Armchair Travel 2024

Once again I am going to try to visit all 50 states plus various countries through challenges this year.   The main state-based one is hosted by Lori on her blog EscapewithDollyCas  in her Literary Escapes Challenge.  Use the #LiteraryEscapes when reading books for this challenge.   

I have decided to combine my tracking on this page to include the Book Girls Guide challenges for US states and world regions.  They have targeted areas for each month and would also apply to this challenge so it just makes sense to streamline here.  They include reading lists for each of the months on their site and will update each of the lists mid-month before that destination.  So Feb lists will be updated mid Jan.

Jan  Books Set in Antarctica and the Arctic / Books Set in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

Feb Books Set in Western Europe / Books Set in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington DC

Mar Books Set in Africa / Books Set in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota

Apr Books That Take Place On an Island / Books About Traveling Across America

May  Books Set in Eastern Europe & Russia / Books Set in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington

Jun Books Set in Australia and New Zealand / Books Set in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas

Jul Books Set in Asia: Southern Countries / Books Set in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware

Aug Books Set in Asia: Northern Countries / Books Set in Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Nebraska

Sep Books Set on a Form of Transportation / Books Set in the U.S. Territories

Oct Books Set in the Middle East / Books Set in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee

Nov Books Set in North America / Books Set in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming

Dec Books Set in South America / Books Set in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

I have found a European based travel challenge on Rose City Reader which tracks how many European destinations you visit either through the author or the setting.  I am trying for 4 Star

• 

  #ERC2024

  FIVE STAR (DELUXE ENTOURAGE): Read at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.

• FOUR STAR (HONEYMOONER): Read four qualifying books. <= Goal

• THREE STAR (BUSINESS TRAVELER): Read three qualifying books.

• TWO STAR (ADVENTURER): Read two qualifying books.

• ONE STAR (PENSIONE WEEKENDER): Read just one qualifying book.

Additionally, on Goodreads there is the Around the World in 80 books which has both US Roadtrip and Global challenges.   The idea is to diversify where your books are set.   There is a perpetual Global one that goes by Circumnavigation.  My global tracker for 2023 is Tourist Travels which meant I could read any books in any order after starting with a US-based book.  There are harder and easier challenges within this global option as well. They also host some prompt-based challenges called Magic Squares.  Many of these prompts are different from most of the other challenges.  

My Circumnavigation tracker   At this point I have traveled to all 9 regions and 46 different countries since 2020.

These are the links to my 2024 travels 

Tourist Travels 2024:  I'm going for Frequent Flier

Here is my US Roadtrip for 2024  

Literary Escape updates on FB

European reading updates 

Book voyage and Read US FB page

My book passport in 2024

States Visited so Far: 29/51

Additional Countries:11

European Countries: 4/4

√ Alabama  

√ Alaska 

1. An Alaska Adventure by Lizzie Josephson Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/2/24
2. 
   

Arizona   IDEA: Scottsdale Heat (Laura Black Mysteries, #1)

√ Arkansas 

1.  Come and get it by Kiley Reid Blog Post and Goodreads Review  3/28/24
2. Kicked the Cauldron by Kathryn Mykel Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/20/24

√ California 

1. The Set Filler by Sariah Wilson  Blog Post and Goodreads Review 1/1/24 
2. Obsession by Stuart Woods Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/29/24
3. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q SutantoBlog Post and Goodreads Review 3/26/24
4. The 23rd Midnight (Women's Murder Club #23) by James Patterson Blog /Goodreads 4/24/24
5. 23 1/2 Lies (Women’s Murder Club, #23.5) by James Patterson Blog Post and Goodreads  6/30/24
6.  The 24th Hour (Women's Murder Club, #24) by James Patterson Blog and Goodreads  7/8/24
7. One of Us Is Back (One of Us Is Lying, #3) by Karen McManus Blog Post and Goodreads 6/1/24
8.  For Whom the Bread Rolls (Pancake House #2) by Sarah Fox Blog Post and Goodreads 7/12/24
9.  Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto Blog / Goodreads 9/5/24
10.  Of Spice and Men (Pancake House #3) by Sarah Fox Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/19/24
11.  Curds of Prey (Cheese Shop #3) by Korina Moss Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/23/24
12.  A Glimmer of a Clue (A Fairy Garden #2) by Daryl Wood Gerber Blog Post /Goodreads 9/27/24
13. Good Day Sunshine with Morning Fog ('60s Surf Shop Mysteries, #2) by Donna Amis Davis
•  Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/13/24

√  Colorado   

1. Bickering Birds (Cozy Corgi #3) by Mildred Abbott Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/25/24
2. Mulled to Death (Colorado Wine Mystery, #3) by Kate Lansing  Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/13/24

√ Connecticut  

1.  Mint Chocolate Murder (Ice Cream Shop #2) by Meri Allen Blog and Goodreads  1/3/24 
2. Fatal First Edition by Jenn McKinlay Blog Post and Goodreads Review  4/2/24
3. 
   

 

Delaware IDEA: the unbearable book club for unsinkable girls by Julie Schumacher / Hope Never Dies

√ District of Columbia  The Coloring Crook (Pen & Ink #2) by Krista Davis Blog Post and Goodreads 4/17/24

√ Florida  

1. Murder by the Sea ( By the Sea #3) by Katheen Bridge Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/6/24
2.  Rum and Choke (Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon #4) by Sherry Harris Blog Post and Goodreads 9/30/24

√ Georgia  Eat, Drink and Drop Dead  by T.C, LoTiempo Post and Goodreads Review 2/7/24

Hawaii  

√ Idaho Three Tainted Teas (Kitchen Witch Mysteries, #3) by Lynn Cahoon Blog Post/ Goodreads 5/13/24

 Illinois 

√ Indiana  Sniffing out Murder by Kallie Benjamin Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/25/24

 Iowa 

Kansas IDEA:  Gluten for Punishment (A Baker's Treat, #1)

√ Kentucky Death a Sketch (Paint & Shine #3) by Cheryl Hollon Blog Post and Goodreads Review 7/13/24

√ Louisiana  IDEA: The Physicists’ Daughter

1. Killer Chef by James Patterson Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/23/24
2. The Key to Murder (French Quarter Mystery #1) by Jen Pitts Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/22/24

√ Maine:  

1. Town in a Blueberry Jam (Candy Holliday #1) by BB Haywood  Blog Post and Goodreads  1/5/24
2. Town in a Lobster Stew by BB Haywood Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/21/24
3. Happy Place by Emily Henry Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/1/24
4. 
   

 Maryland  IDEA:  A Cookie Before Dying

√ Massachusetts  

1. Murder in a Cape Cottage (Cozy Capers Book Group , #4) by Maddie Day Blog Post Goodreads 4/20/24
2. Murder in the First Edition (Beyond the Page  #3) by Lauren Elliott Blog  / Goodreads  5/28/24
3.  All Murders Final! (Sarah Winston Garage Sale #3) by Sherry Harris Blog Post and Goodreads 7/24/24
4.  Liar's Beach by Katie Catugno Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/16/24
5. 
   

√ Michigan 

1. In Farm's Way (Farm to Table #3) by Amanda Flower Blog Post and Goodreads Review 1/6/24 
2. Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/25/24
3. All you need is Fudge by Nancy CocoBlog Post and Goodreads Review  4/6/24
4. Crime and Cherry Pits (Farm to Table #4) by Amanda Flower Blog Post and Goodreads 4/23/24
5.  A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death (Baker Street #3) by Valerie Burns Blog / Goodreads 8/14/24
6.  Oh, Fudge! (Candy-Coated, #5) by Nancy CoCo Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/26/24

Minnesota 

√ Mississippi  The Black Queen by Jumata Emil Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/19/24

√ Missouri   James by Percival Everett Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/16/24

Montana  

Nebraska IDEA: Death by Dissertation

Nevada 

New Hampshire  IDEA:  Mad Honey

 √ New Jersey  Mischief Nights are Murder (A Poppy McAllister #8) by Libby Klein Blog / Goodreads  9/20/24

New Mexico 

√ New York  

1. A Design to Die for (A Hamptons Home & Garden #5) by Kathleen Bridge Blog  /  Goodreads 4/25/24
2. The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/21/24
3. The Sleeping Beauty Killer (Under Suspicion, #4) by Mary Higgins Clark Blog / Goodreads 6/2/24
4. You Don't Own Me (Under Suspicion, #6) by Mary Higgins Clark Blog Post Goodreads 7/29/24
5. Killer on the Court (Murder She Wrote, #55) by Jessica Fletcher  Blog  and Goodreads  10/14/24

√ North Carolina  

1. Closely Harbored Secrets by Bree Baker Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/20/24
2.  Book Lovers by Emily Henry Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/3/24
3. 
   

North Dakota IDEA: The Night Watchman; See Also Murder; The Children's Blizzard

√ Ohio  

1. Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/3/24
2. Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/13/24
3. Death by Coffee by Alex Erickson Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/21/24
4. The Silence of the Flans (Emergency Dessert Squad #2) by Laura Bradford Blog / Goodreads 6/20/24
5.  Dial M for Mousse (An Emergency Dessert Squad #3) by Laura Bradford Blog / Goodreads 8/5/24
6. 
   

 Oklahoma   IDEA: For a Few Dumplings More

√ Oregon  

1. Meet Your Baker (A Bakeshop Mystery, #1) by Ellie Alexander Blog Post and Goodreads 6/11/24
2.  A Batter of Life and Death (A Bakeshop Mystery, #2) by Ellie Alexander Blog Post and Goodreads 8/16/24

√ Pennsylvania  The Amish Sweet Shop by Emma Miller Blog Post and Goodreads Review 7/16/24

√ Rhode Island  Murder at Rough Point by Alyssa Maxwell Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/22/24

 S Carolina  IDEA:    

South Dakota  IDEA: Nearly Departed in DeadwoodTennessee  

√ Texas  

1. Starfish by Lisa Fipps Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/18/24
2. A Fresh Brew (Hill Country Mysteries #1) by Verena DeLuca Blog Post and Goodreads 10/16/24

 Utah  IDEA:  The Final Arrangement (Flower Shop Mystery, #1)

√ Vermont  

1. No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/28/24
2. Cheddar Late Than Dead (Grilled Cheese #3) by Linda Reilly Blog Post and Goodreads 5/15/24

√  Virginia  

1. Murder in the Book Lover's Loft  by Ellery Adams Blog Post and Goodreads Review 1/12/24 
2. Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/16/24
3. Carbs & Cadavers (Supper Club #1) by Ellery Adams Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/4/24
4. Fit to Die (A Supper Club Mystery, #2) by Ellery Adams Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/20/24
5. Chili Con Corpses (A Supper Club #3) by Ellery AdamsBlog Post and Goodreads Review 6/15/24
6.  Goodnight Moo (A Buttermilk Creek #2) by Mollie Cox Bryan Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/24/24
7.  Scrappy Summer (A Cumberland Creek #3.5) by Mollie Cox Bryan Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/1/24

√  Washington 

1. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Blog Post and Goodreads Review 1/17/24
2. Death by the Finish Line by Alexis Morgan Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/31/24
3. Killing Thyme (Spice Shop #3 )by Leslie Budewitz Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/11/24
4. Chai Another Day (A Spice Shop Mystery #4) by Leslie Budewitz Blog Post and Goodreads 6/11/24
5.  Death by Arts and Crafts (Abby McCree #6) by Alexis Morgan Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/21/24

West Virginia  IDEA:  No Filter (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #1)

√Wisconsin 

1. Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust (Deep Dish #2) by Mindy Quigley Blog Post Goodreads  1/9/24 
2. Jealousy Filled Donuts (Deputy Donut #3) by Ginger Bolton Blog Post and Goodreads 5/14/24

 Wyoming  IDEA: Sign Off

√ US Territories:  

Puerto Rico:  Barbacoa Bomba and Betrayal by Raquel V Reyes Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/13/24

Additional Countries Visited:

Antartica:  How the Penguins Saved Veronica  by Hazel PriorBlog Post  Goodreads 5/31/24

Australia:  

1. Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson Blog Post/Goodreads 3/16/24
2. The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/16/24
3.  Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/3/24

Canada:  

Alberta:  Murder Backstage (Murder She Wrote #58) by Jessica Fletcher Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/19/24

PEI:  The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/18/24

England:  

1.  Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/22/24
2. This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/11/24
3. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/10/24

France: The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/28/24

Iceland: The Falcon's Feather by Trudy Trueit Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/19/24

Ireland:

1.  Murder at an Irish Wedding (Irish Village #2) by Carlene O'Connor Blog /  Goodreads 8/10/24
2. Brooklyn (Eilis Lacey #1) by Colm Toibin Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/11/24
3.  Long Island (Eilis Lacey #2) by Colm Toibin Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/1/24
4. Death by Irish Whiskey by Catie Murphy Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/10/24

Italy:

1. Aged for Death by Fiona Grace Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/4/24

Maldives: Bad Tourists by Caro Carver Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/3/24

South Korea:  XOXO by Axie Oh Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/28/24

Tahiti/ South Pacific: The Wayward Wind by Lizzie Josephson Blog Post and Goodreads 4/4/24