2017 Monopoly Reading Challenge

After the 2015 PopSugar Ultimate Reading Challenge, I decided that I was not going to participate in any more reading challenges, but then I found this one for 2017.  It was too interesting to pass up, so I am going to try it out this year.

The challenge was originally intended only for historical mysteries, but because this is a personal challenge, and I don't always want to read a mystery, I am allowing books to be from any genre, though to be truthful, many will end up being mysteries and a few may be historical mysteries.  Also, I'm altering the rules just a bit to allow for a re-roll if I land on a square I already "own."

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2017 Monopoly Reading Challenge

Rules:
1. Roll one die and move around the board according to the number rolled.
3. Follow the instructions for each property as outlined below.
4. You must finish your chosen book before rolling again; no rolling ahead.
5. Re-rolls are allowed if you land on a square you already own.
6. The goal is the move around the board and collect ALL of the properties.

Properties:
Go:  Start, read any book of your choice. Superfluous Women -- Dunn, Carola (1/5/17)

Mediterranean Avenue: Read a book set in a Mediterranean country or a book with a brown cover. The Janissary Tree — Goodwin, Jason (2/28/17)

Community Chest #1: Read a book from any series begun before 1950.

Baltic Avenue: Read a book set in a Baltic country or a book in which a crime occurs at some point during the book.

Income Tax: Read the book on your to-be-read shelf with the lowest Goodreads rating. Pretty Lady -- Babson, Marian (1/10/17)

Reading Railroad: Read a book set in the 19th century (1800-1899).

Oriental Avenue: Read a book set in the Orient or a book with a blue cover.

Chance #1: Read a book recommended by a friend. The Alienist — Carr, Caleb (3/12/17)

Vermont Avenue: Read a book set in a New England State or a cozy mystery. Clammed Up -- Ross, Barbara (1/14/17)

Connecticut: Read a book with a bridge on the cover or set in a a city with a famous prison.

Just Visiting: Roll the die again, move forward and complete the task for that property. (St. Charles Place) Tall Tail — Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown (3/12/17)

St. Charles Place: Read a book that contains paranormal elements or whose title has a word with double letters. The Bee’s Kiss — Cleverly, Barbara (3/24/17)

Electric Company: Read a book set in 17th century (1600-1699).

States Avenue: Read a book that is set during or in the immediate aftermath of a war in which either the United States or United Kingdom participated.

Virginia Avenue: Read a book set during the Elizabethan period or the Roman Empire.

Pennsylvania Railroad: Read a book set in a place you’d like to visit. Fer-de-Lance -- Stout, Rex (1/20/17)

St. James Place: Read a book with a character who is a member of a royal family from any country or a private investigator.

Community Chest #2: Read a book from any Fiction series.

Tennessee Avenue: Read a book set in the Southern Hemisphere or with a white cover.

New York Avenue: Read a book set in a large city or with a protagonist who is a police detective. A Mystery at Carlton House — Gardner, Ashley (3/26/17)

Free Parking: Read any book of your choice.

Kentucky Avenue: Read a book set in the Victorian era or a book with a red cover. Murder at the Breakers -- Maxwell, Alyssa (1/25/17)

Chance #2: Read a book by a new-to-you author.

Indiana Avenue: Read a book set in a rural area or in which the protagonist or narrator is a member of the clergy, a writer or a journalist. Sidney Chambers and the Forgiveness of Sins — Runcie, James (4/13/17)

Illinois Avenue: Read a book set in the Northern Hemisphere or with a statue, monument or building on the cover.

B&O Railroad: Read a book where the protagonist sets out on a journey at some point during the book. The Silver Locomotive Mystery -- Marston, Edward (2/4/17)

Atlantic Avenue: Read a book set in a country on the Atlantic Ocean or with a yellow cover.

Ventnor Avenue: Read a book set in Medieval times or a book that contains at least one real historical figure as a character.

Water Works: Read a book with a body of water on the cover. A Gilded Grave — Freydont, Shelley (4/16/17)

Marvin Gardens: Read a book featuring a woman as the main character or with a flower, tree or garden on the cover. The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra — Rappaport, Helen (4/24/17)

Go to Jail: Roll the die again, move backward and complete the task for that property.

Pacific Avenue: Read a book set in a country on the Pacific Ocean or set during the Regency period.

North Carolina Avenue: Read a book set at a university or any place of higher learning or a book with a green cover.

Community Chest #3: Read a book from any Historical Mystery series. The Poyson Garden -- Harper, Karen (2/13/17)

Pennsylvania Avenue: Read a thriller/suspense book or a book with a purple cover. Thunder on the Right -- Stewart, Mary (2/19/17)

Short Line Railroad: Read a book of 150 to 250 pages in length.

Chance #3: Read a book from any Bestseller List.

Park Place: Read a book in which the protagonist is very wealthy and/or titled or set in a city with a famous park.

Luxury Tax: Read the book on your to-be-read shelf with the highest Goodreads rating.

Boardwalk: Read a book set in a seaside town or a world capital city.

2016 -- Annual Reads

1. Death in the Truffle Wood -- Magnan, Pierre
2. Cat's Claw -- Albert, Susan Wittig
3. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey -- Stewart, Trenton Lee
4. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma -- Stewart, Trenton Lee
5. Widow's Tears -- Albert, Susan Wittig
6. Some Buried Caesar -- Stout, Rex*
7. Murder on the Lusitania -- Allen, Conrad
8. Murder on the Mauritania -- Allen, Conrad
9. Bitter End -- Stout, Rex*
10. Murder on the Minnesota -- Allen, Conrad
11. Murder on the Caronia -- Allen, Conrad
12. Murder on the Mamora -- Allen, Conrad
13. Murder on the Salsette -- Allen, Conrad
14. Murder on the Oceanic -- Allen, Conrad
15. Murder on the Celtic -- Allen, Conrad
16. Tempest in a Teapot -- Cooper, Amanda
17. Murder on Amsterdam Avenue -- Thompson, Victoria
18. Foreign Éclairs -- Hyzy, Julie
19. The Alexandria Affair -- Gardner, Ashley*
20. Winter at Death's Hotel -- Cameron, Kenneth
21. Beatrice Goes to Brighton -- Beaton, M.C.*
22. A Sprig of Blossomed Thorn -- Greenwood, Patrice*
23. The Alpine Scandal -- Daheim, Mary
24. Anne of Green Gables -- Montgomery, L.M.
25. Anne of Avonlea -- Montgomery, L.M.
26. Anne of the Island -- Montgomery, L.M.
27. The Alpine Traitor -- Daheim, Mary
28. The Alpine Uproar -- Daheim, Mary
29. A Sheetcake Named Desire -- Brady, Jacklyn*
30. Murder at Hatfield House -- Carmack, Amanda*
31. The Alpine Vengeance -- Daheim, Mary
32. The Alpine Winter -- Daheim, Mary
33. The Alpine Xanadu -- Daheim, Mary
34. The Alpine Yeoman -- Daheim, Mary
35. The Alpine Zen -- Daheim, Mary*
36. Princess Elizabeth's Spy -- MacNeal, Susan Elia
37. Ho-Ho-Homicide -- Dunnett, Kaitlyn
38. Bittersweet -- Albert, Susan Wittig
39. Death Come Quickly -- Albert, Susan Wittig
40. Heirs and Graces -- Bowen, Rhys
41. Queen of Hearts -- Bowen, Rhys
42. Signing Their Lives Away -- Kieran, Denise & Joseph D’Angese*
43. Key Lime Die -- Prescott, Summer*
44. Black Bottom Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
45. Buttercream Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
46. Rum Cake Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
47. Pink Velvet Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
48. Kidnap in the Caribbean -- St. John, Lauren
49. Devil's Food Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
50. Murder by Lime -- Prescott, Summer*
51. Murder and Cake by Royal Appointment -- Snow, Luna*
52. Strawberry Cream Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
53. Sidney Chambers and the Perils of the Night -- Runcie, James
54. Maple Frosted Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
55. Cadbury Creme Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
56. Tricky Blueberry Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
57. Chocolate Frosted Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
58. Rhubarb Frosted Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
59. Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil -- Runcie, James
60. Chocolate Revolution Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
61. The Amber Shadows -- Ribchester, Lucy
62. Candied Maple Bacon Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
63. Murder Most Unladylike -- Stevens, Robin
64. Cinnamon Nut Crunch Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
65. Assault and Pepper -- Budewitz, Leslie*
66. Destiny of the Republic -- Millard, Candice
67. Guilty as Cinnamon -- Budewitz, Leslie
68. Death by Lime -- Prescott, Summer*
69. A Deadly Slice of Lime -- Prescott, Summer*
70. Killing Thyme -- Budewitz, Leslie*
71. Chocolate Crunch Murder -- Gillard, Susan*
72. The Hound of the Baskervilles -- Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan†
73. Monsieur Pamplemousse on Probation -- Bond, Michael
74. The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern -- Braun, Lilian Jackson
75. M&M Surprise Murder -- Gillard, Susan*

2015 -- Annual Reads

1. The Clockwork Teddy -- Lamb, John J.
2. Snake in the Glass -- Atwell, Sarah
3. Emily Goes to Exeter -- Beaton, M.C.
4. Belinda Goes to Bath -- Beaton, M.C.
5. The Little Girls -- Bowen, Elizabeth
6. Death at Buckingham Palace -- Benison, C.C.
7. Death at Sandringham House -- Benison, C.C.
8. Death at Windsor Castle -- Benison, C.C.
9. Around the World in Eighty Days -- Verne, Jules*
10. Love in Sight -- Gilliatt, Holly*
11. Heart of Soldier -- Calhoune, Belle*
12. Huckleberry Spring -- Beckstrand, Jennifer*
13. The Orchid Affair -- Willig, Lauren
14. The Litter of the Law -- Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown
15. Nine Lives to Die -- Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown
16. All the President's Menus -- Hyzy, Julie
17. Death Dines at 8:30 -- Bishop, Claudia and Nick DiChario
18. Double Take -- Carlson, Melody*
19. Love Still Stands -- Irvin, Kelly*
20. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver -- E.L. Konigsburg
21. An Old Betrayal -- Finch, Charles
22. Annie Oakley:  Little Sure Shot -- Wilson, Ellen
23. The Secret of Sarah Revere -- Rinaldi, Ann
24. A Little Princess -- Burnett, Frances Hodgson
25. Narcissa Whitman:  Girl Pioneer -- Warner, Ann Spence
26. Bite the Biscuit -- Johnston, Linda O.*
27. The Grave Gourmet -- Campion, Alexander*
28. Murder by the Book -- Stout, Rex*
29. Niel Patrick Harris:  Choose Your Own Autobiography -- Harris, Neil Patrick
30. Mama's Bank Account -- Forbes, Kathryn
31. Vampires, Bones, and Treacle Scones -- Dunnett, Kaitlyn
32. Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death -- Runcie, James
33. Murder Past Due -- James, Miranda
34. No Land's Man -- Mandvi, Aasif*
35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles -- Christie, Agatha*
36. The Potter's Hands -- Fisher, Rebekah*
37. Surprised by Hope -- Fisher, Rebekah*
38. Good-bye, Mr. Chips -- Hilton, James
39. The Horse Trainer -- Fisher, Rebekah*
40. What the Deaf-Mute Heard -- Gearino, G.D.
41. The Coronation -- Akunin, Boris
42. Our Town -- Wilder, Thornton
43. The Happiest Millionaire -- Carothers, A.J.
44. Miracle on 34th Street -- Davies, Valentine
45. Monsieur Pamplemousse Afloat -- Bond, Michael
46. The Professor and the Madman -- Winchester, Simon
47. Anastasia, Ask Your Analyst -- Lowry, Lois*
48. Nineteen Eighty-Four -- Orwell, George*
49. A Fatal Twist of Lemon -- Greenwood, Patrice*
50. A Mouthful of Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
51. Cupcakes & Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
52. Mango Madness Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
53. Something Fishy -- Maloney, Shane
54. Women's Devotional Bible -- New International Version
55. Johnno -- Malouf, David
56. The Thames River Murders -- Gardner, Ashley*
57. Henri, le Chat Noir -- Braden, William
58. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Art Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
59. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Legal Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
60. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Directorial Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
61. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Real Estate Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
62. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Rock Star Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
63. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Restaurant Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
64. Daisy McDare and the Deadly Secret Affair -- Morgan, K.M.*
65. Murder in Murray Hill -- Thompson, Victoria
66. Tail Gait -- Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown
67. A Murder Moist Foul -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
68. Rebecca -- duMaurier, Daphne#
69. A Pinch of Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
70. Half Baked Murder -- Durand, Carol & Summer Prescott*
71. A Reader's Book of Days -- Nissley, Tom

2015 Ultimate Reading Challenge

Year-End Result:
I was excited as the year started, but in the end, I think the challenge actually made my reading harder and more of a chore then enjoyable.  I was picking books not because I really wanted to read them, but merely because they would fit an unfinished category.  That made me resent my reading and I did not enjoy the books as much as I would have if I had not felt required to read them.  It was an interesting experiment, but I do not think I am going to participate in any more reading challenges.  I think I read enough without them and I definitely enjoy my reading more without them.

As for the books I read, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Around the World in 80 Days, and how little I enjoyed Nineteen Eighty-Four, which definitely ranks among my least favorite books ever.

                                                                                                                               

I found this challenge when a poster on a message board suggested it.  Then a Facebook friend suggested trying it out.  Looking it over, I figured I'd give it a shot.  The purpose of the challenge is really to read as many varied and different books as possible, but I think I am going to tweak that a bit and see how many books I can tick off using books I already own.  Other than the book published this year, I think I can make it without buying any new books.  

Check back for my progress, I'll update as I finish books.

1. [✓] A book with 500 pages: Women's Devotional Bible 1 -- New International Version
2. [✓] A classic romance: The Potter's Hands -- Fisher, Rebekah
3. [✓] A book that became a movie: Mama's Bank Account -- Forbes, Kathryn
4. [✓] A book published this year: All the President's Menus -- Hyzy, Julie
5. [✓] A book with a number in the title: Around the World in 80 Days -- Verne, Jules
6. [✓] A book written by someone under 30: The Mysterious Affair at Styles -- Christie, Agatha
7. [✓] A book with nonhuman characters: The Litter of the Law -- Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown
8. [✓] A funny book: Monsieur Pamplemousse Afloat
9. [✓] A book with a female author: Snake in the Glass -- Atwell, Sarah
10. [✓] A mystery or thriller: An Old Betrayal -- Charles Finch
11. [✓] A book with a one-word title: Johnno -- Malouf, David
12. [✓] A book of short stories: Death Dines at 8:30 -- Bishop, Claudia and Nick DiChario
13. [✓] A book set in a different country: Emily Goes to Exeter -- Beaton, M.C.
14. [✓] A nonfiction book: No Land's Man -- Mandvi, Aasif
15. [✓] A popular author's first book: Murder Past Due -- James, Miranda
16. [✓] A book from an author you love that you have not read yet: Nine Lives to Die -- Brown, Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie Brown
17. [✓] A book a friend recommended: The Professor and the Madman -- Winchester, Simon
18. [✓] A Pulitzer Prize winning book: Our Town -- Wilder, Thornton
19. [✓] A book based on a true story: The Secret of Sarah Revere -- Rinaldi, Ann
20. [✓] A book at the bottom of your to-read list: Surprised by Hope -- Fisher, Rebekah
21. [✓] A book your mom loves: Murder By the Book -- Stout, Rex
22. [✓] A book that scares you: Vampires, Bones, and Treacle Scones -- Dunnett, Kaitlyn
23. [✓] A book more than 100 years old: A Little Princess -- Burnett, Frances Hodgson
24. [✓] A book based entirely on its cover: The Clockwork Teddy -- Lamb, John J.
25. [✓] A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't: Rebecca -- duMaurier, Daphne
26. [✓] A memoir: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography -- Harris, Neil Patrick
27. [✓] A book you can finish in a day: Belinda Goes to Bath -- Beaton, M.C.
28. [✓] A book with antonyms in the title: What the Deaf-Mute Heard -- Gearino, G.D.
29. [✓] A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit: Double Take -- Carlson, Melody
30. [✓] A book that came out the year you were born: A Proud Taste for Scarlet & Miniver -- Konigsburg, E.L.
31. [✓] A book with bad reviews: The Grave Gourmet -- Campion, Alexander
32. [✓] A trilogy -- part 1: Death at Buckingham Palace -- Benison, C.C.
33. [✓] A trilogy -- part 2: Death at Sandringham House -- Benison, C.C.
34. [✓] A trilogy -- part 3: Death at Windsor Castle -- Benison, C.C.
35. [✓] A book from your childhood: Annie Oakley: Little Sure Shot -- Wilson, Ellen
36. [✓] A book with a love triangle: Huckleberry Spring -- Beckstrand, Jennifer
37. [✓] A book set in the future: Nineteen Eighty-Four -- Orwell, George
38. [✓] A book set in high school: Good-bye, Mr. Chips -- Hilton, James
39. [✓] A book with a color in the title: The Orchid Affair -- Willig, Lauren
40. [✓] A book that made you cry: Love in Sight -- Gilliatt, Holly
41. [✓] A book with magic: A Fatal Twist of Lemon -- Greenwood, Patrice
42. [✓] A graphic novel: Henri, Le Chat Noir -- Braden, William
43. [✓] A book by an author you've never read before: A Reader's Book of Days -- Nissley, Thomas
44. [✓] A book you own but have never read: Love Still Stands -- Irvin, Kelly
45. [✓] A book that takes place in your hometown (or close to where you live): Something Fishy -- Maloney, Shane
46. [✓] A book originally written in a different language: The Coronation -- Akunin, Boris
47. [✓] A book set during Christmas: Miracle on 34th Street -- Davies, Valentine
48. [✓] A book written by an author with your same initials: Bite the Biscuit -- Johnston, Linda O.
49. [✓] A play: The Happiest Millionaire -- Carothers, A.J.
50. [✓] A banned book: Anastasia, Ask Your Analyst -- Lowry, Lois
51. [✓] A book based on or turned into a TV show: Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death -- Runcie, James
52. [✓] A book you started but never finished: The Little Girls -- Bowen, Elizabeth

2009 -- Annual Reads

1. Hail to the Chef -- Hyzy, Julie
2. The Big Ask -- Maloney, Shane
3. Just Jane -- Lavender, William
4. The Musketeer’s Apprentice -- D’Almeida, Sarah
5. Nine Days a Queen -- Rinaldi, Ann
6. Death on the Lizard -- Paige, Robin
7. The Case of the Ill-Gotten Goat -- Bishop, Claudia
8. The Diamond Cat -- Babson, Marian
9. Innocent Traitor -- Weir, Alison
10. Hallowed Bones -- Haines, Carolyn
11. The Anatomy of Deception -- Goldstone, Lawrence
12. Cat on the Scent -- Brown, Rita Mae
13. Pawing Through the Past -- Brown, Rita Mae
14. Spanish Dagger -- Albert, Susan Wittig
15. Acid Row -- Walters, Minette
16. The Sweet Far Thing -- Bray, Libba
17. Indigo Christmas -- Dams, Jeanne M.
18. Claws and Effect -- Brown, Rita Mae
19. Ragtime in Simla -- Cleverly, Barbara
20. Murder on Waverly Place -- Thompson, Victoria
21. Thunder on the Right -- Stewart, Mary
22. Julie & Julia -- Powell, Julie
23. Dewey -- Myron, Vicki
24. Christmas at Stalingrad -- Beevor, Antony