Pam’s Comments (group member since Jul 12, 2018)

Pam’s comments from the Never too Late to Read Classics group.

Luís, a CPAP includes a mask that covers your nose and mouth and is held secure by neck and head straps. The machine connects to your mask via an air hose and uses mild air pressure to keep breathing airways open while you sleep. During the test, they measure all kinds of body functions to determine what’s going on with your body, what’s causing the sleep apnea and the appropriate pressure that works for you. The technician monitors you all night. It’s an interesting process but not real comfortable. I needed 2 pills to finally fall asleep but then slept through the night!

Safe travels Karin and have fun and hopefully good weather!

I did an in-house sleep study last night. It was quite the experience trying to sleep for 6 hours wearing a CPAP and all kinds of electrodes, belts and monitors hooked up to my body. Thank goodness for sleeping pills!

Thank you Mbuye! Is this your first book by Fuentes? What do you think of his writing style? I’m holding off for a few more days so I can finish another library book. Hopefully, by Friday I can get back into it.

Welcome Corrine! Glad you found our group and hope you discover lots of great classics.

Unfortunately, I had to return the book before getting into it. I only read 1 or 2 chapters. I did read a line where one of the adults referred to the girl as “monkey”. It seemed like it was just a term referring to a little kid.

Mbuye - I think it’s good that you are reading in both languages, even if it’s only a few chapters. It seems that you will get a good sense of the author’s writing style. I like to do the opposite - read the Spanish first and see how much I understand and then compare it to the English. I agree with reading a page at a time, definitely not sentence by sentence or paragraph! I’m going to try to finish the first chapter today. I don’t have the Spanish edition for this one. Looks like we will be learning a lot about Mexico’s history.

Thank you for the eye suggestions. I’m definitely not reading too much, right now, but I think there are some other things going on. I have a new pair of glasses coming in. Maybe that will help!

Hi Mbuye, I understand your sentiment! I’m also reading the English edition. I’m not attempting any classics in Spanish unless I have the English edition to check for translation. But, the problem with that is that it takes twice as long to read! I like reading in Spanish but it’s much more work for my brain, which is probably a good thing for me! But, not as enjoyable when it feels like work.

How far are you? I’m still on the first page! I’m going to have to try reading during the day instead of the evening. My eyes are getting too tired at night and I can’t concentrate.

I’m just starting The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes. I’m also hoping to continue reading the new translation of The Lost Steps by Alejo Carpentier. My ILL copy came in today. I’ve previously read ~1/3 of the original translation. I’m having a hard time finding time to read and then, when I have the time, I can’t keep my eyes open!

Karin- Best wishes for your brother’s recovery. ❤️

We actually had a good view of the eclipse at 78%. The entire sky was cloudy but there were a few patches of blue with wispy clouds passing through right where the sun was. Nothing like the ring of fire we saw last October but still pretty cool.

Lesle - that’s too bad you will be at work during the eclipse. Maybe slip out for a break? I was just looking at the eclipse map and thinking that you and Rosemary are on the eclipse path. We are in the 80% area and it’s supposed to be cloudy all day so not sure if we will see anything other than it getting darker. Well, I hope someone in the group gets a good view!

Thank you Leona. ❤️ Mike - Thanks for sharing about your little one. Such a cute age! 😀

I’m glad to see some interest! I think this will be a really good one. My hold came in a few days ago but I haven’t started it yet. From what I’ve read about it, it is heavily influenced by Orson Welles' Citizen Kane movie, and uses literary parallels to Welles' techniques. I may watch that movie after reading the book to look for the similarities.

Today is International Children’s Book Day! Who is celebrating by reading a youth book? We are having a beautiful day after a rainy and cool day yesterday. I’ll probably take a walk down by the river this afternoon. That’s always relaxing and therapeutic!

Welcome to our newest members Craig and Montse! Glad you found our group and look forward to hearing about which classics you are reading! 📚

I did find the 2023 new translation of The Lost Steps and put in an ILL request for it. I’m currently reading Pessoa: A Biography by Richard Zenith. It’s good but really long with lots of historical information about Portugal and its African colonies. I’m just taking it one chapter/day (75 chapters). I also started The Penguin Book of Italian Short stories (40 different authors) edited by Jhumpa Lahiri.

I’m reading the short story The Ambitious Ones by Elsa Morante. It was first published as Le ambiziose in the magazine Oggi on Dec 6 1941.

Mbuye wrote: "Pam, I intend to read the Carlos Fuentes this month, but I am already reading three books from the others in this month's choice of books. I like the Latin writers (but perhaps Ernesto Sabato not s..."

Mbuye - I'm glad that you plan to read it also! I thought that I owned this one but was surprised that I didn't so I'm waiting for a library hold to come in. I wasn't that crazy about Sabato either. I've read a few short pieces by Fuentes and enjoyed them, Aura in particular.

Thank you Blueberry, Jeremy, and Mike! I do have lots of fond memories - 60 years worth! We had been talking every day for the last few years so it's sad to not have that short phone call just to check in with each other.

On the bright side, my husband and I are empty nesters again, after a 5 year stretch, since our daughter and grandson just moved out of our home. They are less than 10 minutes away so I'm sure we'll still see them often.

Happy April Fool's Day everyone! Hope you don't get pranked!

I do plan to read this book this year but won't likely get started until May. I have a few library books (Latin American classics) on hold that I want to read first. I am really looking forward to it but need to not have any distractions (i.e. other books). This book is my husband's all-time favorite! He's been encouraging for me to read it for many years. I also have the Christine Donougher's translation. I hope everyone enjoys it!