Bob's 2020 Buffet-I'm Eating it All, Maybe, We'll See

[Kathleen]

I'm so happy you're enjoying Dandelion Wine. There was a time when I read it every summer.

And wow. That's a lot of short stories. And good ones too! You're off to a great new year.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Wow, Bob, you are rocking 2020!

[Ila]

You're doing great Bob.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

How long can the fire of a New Year resolution burn? I hope for a long time. I’m on fire, this has been my best reading month ever and with so many good books. I hope the trend keeps going. As for the challenges, who knows, so far things are great. In my opinion challenges #1,2, 8, & 9 are the hardest, the rest will just require time and picking good books.

January is over February is beginning, My Current Status:

Challenge #1 - Old & New TBR Clean-up
Completed 4/12

Challenge #2 - The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier
Completed 3/10

Challenge #3 Your Birth Year Top 10 Best Sellers
N/A - Done years ago

Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre Challenge
Completed 9/12

Challenge #5 - Decade/Century Challenge
Completed 5/10

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #1
Completed 10/24
Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #2
Completed 17/24
Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #3
Completed 11/24
A combined total of 38/72 short stories

Challenge #7 - 2020 Group Reads Challenge
Completed 6/12

Challenge #8 - A-Z Author Challenge
Completed 13/26

Challenge #9 - A-Z Title Challenge
Completed 16/26

[Sara, New School Classics]

WOW! You really are on fire. How amazing to be clearing them so fast. I feel like I am a slow car and you are running the Indy 500. Best part is that you are enjoying them so much! Keep it up, Bob, it is thrilling to watch.

[MKay]

Bob, As for Master and Margarita it was a pretty fast moving book for me. The subject matter may deter some, but it was interesting and caught my eye from the start. As for length, I read it on my Kindle so didn't even realize the length.

[Philina]

Wow, you really are on fire! Congratulations and keep up the good work!

[Rosemarie]

Fantastic Progress, Bob! And it's still January!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

January and February finished, My Current Status:

Still advancing on most challenges, no progress on a couple. March should see Challenge #4 completed and Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #3 completed.

I hope to continue to make progress in March, but it will get a little slower, especially with the A-Z Challenges

Challenge #1 - Old & New TBR Clean-up
Completed 6/12-2/29/20 + 2
Completed 4/12-1/29/20

Challenge #2 - The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier
Completed 5/10-2/29/20 + 2
Completed 3/10-1/29/20

Challenge #3 Your Birth Year Top 10 Best Sellers
N/A - Done years ago

Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre Challenge
Completed 11/12-2/20/20 + 2
Completed 9/12-1/29/20

Challenge #5 - Decade/Century Challenge
Completed 5/10-1/29/20
Completed 5/10-2/29/20 No change

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #1
Completed 11/24-2/29/20 + 1
Completed 10/24-1/29/20

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #2 Finished
Completed 24/24-2/29/20

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #3
Completed 20/24-2/29/20 + 9
Completed 11/24-1/29/20

A combined total of 55/72 2/29/20 + 17
A combined total of 38/72 1/29/20

Challenge #7 - 2020 Group Reads Challenge
Completed 6/12-2/29/20
Completed 6/26-1/29/20 No Change

Challenge #8 - A-Z Author Challenge
Completed 16/26-2/29/20 + 3
Completed 13/26-1/29/20

Challenge #9 - A-Z Title Challenge
Completed 19/26-2/29/20 + 3
Completed 16/26-1/29/20

[Sara, New School Classics]

At least you have done something on every challenge. I have a couple that I haven't touched. I am truly impressed with your volume of reading!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

My Current Status, through the 1st quarter, Jan-Mar

Challenge #1 - Old & New TBR Clean-up
Completed 7/12 as of 4/6/20 currently reading #8 The Moonstone

Challenge #2 - The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier
Completed 5/10 as of 4/6/20
No change, most of my choices will have to come from the library, this is on hold for now.

Challenge #3 Your Birth Year Top 10 Best Sellers
N/A - Done years ago

Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre Challenge
Completed 11/12 as of 4/6/20
I'm currently reading #12 and I'm 70% finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Challenge #5 - Decade/Century Challenge
Completed 6/10 as of 4/6/20

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #1
Completed 13/24 as of 4/6/20
This part of the challenge is planned to include the groups short stories, so it can't be finished till the end of the year.

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #2
24/24 Finished 2/19/20

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #3
24/24 Finished 3/6/20

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #4, No Pre-set Number to Read
Challenge to Finished 12/31/20
This is to record the Short Stories I read from 3/3/20 till years end.
12 Read as of 4/6/20

73 Short Stories is my combined total as of 4/6/20 -

Challenge #7 - 2020 Group Reads Challenge
Completed 9/12 as of 4/6/20
Currently reanding #10 White Fang

Challenge #8 - A-Z Author Challenge
Completed 18/26 as of 4/6/20
Letters needed - E, I, Q, R, U, V, X, Y Who would think E & R would be difficult to come across

Challenge #9 - A-Z Title Challenge
Completed 20/26 as of 4/6/20
Letters needed - L, Q, U, X, Y, Z

[Sara, New School Classics]

My goodness, Bob, you are amazing! 73 short stories is no small achievement. I cannot imagine what your year end total is going to look like. You will be finished with all your challenges way before the end of the year...you might be doing two of everything!

[Laurie]

For your E author you could read Scenes of Clerical Life by George Eliot which is actually three short stories and knock out more in one fell swoop.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I've completed Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre and I have completed Challenge #6 - Short Story. I will continue to read short stories. I've never really kept track of my short story reads. I am curious as to how many I will finish by the end of the year.

With as many short stories already read this year, I'm surprised, when I look over the titles that most are remembered in good detail. Very few reviewed titles have left me wondering "what was that about." So many good reads this year.

[Irphen]

Bob wrote: "I've completed Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre and I have completed Challenge #6 - Short Story. I will continue to read short stories. I've never really kept track of my short story rea..."
Congrats on completing challenge #4 and #6! Seems like you will indeed be completing the whole Buffet challenge^^ Cool that you enjoyed nearly all of the short stories, I might just steal some from you to use for my challenge as well ;-) Happy reading with the rest!

[Sara, New School Classics]

That is, indeed, the hallmark of a good read, Bob. I have read novels that three months later come back up and I cannot remember the slightest detail of the plot or the name of a single character. It might be partly old age, but I don't think so, because it almost always happens with newer novels and not with the older ones.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Just finished my 8th book for Challenge #1 - Old & New TBR Clean-up. That equals the number finished during all of last years challenge. So much better this year, who knows I may even finish it this year.

By the way my 8th book was The Moonstone. I can't understand how I past this by all these years, it's great!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I have completed challenges #4, #6-89 read to date, and #7. I am advancing on several others and treading water on a few. All in all, I think I have a shot at finishing by years end.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Just did a quick check on the validity of finishing this year. Counting A-Z letters needed and all other unfinished challenge slots, I need to read 18 more books. That might not sound like much, but it is almost 30% of an average year for me, Fingers crossed

[Sara, New School Classics]

I'm so glad you have now read The Moonstone. It was my first Wilkie Collins and I have loved everything else I have read from him.

You are just amazing!!! Not a chance that you don't finish. I suspect you will be looking for a new challenge before the year is over.

[Laurie]

You got this, Bob. That's not even three books a month if you take the rest of the year. I'm quite sure you'll be done sooner rather than later.

[Kathleen]

Bob wrote: "Just did a quick check on the validity of finishing this year. Counting A-Z letters needed and all other unfinished challenge slots, I need to read 18 more books. That might not sound like much, bu..."

You forget this is a year you are on fire, so I predict you'll blaze through these with no problem!

I see The Talented Mr. Ripley is an option above. I just adjusted one of my challenges to include it. Enjoy whatever you pick!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Kathleen, I just started Mr. Ripley last night. It will be my eighth read for my decade challenge. It's to early to tell how good it is, but I've heard good reports

[Kathleen]

Bob wrote: "Kathleen, I just started Mr. Ripley last night. It will be my eighth read for my decade challenge. It's to early to tell how good it is, but I've heard good reports"

Great--I look forward to hearing what you think, Bob!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I think you will enjoy it, Bob. I love a book that is unique--not quite like anything else--and this one is that.

[Darren]

I liked TTMR so much that after reading it for free as an e-loan I bought a vintage hardback edition!

[Ila]

You're doing great Bob. This one sounds like something I should put on my TBR soon.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Things are slowing down, but still plugging along.


Challenge #1 - Old & New TBR Clean-up - 10/12 Complete, currently reading #11
Challenge #2 - The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier - 6/10 Complete
✔️Challenge #3 Your Birth Year Top 10 Best Sellers - N/A
✔️Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre - Completed
Challenge #5 - Decade/Century Challenge - 7/10 Complete, currently reading #8
✔️Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge - Completed, have read to date 97
✔️Challenge #7 - 2020 Group Reads Challenge - Completed
Challenge #8 - A-Z Author Challenge - 21/26 Complete, need letters I, Q, U, X, & Y
Challenge #9 - A-Z Title Challenge - 20/26 Complete, need letters J, Q, U, X, Y, & Z

I have two books on order from my local library, fingers crossed. If the books transport from their current location to my library, I'm supposed to get a email notification for curbside pick up. For some reason I have doubts, perhaps I'm just being cynical.

[Sara, New School Classics]

You are doing beyond great, Bob. I keep reminding myself that there are still 5.5 months to go. It can be done.

[Laurie]

If I count correctly, you only need 20 books to read even if you could not count any for more than one challenge. I'm sure you can do it with over 5 months left if you can get the books.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Challenge 1 is complete, still working on challenge 2, 5, 8, & 9

[Connie]

You're making amazing progress, Bob!

[Shaina]

Bob wrote: "Challenge 1 is complete, still working on challenge 2, 5, 8, & 9"

Wow! That's quite a number of challenges almost done. Excellent reading Bob. Good luck and I really hope you finish challenges 2,5,8 & 9.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

With the current problems with libraries being closed I have been stalled on challenge #2 The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier and #5 Decade/Century Challenge. A good many of my choices for these two challenges were based on library acquisitions. My local library has started back up with curb service and I have just picked up The 13 Clocks by James Thurber. This will fill my 1950 slot for my Decade challenge, but was not a first choice. It’s the only choice I could find that was housed in my local library and fit the need.

I’m currently reading and stalled, a little over halfway, with The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955) and I own a copy of Sweet Thursday (1954). These two and 13 Clocks will finish challenge #5 and that will be my focus for the next few weeks.

With the library somewhat back in business I expect to finish challenge #2 by the middle of October. I have real doubts about completing #8 & #9.

[Kathleen]

You're doing great, Bob, and congrats on finishing your Old and New Challenge! That's the one I'm having the most trouble with, exactly because of what you said--basing my plan on library books. I may not make it!

I also relate to you being stalled on books. I have a handful right now that I haven't felt like going back to. (My thought is Ripley isn't worth it, but that's just one reader's opinion.)

I'm impressed with all you've managed to read in this very strange year!

[Sue]

You have completed so much Bob! I bet you end up completing 8 & 9 too.

My library started up curbside a few weeks ago and now they are open for limited services. It was so hard being without the library before.

[Brina]

I feel for all of you with no library service. For a few months I bought a ton of books. Now the library is thankfully reopened and I can get classics again. I haven’t read any books older than 50 years old other than accessible Agatha Christie mysteries all summer. Now that the library’s hold system is working again I started requesting classics and I intend to read a bunch next month. Like Sue said, I bet you finish everything.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Our library was open for curbside, open to come inside, closed completely and then open for curbside again. I never know day to day whether I will be able to get any books, no books, or only books from the branch and not the system. One of the major inconveniences of this lockdown! Luckily, I like classics and many of those are available at Gutenberg and Open Library. Just kills the plans you made going in!

Hope it doesn't stall you too long, Bob.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Bob I am impressed. You have already finished so many challenges. I have not LOL. In particular I find the Birth Year Challenge difficult and am not even going to try. Great job!

[Leona]

Read all the messages. You have read some great books.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

It looks as if a glitch is not allowing us to edit our posts. I’ll update my posts when the glitch demon moves on. I hope it is fixed soon. I just finished Barchester Towers and that leaves me with 8/10 finished for challenge #2. I have the last two books for this challenge picked, and I should finish this one before mid October. I also finished Sweet Thursday and am about halfway finished with The Talented Mr. Ripley which will complete challenge #5 in the next few days.

Just two and a half books left and all challenges except #8 & 9 will be finished. Not going to hold out a lot of hope on those two. I can only see a small chance to finish the A-Z challenges, a very small chance

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Way to go!! The A-Z challenges are difficult.

[Sara, New School Classics]

The glitch is very frustrating, but surely fixed soon. I still have Dr. Thorne to read, which will finish up The Barchester Chronicles for me. I'm glad you are finally turning the corner on Mr. Ripley.

I tried to do the A-Z challenges in another group once and didn't enjoy them much (also didn't complete) so I'm wishing you luck on those!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Finished Challenge #5 Decade/Century Challenge

Challenges #1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 are finished.

[Sara, New School Classics]

You rock! I have done pieces of each but need to buckle down and finish some of them.

[Anne]

Bob wrote: "Finished Challenge #5 Decade/Century Challenge

Challenges #1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 are finished."

Wow! Congratulations!

[Shaina]

That's amazing! Congratulations, Bob.

[Janelle]

You’ve read lots of books I need to add, Bob. Congrats!

[Annette]

Impressive!

[Rosemarie]

Fantastic, Bob! 🎉