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Two (or More!) Cozy Mysteries at the Same Time?

I stayed up reading last night. I am currently reading one of my favorite Cozy Mystery authors, so this isn’t uncommon. Unfortunately, I had a very early dental appointment this morning. Hmmm… What’s a gal to do! Reading a favorite author VS sleeping…

Getting back to my reading:

I am currently reading a Sally Goldenbaum Seaside Knitters Cozy. I don’t knit but I did as a child. For years I supplied everyone in my family with their too-bulky, too-long, too-heavy knit scarves. I do, however, crochet >>> which is pretty similar to me. Nothing fancy, but I love to crochet.

So this morning, I rushed to get ready, made sure I had my Kindle in tow, and drove myself to my dentist’s office. As I got back to listening to the audio book I have going in my car, I was sort of confused. Who is this character? What’s this person doing in this book? OK, I recognized needlecrafting references being talked about. OK, I knew the characters in this close-knit “village”. But good grief, what’s Monica Ferris‘ Betsy Devonshire (who lives in Minnesota) doing in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts?

That’s when it dawned on me. I was currently reading two of my favorite Cozy Mystery series and they both have needlecrafting themes. I usually try to avoid this sort of thing, but I had decided I wanted to take a break from trying new-to-me authors and focus on two of my favorite Cozy Mystery authors.

How about you? Do you read just one Cozy Mystery at a time, or do you ever have a few Cozies going simultaneously? If you do read more than one Cozy Mystery at a time, do you ever confuse their plots for just a few tiny moments, or am I the only one who does that?

 

Comments

  1. i have 3 copies going at all times. One book in the kitchen, one next to my bed and one on my nook (which is also next to my bed). Granted sometimes, and I mean sometimes, a light romance might be added into the mix.

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  2. I get my books from the library and reserve different ones from around the state. Sometimes they come in in a bunch and sometimes just dribble in. So there are times, I am reading 2 at once at least initially, till I just stop and read the one that interests me more first.

    Please remind me how to have someone join this site. She showed me another site and I would like to return the favor. We both read mysteries that are mostly cozies. Thanks. I’m not sure if I will stay with the other one. The format is a little different.

    Reply

    • Billie, your library sounds phenomenal! You’re very lucky to have access to it.

      Anyone can use the Cozy Mystery site. All they have to do is type in Cozy-Mystery.com (on her search page – a lot of people use Google) and it pops up. If she wants to participate in the blog comments/area, all she has to do is post a comment. Then, if she wants to be notified of an entry, all she has to do is go to the bottom of the left column on the blog to where it says

      “Subscribe to Blog via Email
      Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.”

      I hope this helps.

      Reply

      • Thanks, Danna. I will pass that on to her. The other site suggested a group book read and discussion in June, but it seems to be mostly Kindle editions. As you can tell, I am a library junkie.

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  3. I can only read one book at a time and keep straight in my head what is going on. I prefer to read one at a time but I can read them fast so I read plenty

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  4. I love both those authors! I’m waiting for their new ones to come out. I often have more than one book going at a time. Sometimes I feel like reading one genre and later in the day I feel like something else. I do sometimes get confused about characters in different books. I read so fast and constantly changing books that I forget what location the book is in.

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  5. i usually read one at a time, but like the past weekend, I was reading one from the library and 2 on kindle. Was pretty busy in April with A to Z blog challenge. Getting back to normal now. Joan
    (somersethouse.me)

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    • Joan, now that’s something I would never try! “2 on kindle” >>> unless I had two Kindles and didn’t have access to one of them. Three books at the same time takes me back to my college days!

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  6. Yes! One by my bed and often one by my recliner in the computer/TV room. One might wiggle its way into the bathroom, too! LOL

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  7. I usually have three books going at the same time:
    ** a CAR book – one that’s in my glove box in case I forget something to read (or finish what I have) and need something to read
    ** an office book – ditto, only this one’s in my office so I never have to eat lunch without something to read
    ** my current read – the book I’m really reading whether paper, Nook, or Kindle (or one of the apps for my PC)

    Sometimes e-freebies interrupt so I have four going at once.

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  8. As long as you recognize your confusion …no worries. Some folks misplace car keys, cozy readers misplace characters,wink,wink.
    I occasionally do the same….in fact, even when reading only one book, I sometimes have to refresh my memory as to exactly which character is now being discussed especially if there are many with poorly developed descriptions.
    Another unwelcome new experience is the effect some books have on my comfort level or mood if I read in bed. I used to be able to put it all out of my mind but recently some books leave me with what I call a ‘residual effect’ …so I now try to stick with the safe cozies for bedtime comfort, avoiding the CNN App before sleeping or serial killer type forensics. And yes, I have books all over the house….some partially read, several non fiction as well as the dreaded instruction books that come with digital cameras.
    Re crochet…lovely hobby as is knitting…old friends ask how my horses are doing, if I am still dog sledding…they are taken back to hear of my knitting….”what happened to you” they ask…half jokingly. But knitting is fun, so is handspinning and dying raw wool with Kool Aid for grandkids. Our cozy knitting group has talented folks…even a man who is an intelligence analyst. And those patterns are very humbling….years ago it was organic chem…now it is learning to knit and feeling like it is the bigger challenge.

    Reply

    • Kim, you make a good point about recognizing it when you are in the wrong Cozy with the correct sleuth!

      I am happy to see where more men are admitting to the needlecrafts. I suspect there were lots before who wouldn’t admit to the fact that they enjoyed cross stitching, knitting, crocheting, etc…

      Reply

  9. I usually read one book at a time — HOWEVER — about once a week or so I find myself with a kindle book in the middle & then for whatever reason the kindle is not available so I start a print book — so then sometimes I try to finish the print book first before going back to the kindle book — or sometimes try to get right back to the kindle book & finish that one asap – and then back to finish the print book. Its a juggling act for sure! its a toss-up, usually depending on which I’m enjoying more to decide which to finish first.

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    • Stash, with the number of books you read each month, I’m surprised you only have one going at any given time. I wondered what happened with library e-books when your time is up. Now I know! Thanks.

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  10. Hi, I do often read two cozy mysteries at the same time, but I try to have them be different themes so I can keep all the characters straight. my younger son and I sometimes share reading out loud to each other a book of his choice so there are times I have three stories going on in my head.

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  11. Danna,

    I usually read one book at a time, but recently BookBub, which offers free & $2.99 or less books in one’s favorite genre, has offered so many that I want to read that I’m reading about six right now!

    I usually download samples first, but because there’s a time limit on these deep discounts, I have to remember to read the sample & not one of the too-many actual books I’m also reading! Poor Marienne!

    I do all of this on my iPhone! In Nook & iBooks! That’s really confusing! For example, your Post yesterday about the death of Ruth Rendell – may God bless her soul & may she rest peacefully in heaven – had me searching iBooks for a book I knew I had just read or was currently reading (see what I’m talking about?) until I finally remembered that it was on Nook! Oy!

    So no, Danna, you are not the only one who forgets which book you’re reading! Now, I cannot focus on audio books & am impressed that you can transition between the two formats. The thought of doing that makes my head spin!

    Since I’m busy w. many other things right now – including watching a rather good batch of TCM movies – I find myself not reading as much as usual – which means I’m reading less of everything.

    Thanks for everything!

    Reply

      • Danna,

        Thanks for your reply. I am reminded from the many Comments how literate are your readers- not at all like most of the Comments one reads on FB! Thanks, to your other Readers!

        I’m surprised by the Comments about Kindles – I used to use a Sony Reader, and I don’t really remember what features it had, but as I said in my Comment, I read on my iPhone only now – it’s all I have.

        The iPhone has a search feature & a highlight feature & a note feature in addition to several shades of lighting, different size fonts bookmarks, auto-night, scrolls up/down, brightness control penultimate & last page return So, I figure if it has those features, then the iPad probably does too (for those who think the iPhone is too small). Check it out, Ladies. And enjoy!

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        • Marienne, I guess reading has helped us all!

          Your iPhone sounds pretty snazzy! My husband has all sorts of gadgets, so I’ll ask him why he doesn’t have one of those! He’s trying to convince me to move onto his old Kindle, but Ive grown accustomed to my Kindle, and am dragging me feet.

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          • Thanks, again, Danna for your response. I was so certain that you were going to say that you & your readers knew all about it, but eschewed it for other reasons. So I was pleased that I was able to offer new information.

            I don’t think it’s actually snazzier than other iPhones – it’s just how they come. I’m 62, but even w/o my specs, I can read the screen & my arthritic hands aren’t taxed w. the span or weight of a larger device – from certain positions I can read, scroll, highlight & search w. one hand!

            Of course, Apple products are notoriously expensive. But I’ve gotten each of my iPhones as an upgrade at little or no cost from my cellular carrier, Sprint. And they come w. a certain amount of apple support – invaluable!

            I had no idea that all the electronic readers out there didn’t have all these features & I hope you & your readers find this information enhances their future on-the-go reading experiences!

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  13. I usually have one book (reading when I have time) and one audiobook (for my daily commute) at the same time. If they are similar, sometimes I get confused, but the ones I choose for audio tend to be different than the kindle reads.

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  14. I could never read more than one book at a time. I love my cozies and use a kindle so one at a time is what I can do I am getting older and find that reading books is too difficult with the small print and I adore my kindle

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    • Louiise, I love my Kindle, too! Love the font adjustments!

      My husband had a Kindle for a while, and kept asking me to take the Kindle plunge. I kept answering that I loved the feel of a “real” book. However, one year he was having problems coming up with a Christmas gift for me, so I told him to go ahead and get me the most basic Kindle they had out at the time. As soon as I got it, I absolutely loved it. (Also, I have downloaded a few games like Sudoku which I enjoy playing.)

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  15. I always have 4 books going. 1 traditional book that I read in the daytime. 1 on my Kindle voyage that lives in my purse for when I’m out of the house. 1 audible book on my iPod for my walks. 1 on my Kindle Fire that I read in bed. They’re usually all very different: a cozy, a non cozy mystery, a biography, etc. One thing I like on the voyage – it has a call up feature you can use to remind you who a character is from past references in the book.

    Reply

    • The call up feature on your Voyage Kindle sounds wonderful. I didn’t realize that some of the newer Kindles had that feature. It sure beats thinking “Now who is this again.” Then starts the thumbing back through previous pages to find out who the character is.

      Reply

  16. I tend to read one at a time. My husband would say that it’s because I ‘read too darn fast!’ (okay, he’s right….I do). I would say that it’s more because of how much I end up jumping into each book and don’t want to loose focus.
    Our public library is awesome in not only their selection but in reserving and bring in from other branches so there’s never a problem in missing a book in any series if they don’t have it on hand.
    Thanks for all the great, useful, and fun posting and exchanges!

    Reply

      • I know, right?!?!

        You’ve inspired me to print some of my favorite authors from the blog (as you have amazing details on authors) as well as authors that I want to read and place them in a three ring binder that will now travel with me to my local library to be able to ‘keep track of’ not only what I’ve read but also what I want to read! : )

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        • Janice M, I have a working list that I keep on my desktop so that I am able to add new books to each author as needed, as well as mark off the books in the series that I have read. I have to remember to do it immediately, though.

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          • That’s a great idea!

            I tend to mark them off the author’s lists as soon as I get home from our library. My husband jokes that it’s just part of my organizational mindset….okay, he might be right! LOL

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  17. There are just too many books I want to read and I wonder if I will get them all read so my solutions is to maximize my time. I have audible books on my iPod for my walking exercise every day, I have books on CD’s or Mp3’s from the Library in my car to listen to when I am running errands or traveling, I usually have my favorite cozy on my nightstand to read before bed and then my book club’s selection which is never a cozy and requires more concentration I read during the day whenever I have some time. Usually my way of keeping them separate is that they are different themes – thrillers or suspense on ipod to keep me motivated to get out and walk, stories for the car that are interesting, cozys at night, and whatever the bookclub subjects are during the daytime breaks. I am not sure that I will never catch up as there are always new ones coming out that I want to read as well. Happy problem. :-)_

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  20. I always have one book at work (for my lunch hour), and an audio book that I listen to when I am working around the house. And right now I also have a book that I am reading at night before bed. And they are different types, so I can keep them apart. Right now the audio book is nonfiction, one is a police procedural, and the other one is crime fiction by a Japanese author. They are very different.

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  21. I prefer one at a time, I can get engrossed so much easier, but I’ve been reading 2 lately. I use the kindle in bed (easier to hold and larger type) but I keep a book downstairs to read during the day.

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  23. I read only one cozy at a time, but I like to vary the tone. Some authors are edgier than others. So, if I read a ‘heavier’ or ‘edgier’ book, I like to follow it with a lighter or more humorous cozy.

    Also, I vary it between favorite and known authors (to me) with either an unknown author or a new series. This forces me to try the new author or the new series.

    BTW, Danna, your reference to Betsy Devonshire being in Massachusetts was funny. It reminded me when Dorothy Martin met Penny Brannigan in Wales – BUT I wasn’t imagining it. They really did meet up. I thought it was so strange that it MUST be a mistake/coincidence – until I read the acknowledgements and found out it was a collaboration between the authors (Duncan and Dam)! I’m reading, ‘Slated For Death’ right now and so far Dorothy Martin hasn’t showed up yet!!

    Reply

    • MJ, I jump between new-to-me authors and favorite authors, also. There are so many new-to-me authors who I want to try, so I usually read three or four between my favorites. I wonder sometimes if this affects the way I feel about the new-to-me authors, though >>> like maybe I try to rush through the newbies in order to get to a favorite.

      Dorothy Martin and Penny Brannigan getting together is sort of like what Mignon F. Ballard’s next Augusta Goodnight/Miss Dimple endeavor sounds like. I’m guessing it’s particularly fun for an author (or in your example two authors) to do.

      Reply

      • Well……..it took until page 242 in “Slated For Death” for Dorothy Martin and Alan Nesbitt (her husband) to be discussed! They don’t make an ‘appearance’, though — just mentioned. They’re briefly mentioned again towards the end of the book.

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  24. For far too long I got away from reading, and focused on my knitting every spare minute of the day. My husband kept telling me how great the Donna Andrews mysteries were, and I finally had to start getting back into my cozy mystery books. So, probably because I didn’t read for so long, I’m now reading five different cozy books all the time. This site has inspired me to try new authors, so I read two new series along with a seasonal book, one old favorite—and of course Donna Andrews Meg Langslow series. I try not to read two books with the same theme like needlecrafts, so I don’t get confused. Luckily I like all kinds of cozy mysteries: culinary, cat, knitting, historical, southwestern, British, etc., so it’s not too difficult to keep them all different!

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    • Tami, I go through phases when I use my time cross stitching instead of reading. It’s so easy to just turn on an old movie and enjoy it while stitching, so I totally see why you focused on your knitting. When you decided to return to the reading fold, you certainly went in all the way! Five books at one time? Wow!

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  25. Danna, I read two or more books at one time quite often, and at times when I want to make a comment in your blog here I can get mixed up on which book I am referring to as I did last week.
    Right now I am reading ” Miss Julia Lays Down the Law” by Ann B. Ross along with a new to me author Lea Wait’s book ” Twisted Thread. ” I also have an older Mrs. Jefferies novel that I am reading at night on my bedside table.
    Sometimes I will try a new to me author a chapter or two in between a favorite author, at least until I get interested in the story.

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    • Linda C, that explains it! Trying a new-to-you author between favorite authors might be work for you, but I’d probably wan to stop reading the book I wa having a difficult getting into in lieu of the favorite…

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  26. I only read one book at a time. I have a one-task mindset, so if I stop a book in the middle I probably won’t return to it. I hardly read paper books anymore because we move so often, and kindle books weigh hardly anything!

    I liked the earlier commenter who said she reads while she eats. I always do that, too, and back when I had a tub, I loved to read there, as well. The only place I can’t read is in the car.

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    • Danna,

      I’m responding to Aaro’s Comment. I chuckled when I read it because I read when I’m in my car & if ever I am a passenger on a long trip, I read. I don’t often read while I drive – usually it’s at stop lights or in traffic jams. But I’m blessed to be such a good driver that I can put on full make-up at 75mph (using the rear view mirror)! Not on curvy California roads, but when I lived in Chicago & not in rush hour traffic (one can’t do 75mph in rush-hour)!

      Marienne

      Reply

        • Funny girl, Danna! FYI, I wear foundation, blush, powder, lipstick, eyeliner (both lids), eyeshadow & marcara. The timing was perfect – it took as long as my commute – w. time for a smoke as well. It was a matter of will – I had no other time & it was important to me to look professional as I’m a lawyer who appeared in court. That kind of will one gets when one becomes a mom!

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        • P.S. I just had to add that despite all that, I did appear before the judge one morning w. pin curls in my bangs! Oy! The best laid plans ….

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    • Aaro, we don’t move a lot, but I still love my Kindle! I love the font size capability, and also that I have my whole library with me at all times.

      I don’t read in the car since I’m either driving or with someone. I do, however, listen to audio books in the car >>> either when I’m alone or with my husband.

      Reply

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