May BOTM - The Time of my life by Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

Hello Everyone!

Wow, it's May already! Bring on the JT Memes!

Anyway, here is the discussion thread for this month's BOTM

Book: The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi Swayze

Theme: A book by or about somebody who is no longer alive.

I got a head start on it, and I really am enjoying it so far! I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think about it aswell!

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

Hello again everyone!

I hope you are all safe & well!

I'm finally ahead of the game (for once!) - I've recently finished the book and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I went into it not knowing anything at all about Patrick Swayze and it was much deeper and darker than I was expecting!

So, as always, here are a few discussion questions to get us going!

(** Answer to earn badges for the The Cosy Bookish BOTM Challenge, if you want!)

Discussion Questions: ( Bronze Badge** )

- In the book, Patrick says (view spoiler)[ "The easiest way to destroy people is to give them exactly what they want. you might not realise it at the time, but the struggle to achieve something is, in many ways, much more satisfying than actually getting it" (hide spoiler)]. What are your thoughts on this?

- In the book, we learn that Patrick is incredibly determined (to say the least!), to the point where he can persevere even through immense physical pain. This is one of the qualities that has made him a household name - and yet, he pays the cost emotionally. How did you feel reading about Patrick's demons, did you feel sympathetic?

- What are your thoughts on the book?

Bonus:

★ Share a song or playlist that you would associate with this book ! (Silver Badge**) ♫

★ What snack/beverage would you associate with this book?( (Gold Badge**)

[Hasna]

So I finished this book. I am not a fan of Patrick Swayze. Haven't seen his movies much. But even after that, I enjoyed it.

Discussion Questions:
- What he said, I agree and I keep reminding this to myself. The way I have been brought up, whenever I wanted something, my parents always asked me to work hard for it, to be worthy of it. And This shaped me more as a person I feel.
- I felt for him. In some parts, I was getting angry at him for dealing with things that way. Having said that, I know that is what a human being is. We are flawed.
- I really loved the parts where he shared behind the scenes of making of "Dirty dancing" and "Ghost".
And One person I thoroughly admired is Lisa Niemi. She is one incredible, courageous woman. The way she supported Swayze through and through touched my heart.

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

Hasna wrote: " I really loved the parts where he shared behind the scenes of making of "Dirty dancing" and "Ghost."

I know right! I did hear about Method Acting, but to actually read about it and how he had to stay in character so much that at times he couldn’t even see Lisa! I bet it was a lot easier for them because they were both actors and they understood that part of it, because I know I would struggle with it!

Hasna wrote: "And One person I thoroughly admired is Lisa Niemi. She is one incredible, courageous woman. The way she supported Swayze through and through touched my heart.."

I thought the same! After reading the book, I actually saw a documentary about Patrick and they made Lisa look like a horrible controlling witch - I thought that was horrible, I wouldn’t have said that about her at all!

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

So I too didn’t know anything about Patrick Swayze before reading the book, but I had seen Dirty Dancing and Ghost. I actually thought that he learnt to dance just for Dirty Dancing - how wrong was I!

So, here are my answers!

- I agree with Patrick’s statement, however, I think it’s also important to take a moment to appreciate what we have when we earn it, which in itself can be quite difficult. I think the dangerous thing with always striving for more is when your ego kicks in, and it leaves you never feeling satisfied. I really felt for Patrick and I feel like I have learnt about how dangerous this can be by reading his story.

- It made me very uneasy to read about how he carried on even through immense physical pain (view spoiler)[ like when he continued to dance even though he had to keep draining his knee - or when he got an infection and risked losing his leg all together!! What are you doing Patrick!!! (hide spoiler)]. But I really admired his determination and it made me reflect on myself and how I should be more determined!

- I really enjoyed the book, I have to admit I had quite low expectations before I started, I was expecting it to be a boring shot-straight-to-fame story, but oh no - Patrick really worked hard to get to where he got! I loved reading about how he was so athletic and “macho” but also so sensitive and gentle. I loved reading about him and Lisa and the ups and downs in their relationship, they both felt very down to earth to me, (view spoiler)[ i loved how they kept doing the carpeting business and how they finally got their ranch and started taking their horses to competitions (hide spoiler)].

I would absolutely recommend this book and if anybody is interested, I recently watched I am Patrick Swayze documentary, and it was lovely!

Is anybody planning on seeing any more Patrick Swayze movies after reading the book and the behind-the-scenes?

[[deleted user]]

My thoughts varied throughout this book. From shock to awe. This was a man who could do anything. The fact that he was such a dynamo and still succumbed to addictions is interesting. I feel like he would have had more will power given how tough he was. He always looked so handsome and healthy too, I would have never pegged him as someone with so many demons. I was mostly impressed with his talent. If I had to pick a snack to go with this book I would pick beef jerky. It just seems very masculine and southern like Patrick.

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

Christina wrote: "My thoughts varied throughout this book. From shock to awe. This was a man who could do anything. The fact that he was such a dynamo and still succumbed to addictions is interesting. I feel like he..."

Love your thoughts on this! And, beef jerky is a perfect snack to pair with the book - genius!