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

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

For the birth year challenge I simply hunted for books that would fit the years needed. I then whent through as picked the ones I thought I would like the best. I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been with my selections. I’m currently reading my ninth of the ten needed and so far it is great. It wasn’t a first choice, it is one that just came my way and fit the need. I hope it continues as enjoyable as it has started. It's The Wapshot Chronicle

[Sara, New School Classics]

There were some great books in my birth year, unfortunately I had already read most of those...so it has been an arrow in the dark for me, Bob. I hope the Cheever continues to be a winner!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I have one book left to read and the first 7 challenges will be complete. For the birthday challenge I finished The Wapshot Chronicle and I only need one more from the year 1857 to finish.

Review

[Sara, New School Classics]

You are awesome. I doubt I will finish anymore challenges unless I hit an energy eruption in December. It was a fun year for reading, though, for the most part. Congrats to YOU.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Well I'm calling it quits for my 2020 Buffet. I have read myself full and left very little on my plate. Six challenges completed.

Challenge #1 - Old & New TBR Clean-up
Challenge Completed 8/15/20
Completed 12/12

Some of my best reads for this year came from this challenge and it is hard to say one single book is the best, so I'll recommended a small group of really good reads. These I think are great, A Pair of Blue Eyes, The Moonstone, The End of the Affair, Stoner,The Glimpses of the Moon, Dandelion Wine, and The Midwich Cuckoos.

I'm leaving Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Shirley for next year.

Challenge #2 - The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier
Challenge Completed 12/22/20
Completed, 10/10

Books Read for the Challenge
1957
1-Dandelion Wine, Finished 1/6/20
2-A Death in the Family, Finished 1/20/20
3-The Midwich Cuckoos, Finished 2/23/20
4-From Russia With Love, Finished 8/25/20
5-The Wapshot Chronicle, Finished 11/11/20
1857
1-Hansel and Gretel Finished 1/6/20
2-"A Marriage of Persuasion," 1857 Susan Petigru King, Finished 2/5/20
3-Scenes of Clerical Life, Finished 6/20/20
4- Barchester Towers, Finished 9/23/20
5.-The Lazy Tour Of Two Idle Apprentices, Finished 12/22/20

This isn’t an easy challenge, but worth the effort. It can be difficult to locate books of interest and not made any easier because of the 100 year separation.

This challenge most enjoyed reads are A Death in the Family, and Barchester Towers. One good thing is that I was finely able to read Ian Fleming, something I have thought about for years, now I’ve read two.

Challenge #3 Your Birth Year Top 10 Best Sellers
I did this challenge several years ago, lucky me!
Challenge Started 4/13/2011 Completed 7/10/16

Top 10 Best Sellers for 1957
(view spoiler)[#1-By Love Possessed by James Gould Cozzens
2nd-Peyton Place by Grace Metalious
3rd-Compulsion by Meyer Levin
4th-Rally Round the Flag, Boys! by Max Shulman
5th-Blue Camellia by Frances Parkinson Keyes
6th-Eloise in Paris by Kay Thompson
7th-The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier
8th-On the Beach by Nevil Shute
9th-Below the Salt by Thomas B. Costain
10th-Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (hide spoiler)]

This was a personal challenge that I kind of like and that is why it ended up here. It was never one I work hard on and went for long periods of time not even thinking about it. I also collected a copy of all the titles for my library, that also took time. I fine it interesting to think about what was popular reading for people the year I was born.

Challenge #4 - Members Choice Classic/Genre Challenge
Challenge Completed 4/8/20
Completed, 12/12

Stand out read form this challenge are Old Yeller and A Raisin in the Sun.

Challenge #5 - Decade/Century Challenge
Challenge Completed 9/29/20
Completed, 10/10

My Decade Challenge was 1950-1959. This challenge got me my second Ian Fleming James Bond read. This is probably my second favorite challenge.

Challenge #6 - Short Story Challenge #1
Challenge Completed 12/31/20

To date I have read 121 short stories and plan ton reading at least two more. One I'm currently reading is The Christmas Hirelings and one I try to read every year A Christmas Carol. Anything else will be just killing time till Jan. 1 so I can start War and Peace.

Challenge #7 - 2020 Group Reads Challenge
Challenge Completed 5/12/20
Completed, 12/12 plus 9 more

To date I have read 21 of the 2020 group poll winners. Of course several were read prior to winning, several I have no interest in, and several I just haven't been able to get to, but want to read.

Challenge #8 - A-Z Author Challenge
23/26 Finished-Letters U, X, and Y Unfinished

Challenge #9 - A-Z Title Challenge
22/26 Finished-Letters Q, U, Y, and Z Unfinished

Again the alphabet challenges are my Achilles Heel I have never but one time finished the challenge, I think that was back in 2016.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Congratulations, Bob, on a terrific year and many marvelous reads. I decided not to ever try the alphabet challenges again. I just don't like choosing my books or authors because of a the letter of the alphabet they begin with. I tried it a couple of times and found I abandoned it early on.

Looking forward to next year. You inspired me this year and I'm sure you will do the same in 2021. Best wishes to you and all the family for this Christmas time.

[Angie]

Well done, Bob!

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Six challenges is quite an accomplishment. Plus you read double the Bingo books!! Nice job.