Thanks for sharing your experience of being so transported by and immersed in literature ! I’ve had to tap out of many books due to overwhelm and it is nice to know I’m not alone in this. A friend of mine once put it so nicely when I confessed being in bookstores can be hyper stimulating, they said ‘there are so many books VIBRATING at you!’
Hope everyone had a beautiful time celebrating the life art and unique spirit of Edward Gorey!
Between books, music and an occasional movie or series I am finding some peace from my anxiety. I am currently reading They Were Counted by Miklos Banffy. Pre Great War Hungary.
Your book recommendations are so good. I will be searching for the Cossary in particular. Thank you. It is so good to see you feeling better, you just sparkle!
Always inspired by and grateful for your shares, Patti! And great validation to honor our instincts about books and in fact an apt metaphor for just about everything in life that does not serve us. It was an honor to meet and briefly chat with you at the Correspondences signing. So glad you are feeling better!
'Woman in the Dunes,' the protagonist's descent into the quicksand-like predicament might be more vividly conveyed to the reader in the novel compared to the film. Well done.
It's unfortunate that the three books other than Dazai's either don't have Japanese translations or are very expensive if they do. Regarding Thomas Mann, there is a complete works collection available.
Thank you for the book recommendations, Patti. I’m particularly intrigued by Men God Forgot, and I didn’t know the author, so thanks for mentioning. I’ve looked up for an Italian translation, but it seems out of print. I will search it among used books and if unable to find, I’ll try it in French. Anyway, it’s so good to learn things here, I’m so grateful. Someone here has already mentioned M Train describing how they felt entering your M and sailing off with you. I think it’s a perfect example, and it seems we are all still vagabonding somewhere with you…Luckily, I would say.
Wishing you and everyone here a peaceful Sunday. 💛
I just finished The Empuseum by Olga Tokarczuk and liked it very much. Her previous book, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of Your Dead, is one of my favorites.
Thank you for another episode of Patti's Book Club:) I am not even sure I should share the book I am reading as it is hardly a literary marvel, but I do find it has some memorable and insightful passages. It is 'Worthy' by Jada Pinkett Smith. I confess it sat in my to-read pile for quite some time, but I am enjoying it. I also have 'The Third Gilmore Girl' by Kelly Bishop on my list. I always gravitate toward autobiographies as they often have so many life lessons contained in their pages.
Anyway, I hope I have not lowered the tone:)) It is great to see you back on form and I look forward to seeing quite a few of your performances this year.
Patti, have you read the alchemist? By Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. A contemporary classic about the transforming power of dreams.
Here's an excerpt:
Santiago, a young shepherd from Andalusia, leaves for Egypt in search of a treasure hidden among the Pyramids. What he doesn't know is that his journey will take him to very different - and more satisfying - riches than he was expecting. Along the way, a gypsy, a man who calls himself king and an alchemist indicate to him the direction he should go and help him realize that the greatest treasure is within himself.
This charming novel reminds us of the wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing life's opportunities and, more importantly, always following our dreams.
"The alchemist is hopeful and inspiring. Your story teaches that we should believe in ourselves and Continue our journey.
I have finished and rushed through so many books that I did not want to finish and I don’t know why! Thank you always for the small tidbits of guidance — it always means so much more than what it is on the surface.
Good morning, Patti! The books you read are always so good, I especially adore Cesar Aria! I have no problem abandoning a book if it's not my cup o' tea, books can be very intense or terribly dull, and I do reread a lot of old favorites (The Master and Margarita especially!) I have finished my coffee and will be wandering up to the studio after I do a minor repair on my wee donkey's heavy winter blanket. There's a small tear on the belly band that needs fixing. The silly thing managed to get one of her back legs through it while she was lying down sleeping the other night when it was bitter cold. She managed to get up all right, and I discovered her walking around like a girl in a skirt too tight. She's such a funny little critter! She's wearing her new, lighter blanket now that it's "warmer" but still below freezing. I hope you and Jesse had a good night at the Gorey birthday event! It's good to see you again!
The Master and Margarita…wonderful! My daughter has donkeys and they ate so adorable. The babies are so cuddily sweet and friendly!! She makes donkey milk soap and self care products for people and animals on her farm in France. Enjoy your little friend!
Patti, saying hello from over in England -- Early afternoon, white clouds, raindrops on the window from earlier, and birds flying high in the distance -- I'm about half way through watching your video here and wanted to say that it's interesting what you said about the atmosphere of a book -- that's a good word. I think have something similar. Even books I read decades ago, I have a sense of something, the scenes, the atmosphere -- sometimes connected with where I was as reading the book the first time.. how it was outside the nearby window. J. D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye just came to me... I haven't read that for a decade or two, but I have a sense of the atmosphere -- maybe connected to how I was when I first read the book -- Sometimes I glance at books on the shelf, and sense that, and know someday I will read again, but maybe not quite yet. Thank you for the recommendation of books by Fulgentius (It just made me laugh, I had to scroll up twice to check your photograph of the book, to check the spelling -- similar to how you described in the video). You mentioned one with 'musical' in the title -- I will maybe look out for that one. Either way, I will watch the rest of this video of yours here.
Thanks for sharing! I stumbled on Cesar Aira books last year and am obsessed - they’re all so good, and I love his writing method! Inspiring.
Thanks for sharing your experience of being so transported by and immersed in literature ! I’ve had to tap out of many books due to overwhelm and it is nice to know I’m not alone in this. A friend of mine once put it so nicely when I confessed being in bookstores can be hyper stimulating, they said ‘there are so many books VIBRATING at you!’
Hope everyone had a beautiful time celebrating the life art and unique spirit of Edward Gorey!
Beautiful
Patti giving up her password, lol
Between books, music and an occasional movie or series I am finding some peace from my anxiety. I am currently reading They Were Counted by Miklos Banffy. Pre Great War Hungary.
Your book recommendations are so good. I will be searching for the Cossary in particular. Thank you. It is so good to see you feeling better, you just sparkle!
Always inspired by and grateful for your shares, Patti! And great validation to honor our instincts about books and in fact an apt metaphor for just about everything in life that does not serve us. It was an honor to meet and briefly chat with you at the Correspondences signing. So glad you are feeling better!
'Woman in the Dunes,' the protagonist's descent into the quicksand-like predicament might be more vividly conveyed to the reader in the novel compared to the film. Well done.
It's unfortunate that the three books other than Dazai's either don't have Japanese translations or are very expensive if they do. Regarding Thomas Mann, there is a complete works collection available.
Thank you for the book recommendations, Patti. I’m particularly intrigued by Men God Forgot, and I didn’t know the author, so thanks for mentioning. I’ve looked up for an Italian translation, but it seems out of print. I will search it among used books and if unable to find, I’ll try it in French. Anyway, it’s so good to learn things here, I’m so grateful. Someone here has already mentioned M Train describing how they felt entering your M and sailing off with you. I think it’s a perfect example, and it seems we are all still vagabonding somewhere with you…Luckily, I would say.
Wishing you and everyone here a peaceful Sunday. 💛
I just finished The Empuseum by Olga Tokarczuk and liked it very much. Her previous book, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of Your Dead, is one of my favorites.
Thank you for another episode of Patti's Book Club:) I am not even sure I should share the book I am reading as it is hardly a literary marvel, but I do find it has some memorable and insightful passages. It is 'Worthy' by Jada Pinkett Smith. I confess it sat in my to-read pile for quite some time, but I am enjoying it. I also have 'The Third Gilmore Girl' by Kelly Bishop on my list. I always gravitate toward autobiographies as they often have so many life lessons contained in their pages.
Anyway, I hope I have not lowered the tone:)) It is great to see you back on form and I look forward to seeing quite a few of your performances this year.
Happy, peaceful Sunday to all!
Always feel free to recommend a book. It will surely resonate with someone and it's interesting to see what you all are reading.
Patti, have you read the alchemist? By Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. A contemporary classic about the transforming power of dreams.
Here's an excerpt:
Santiago, a young shepherd from Andalusia, leaves for Egypt in search of a treasure hidden among the Pyramids. What he doesn't know is that his journey will take him to very different - and more satisfying - riches than he was expecting. Along the way, a gypsy, a man who calls himself king and an alchemist indicate to him the direction he should go and help him realize that the greatest treasure is within himself.
This charming novel reminds us of the wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing life's opportunities and, more importantly, always following our dreams.
"The alchemist is hopeful and inspiring. Your story teaches that we should believe in ourselves and Continue our journey.
Dear Patti, Thank you for dropping by. So happy you are feeling much better.
I agree! Time to snuggle in and read. There is nothing better than to get lost in a book.
Praying for Pope Francis as he is in critical care in hospital.
I have finished and rushed through so many books that I did not want to finish and I don’t know why! Thank you always for the small tidbits of guidance — it always means so much more than what it is on the surface.
I just adore these videos and this little book club! I’m intrigued by this latest book.
Good morning, Patti! The books you read are always so good, I especially adore Cesar Aria! I have no problem abandoning a book if it's not my cup o' tea, books can be very intense or terribly dull, and I do reread a lot of old favorites (The Master and Margarita especially!) I have finished my coffee and will be wandering up to the studio after I do a minor repair on my wee donkey's heavy winter blanket. There's a small tear on the belly band that needs fixing. The silly thing managed to get one of her back legs through it while she was lying down sleeping the other night when it was bitter cold. She managed to get up all right, and I discovered her walking around like a girl in a skirt too tight. She's such a funny little critter! She's wearing her new, lighter blanket now that it's "warmer" but still below freezing. I hope you and Jesse had a good night at the Gorey birthday event! It's good to see you again!
The Master and Margarita…wonderful! My daughter has donkeys and they ate so adorable. The babies are so cuddily sweet and friendly!! She makes donkey milk soap and self care products for people and animals on her farm in France. Enjoy your little friend!
Baby donkeys are the cutest babies ever! (My wee girl is 33 years old.)
Patti, saying hello from over in England -- Early afternoon, white clouds, raindrops on the window from earlier, and birds flying high in the distance -- I'm about half way through watching your video here and wanted to say that it's interesting what you said about the atmosphere of a book -- that's a good word. I think have something similar. Even books I read decades ago, I have a sense of something, the scenes, the atmosphere -- sometimes connected with where I was as reading the book the first time.. how it was outside the nearby window. J. D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye just came to me... I haven't read that for a decade or two, but I have a sense of the atmosphere -- maybe connected to how I was when I first read the book -- Sometimes I glance at books on the shelf, and sense that, and know someday I will read again, but maybe not quite yet. Thank you for the recommendation of books by Fulgentius (It just made me laugh, I had to scroll up twice to check your photograph of the book, to check the spelling -- similar to how you described in the video). You mentioned one with 'musical' in the title -- I will maybe look out for that one. Either way, I will watch the rest of this video of yours here.
Best wishes,
nm.
The Musical Brain is a great book of short stories by Caesar. I reviewed it for the New York Times....
If you like Dazai, read, Unworthy of Being Human
Yes. I have read everything of his translated in English!