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

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

Lesle - The Kentucky Hot Brown is a famous open-faced sandwich that originated in 1926 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. It features thick-sliced roasted turkey, bacon, and tomatoes, all covered in a rich Mornay (cheese) sauce and served on toast (probably white bread). I’ve never actually tried one although I did eat a vegetarian version once. I’m not much of a fan of Southern cuisine and didn’t grow up eating it. Fried green tomatoes is one I want to try, though! And, I do love cobbler, any flavor!

I finished A Confederacy of Dunces and really enjoyed it! I had reservations about it since a lot of readers don’t like it. But, it did win a Pulitzer Prize so I figured there should be something good about it! There is a really crazy cast of characters and I found the dialogue (with the New Orleans dialect) to be funny. I listened to part of it on audiobook and the narration was excellent, which added to the humor. It’s unfortunate that the author died by suicide before the book was published. Thank you to his mother for rescuing the manuscript and getting it published 11 years later!

I’m finally taking a trip back to Kentucky to visit my sister and her family. I want to see my nephew before he moves to Minnesota. I’m looking forward to seeing my old stomping grounds and doing some different things, including going to a castle, harness racing, and eating a hot brown with some fried green tomatoes! The weather looks like it will be perfect! I haven’t been out of the southwest in a long time. Should be a nice change of scenery!

I read the book a long time ago. It’s my favorite Steinbeck book! I remember also enjoying the 1981 mini-series with Jane Seymour playing Cathy. I’m tempted to reread it but need to finish War and Peace first. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Thanks Piyangie! I finished it a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Even though it's long, it's a quick read due to its fast pace. I hope to read volume 2 before the end of the year.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Pam wrote: "This weekend I watched the 1995 TV series of Pride and Prejudice."

Wonderful! And how did you like it, Pam?

In my opinion, it is the very best Jane Austen adaptation. Ever."

My husband watched it with me. He is actually more of an Austen fan than I am. We both thought it was really good! I found the mother's voice to be super annoying, though. I know she is supposed to come off that way, but it was hard for me to listen to! I think I saw the movie with Kiera Knightly years ago but can't remember. I'm reluctant to watch any other Austen adaptations since, with the exception of Lady Susan, I haven't read the books. I prefer reading the book first.

Lesle wrote: "Pam I did not realize that was the version they have on Netflix.
I will have to check it out. Thanks"

Lesle - I hope you do check it out! I still have 2 more episodes to go but I'm really enjoying it! I wanted to watch the movie with Burt Lancaster but it's not free.

Richard - Yes, my first time reading War and Peace! I rarely reread books. Most of the really long classics I haven’t read.

Richard - I am also reading War and Peace. Took a break to read some book club reads but plan to get back to it this fall.

I just started a combo of reading and listening to A Confederacy of Dunces. The narration is great with the New Orleans accents but I struggle with comprehension of audiobooks. I get easily distracted. I really like it so far! I’ve seen mixed reviews - love it or hate it.

Has anyone seen the 1963 movie adaptation of The Leopard? I’m watching the Netflix 2025 Italian limited series. I just started it tonight. The scenery is beautiful! I read the book in 2021 and don’t remember too much of it.

This weekend I watched the 1995 TV series of Pride and Prejudice.

I’ve seen you all talking about watermelons the last few days and then yesterday my grandson’s other grandmother sends him back to our house with a big chunk of an orange watermelon! I just tried it and it was delicious. It has a slightly different flavor than the reds. I’ve never seen an orange/yellow watermelon before. I’m going to take out the seeds and blend the rest of it into a drink tomorrow morning! And then, I’m going to the fruit basket store to buy some more!

Do you all have places that sell agua frescas? They are very popular here in NM at markets, fairs, some Mexican restaurants, and even vendors in the malls. Watermelon, mango, cantaloupe, cucumber, and horchata are popular ones.

I’m almost finished with V1 which is 673 pages. I don’t plan to start V2 immediately since I have some library books to read first. It’s an engaging story! I like how the characters are always thinking/plotting one thing while they are saying something quite the opposite. So much deceit and treachery!

I own the book so I will try to read at least one story, hopefully more! I can’t keep up with my library book club reads, GR group reads plus my random that-looks-interesting library books! I have one last continent (South America) for a challenge in another group and this book would satisfy that category. So, there’s a little more incentive for my to get to it! 🇦🇷

That sounds like fun Rosemary! Enjoy!

Shōgun V1

I just starting Book 2 ch.10. The story is very engaging! What the author does really well is capture the differences between the Japanese and western cultures. He lets you know what they think about each other’s action, which don’t make sense to them, and their own motivations. I think this one thought by Blackthorne, in reference to Yabu, touches on a theme that will be present throughout the book. “I admire that bastard, and detest him.”

I’m on ch. 7 and really enjoying it. I must have watched the first episode of the new TV series because I distinctly remember one dramatic/disturbing scene. But, I don’t know what happens after that so I obviously didn’t watch the whole series. I like the explanation of the Japanese culture and their political system. It’s fast-paced and is keeping my interest!

I took advantage of a store sale plus my membership perk and book sales credit and picked up all of these books for $8!

The World of Yesterday and Beware of Pity, both by Stefan Zweig
menagerie Manor by Gerald Durrell This is one that my library doesn't have in any format. I love the illustrations! I listened to one of his other books A Zoo in My Luggage and missed out on the illustrations.
Mary Anne by Daphne du Maurier I am a big Daphne fan but have never heard of or seen this one. It looks like a fun summer read! I feel like I need something entertaining and not too serious right now.

Book Nerd wrote: "Pam wrote: "I watched the 1970s mini-series and remember liking it."
From what I've heard that one was all from Blackthorne's point of view. The book has a lot of the Japanese character's POVs as w..."

Good to know! I'll be sure to pay attention to the POV aspect. I think it will be a quick read despite its 2 volume length.