The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
TASK HELP: Winter Challenge 2023
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25.5 Dee's Task : I Like A Good Mystery (series) and I Cannot Lie!
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Deborah wrote: "Option 4 Claws for Concern Cause to Claws
Just checking that it works"
Yep - that’s exactly the type of title I was looking for
I am also a mystery reader so thanks for the task!! For the “new location” option, if I have been to the country where the book is set but not the region/city, is this okay? For example, I have been to France but never to Marseille (or anywhere other than Paris or the Brittany region, for that matter). Or another example, I have been to Shanghai, China but if a book is set in Beijing or a southern city, would that work?
Brooke wrote: "I am also a mystery reader so thanks for the task!! For the “new location” option, if I have been to the country where the book is set but not the region/city, is this okay? For example, I have b..."
unfortunately no - the only caveat I'm allowing is if you have stopped briefly in the country (i.e. airport layover and not actually seen it). sorry!
Gosh, this task made me really dig through my TBR! Thank you for the challenge. :)
The task requires two books, but I didn't see anything saying whether it requires using two different options or whether one option could be used twice. (I couldn't find a default rule about that, but might have missed it.) So, can the same Option be used twice? If so, can both books be in the same series?
If two options are required, can both books be in the same series? For example, Maisie Dobbs is historical and is also a female protagonist. So could Birds of a Feather be used for Option 1 and Pardonable Lies be used for Option 2?
For the travel option are you considering the nations of the UK as one country? I have been to England but not Scotland. Can I use a book set in Scotland?
Dee wrote: "Brooke wrote: "I am also a mystery reader so thanks for the task!! For the “new location” option, if I have been to the country where the book is set but not the region/city, is this okay? For ex..."
Not a problem!! I have plenty of options but figured I'd ask.
I'm another big mystery reader, so thank you. And there are so many choices!Just to clarify on Option 1. The book doesn't need to have been written before 1973 - it just has to be set then? For example: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4127...
Trish wrote: "I'm another big mystery reader, so thank you. And there are so many choices!Just to clarify on Option 1. The book doesn't need to have been written before 1973 - it just has to be set then? For e..."
Just set before
Julia wrote: "The task requires two books, but I didn't see anything saying whether it requires using two different options or whether one option could be used twice. (I couldn't find a default rule about that, ..."I’m clarifying this with the mods but intent was 2 different series
Katrisa wrote: "For the travel option are you considering the nations of the UK as one country? I have been to England but not Scotland. Can I use a book set in Scotland?"Talked to miss - we are going to treat them as separate countries so yes - you can use Scotland
Dee wrote: "Katrisa wrote: "For the travel option are you considering the nations of the UK as one country? I have been to England but not Scotland. Can I use a book set in Scotland?"Talked to miss - we are ..."
Thanks!
For Option One - Historical Series, would a book written/published in the 1940s (with a WWII setting) be ok? I only ask because is was conteporary mystery, not historical, at the time.Thanks!
Another question for option 3 - I have been to the US, but never to California - can I then use a book set in California? Or does "location" mean the whole country?
Location means whole country for the purpose of this task to make it easier for mods - the only deviation is like if you’ve only been in the airport for like a layover
Truitt_T wrote: "For Option One - Historical Series, would a book written/published in the 1940s (with a WWII setting) be ok? I only ask because is was conteporary mystery, not historical, at the time.Thanks!"
It’s set at least 50 years ago so it works
Can the protagonist travel to a country , from his home for the mission? EX: protagonist is American. the story takes place in Canada,
If it’s not set in a place you have visited it works - the question would be how much is set inUS and how much in Canada?
Would you accept 
as a pun!
Great task idea!!!
Dee wrote: "Location means whole country for the purpose of this task to make it easier for mods - the only deviation is like if you’ve only been in the airport for like a layover"Thanks for the clarification and the fast response!
Chris wrote: "Would you accept as a pun!
Great task idea!!!"
Assuming the original is The Awful Truth - then yes it works
Emurphy wrote: "Would Dim Sum of All Fears work for Option 4? Play on the novel/movie "The Sum of All Fears""Yes
Can I please get A Peculiar Courtship approved as having MPG Mystery? It's the second MPG from last, so I am concerned the MPG may disappear. :X
C wrote: "Can I please get A Peculiar Courtship approved as having MPG Mystery? It's the second MPG from last, so I am concerned the MPG may disappear. :X"Approved
Mod
Jayne wrote: "Hi Dee, can I get Guilty Pleasures approved for MPG mystery please? It's another one where it's at the end of the list so might disappear!"Sûre can! Good to go!
Happy New Year. Just checking - is this punny enough: Forget Me Knot (about sewing and quilting) for Option 4?
Trish wrote: "Happy New Year. Just checking - is this punny enough: Forget Me Knot (about sewing and quilting) for Option 4?"
yes that works
hey, Dee. For option 3, is a fictional village in England ok for this task?Dead Silent (Calladine & Bayliss #2)
Tien wrote: "hey, Dee. For option 3, is a fictional village in England ok for this task?Dead Silent (Calladine & Bayliss #2)"
As long as identified as England and you’ve never been there it works
cool, thanks! It is noted in the description, "... English city" :)
Marie (UK) wrote: "can the female detective be an amateur I am thinking of Queen Elizabeth II in The Windsor Knot"As long as they are the main protagonist it works
Hello!I Have Some Questions for You both a book title and the reason for my post 😊
From the GR description it sounds like the MC is a female character. She isn't an investigator but sounds like she goes back and looks into an old case. What do you think for option 2?
Thanks!
Mary wrote: "Hello!I Have Some Questions for You both a book title and the reason for my post 😊
From the GR description it sounds like the MC is a female character. She isn't an investigator..."
it unfortunately does't meet the requirement that the books be from a series with at least 3 books - sorry! hope you can find some other place to use it
Fly wrote: "can I use Plum Lovin' (Stephanie Plum, #12.5), or does it need to be a whole number in the series?"I didn’t specify it had to be whole numbers - let me do a quick check with mods and let you know
hi fly - you are good to go with your 12.5 - enjoy!
Hi, just checking that Manslaughter Park by Manslaughter Park will work for option 4 - a play on the title Mansfield Park?Thanks!
Jessica wrote: "Hi, just checking that Manslaughter Park by Manslaughter Park will work for option 4 - a play on the title Mansfield Park?Thanks!"
Works for me - all the titles are similar in vein
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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Manslaughter Park (other topics)Manslaughter Park (other topics)
Plum Lovin' (other topics)
Plum Lovin' (other topics)
I Have Some Questions for You (other topics)
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When I looked back at the various books I read for the Fall season of SRC – I was struck by how many of them were mysteries that were part of a series.
This is a two book task, choose 2 different options and read 1 book from each option. Both must have a main page genre of either MYSTERY or CRIME, both must be part of a series on Goodreads with AT LEAST 3 books listed on the series page, and the books must be from two different series.
Option 1. Historical Series. Most of my comfort read mysteries are also set in the 1920’s and 1930’s – but really any non-contemporary time will do.
Read a mystery set at least 50 years ago (before 1973). This book may be published during this time as long as its set in or before 1973.
Required: If the setting of time is not obvious on the Goodreads main page, provide a reference
Option 2. Female Protagonists. Many of the series that I am currently reading feature a female protagonist/lead investigator. Read a book where the main character solving the crime is female.
i.e. Maisie Dobbs, Eve Dallas (In Death series)
Option 3. Travel. I love discovering new places with the books that I read. This past season, I visited Scotland, England, Wales, and Italy with the books that I read. Read a book set 80% outside your home country, in a place you have never visited but would like to.
(for the purpose of this task - an airport layover, does not count as visiting)
Required: state you have never visited the location.
Option 4. Oh the Puns I often chuck when I see some of the horrible puns that mystery titles have. For this task, read a book with a pun or a play on words in the title.
This list may help - Titlemania I: Puns in Titles
i.e. We'll Always Have Parrots
Required State the original word or phrase that is a pun.