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

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

We are making an unplanned trip to Scottsdale, AZ this weekend, where it will be 80 degrees on Friday. I’m glad we won’t have to deal with snow driving out there! Unfortunately, we are going to see my brother-in-law, who just went into hospice care. I hope we get there in time to say goodbye.

Wow Lesle! That’s a lot of books!!

I read the book in 2016 and it was my first book by Shute. I really like his writing style. I gave it 5 stars and kept the book. I don’t usually keep books unless I think I will reread it or pass it on to someone. I remember thinking that the people seemed so calm and I wondered if that’s really how people would act. I should probably reread it sometime soon!

Nancy wrote: " by Mario Vargas Llosa

Finish date: 15.11.2024
"
Thank you Nancy for your comments! I agree with Jen - I'm encouraged. The structure sounds interesting but possibly challenging. It's helpful to know ahead of time what to expect.

I was on the App and couldn't see your review, until I got on the website. All I saw was the book cover! Do you plan to read any other books by Llosa? I have 2 others to read, maybe next year.

If it took you 19 hours, it will probably take me at least 3 weeks! I am easily distracted, and my eyes get tired. I can't do 19 hrs in 3 days.

Nancy - Wow! That was a quick read for such a long book! I’m glad to hear how much you enjoyed it. Looking forward to your review! I just finished up a library book club read and am now able to focus 100% on this book.

I just started Conversation in the Cathedral, the Latin American group read.

Jen - No, I haven’t started it yet. After the 17th, my reading time frees up and I plan to start it!

Nancy - I’m glad to see you are joining in the group read!

I support 3, 8, 10, and 14. Thank you everyone for your ideas!

I support South Sea Vagabonds. That sounds really good!

What helps me decompress is listening to music, playing piano/keyboard, walking, not watching the news and minimizing FB activity. I went to a Veterans celebration at our multi-generational center last night and had fun 2-stepping with a very nice gentleman, who is a Vietnam vet. I’ve been walking the indoor track at the center most days with my neighbor. When it’s not freezing out, like it has been, we walk around the soccer fields. The kids had a snow day this week so I had my grandson in the morning. Had enough snow to make a small snowman. Not enough to do much else, but it was still fun for him! Other parts of the city and state were snowed in with feet of snow. Our ski area even opened up this weekend, in contrast to last year when it was so dry that it never opened. I’m wondering if we are in for a wet winter, which would be a great thing!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Thanks Pyangie! There are at least 2 I plan to read.

I just started Fifth Business (pub. 1970) by Canadian author Robertson Davies. It’s my last book to read for a 52 book challenge. The prompt is an author from Canada, Australia, or NZ. So far I like it but I think it’s going to be a slow read, even though it’s only 252 pages. It’s the first book in the Deptford Trilogy.

I recently watched the 1983 Brazilian movie Gabriela based on Jorge Amado’s Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon, which we read this year in the Latin American thread. It was pretty good but the book was better! 😀

I watched the movie Gabriela on TV a few weeks ago. It was ok but I didn't feel like it really captured the essence (almost magical) of the main character. It did stick to the story line but I enjoyed the book much more, which I usually do.

Kathy - I hope you get a chance to read it!

Thank you Rosemarie for your suggestions!

I’m also interested in CanLit and Canadian history! Most of what I read is contemporary, though. Part of my interest is due to my French-Canadian roots but also the proximity to the U.S. The Canadian author I am interested in reading is Farley Mowat. Any recommendations? I first heard about him on a podcast where they talked about his book “The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float”.

I'm reading Prizes: The Selected Stories by New Zealander author Janet Frame. This collection includes the best of her stories covering four decades. The earliest stories are from The Lagoon and Other Stories, pub. in 1951 and The reservoir: stories and sketches and Snowman Snowman: fables and fantasies (S, pub. 1963. Some of the others were published in the 1980s. I was looking to read a NZ author for another challenge, which is why I picked this book up. Just happened to find it at Goodwill. I'd like to read one of her novels since I'm not a big fan of short stories, in general. There are a couple in this selection, so far, that I really like.

I just finished it. I really liked the ending but it’s not one of my favorite King books. At first I didn’t like the switching of narrative but once I got used to, i thought it was an effective technique. I rarely read a book after seeing the movie because I’m usually underwhelmed, because I already know the story. The book did give a little more insight to the fanatical/abusive mother and to what happened afterwards.

I will also support The Golden Notebook. I’ve been wanting to read it for several years. I’ve already read An American Tragedy and East of Eden and highly recommend both of them!

I will support The Ladies Paradise. The edition I have is just titled The Paradise. I watched the first season of the Masterpiece Theater TV show and really enjoyed it. I was planning to read it this year, but I’m running out of time.