Terry’s 2025 Tasting Menu at the Buffet

[Terris]

Teri-K wrote: "Terry wrote: "Teri-K, thanks for your comments. I have had some really great reads this year and you are right that many of them have been buddy reads, which I’m sure added to my enjoyment of them...."

T, you definitely need to add that one to your "list"!

[Teri-K]

Terris wrote: "Teri-K wrote: "Terry wrote: "Teri-K, thanks for your comments. I have had some really great reads this year and you are right that many of them have been buddy reads, which I’m sure added to my enj..."

I'll bump it up!

[Terry]

I am close to completing 4 more buffet categories! The lagging ones are challenge 4 (short stories) and 12 (fiction/nonfiction).

[Wobbley]

Great! It sounds like your challenge reading is going really well. :)

[Terry]

Thanks, Wobbley. I am accomplishing a lot for the Buffet but I would say that it has been a mixed year in terms of my reading. I rarely DNF a book, but I did that with Humboldt’s Gift. There have been a lot of 3 - 4 stars books, but also some 5s. I’m almost finished with Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, meta fiction with too many seemingly unrelated characters and plot lines, which has been a stinker to read.

[Wobbley]

I know what you mean about Cloud Atlas, Terry. I found a couple of the stories compelling, but I didn't enjoy the rest of it. It's a very uneven book, and I feel like its fame is mainly due to its unusual structure.

[Terry]

For the last book for Challenge 11, Future Classics, I chose to read Cloud Atlas. I chose it because I thought maybe it was controversial in its structure. It was. But It was not a book for me, unfortunately. I gave it 2 stars. The good news is that it completed Challenge 11!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I barely dipped my toe in before I knew it would not be a book for me, Terry. I took it off the TBR. Glad it served a purpose and got the challenge completed!

[Terry]

Sara, that was smart toe-dipping!

[Wobbley]

Well done finishing off that challenge though, even if the book wasn't a winner!

[Terry]

I finished off three challenges by reading The Forgotten Garden byKate Morton which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Taking stock of where I am with the buffet, I have done very well, probably overfed myself, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience, although I might have “notes” to a few of the chefs.

I doubt if I will finish Challenge #12, Fiction/Non-Fiction. I am just not that motivated. It will not go on as a Challenge again. I will try to finish Challenge #4 Short Story, though. Maybe I can do that.

[Wobbley]

Isn't it satisfying when you get to the time of year where a single book finishes multiple challenges? Well done!

[Lynn]

Terry wrote: "Thanks, Wobbley. I am accomplishing a lot for the Buffet but I would say that it has been a mixed year in terms of my reading. I rarely DNF a book, but I did that with Humboldt’s Gift. There have b..."

Nice to hear that you found so many 3* or more books. Your finished Challenges seem like quite a lot. You have had a good year.

[Terry]

Thanks, Wobbley and Lynn. A good year, all in all.

I enjoyed Challenges 2, 3, 6 and 8 the most. If repeated, that would be 34 books. Some should fill more than one slot.

Add to that Bingo, 25 books, and my book club,12 more, and I get to 71. Since I am most comfortable reading 60 books a year, I will need to find lots of overlaps. And books like Our Mutual Friend, which I am going to read, are like reading 4 books! Maybe I can find some novellas to compensate, although it seems like I enjoy longer books more.

And then, I have my Personal 20th Century Multi year Challenge which is in target for completion, 8 books from very specific years. These usually can also count for a Bingo or Buffet, but I want to be intentional about getting that challenge completed. Hedging— at least half complete!

This becomes specially complex if I were to add The Chain or Author Oeuvres Challenges. And, like last year, I want to read books that I already own. So, I will need to consider every possibility and choose very carefully. Can I get them down to 60?

[Sara, New School Classics]

It is definitely a juggling act at times, Terry. I plan to scale down next year. Like you, I have other challenges that get neglected sometimes...I really, really want to get the Pulitzer finished! Still, what an awesome accomplishment you made this year and so many great books in there! I do at least one Dickens a year, so I know what you mean about Our Mutual Friend being 4 books in one.

[Lynn]

Sara wrote: "It is definitely a juggling act at times, Terry. I plan to scale down next year. Like you, I have other challenges that get neglected sometimes...I really, really want to get the Pulitzer finished!..."

Yes I am going a completely different direction. In the personal challenge section I have 4 themes to follow and a dozen books in each theme. Whatever I read I'll then try to fit into any Challenges where they work.

[Kathleen]

I like all of these ideas, as we get ready for next year and face those decisions. I hate that we can't read ALL the books. :-) You have had a wonderful reading year, Terry, and there's still time for more!

[Terry]

Thanks, Kathleen. If I can get 60 books a year read (while I am still working full time) I count that a big win.

[Wobbley]

60 in a year is fantastic!!

[Terry]

Wobbley, thanks. I am at 55 right now so I may exceed 60 in 2025. I try to review the books I read. Right now, I am tardy with two reviews. Reading and reviewing this many books a year, and participation in the Group, has greatly increased the number of books I read and the enjoyment of my reading life since joining Goodreads.

My count may include some short fiction in December, if I review them on Goodreads. I had listed 70 as a goal, the second time I have tried for at least 10 more books. I doubt if I will get to 70. Hovering around 60 seems to be my sweet spot.

[Teri-K]

Lynn wrote: "Yes I am going a completely different direction. In the personal challenge section I have 4 themes to follow and a dozen books in each theme. Whatever I read I'll then try to fit into any Challenges where they work.."

I've been toying with something like that, too. I'd love to take a look at your new personal challenge page and see how you set it up.

I'm such a mood reader, but I also enjoy tracking, finding connections among my books, and talking with all of you about them. So I'm trying to find a way to do that and feel less constricted at the same time.

[Wobbley]

Terry wrote: "Wobbley, thanks. I am at 55 right now so I may exceed 60 in 2025. I try to review the books I read. Right now, I am tardy with two reviews. Reading and reviewing this many books a year, and participation in the Group, has greatly increased the number of books I read and the enjoyment of my reading life since joining Goodreads."

I'm the same, Terry: I read way more since joining this group. I find the Buffet challenges especially very motivating. :)