I liked about it the most was the descriptive setting - that was amazing!"

You know, I don't actually think I've read this. ... I should give it a go.


message 44: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Brittany wrote: "I wasn't sure if I would finish the challenge this month, but I did it! :)

I read The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. This book has two timeline..."


Good job! The setting challenges, seem to be the hardest for people to finish.


message 45: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Only one more day! Let me know if you've finished the challenge before Halloween is finished to be entered into the prize drawing!


message 46: by Elizabeth (last edited Oct 31, 2023 03:15PM) (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻


message 47: by Elizabeth (new)

Elizabeth (bethsmash) | 1224 comments Mod
Linda is our prize drawing winner for October's reading challenge for reading The Skeleton Haunts a House by Leigh Perry.

Congratulations!


message 48: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 255 comments Congratulations Linda!


message 49: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dashforcover) | 1219 comments Hooray, Linda!


back to top
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.