It's just come so highly recommended. We'll see....Again, I don't know if I'm in for the whole series, but I will definitely give the first volume a good try. Hope you're doing well.
Soooo much going on this month 😊. I’m getting confused with what I’m meant to be reading and when. Great wrap up as usual Pat. I always enjoy your descriptions and reviews 😊
Great reviews, Pat. Always a pleasure to watch and learn. The Lost Children is one I couldn’t read. I grew up in San Diego and lived in Southern Arizona-made me remember a young man I worked with in the 80s-when he was eleven, he was separated from his parents-sent back to Mexico-made his way back (somehow) alone-found his parents-etc., etc., and, when I knew him, was very successful in the IT Department. I remember meeting his proud parents. Just sharing and remembering this choked me up.😎 My Sci-Fi adventure must be Dune! I’ve had it for years🥸
They really are too much. I think The Lost Children Archive almost did me in. It’s such a powerful, important book, but it was too much. I finished it last night. I’ve got to make some adjustments for February….
@ Take care of yourself, Pat! Just hearing you describe these books made me so sad so I can imagine how you must be feeling! I am sure they were powerful and worth reading but I hope you can fit in some lighter or more cheerful reads for February.
I think we should call you The Book Juggler! I am reading a few books and it can be a challenge. I am reading Swann's Way, The Last Samurai and Gilead. I would like to read the first chapter of The Inland Island by Josephine Johnson and am reading a page a day of a Reader's Book of Days by Tom Nissley. Looks to be a great month and likely year of reading! P.S. I never heard about Clifford D Simak before and interestingly enough I "rescue" books dropped off at our dump in the swap shack and bring them to my granddaughter's father and uncles used bookstore as they would be thrown in the trash otherwise. In this weeks haul was a book by Clifford D Simak so when you mentioned it I got a little chuckle. Always a pleasure stopping by to visit.
Hi Marcia! Sounds like you have a lot going on too! I LOVE your book rescue mission!! I am loving Clifford D. Simak. Less so, Heinlein. I’m a little overwhelmed right now with so much going on. I may try to simplify and refocus for February.
I am trying Swann's Way. I am about a third of the way through, and it's been an absolute slog. I will finish it, and then Mr. Proust and I will part ways forever. Thanks for the video.
Hi Brian. It is interesting. I'm especially interested in how it's been edited and revised and then returned to its original state over time. Thanks for commenting!
I couldn’t fit Swann’s Way into my very overpacked bags so I’m going to be trying to catch up when I get home. I did fit Elena Knows in there (thankfully it’s small) and am really looking forward to that one.
Elena Knows is indeed a short book that packs such a powerful punch! Don’t worry about Swann’s Way. We’re moving pretty slowly through it. Have a great trip!
I had forgotten that "My Fair Lady" in it's written form is "Pygmalion". I've never read it, although I'm familiar with the play. "Elena Knows" and "Lost Children Archive" sound fascinating; but difficult. I'm trying to keep it on the lighter side for now - let's see how the year goes! I just finished "The Lincoln Highway" - WOW! I really enjoyed it! Happy Reading, my friend!
Oh Reney, I'm so glad you loved THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY. I adore that book, and as I told you, that got me on an Amor Towles reading kick. I think he's wonderful. Yes, I'm all for reading lighter things. I may have to make some adjustments in February! Happy Saturday, my friend. It's snowing here this morning.
@BookChatWithPat8668 Yes! Here, too! We got a few inches overnight. I walked Raina and my neighbor's dog early this AM -🐶 they played like puppies! It was so cute! 🦮🐕🦺
Hi Pat. It sounds like you’re reading some important but dramatic books. I hope you can squeeze in a Miss Marple short story or two as a palette cleanser. Unless you’ve read them all already. 😅 I’m always happy to see a new video from you. ❤
Pygmalion is a great play. I think I read Starship troopers by Heinlein many years ago but remember very little about it. Looking forward to Elena Knows. A busy start to the year for you Pat!
@@spreadbookjoy Hi Jack. Yes, I love Pygmalion. I’ve only read a few of Heinlein’s books for kids. The jury is still out on him for me. He’s definitely one of the SF founding fathers. I’m just not sure how much of his politics I can take. We’ll see…I have just started Elena Knows. I’ll get more into it today. I’m looking forward to that.
I'm curious to read Pygmalion now. I've always equated it with the film, so it's intriguing to hear you talk about how it differs. Another eclectic week of reading for you Pat, and an entertaining video for us. Have a lovely weekend. 😊
@@patriciah8579 thank you, Patricia. Yes, Pygmalion is different from the film and the musical. It’s a play I used to teach. We did take the kids to see My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center as well. It made for good comparison. I hope you’re doing well! Have a great weekend! 🥰
I just randomly came across your channel today and I’m glad I did! You remind me so much of my favorite English literature professor in college who was also my academic advisor. Makes me miss that professor in a way but also makes me happy to have found your channel! I enjoyed hearing you speak about the books here and I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Red Planet ~ I'll be very curious to hear your take on Heinlein Pat! That's actually one I've not read. From a quick Wiki rundown, it sounds like a bit of test run for Heinlein's, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Good stuff Pat! (now that I think about it, I may have read Red Planet way way way back!)
@@GrammaticusBooks I’ve finished Red Planet now, and I’ll be talking about it in the video that goes up Sat. In the end, I liked it more than I thought I was going to, which I’ll discuss on Saturday. I did have trouble with him putting gun rights talk in the mouths of kids, but it was 1949, and not contemporary times. I get it. He does some really interesting things with gender by the end of the novel that make me see that he was way ahead of his time in many ways….Ive also finished Simak’s Goblin Reservation now, and I really liked that one all around. It was just a lot of fun. Thanks for watching and commenting, Grammaticus!
I know you're trying to read some books that bring you comfort. My suggestion as far as Lost Children Archive would be to only continue when you feel up to it. And not hold yourself to a book club or readathon deadline
I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts. Subscribed! Excited to follow your reading journey this year. The book I'm most interested to read myself is Red Planet.
@@SparkPup thank you for subscribing. I’ve just been exploring SF classics this past year. I was interested to learn about the revisions made by Scribner’s to make Red Planet more suitable for kids. I’m reading the original, unedited version.
You have a busy reading schedule at the moment, but it seems like you are reading lots of interesting things. I want to read some Clifford D Simak as he keeps being mentioned by a lot of the booktubers I follow who have similar interests to me so I'll have to get something by him to read. I hope you have another great reading week!
I read Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein last year, I found it extremely militaristic mostly concerned with turning Juan Rico from a raw naive recruit into a seasoned veteran.
Well, Heinlein was a military guy. I'm just really uncomfortable in this novel that we're reading now with kids talking about their right to bear arms. Having spent the last 25 years of my career doing active shooter drills in school with kids, I'm not really at all interested in hearing about how kids have the right to guns. Obviously, he was writing in a very different time, but his views just feel very alien to me. We'll see....I may just stick with the Clifford D. Simak group and abandon Heinlein. Jury is still out....
@@BookChatWithPat8668 The American desire to bear arms (second amendment) seems crazy to many non-Americans. Also that guns are available without background checks at places like gun fairs and the weapons include semi automatic rifles... The problems with American politics is that is seems so polarised and the moderates in between don't get heard.
Oh, okay. I haven't read Pygmalion, but it sounds like I've encountered variations on the plot before. Pretty sure I've even seen it parodied. Uh oh, if you're iffy on Proust so far, it probably doesn't bode well for a lummox like me. Guess I'll see how things progress. My classic SF consumption has been almost entirely short stories. I think that tends to be the best form for the genre. That being said, I really should give more of the novels a try. Quite a week. Have a good one!
Hi Bryan. There have been many reiterations of the basic Pygmalion story, especially in film. Besides My Fair Lady, I think of Pretty Woman and Educating Rita as two most obvious ones, but I think there have been many more. It's become a kind of tired trope, I guess. As for Proust, it's not a. difficult read. I'm just not sure, at least at this point, that I'm invested enough to give it the time it will take. We'll see. I'm committed to finishing Volume 1. I don't know if I want to spend a year on this project. As for SF, I do have many short story collections of classic SF that I'm also interested in dipping in to as well. I love many of Bradbury's short stories, and I've recently picked up a bunch of Simak's story collections. We'll see....I've really liked all of SImak's novels that I've read recently, but I'm less sure that I'll continue with Heinlein. Hope you're doing well, my friend.
Yes, a very busy week for you. I know you support a lot of events so you seem to be reading very many books at once at the moment. I usually only like 2 on the go. Any more and I don't feel I'm progressing. That being said, I have 4 on the go currently - with nothing to be finished imminently. Have a good week.
Lost Children Archive has been on my radar for a while. I must put it higher on my TBR. 😊💙
It's just come so highly recommended. We'll see....Again, I don't know if I'm in for the whole series, but I will definitely give the first volume a good try. Hope you're doing well.
Soooo much going on this month 😊. I’m getting confused with what I’m meant to be reading and when. Great wrap up as usual Pat. I always enjoy your descriptions and reviews 😊
Thanks, Debs. It is a bit overwhelming right now.
What a rich, diverse mix, Pat!
Thanks, Margaret. I really am all over the place in my reading this month. I think I may need a little more focus...
@@BookChatWithPat8668 ...or not! :P
@@MargaretPinard right. Or not…😉
Great reviews, Pat. Always a pleasure to watch and learn. The Lost Children is one I couldn’t read. I grew up in San Diego and lived in Southern Arizona-made me remember a young man I worked with in the 80s-when he was eleven, he was separated from his parents-sent back to Mexico-made his way back (somehow) alone-found his parents-etc., etc., and, when I knew him, was very successful in the IT Department. I remember meeting his proud parents. Just sharing and remembering this choked me up.😎
My Sci-Fi adventure must be Dune! I’ve had it for years🥸
@@vickicoleman2474 thank you for sharing this story with me, Vicki. I’m really struggling with this novel.
Pat, you are a brave woman! All of these books sound so heavy and emotional…especially so close together 😢
They really are too much. I think The Lost Children Archive almost did me in. It’s such a powerful, important book, but it was too much. I finished it last night. I’ve got to make some adjustments for February….
@ Take care of yourself, Pat! Just hearing you describe these books made me so sad so I can imagine how you must be feeling! I am sure they were powerful and worth reading but I hope you can fit in some lighter or more cheerful reads for February.
@ definitely. 🥰
I've added Lost Children Archive to my TBR. Great wrap up!
Thank you. I finished Lost Children this weekend. It's an important book, but it devastated me....
I think we should call you The Book Juggler! I am reading a few books and it can be a challenge. I am reading Swann's Way, The Last Samurai and Gilead. I would like to read the first chapter of The Inland Island by Josephine Johnson and am reading a page a day of a Reader's Book of Days by Tom Nissley. Looks to be a great month and likely year of reading! P.S. I never heard about Clifford D Simak before and interestingly enough I "rescue" books dropped off at our dump in the swap shack and bring them to my granddaughter's father and uncles used bookstore as they would be thrown in the trash otherwise. In this weeks haul was a book by Clifford D Simak so when you mentioned it I got a little chuckle. Always a pleasure stopping by to visit.
Hi Marcia! Sounds like you have a lot going on too! I LOVE your book rescue mission!! I am loving Clifford D. Simak. Less so, Heinlein. I’m a little overwhelmed right now with so much going on. I may try to simplify and refocus for February.
That's quite a busy reading month!
It's feeling a little bit overwhelming. I'm going to refocus soon....
I am trying Swann's Way. I am about a third of the way through, and it's been an absolute slog. I will finish it, and then Mr. Proust and I will part ways forever. Thanks for the video.
I hear you. I’m not at all convinced I will continue with subsequent volumes.
Red Planet sounds like an interesting read. Thank you for the update.
Hi Brian. It is interesting. I'm especially interested in how it's been edited and revised and then returned to its original state over time. Thanks for commenting!
I couldn’t fit Swann’s Way into my very overpacked bags so I’m going to be trying to catch up when I get home. I did fit Elena Knows in there (thankfully it’s small) and am really looking forward to that one.
Elena Knows is indeed a short book that packs such a powerful punch! Don’t worry about Swann’s Way. We’re moving pretty slowly through it. Have a great trip!
I had forgotten that "My Fair Lady" in it's written form is "Pygmalion". I've never read it, although I'm familiar with the play. "Elena Knows" and "Lost Children Archive" sound fascinating; but difficult. I'm trying to keep it on the lighter side for now - let's see how the year goes! I just finished "The Lincoln Highway" - WOW! I really enjoyed it! Happy Reading, my friend!
Oh Reney, I'm so glad you loved THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY. I adore that book, and as I told you, that got me on an Amor Towles reading kick. I think he's wonderful. Yes, I'm all for reading lighter things. I may have to make some adjustments in February! Happy Saturday, my friend. It's snowing here this morning.
@BookChatWithPat8668 Yes! Here, too! We got a few inches overnight. I walked Raina and my neighbor's dog early this AM -🐶 they played like puppies! It was so cute! 🦮🐕🦺
That's adorable!
I hope you're eating madeleines while reading Swann's Way -- the very best incentive to read Proust!
@@troytradup it may be the only incentive….
Hi Pat. It sounds like you’re reading some important but dramatic books. I hope you can squeeze in a Miss Marple short story or two as a palette cleanser. Unless you’ve read them all already. 😅 I’m always happy to see a new video from you. ❤
Thank you so much, Heather. This month is a bit overwhelming, but I’m going to get things more focused for February. Hope you’re doing well.
Pygmalion is a great play. I think I read Starship troopers by Heinlein many years ago but remember very little about it. Looking forward to Elena Knows. A busy start to the year for you Pat!
@@spreadbookjoy Hi Jack. Yes, I love Pygmalion. I’ve only read a few of Heinlein’s books for kids. The jury is still out on him for me. He’s definitely one of the SF founding fathers. I’m just not sure how much of his politics I can take. We’ll see…I have just started Elena Knows. I’ll get more into it today. I’m looking forward to that.
I'm curious to read Pygmalion now. I've always equated it with the film, so it's intriguing to hear you talk about how it differs. Another eclectic week of reading for you Pat, and an entertaining video for us. Have a lovely weekend. 😊
@@patriciah8579 thank you, Patricia. Yes, Pygmalion is different from the film and the musical. It’s a play I used to teach. We did take the kids to see My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center as well. It made for good comparison. I hope you’re doing well! Have a great weekend! 🥰
yay Pat a video!!!! whoo hoo 😊
@@lavenderlady7441 awww thank you! 😊
Great book review! I listened twice and need to listen again. Thank you
@@roseannkowitz2652 aww thank you.😊
Pygmalion is on my tbr list for my local library reading challenge 😊
@@theagraceful oh terrific!
I just randomly came across your channel today and I’m glad I did! You remind me so much of my favorite English literature professor in college who was also my academic advisor. Makes me miss that professor in a way but also makes me happy to have found your channel!
I enjoyed hearing you speak about the books here and I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Thank you for this lovely comment! I’m so glad you found me! 😊
Red Planet ~ I'll be very curious to hear your take on Heinlein Pat! That's actually one I've not read. From a quick Wiki rundown, it sounds like a bit of test run for Heinlein's, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Good stuff Pat! (now that I think about it, I may have read Red Planet way way way back!)
@@GrammaticusBooks I’ve finished Red Planet now, and I’ll be talking about it in the video that goes up Sat. In the end, I liked it more than I thought I was going to, which I’ll discuss on Saturday. I did have trouble with him putting gun rights talk in the mouths of kids, but it was 1949, and not contemporary times. I get it. He does some really interesting things with gender by the end of the novel that make me see that he was way ahead of his time in many ways….Ive also finished Simak’s Goblin Reservation now, and I really liked that one all around. It was just a lot of fun. Thanks for watching and commenting, Grammaticus!
@@BookChatWithPat8668 I'll definitely check out your video on Saturday Pat!
I know you're trying to read some books that bring you comfort. My suggestion as far as Lost Children Archive would be to only continue when you feel up to it. And not hold yourself to a book club or readathon deadline
You are a wise man, my friend. 🥰
I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts. Subscribed! Excited to follow your reading journey this year. The book I'm most interested to read myself is Red Planet.
@@SparkPup thank you for subscribing. I’ve just been exploring SF classics this past year. I was interested to learn about the revisions made by Scribner’s to make Red Planet more suitable for kids. I’m reading the original, unedited version.
You have a busy reading schedule at the moment, but it seems like you are reading lots of interesting things. I want to read some Clifford D Simak as he keeps being mentioned by a lot of the booktubers I follow who have similar interests to me so I'll have to get something by him to read. I hope you have another great reading week!
@@AlansReads hi Alan. I do really like Clifford D Simak. I’m thinking I’ll keep up with that readalong if I can. I’m not sure about Heinlein.
😊
Hi Jess! You’re tagged in my video coming out at midnight. 🥰
I read Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein last year, I found it extremely militaristic mostly concerned with turning Juan Rico from a raw naive recruit into a seasoned veteran.
Well, Heinlein was a military guy. I'm just really uncomfortable in this novel that we're reading now with kids talking about their right to bear arms. Having spent the last 25 years of my career doing active shooter drills in school with kids, I'm not really at all interested in hearing about how kids have the right to guns. Obviously, he was writing in a very different time, but his views just feel very alien to me. We'll see....I may just stick with the Clifford D. Simak group and abandon Heinlein. Jury is still out....
@@BookChatWithPat8668 The American desire to bear arms (second amendment) seems crazy to many non-Americans. Also that guns are available without background checks at places like gun fairs and the weapons include semi automatic rifles...
The problems with American politics is that is seems so polarised and the moderates in between don't get heard.
@@jimsbooksreadingandstuff You are exactly right, Jim.
It would be interesting to know if the book banners approve of the new Heinlien edition wouldn’t it?
That’s a great question. I’ll have to check to see if Heinlein is on any of the lists. I don’t know if kids even still read Heinlein….
Oh, okay. I haven't read Pygmalion, but it sounds like I've encountered variations on the plot before. Pretty sure I've even seen it parodied.
Uh oh, if you're iffy on Proust so far, it probably doesn't bode well for a lummox like me. Guess I'll see how things progress.
My classic SF consumption has been almost entirely short stories. I think that tends to be the best form for the genre. That being said, I really should give more of the novels a try.
Quite a week. Have a good one!
Hi Bryan. There have been many reiterations of the basic Pygmalion story, especially in film. Besides My Fair Lady, I think of Pretty Woman and Educating Rita as two most obvious ones, but I think there have been many more. It's become a kind of tired trope, I guess. As for Proust, it's not a. difficult read. I'm just not sure, at least at this point, that I'm invested enough to give it the time it will take. We'll see. I'm committed to finishing Volume 1. I don't know if I want to spend a year on this project. As for SF, I do have many short story collections of classic SF that I'm also interested in dipping in to as well. I love many of Bradbury's short stories, and I've recently picked up a bunch of Simak's story collections. We'll see....I've really liked all of SImak's novels that I've read recently, but I'm less sure that I'll continue with Heinlein. Hope you're doing well, my friend.
💜✨
Hi Ellen! 🥰
Oh no! My comment disappeared! I will send you this instead - ❤
@@helenclare3250 oh no! I don’t know why this happens. Some of my comments disappear too, but I am never sure what the rhyme or reason is….
@@BookChatWithPat8668 It was so profound, too!
I'm sure it was!
Hey Pat, which translation of Swann’s Way are you reading? I’m really digging the Lydia Davis translation at the moment!
Hi Jim. I'm reading the
I've seen My Fair Lady; didn't realize the original name was Pygmalion
@@SparkPup yes, Shaw’s play, Pygmalion, is what My Fair Lady is based on, but there are very serious differences.
Yes, a very busy week for you. I know you support a lot of events so you seem to be reading very many books at once at the moment. I usually only like 2 on the go. Any more and I don't feel I'm progressing. That being said, I have 4 on the go currently - with nothing to be finished imminently. Have a good week.