2025 Challenge Buffet- A Healthier Leaner, Something for Everyone Menu

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sharon wrote: "Do we need to pre-select short stories before Dec 31st? Or just add to the list as we read during 2025?"

The only challenge that needs pre-selected is Challenge #1 Old and New. You can create any other lists prior to the 31st and change them as you wish, even during the year.

[Anetq]

Soooo ready! I've lined up 3,4,5,8, 15, 16 & 17
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I usually succeed in those apart from #5 the century challenge, where I aspire to read a century of women and then read all sort of things that doesn't fit the decades, but maybe 2025 is my year?

[Lorraine]

Hello, everyone! After giving it some thought, I've decided to take on this challenge. I'll aim to complete all the tasks except for numbers 4 and 12. Excited to give it a try!

[Tim]

Thank you, one and all, for all the challenge options. I will endeavor to complete challenges #16 and #17. Want to see if I am able to complete both challenges. There are other challenges I may take up as well. Ready to begin!

[April]

Oh ok. So i just added the A-Z challenges a few weeks ago and when i looked at other players' threads, they had author and title in a different order than me. I see what happened, on the main outline (first post) you have #16-author and #17 title, but below, it is reversed. I apologize if this was already pointed out. Actually, probably more confusing to change it now. 🤷‍♀️

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sorry for the inconvenience

[April]

Its really fine. Just mentioned it in case others were confused too. It was only a temporary confusion tho.

[Terris]

Hey Bob, would a "novella" be counted in the "short story" category?

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Terris wrote: "Hey Bob, would a "novella" be counted in the "short story" category?"

Yes!!

[April]

Was there a master thread for challenge updates? I cant find it now. But i was just wondering if anyone has won the group reads challenge yet?

I imagine some have already, as we have plenty of options. I dont read all of the books, but i am close to finished. Currently reading one, almost finished, planning a second to finish out the month, and then i need one last book to finish the challenge. I wonder what that book will be? Heehee

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

April wrote: "Was there a master thread for challenge updates? I cant find it now. But i was just wondering if anyone has won the group reads challenge yet?

I imagine some have already, as we have plenty of op..."

Congratulations April. No I don't think we've kept a Master List for challenges completed. That's an idea.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

The lightbulb in my head just switched on, and I realize it is October, which means that sometime next month, I will be reworking the Buffet for 2026. What I am hoping for is feedback from participants about the current menu and ideas for new entrées. I want to be clear, I make no promises or commitments about next year's menu, and I don't want people to be upset if I don't include a change or idea someone wanted. I will be absent for most of the month, so please don't take any lack of response personally. I will appreciate any info provided.

Thanks!

[Wobbley]

Bob, I really enjoyed the smaller portions at the Buffet this year.

Among the new challenges in 2025, the one I had the most trouble with was "Bestselling Novels in the United States", which I found quite limiting (it turns out I'm not that interested in the USA bestsellers); I don't think I'd do that one again. I enjoyed the new Award Winners challenge.

My only possible suggestion is that you might consider making the "travel the world" challenge less structured; for example, instead of saying one book per continent, maybe say to read books from at least 10 different countries, or books originally written in at least 5 different languages, something like that. But those are just options to consider; it's fine as it is too. And perhaps "Books in Translation" could be its own challenge.

Overall, for me the Decade and Century challenges seem to end up being the heart of my Buffet each year (and sometimes Challenge 10: multiple books from a single year), and I also love that there's a challenge for rereading. Those ones are my favourites.

Thanks for all the work you put into the Buffet Challenges each year, Bob. I believe that I read more because of these challenges. :)

[Kathleen]

This has always been my favorite time of year, and now there is just more to love. Challenge planning season is coming!

Every year you come up with categories that expand my reading and my enjoyment, Bob. I will tell you my favorites have always been Old and New and Decade/Century/Millennium, and closely after those the Short stories and now the Group/buddy/moderators run amok challenges.

What about adding a category for Books from our Group Bookshelf, for those of us trying to catch up?

I like Wobbley's ideas about the different countries and languages challenges. Maybe a Travel the World challenge that has options of reading say five from one country other than your own, or in a language other than your own, OR, one each from five different countries or languages. Something like that?

I know whatever you decide on will be wonderful, so thank you in advance.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Wobbley wrote: "Bob, I really enjoyed the smaller portions at the Buffet this year.

Among the new challenges in 2025, the one I had the most trouble with was "Bestselling Novels in the United States", which I fo..."

I like your idea of books from 10 countries. This would mean written by a person who lived in the country and in a language of the country. (some have multiple languages) It is attainable while prompting people to search out new possibilities.


Addendum: I looked at what I had read this year. Counting full length books, novellas, or short stories , I had read books from the following countries: United States, England, Germany, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Russia. Finding 10 would be a challenge that would require planning for me.

[Terry]

Like Wobbley, I would like a category again like classics from around the globe. Ascanio, Darren and J_blueflower have been posting lists of Italian and Nordic authors, among other parts of the world, many of whom I had never heard mention. They have convinced me that my reading has been way too focused of authors who come from the English speaking world.