CozyChallenges at Insta

 

Cozy Mysteries Instagram Challenge

This is a challenge focused on cozy mysteries that is based at an Instagram account cozychallenges.  I will give it a try but I am not sure how to go about tracking as I am not a big Insta user, maybe that should be part of my goal for the year.

Topics:

Books 19/20

1. √  3 word title 
• READ  Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/14/21
2. √ color in the title
• READ Killer Green Tomatoes by Lynn Cahoon
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/15/21
3. √ male author
• READ Fish out of Water by Marc Jedel
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/8/21
4. √ set in hotel or b&b
• READ Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/2/21
5. √ title that's a characters name
• READ Felicia's Food Truck Bite Size Cozies by Celia Kinsey
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/20/21
6. √ mentioned in another book 
• READ The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie  
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/5/21
7. √ involving a theft
• READ Deserts, Driving, & Derelicts by Tonya Kappes
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/26/21
8. √ next in a series 
• READ The Murder Mystery Cruise by Lizzie Josephson
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/13/21
9. √ item of clothing on cover 
• READ Death in Four Courses by Lucy Burdette
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/11/21
10. √ plant on cover
• READ  Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliot
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/6/21
11. √ author of color 
• READ A Tourist's Guide to Murder by V.M. Burns
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/22/21
12. √ set somewhere not US or UK  
• READ The Sinister Superyacht by Ana T. Drew 
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/4/21 
13. √ you picked for title
• READ Olive Bright Pigeoneer by Stephanie Graves
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/7/21
14. √ published month of your birthday
• READ Peril Through the Panama Canal by Lizzie Josephson
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/12/21
15. you previously abandoned IDEA:  Antiques Roadkill (A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery, #1)
16. √ excited to get but haven't read yet
• READ The Corpse Who Knew Too Much by Debra Sennefelder
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/7/21
17. √ author collaboration
• READ Murder in Red by Jessica Fletcher
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/29/21
18. √ with a character list
• READ Misalignment and Murder by Cathy Tully 
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review  1/26/21
19. √  bought because of cover
• READ Chili Cauldron Curse by Lynn Cahoon
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 11/19/21
20. √  protagonist has your dream occupation 
• READ Death of an Irish Diva by Mollie Cox Bryan
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/18/21

2021ReadingChallenge

#2021ReadingChallenge

Stacked Review blog is hosting another 20 prompt challenge this year.  Last year Mina hosted the 2020TBR challenge and I completed 17/20 topics.  There are new topics this year and I am excited to try to make it through them all, although I do worry about the one with more than 1000 pages.   

Be sure to join me and sign up here

My Selections:

Books read:  17/20

1. √ historical fiction  
• READ A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/17/21
2. √ controversial book 
• READ Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/2/21
3. √ friend recommendation 
• READ The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/21/21
4. √ set in a place you'd like to live 
• READ The Sinister Superyacht by Ana T. Drew  
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review  1/4/21
5. booker prize winner  IDEA: A Brief History of Seven Killings

6. √ can read in a day 
• READ  Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/15/21
7. √ about mental health  

• READ Dry by Augusten Burroughs
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/23/21
8. √  author you've always wanted to read 

• READ The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/25/21
9. √ a classic  

• READ Steampunk Poe by Edgar Allen Poe  DNF
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/5/21
10. √  chick lit
• READ In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/7/21
11. √ first in a book series 
• READ The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie  
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/5/21
12. √ fantasy   
• READ Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/20/21
13. √ ya book 
• READ Ms. Marvel, Vol 2   Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson
• Blog Post and Good  Reads Review 2/12/21 
14. horror  IDEA: The Arctic Fury

15. monster book >1000pgs  IDEA: The Pillars of the Earth

16. √ war novel  
• READ Olive Bright Pigeoneer by Stephanie Graves
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/7/21
17. √ own voices 
• READ A Burning by Megha Majumdar
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/16/21
18. √ gothic novel 

• READ The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/10/21
19. √ written in a foreign language   
• READ The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/13/21
20. √  wild card  

• READ Egg Shooters by Laura Childs
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/22/21

NJM 2021 #NJMBookChallenge2021

 NJM Challenge 2021

#NJMBookChallenge2021

I am going to participate in this challenge again this year.  It is hosted by Nicki on her blog and consists of 25 prompts to read books throughout the year

My Selections

Completed 24/25 Books 

1. √ book published in 2021 
• READ: Misalignment and Murder by Cathy Tully 
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review  1/26/21
2. √non fiction book
• READ: Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/6/21
3. √self published  
• READ: The Sinister Superyacht by Ana T. Drew 
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/4/21 
4. √ set during a historic event
• READ: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie  
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/5/21
5. √ made into a tv/movie 
• READ: Murder in Red by Jessica Fletcher
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/29/21
6. √ bad boy hero 
• READ:  Choppy Water by Stuart Woods
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/21/21
7. √  biography/autobiography
• READ:  The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/20/21
8. √  written pre 1900 
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/21/21
9. √ sassy heroine
• READ: Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/14/21
10. √ over 500 pgs 
• Carry On Simon Snow by Rainbow Rowell
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review  11/16/21
11. √ multiple authors 
• The Three Mrs. Wrights by Linda Keir
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/29/21
12. √ read in a single day
• READ: Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/15/21
13. based on folklore/myth 
• IDEA: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, #1)

14. √ with images 
• READ: Ms. Marvel, Vol 2   Generation Why by G. Willow Wilson
• Blog Post and Good  Reads Review 2/12/21 
15. √ by one of your fav authors
• READ: Hush Hush by Stuart Woods
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/9/21
16. √ genre not typical 
• READ: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
1. Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/7/21
17. √ LGBTQ representation
• READ: South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby
• Blog Post and GoodReads Review 1/18/21
18. √ debut author
• READ:  Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/15/21
19. √ translated book 
• READ: The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/13/21
20. √ author new to you 
• READ: The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/25/21
21. √ nominated for an award 
• READ: Laughing at my Nightmare by Shane Burcaw
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/30/21
22. √  spec fic book 
• READ: Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/20/21
23. √ weather word in title 
• READ: Cold Case Crumble by Jennifer Joy
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/18/21


24. √ occupation in title 
• READ: Olive Bright Pigeoneer by Stephanie Graves
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/7/21
25. √  in another country   

• READ: Peril Through the Panama Canal by Lizzie Josephson
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/12/21

Non Fiction Reader challenge

I have found a Non Fiction challenge hosted at Book'd Out that seems to be focused on differing your reading without being associated with a certain topic.   This one allows you set your goals based on 3/6 or 12 nonfiction books.  There are categories to chose from which cover a wide variety of topics.  

#2021ReadNonFic

CHOOSE A GOAL

Nonfiction Nipper : Read 3 books, from any category

Nonfiction Nibbler : Read 6 books, from any category

Nonfiction Know-It-All: Read 12 books,1 each category

I have decided to try to for  Nibbler

CATEGORIES 

                                                                 

Books read  11/6

 √ 1. Biography  

The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede

• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/20/21

 √ 2. Travel    The Trivia Lover's Guide to the World by Gary Fuller

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/29/21

 √ 3. Self-help  Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 2/6/21

 √  4. Essay Collection I Feel Bad about My Neck by Nora Ephron

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/20/21

 √ 5. Disease   Laughing at my Nightmare by Shane Burcaw

• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/30/21

 √ 6. Oceanography Icebound by Andrea Pitzer

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 7/21/21

 √ 7. Hobbies  Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks by Rebecca Cline

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 12/16/21

√ 8. Indigenous Cultures  Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/30/21

√ 9. Food  Frontier Follies by Ree Drummond

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/12/21

10. Wartime Experiences  

√ 11. Inventions  The Disney Monorail by Jeff Kurtti and Vanessa Hunt

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 12/14/21

√ 12. Published in 2021  The Housewives:  The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives by Brian Moylan

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 8/6/21

Beyond the Bookends

 Another fun monthly based challenge is being hosted at Beyond the Bookends blog.  Some of the prompts are setting based, others topic.  It looks like a nice addition to my other challenges

My selections:

Jan-   Story set in a location you want to travel to  

• The Sinister Superyacht by Ana T. Drew  
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review  1/4/21

Feb-  Book about addiction 

• The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/13/21
• Dry by Augusten Burroughs
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/23/21

Mar-  Read/listen to Audie Winner

• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 

  

Apr-  Story set in a library 

• By Book or by Crook by Eva Gates
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/6/21

May-  Faux celebrity protagonist  

• First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/11/21

Jun-  Own Voices book  

• The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/23/21

Jul-  Book set in Japan  IDEA: Memoirs of a Geisha

Aug-  Unreliable narrator  IDEA: The Good Son

Sep-  Fic or NF about an author 

• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/20/21

Oct-  Mental Health fiction or NF

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 10/21/21

Nov-  Book with a blue cover  

• And then there were Crumbs by Eve Calder
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 11/10/21

Dec-  Jane Austen Classic, retelling or adaptation  IDEA: Pride and Prejudice

Book Voyage

 I have found another few challenges to try for 2021.   This one ties in well with the Around the World challenge on Goodreads.  This book is a monthly destination challenge hosted at Book Girls Guide blog.     

BOOK VOYAGE CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

The blog hosts will provide reading suggestions for each region each month.  

√ January: Arctic & Antarctic- 

South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby

Blog Post and GoodReads Review 1/18/21

√ February: Europe – West-

•  The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/13/21

√ March: Europe – East

• Chorus Lines, Caviar and Corpses by Mary McHugh
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/12/21
• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/7/21

√ April: Asia – North- Idea: I Love You So Mochi

• Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/30/21

√ May: Asia – South-

1. Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials by Ovidia Yu
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/5/21
2. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/26/21

√ June: Books Set on an Island- Idea: Singapore Sapphire    

1. Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/12/21
2. Killer Takeout by Lucy Burdette
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/16/21

√ July: Australia & New Zealand- Idea: The Exiles  

• Murder on the Orient (SS) by C.A. Larmer
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 7/29/21

August: Middle East- Idea: Crocodile on the Sandbank

September: Africa- Idea: My Sister, the Serial Killer

October: South America- Idea: TBD

November: North America- 

• Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review  11/23/21

December: Books Spanning Multiple Continents- 

1. Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks by Rebecca Cline
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 12/16/21

Nazi Officer's Wife

 I have been intending to read this book for quite a while.   My mother has been recommending it for quite some time.   This piece of non-fiction reads a lot like a historical fiction novel.  I think I especially related to the book after assisting my son to study for modern world history last school year.  I learned more about the Russians and Bolsheviks than I had previously known.  This book talks about the Kristallnacht as a real experience, not just a concept.  It was quite interesting to read about history in first hand rather than by history books.  

I found it amazing how the German citizens were only provided news and stories that presented the Reich in a positive manner.  It is amazing how unaware they were to what was going on during the war.  I must admit it does give me a bit of a fear when the news media in the US seems to be reporting narratives rather than facts in the current era.  It seems like it would be very easy to have a similar experience here today if citizens did not chose to listen to both sides of the narratives and other countries perspectives as well. 

The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocaust by Edith Hahn Beer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

This story is amazing and is written like a historical fiction novel. Edith Beer provides an enlightening account of her experiences living as a Jew in Germany during WWII. Her story vividly describes the experiences and emotions she and others like her experienced during that horrific time. There are some amazing revelations of how in the dark the Germans were about what was going on around the world. 

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Literary Escapes-  Austria
2. 52 Books in 52 weeks  #16- Borrowed from a friend
3. Book List Queen #25-  Recommended by a Family Member 
4. 20 in 20:  #Read20in2020 NF #18 a wartime book
5. Beat the Backlist #BeatTheBacklist2020  book rec from a friend
6. 2020 TBR  #2020TBRReadingChallenge #4 friend recommendation 
7. TBR Book # 58  #Backlistreader ; #MountTBR2020; #StartOnYourShelfathon
8. Memoir    #16 Written by someone from a country different from your own
9. Historical NonFiction  Book #4