Sara's Classics Buffet for 2020

[Sara, New School Classics]

Candi wrote: "That's a great accomplishment, Sara! You are my challenge heroine!"

Thank you, Candi. I'm not feeling heroic, as I imagine I will not complete at least two of my challenges this year. I am suddenly feeling like I sat down at a table with too much food and tried to eat some of everything.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lynn wrote: "Sara wrote: "Finished my Old and New Challenge with The Song of the Lark. Only completed the required 12 this year. DNF'd Romola, but might still get the last book done before the end ..."

Thanks, Lynn. Nice to put the finished stamp on this challenge. Next year I'm planning to scale back, but this challenge is one I love because it makes me decide on the twelve books I really want to read during the year and stick to them.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lynn wrote: "Sara wrote: "Finished my Old and New Challenge with The Song of the Lark. Only completed the required 12 this year. DNF'd Romola, but might still get the last book done before the end ..."

Thanks, Lynn. Nice to put the finished stamp on this challenge. Next year I'm planning to scale back, but this challenge is one I love because it makes me decide on the twelve books I really want to read during the year and stick to them.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Shaina wrote: "Wow! Congratulations, Sara! I agree with Laurie...think of it as the baker's dozen."

Thank you, Shaina. A much better way to look at it!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Congratulations Sara, The Old and New challenge is one of my favorites because it focuses mostly on my TBR rather than making a list of interesting books that can complete a list.

[Kathleen]

This can be a tough challenge to finish, particularly this year. Well done!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Bob wrote: "Congratulations Sara, The Old and New challenge is one of my favorites because it focuses mostly on my TBR rather than making a list of interesting books that can complete a list."

Exactly why I like it, Bob. I always put the books I really want to read but never seem to get to and I most often have the entire group be 4 & 5-star reads. I'm thinking next year to commit to only this and Bingo.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Kathleen wrote: "This can be a tough challenge to finish, particularly this year. Well done!"

Thanks, Kathleen. This year has surely been funky. I looked at my schedule for the rest of the year and knew I was never going to do everything--so, I have given myself permission to only read what appeals to me from here.

[Shaina]

Sara, our next monthy read has Our Man in Havana which you also have under 1958 Decade Challenge. I think that's two birds with one stone? :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Yes, Shaina, I have it on the schedule. I have wanted to read it for years and voted for it as the group read. I was surprised when it won...that almost never happens for me. Hope you will be reading it as well. Greene is a man who can spark an interesting discussion.

[Philina]

Congratulations, Sara!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thank you, Philina.

[Shaina]

Yes, it's my first Greene and I'm very excited to read it.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Bravo. Hope it makes you a fan, like me.

[Annette]

Congratulations! The buffet was sooo tantalizing but sooo filling!

[Sara, New School Classics]

lol. Yes, like Thanksgiving when you have to have it with the parents and the in-laws all in one day.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Finished Our Man in Havana and used it three times: Bingo, Decade, and Group Read. What a fun book...which isn't something one usually thinks when putting down a Graham Greene!

[Brina]

It’s short. I may have to add it. My reading has been so messed up this year. I am impressed by all of you who have stayed on track.

[Sara, New School Classics]

lol. It is indeed short, one of its merits. I'm appreciating finding the shorter ones now that the end of the year is looming so large!

[Brian E]

Sara wrote: "Finished Our Man in Havana ... What a fun book...which isn't something one usually thinks when putting down a Graham Greene!"

If you're looking for a lighter brighter shade of Greene, try Travels with My Aunt - it's a fun book too.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks. Quite willing to read anything he has written, Brian. I love his dark side, but now I will know to think of him for lighter reads as well.

[Kathleen]

A multi-use book is a treat this time of year, Sara--congrats!! Travels with My Aunt sounds good too. I may try it next.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I might do the same, Kathleen. I checked and my library has a copy.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Participated in my final group read with 84, Charing Cross Road.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sara wrote: "Participated in my final group read with 84, Charing Cross Road."

I read this earlier this year for my bingo challenge. Such a good story.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I agree, Bob. I used it for my group reads challenge and glad I decided to do that. I seldom find time to read anything a second time.

[Sara, New School Classics]

As we roll over into December, I am facing the fact that I will not be making any more progress on my buffet of challenges. I completed four and a half of the seven I had planned: Old and New, which is always a favorite challenge for me and helps me clear some of the books that I know I want to read but never seem to get to; the Genre Challenge, which was good fun and provided a lot of variety; The Short Story Challenge (I actually read 101 stories so far and might add a few to that number before the year ends); The Group Read Challenge with exactly twelve participations, all of which I enjoyed; and finally the Century half of the Decade/Century Challenge.

I put a few books on the others, but in the end, too much to read and not enough time. I also completed the Bingo Challenge and find myself five books short of doing it twice.

I might have finished at least one more of these, but I am now involved in my second big move in as many years. I hope this is the last move I ever make. I really want to be settled, and this time I am going HOME, a place I have not lived for over 40 years. I will be close to family and friends, and I will be where my heart has always resided. I think hearts and homes ought to be in the same place!

MUCH THANKS to all of you who have shared the journey with me and made this year such a fun year for reading. I appreciate, more than you can know, all the great book recommendations, the astute thoughts of fellow reads, the marvelous reviews that introduce me to great authors. I will be in and out during this month, but I will be mostly absent. Have a great finish everyone! See you in 2021.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

I hope your move home brings you every happiness! Good luck.

I think you are wise to say you have finished challenges for this year. (Oh and I must bring up just one more recommendation. This is a quick light read about gambling in Monte Carlo Loser Takes All by Graham Greene ).

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Lynn. I'll add it to the list, of course!

[Kathleen]

Sara--you did some amazing reading this year, and your short stories are quite an inspiration. This is a huge success, so congrats!

Heart and home in the same place is a beautiful thing. Makes me feel cozy just thinking about it. I hope your move goes as well as possible, and you settle in nicely to the place you love. Wishing you the very best!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks so much, Kathleen. I think I am going to be very happy once we are all settled in. The move itself might be a nightmare, but then it will be worth it.

[Laurie]

Your challenges were a great success. You read books you enjoyed which is the point of any challenge. I wish you the easiest move and to be settled for good. I have moved two dozen times in the past 30 years, so I am well acquainted with how hard it is.

[Brian E]

I've lived in the house I'm in for 34 years and the thought of moving my books is something that I.... just avoid thinking about.
I don't envy your move Sara, but it is good to be HOME. Good luck.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Laurie wrote: "Your challenges were a great success. You read books you enjoyed which is the point of any challenge. I wish you the easiest move and to be settled for good. I have moved two dozen times in the pas..."

Thanks, Laurie. I did have a good year for reading and I will be back at it when the new year rolls in. I have only moved three times in the last 40 years, but each move was a huge chore. How do we accumulate so much stuff?

[Sara, New School Classics]

Brian wrote: "I've lived in the house I'm in for 34 years and the thought of moving my books is something that I.... just avoid thinking about.
I don't envy your move Sara, but it is good to be HOME. Good luck."

I know that feeling! I had been in our house for 18 years before we moved here last year. I had to part with over half of my books, and they were among the hardest things to let go of. This time, everything goes with me. Hopefully the move will be done and the joy will begin! Much thanks, Brian.

[Shaina]

Good luck with your move Sara! I know how painful it is to move house as I have moved around quite a bit. I thought my move to my house in 2017 would be the last for a while. It doesn't seem to be on the cards as I'm relocating to another country soon that too leaving all my books behind. I did buy them a home though (got myself a bookcase last week finally!)

I'm glad your taking everything along and moving home and close to friends and family.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Shaina, and good luck on your move. At least I am not leaving the country, I can imagine there are a lot of red tape items to check off doing that! Congrats on the new bookcase.

[Annette]

It was fun to read with you this year Sara. Best wishes on the move and Happy New Year - I hope it brings you much comfort and happiness.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Annette. Best wishes to you, as well.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sara, I have enjoyed following your progress and have benefited greatly from the experience. You have pointed me in the direction of some of the best books I’ve ever read, Thanks!

I hate that you have to go through the aggravation associated with moving, but I’m happy that you will end up in the place you call Home. That’s where happiness resides and I hope it’s a smooth transition without any pot holes along your way.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thank you, Bob. You know that street runs both ways. You gave me two of my very best reads this year, and both were books I would have overlooked or skipped entirely. I appreciate your friendship more than you can know.

[Cynda]

Hoping your new house will be a good home, if not the home in capital letters. Be Well.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "As we roll over into December, I am facing the fact that I will not be making any more progress on my buffet of challenges. I completed four and a half of the seven I had planned: Old and New, whic..."

You did great Sara! Besides all of your reading, you also write so many amazing reviews. That takes time as well.

I'm glad you are moving to a place you love with family and friends around. Moving is still stressful no matter what but hopefully this time it will be smooth since you recently purged a lot in the last move.

[Carolien]

I hope you are very happy in your new home, Sara! Congratulations with completing so many of the challenges. You read some lovely books this year.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Cynda wrote: "Hoping your new house will be a good home, if not the home in capital letters. Be Well."

Thanks, Cynda. See you for some shared reading in the new year.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Sue wrote: "Sara wrote: "As we roll over into December, I am facing the fact that I will not be making any more progress on my buffet of challenges. I completed four and a half of the seven I had planned: Old ..."

lol. You would think, but even now I realize I just own too much stuff! Packing the books made me groan, but just not parting with any more of them.

The reading and reviews are my joy. I really appreciate that you take the time to read them!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Carolien wrote: "I hope you are very happy in your new home, Sara! Congratulations with completing so many of the challenges. You read some lovely books this year."

Thank you, Carolien. I did have a good reading year and looking forward to the next.

[Candi]

Wishing you the very best, Sara! Hope all goes well and that you settle in as easy as can be and get back into your reading groove very soon :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thank you, Candi. I'm hoping for the same. It will be such a thrill to be home and know another move is highly unlikely!

[Brina]

Best of luck Sara. I always look to you for inspiration of those out of the way books. Hopefully this is it no more moving and we’ll see you in buddy and group reads in the new year.