You Made Me Late Again!: My New Collection

by Pam Ayres

The wonderful new collection of poems, anecdotes and short verses from the inimitable Pam Ayres.
     With over fifty new poems from Britain's favourite poet, You Made Me Late Again! is an essential addition to Pam Ayres' incomparable collection of works. Pam's poems are observant, witty and poignant in equal measure. In 'The Swifts' and 'The Pyracantha Anthem' she marvels at nature, while 'A Patient's Prayer' and 'Litter Moron' offer wry views on Modern Britain. From the dog being afraid of the toaster to your son leaving home for university; and from the search for that perfect swimsuit to becoming a gran for the first time -- Pam's poems are beautifully crafted, and her subjects the everyday and the universal. Delightfully illustrated, most of the poems in You Made Me Late Again! are brand new, yet it also features several firm favourites from her stage shows, published for the first time, such as 'The Make-up Lady' and 'Tippy Tappy Feet'.

Genres: Poetry, Poetry Plays, Nonfiction, Humor

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2013

About the author

Pam Ayres is a poet and published author of children's books. Some of her published credits include Guess Who, Guess What, Piggo and the Fork Lift Truck.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a kid my Grandad had a load of old records, mostly rubbish country music but he had one which was Pam Ayres reading some of her poetry and doing a few of her sketches. Being young and stuck at yer grandparents with not much else to do I listened to Pam Ayres loads of times, I never seemed to get bored with it and still managed to laugh during each listening. Fast forward 10000 years and my daughter has to do a reading challenge for school, one of the books has to be poems, she wasn't looking forward to that so I got her to give this book a go when I came across it. That was a mistake, she hated it, so I thought I'd give it a go and see how bad it was. I can see it isn't her type of humour, I must have been an odd child to like this stuff.

Her poems are mainly about getting old, your kids moving on with their lives, crazy pets and no longer being able to hold your drink anymore. I chuckled a few times at those poems, especially the crazy pets ones. One of the stand out poems was "Tippy Tappy Feet" incredibly moving poem about returning from the vet after having your dog put down, not hearing the excited tap of feet on the floor as the dog races to meet you and not having the heart to put the dogs things away.

At the beginning of each group of poems there were some funny little anecdotes, I found them a lot more interesting than a lot of the poems.

I have noticed that the start of the world seems to have broken Pam slightly, a few of her new poems are not as upbeat. "Count me out" covers how dangerous it is to do anything these days, Pam says "Now I daren't make eye contact with people I meet". And in "All aboard the Ark or the Bigot's Ballad" you can see how angry the bigots in the UK have made her.

An interesting collection and a nice trip down memory lane.

[Allison Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Pam Ayres live on stage earlier this year and she was wonderful. I picked up a copy of the pre-signed You Made Me Late Again! after the show. It is a superb "souvenir" of one of the funniest nights out I've enjoyed in a long time.

I highly recommend seeing Pam Ayres live and the book is great. A nice mixture of long and short poems and her style is deceptively easy to read/listen to (I dread to think how much hard work she puts in to get to that point). I don't have a particular favourite poem in the book but enjoyed them all. It also makes a great book for dipping into.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous classic Pam Ayres!

[Trena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have followed this lady since 1980, she has never let me down. This new collection is a delightful refreshing look at everyday life with a smile

[Lisa Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

As to be expected, some chuckles in there.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pam Ayres is one of those poets who I enjoy quite a lot despite the fact that she tends to use rhyming poetry and I’m not much of a fan of it. I think it’s because she does at least cover subject matter that’s more relatable to the everyday life that we live today, although I’d get even more from it if I happened to be an older woman.

What I particularly like is the fact that she introduces her work with little mini essays, although perhaps that’s too grand a term for them. They’re super readable and provide a ton of context, and I almost can’t imagine the collection without them. For a start, it would be half the length.

When you put all of that together, you’ve got a fun little collection of Pam Ayres’ poetry that I’d definitely recommend if you’re interested in her work. It’s relatable poetry, the best kind.

[Muhammad Salim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Pam has wit, humour and charm. Recommended for poetry lovers. Various topics are covered and I feel I ought to read the poems again, and go into the verses a bit more. 'The Broken Woman' 'The Make-up Lady' 'The Mattress up the Stairs' are among her jocular verses in this neat, slim volume. Her concise plays are also interesting and funny. She is a powerhouse of literature and comedy. Hats off to Pam Ayres!

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of poems with the same rhythm and interjections - the Ayres style is best enjoyed in short bursts - but some brilliant thoughts on ageing, family, dogs and how to be a great poet on Twitter. Several will make her next Best Of anthology, especially Tippy Tappy Feet and Don't Ask Me to the Wedding.

[Dajuroka Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some gems but I don't feel of the same illuminated joy as in the past but maybe I don't laugh as easily any more. She is still very enjoyable read for an hour or two so that makes everything worthwhile.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely as always! Only problem was, I'd rather hear Pam recite it than read it myself. She is always the voice in my head when I do read but I just can't get the accent right when all I have is this Kiwi one to work with. And yay for the Snorers!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Pam, and have seen her live several times. When I read her poems I imagine them with her distinctive accent and her delivery and it makes all the difference.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting love the humour of Pam Ayres.

[Catrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read poetry books, but really enjoyed this. Like reading short stories.

[George W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just great & funny

[Julie Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stuff . Wit , humour and a few that brought tears to my eyes . My favourite was “ tippy tappy feet” about losing a pet .

[Alex Mambaje · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a quick, easy and realistic mid-life random rage read, this is it!!!

You Made Me Late Again! made me laugh heaps. It’s a good palette cleanser to my usual long reads.

[Greg Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have most of her books I’m a big fan.

[Julie Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself is a fun read. I am a huge fan of Pam Ayres since childhood, she was always able to make me chuckle with her rhythmic banter and comical stories. This particular collection is full of her wit. I want to say this book is for adults, but it isn’t, not adults alone. I know many teenagers who would potentially glean something to learn from the interesting stories which unfold within poetic form, and prose.

The book is beautifully displayed and is a one for the collection that you can pick up and put down at your own leisure and pleasure, a woman after my own heart. I really love the poem ‘The Old Twilight Home’, I hope my family don’t turn out the same way; and ‘You Made Me Late Again! Is totally relatable.

Sometimes: don’t you just want to pick up a book of poor nonsense and find a little sense within in it? No? Oh, well… that must be just me.

I've chosen to tag this one as an academic collection, because the Author always makes me think.
This is one for keeps on my Bookshelf.

Thank you for reading.

[Tony Hands · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you already know and like Pam Ayres, you will not be disappointed. Lots of fresh material.