Revision Lynnea Hansen
Illustration by Carina Worsley
I have always loved reading. As a child, I borrowed Agatha Christie books from my neighbor and later devoured the Coleção Vagalume series, along with more complex stories and biographies throughout my teenage years and early adulthood. I could always be found with a book in hand. However, I must admit that as life has grown busier in recent years, my passion for reading has faded into the background.
When I learned that the Portuguese Language Division was seeking a volunteer to lead their book club discussions, my initial reaction was: I don’t have time to read, much less organize and lead a book club. Yet I soon realized what a wonderful opportunity this could be to rekindle my reading habit, especially with Portuguese-language books. Embracing this positive perspective, I volunteered to organize and host the PLD book club in 2025. And I’m so glad I did!
Previously, I had hosted book clubs in the US focused on English-language books and found the experience enjoyable. However, leading discussions on works by Portuguese-speaking authors from Mozambique, Cape Verde, Brazil, and Portugal proved even more rewarding. It had been so long since I read books in Portuguese that I had almost forgotten the joy of reading in my native language.
We began our book club with Mia Couto’s Terra sonâmbula. It was my first time reading Couto, and I instantly fell in love with his poetic style. I couldn’t believe I had never before come across this remarkable author! Clearly, I had been too absorbed in work and needed to reevaluate my priorities. Our discussion of this masterpiece was truly delightful, and Couto has since become one of my favorite authors.
Our second book was Chiquinho, by Baltasar Lopes. Although I have never visited Cape Verde, the vivid storytelling made me feel as if I were truly there, experiencing the culture, scenery, and the challenges the characters faced. I hope to visit this beautiful country one day.
For our third book, we read Um defeito de cor, by Ana Maria Gonçalves—a captivating historical novel that quickly became a favorite of mine. We happened to discuss this masterpiece on Juneteenth, which made the conversation even more meaningful.
We concluded the year with Ensaio sobre a cegueira, by José Saramago. What a powerful book! It prompted me to reflect on the ways I can sometimes be blind in my own life, and it inspired me to strive to see things more clearly and become a better version of myself.
Participating in the PLD book club required me to adjust my schedule and manage my time more efficiently to finish the reading before each meeting. Yet organizing and hosting the sessions proved much less time-consuming than I had expected. Our division boasts wonderful members with brilliant minds and so much to share. Our discussions flow effortlessly and are always a delight!
The PLD book club reignited my passion for reading, especially works by Portuguese-speaking authors. My reading list has grown, with O livro do desassossego, by Fernando Pessoa, now at the very top—a book that I have put off for years.
So when the next PLD session rolls around, I encourage you to join, even if you haven’t finished the reading. You won’t regret it! And if you’re interested in hosting a session, please reach out to Carmen Reis, our Assistant Administrator for the Portuguese Language Division.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia is an English <> Portuguese translator from Santos, Brazil. She holds a translation certificate from Brasillis Idiomas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a master’s degree in Translation and Interpretation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has worked as a freelance and an in-house translator with journalistic and religious texts. She has also managed the translation of a genealogy company’s blog into 14 languages. Currently, she works as a music translation project supervisor, allowing her to combine her love for music with her passion for languages.
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