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

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

I just realized that I also completed the Relaxed Reader (see message 3). I finished it up with An African in Greenland by Tété-Michel Kpomassie (French) This book was published in 1981 but is non-fiction set in the mid 1960s.

I read the first chapter but struggled with the second one because of the writing tyle. I will probably pick it up again in 2025 and give it another try.

I plan to read Emma but not sure when. Hopefully, it will be during the 1st quarter. I’ve seen the movie.

Welcome Moss! Glad you found our group!

That’s great Lesle! I hope it’s an easy day for you at work. Now, you will lots of time to catch up on your reading and other fun activities! 😀

Rosemarie - I’m glad to hear that you are a vegetarian and for so long, too! That’s amazing. I eat vegetarian when I can but haven’t adopted the lifestyle completely. It’s one of my goals.

Luis and Pyangje (and whoever else has an unexpressed concern) - Good luck with your health concerns! Here’s to a healthy 2025 for all of us!

Nancy - keep going with your sugar elimination! I’ll be doing the same. I said no to chocolate cake last night! That felt like a win. Surprisingly, my grandson did, too, which was an odd one!

I hope everyone has a good day! ☀️

Karin - That’s great! I hope I can get to that point also. There are so many temptations when it comes to sugar!

Nancy - Good luck! You can do it. Bread is much more important to me than sugar. I don’t think I could give it up unless my life depended on it. Tortillas, too. 😀 Maybe I will try to cut back on both of them.

Nancy- I cut out added sugars for 2 months in 2023. I felt better and lost 5 lbs. I wish I would’ve continued with that lifestyle but it was right before the holidays and I started eating holiday treats! I’m trying to do it again now. The trick for me is to keep fresh or frozen fruit on hand. Gelato and ice cream are the hardest things for me to give up! Understanding which processed foods include added sugars is also important.

I’ve also had to cut out caffeine. I’m doing really well with that. Giving up iced tea was the hardest thing for me. It’s taken me years to be consistent! Now, I stick with water and herbal teas.

I don’t know where I’ve been for the last few months but I just realized we have a bunch of new members, which is really exciting! Welcome to all of you! Hope you all find some great classics to read and are able to participate in our group reads and challenges. There’s lots to choose from!

Thanks Rosemarie for the idea! I checked it out today. I remember there was a tv show when I was a kid but I never watched it. I’m listening to the audiobook for Under the Greenwood Tree. It’s easier to listen to than to read! Maybe I’ll finish both of them.

I’m doing an A-Z title challenge and am down to 2 letters- Q and U. So, I’m reading Quicksand by Nella Larsen, which is really good so far, and possibly reading Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy. The Hardy book is a little boring to start so I may not finish it.

Here are the events my library sponsored this week for Jane Austen week:

1. Regency Era Dancing (a dance is taught)
2. Chat and Craft: cross stitch cameo of Austen
3. Create a regency dance card (and bring it with you to the Ball)
4. Letter folding and calligraphy
5. Regency ribbon ornament
6. Grand Ball with dancing, music, food, tea, Austen-inspired activities, parlor games, a celebratory toast and cake cutting. Floral arrangement door prize. Optional: Bring a book for a White Elephant exchange, wrap it up and write a note about why the recipient should read it or why you are giving it away.
7. Coloring page with a woman in a regency gown. Color/decorate the gown, cut it out, and they will be displayed on their Christmas tree. This is the only activity I will be participating in but next year, I want to go to the Ball! I love that idea! I have a year to read some of her works and figure out a dress/costume.

Chad - I just saw your comment, as my daughter, grandson, husband and I are sitting here talking about the topic! I hope they figure this out soon. Just bizarre.

I accidentally fell asleep listening to the audiobook and went from ch2-ch5 so I will have to go back to the ebook. Some of the history I already know, especially relating to the southwestern tribes in NM and AZ but it is still very interesting and so disheartening. Several years ago, I read Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan. I learned so much from that book. I highly recommend it!

Great idea John and thank you for organizing the challenge! I definitely want to participate. I’ve only read 2 of Austen’s books but own the others since my husband is a fan. My local library branch is doing a Jane Austen week this week, with different events each day. I can share the types of activities if anyone is interested in organizing or suggesting similar events in your community next year. They also did this event last year and I’m hoping they will do it again next year. I’m on a wait list for 2 events. They filled up super fast!

I have the ebook and the audiobook checked out. Just started it.

Good list! I definitely want to read The Hearing Trumpet and will look for the Star Trek series. We have a used/new bookstore that carries a good selection of SF including lots of Star Trek books. I’ve never looked through them before.

I just finished The Manticore (Deptford Trilogy #2) (pub. 1972) by Canadian author Robertson Davies. I didn’t like it as much as the first book Fifth Business but it was worth reading. I’m glad I read it right after the first book, since it was fresh in my mind. It explores the experiences and inner struggles of the son of one of the main characters (in book 1) through conversations between him and his Jungian psychoanalyst. I found the Jungian/subconscious analysis very interesting and started thinking more about my own dreams. I definitely plan to read book 3, maybe this month.

Lesle - Sorry to hear about the water situation in your community. I hope you don’t have any more problems!

My husband and I did a turn around trip to Phoenix just in time to say goodbye to his brother. We left on Sunday and he passed on Monday. I’m thankful that we had those last few hours together.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! I plan to eat some leftovers today, get in some reading and a cold walk, and maybe start decorating for Christmas.

Lesle and Luís - You both have a lot of books!

Thank you Leona and Lesle! Fortunately, it’s blue skies and no precipitation predicted although it may be windy on the drive back. It’s 8 degrees where we are driving now! 🥶 It’s a long drive - 7 hours. I usually get in a little nap and some reading. I have a couple of audiobooks I’m listening to so that’s an option also. There’s a stretch where we lose cell service, which is annoying.

How’s the snow situation for those of you in the northeast? I watched part of the Thursday night game in Cleveland, where it was really coming down!