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

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

John - It depends on how hot your house is. We’ve been at ~100 F the whole month of July and by 3pm the house is around 80 degrees.

Wow! I put it out in the universe 1 hour ago and then I found the English edition of Ficciones on the sale shelf at my library! I’m shocked! So, I bought it for $2. It has underlining in it, which I hate, but I can live with. I might try to do a side-by-side reading of the Spanish ebook on my phone and the English paperback. Maybe.

John - You sleep with a fan running. We have an overhead fan plus an oscillating tower fan so I’m a fan sleeper too!

Sorry to hear about that storm you experienced Lesle! Glad you are ok. I've never experienced that type of severe weather where trees were uprooted!

Book Nerd wrote: "I started Jorge Luis Borges a little early but I've been meaning to get to it for years so pretty late lol.
I only read the first couple of stories of [book:A Universal History of Iniquity|21534118..."

Glad to see you are joining us Book Nerd! I'm familiar with the phrase penny dreadful but not sure if I've read anything meeting that description. Are you planning to finish the book? Based on the GR book blurb, I would be interested in the Wild West stories in this collection. A Universal History of Iniquity was published in 1935 and is Borges' first short story collection. I wonder how it compares to his later works like Ficciones in 1944 and Labyrinths in 1962. Those are the 2 books I had thought about reading. I keep checking out Ficciones and accidentally getting the Spanish edition! My library has a great collection of books in Spanish but not as many as I would hope for in English translation.

Luís wrote: "Pam wrote: "I can’t keep up with you Luís! I’m still on page 15 of the book I started!"

I, in a more simplistic way, don't watch any TV. Almost!"

Well, Luis, that sure helps! I frequently read with the TV on, in the background, and it's very distracting. My biggest problem is that I start books and then put them down and then start something else that seems to be more interesting! I have probably 10 books that I could pick up and finish, including a Llosa book. I'm glad to see that you are continuing the Latin American author journey and enjoying the books!

Chad - Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book and how it compares to other Westerns you’ve read! This was my first classic Western.

I just came across a line in Monday Starts on Saturday, which I found relevant since I'm reading the book in July for 2 different August group reads. One of the characters says, "Monday starts on Saturday, and this year August starts in July."

Blueberry wrote: "I am starting A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith for an in-person bookclub. I see that it was read by the group in June/July 2016 so I will be referring to that a..."

Blueberry - That's one of my all-time favorite books! I think I felt a strong connection to it because of the setting. My maternal grandmother and my parents all grew up in Brooklyn. Also, I love a good coming-of-age story. Hope you enjoy it!

I read the short story A Hunger Artist by Frank Kafka. I plan to read more of his works this year. I own a few of his books and found a lot on Hoopla. I just don’t have time to read everything I want to. I know you all understand. I still hope to get to my Stefan Zweig collection, at least read a few stories!

Wish you could too Chrissie! For the first time in my life, I’ve been using my umbrella for sun shade. Might as well put it to use! ☂️

No relief in sight for the next 10 days! 105 is the high today and tomorrow. I’ve been here for 33 years and don’t remember highs like this and for this long. I went to an outdoors house concert on Saturday night. The amphitheater was in the shade but it was still 98 degrees. There was a jam indoors afterwards, which was fun and more comfortable! Stay cool and safe everyone.

I just started Monday Starts on Saturday by the Strugatsky Brothers. I’m reading it for this group’s Aug group read and also our library’s August SF book club read. I checked out the ebook on Hoopla and I’m excited that it has pen and ink illustrations! I think this will be a fun read!

I can’t keep up with you Luís! I’m still on page 15 of the book I started!

Luís wrote: "I've finished today with by Mario Vargas Llosa

Fantastic work!"

Luis - Thanks for the recommendation for The Storyteller! I'll bump it up my list for 2024. I just started Captain Pantoja and the Special Service. I'm only 15 pages into it and already finding it humorous. This is my first book to read that is set in Peru or by a Peruvian author.

Chrissie - I completely understand your sentiments! I feel like I need to read something light or uplifting right now. I have a book journal which I feel has a better rating system - one set of stars for enjoyment and one for craft and then an overall rating. I was engaged w this book but can’t say I enjoyed it.

I finished The Shootist by Glendon Swarthout. I was surprised at how well it was written and the emotions and themes it addressed.

I finished the book in 1 day, very unusual for me. I really liked it (5 stars) despite the descriptive violent scenes. It felt authentic and not a glamorized gunfighter/shootist/ Wild West story. I was surprised at how well it was written. Even after watching the movie just a few days ago, the book totally captivated me! I can appreciate though why the movie was watered down.

In case anyone wants more, there is a sequel to the book titled The Last Shootist by Miles Hood Swarthout, the author’s son.

I just finished ch3. I think it’s really good. There’s some darker thoughts that are revealed in the book which are missing for the movie. I especially liked the last 3 pages of ch3 where Books is answering to himself the I Wish question and thinking about his options. I’ve noticed several times where Books is thinking about something (the narrative) but in the movie he actually makes the comment to someone in a different scene.

Rosemarie - I also congratulate you! That’s an author I’ve never even heard of. What was your favorite or one you recommend?