Pam’s Comments (group member since Dec 07, 2021)

Pam’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

Alondra wrote: "Just checking in on you, Pam. How is your challenge going, or not going??"

Hello Moderator Schmoderator! Not going great but the 2 books I finished recently, Shogun and Same Bed Different Dreams, were both 5 star reads, so I'm thrilled with that! They were very different writing styles but both were full of interesting history/culture re: Asian cultures (Japan and Korea). Shogun was an easy read while Same Bed was much more difficult because of the unusual structure (it's been compared to Thomas Pynchon's style). I thought it was brilliant, but some readers had other feelings. (It was a book club read that I had suggested. Only 5 people showed up for the meeting with 4 of us finishing it.) I'm hopeful to read a couple more from my list, maybe the shorter ones. Where does the year go and why do I waste so much time watching TV??

For 2026, I plan to take unread books from both of my lists and create 1 list!

Alondra wrote: "Hey Pam! Just checking in on you. How are you feeling about the challenge??"

Hi Alondra! I just now saw your message. I've only read 1 and still want to read all of my choices but it's not looking likely! The Wandering Earth I will read in Nov/Dec for a book club read. I'm hoping to read at least 2 more. I'm trying to decide which one to take with me on vacation next week. Maybe The Lost Child since I know I like the series and am anxious to finish it.

Almost done with Shōgun V1 for my first tome this year!

I will commit to reading Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. I’ll also commit to continue reading War and Peace but have no expectations of finishing it any time soon.

I’m working on War and Peace, which is 1271 pages! I think it will take me all year to read it, unless I really pick up the pace.

177. All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days: The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler
178. The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 12
179. Merlin's Tour of the Universe: A Traveler's Guide to Blue Moons and Black Holes, Mars, Stars, and Everything Far

43. James by Percival Everett

30. Question 7 by Richard Flanagan

I’m reading War and Peace by Tolstoy.

26 The Iron Heel

I finished Never Let Me Go. I thought it was really good (4 stars). I’ve seen the movie, though, so it was no surprise to me what was happening. I liked the way the story unfolded. I am considering watching the movie again since it’s been 14 years. I’m curious how Hollywood changed it.

10. Never Let Me Go

One last change on the 31st! I received The Backyard Bird Chronicles for Christmas and really want to read it soon! So, I'm substituting it for The Magician's Nephew, which I'm not sure how it wound up on my list anyways.

I'm ready for 2025 reading to start!

I just received my library hold for Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro so I will commit to reading it in January.

Bill wrote: "Pam wrote: "New authors to me. I'll have to check them out.."

Hi Bill! I hope you do check both authors out. I think you would like them a lot. My first Jonathan Coe book was Expo 58, which I loved. It's not one of his most popular books, though. The 2nd book I read was The Winshaw Legacy or What a Carve Up! (the original title) which is on my favorites list. It's a little bit of everything - politics, humor, historical fiction, with a big mystery! He also has a series The Rotters' Club - I highly recommend the first book! I've found that Coe's books are not as easy to find here in NM (maybe in the US, in general). I think he is more popular in the UK.

Jackie wrote: "Lots of good books here! Enjoy."

Thank you Jackie!

Alondra wrote: "Another great list, Pam. I kept waffling about adding The Invisible Man; but decided to wait on it. I may just read it regardless. "

Thanks Alondra. I have also been waffling on Invisible Man also for several years. Like Mary commented, I think it is an important book and I want to at least give it a try.

I decided to make another change, moved Shogun to my UK & US author 12+4 challenge since the author is British. I replaced it with a Chilean book The Old Man Who Read Love Stories, which was on my 2024 list and I never read. Coming up with 16 different countries (which I owned) was hard because I kept finding Italian and German authors I wanted to read. Next year I will simplify my selection process! I think I have a good list now. Ready for 2025 to start!

I just received the list of our library's sci-fi group reads and added another 12 books to my reading schedule. I have no idea how to prioritize my reading with the books above plus other books I want to read! I think I will just see which books call to me at the time and go with them and not stress over lists.

Denise wrote: "Once you figure out who everyone is, The Pillars of the Earth won't feel that long. It's been a long time since I read it, but I flew through it!"

Denise - I definitely want to get to this one in 2025. My husband read the series and really enjoyed it.

I have 2 authors, that I can think of. I’m not much of a completist and I don’t read a lot of series. Interesting question, though!

Tan Twan Eng
I’ve read 1 book and want to read:
- The Gift of Rain
- The Garden of Evening Mists

Jonathan Coe
I’ve read 4 books and want to read the other 8:
- The Proof of My Innocence
- Bournville
- Mr. Wilde & Me
- The House of Sleep
- The Rain Before it Falls
- The Closed Circle
- Jimmy Stewart: A Wonderful Life
- Like a Fiery Elephant: The Story of B. S. Johnson