Fiction Book Reviews - Master List

This is a list of the novels (non-category) that I've reviewed to date.

* The Virgin of Flames - Chris Abani

* Haunting Bombay - Shilpa Agarwal

* Chicago - Alaa Al Aswany

* The Blood of Flowers - Anita Amirrezvani

* The Annotated Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen, annotated and edited by David M. Shapiro

* The Brooklyn Follies – Paul Auster

* Samedi the Deafness - Jesse Ball

* The Way Through Doors - Jesse Ball

* The Butterfly Workshop – Gioconda Belli

* Anonymous Lawyer: a Novel – Jeremy Blachman

* Warrior and Witch – Marie Brennan

* The Brief History of the Dead - Kevin Brockmeier

* The View from the Seventh Layer - Kevin Brockmeier

* Boomsday - Christopher Buckley

* Wonderful World - Javier Calvo

* My Lady of Cleves - Margaret Campbell Barnes

* Famous Writers School: a Novel – Steven Carter

* After Helen - Paul Cavanagh

* One Mississippi – Mark Childress

* The Nature of Monsters - Clare Clark

* The Rain Before It Falls - Jonathan Coe

* Slow Man - J.M. Coetzee

* The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly

* Out of Character - Vanessa Craft

* The Saffron Kitchen: a Novel – Yasmin Crowther

* The Dead Fish Museum: Stories – Charles D'Ambrosio

* Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly – Robert Dalby

* House of Many Gods – Kiana Davenport

* Goodbye Lemon – Adam Davies

* The Thin Place - Kathryn Davis

* Spinning Dixie - Eric Dezenhall

* The Mercy of Thin Air - Ronlyn Domingue

* The House of Paper - Carlos María Domínguez

* The Stolen Child - Keith Donohue

* The Best Place to Be - Lesley Dormen

* The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards

* The Ministry of Special Cases - Nathan Englander

* Troubling Love - Elena Ferrante

* Enchantments – Linda Ferri

* My Name is Bosnia - Madeleine Gagnon

* Contagion - Patrick M. Garry

* The Dodecahedron or A Frame for Frames: a novel of sorts – Paul Glennon

* Queen of the Underworld – Gail Godwin

* Three Views of Crystal Water – Katherine Govier

* The Uncrowned Queen – Posie Graeme-Evans

* The Color of a Dog Running Away - Richard Gwyn

* Austenland: a Novel - Shannon Hale

* The Rhythm of the Road: a Novel – Albyn Leah Hall

* The Priest's Madonna - Amy Hassinger

* The Secret of Lost Things - Sheridan Hay

* Ticknor - Sheila Heti

* The Exquisite - Laird Hunt

* The Seas - Samantha Hunt

* The Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs

* The Marble Orchard - Paul Johnson

* The Attack - Yasmina Khadra

* Mission to America – Walter Kirn

* The White Rose - Jean Hanff Korelitz

* Kabbalah: a Love Story - Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

* The Girls - Lori Lansens

* The Boat - Nam Le

* Lavinia - Ursula K. LeGuin

* A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka

* The Inhabited World - David Long

* Family Planning - Karan Mahajan

* Foreign Tongue - Vanina Marsot

* Remainder - Tom McCarthy

* Church of the Dog - Kaya McLaren

* The Brambles - Eliza Minot

* The Rest of Her Life - Laura Moriarty

* The Restoration of Emily - Kim Moritsugu

* Natural Flights of the Human Mind - Clare Morrall

* Wizard of the Crow - Ngugi wa Thiong'o

* The Feline Plague - Maja Novak

* Gods Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips

* The End of the Alphabet - CS Richardson

* Homeland - Paul William Roberts

* The Rent Collector - B. Glen Rotchin

* Firmin: Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife - Sam Savage

* Black & White - Dani Shapiro

* Was She Pretty? - Leanne Shapton

* Work Shirts for Madmen - George Singleton

* Maddalena: Book One of The Golden Tripolis Trilogy - Eva Jana Siroka

* The Man of My Dreams - Curtis Sittenfeld

* Salmon Fishing in Yemen - Paul Torday

* The Ministry of Pain - Dubravka Ugrešić

* Petropolis - Anya Ulinich

* Innocent Traitor - Alison Weir

* Angelos - Robina Williams

Chick Lit & Romance Book Reviews - Master List

In an effort to reduce the long list of reviews in my sidebar, I decided to create an entry of each of the category of books I review. That way I can update this entry and link to just this entry in the sidebar.

This is a list of the chick lit and romance novels that I've reviewed to date.

Chick Lit
* Swimming Upstream, Slowly – Melissa Clark

* Some Like it Haute – Julie K.L. Dam

* Toss the Bride - Jennifer Manske Fenske

* The School for Husbands - Wendy Holden

* Miss Understanding - Stephanie Lessing

* Hooked - Jane May

* Upside Down Inside Out - Monica McInerney

* The List: a Love Story in 781 Chapters - Aneva Stout

* Innocence – Kathleen Tessaro


Romance novels
* The Taming of the Duke – Eloisa James

* Teeth in a Pickle Jar – H.B. Milligan

* The Kiss - Elda Minger


Paranormal Romances
* The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Annette Blair

* Luscious Craving - Cameron Dean

* Passionate Thirst - Cameron Dean

* Even Vampires Get the Blues - Katie MacAlister

* Just One Sip - Katie MacAlister, Jennifer Ashley, and Minda Webber

* Light My Fire - Katie MacAlister

* He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot - Stephanie Rowe

* Must Love Dragons - Stephanie Rowe

* Damsel Under Stress - Shanna Swendson

* Kitty and the Midnight Hour – Carrie Vaughn

* Kitty Goes to Washington - Carrie Vaughn

* Kitty Takes a Vacation - Carrie Vaughn

* 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover & Hex Appeal - Linda Wisdom

Mystery Book Reviews - Master List

This is a list of the mystery books I've reviewed. Most of the mystery books I've reviewed so far, tend to be of the cozy mystery type. With time I'm sure this will expand. I've put the "type" of mystery in brackets after the author's name, as an FYI.


* Interior Motives: a Deadly Décor Mystery - Ginny Aiken (cozy)

* And Only to Deceive - Tasha Alexander (historical)

* One Good Turn: a Novel - Kate Atkinson

* Empire of Light - David Czuchlewski (psychological)

* The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters: a Novel - Gordon Dahlquist (gothic suspense)

* The Keep - Jennifer Egan (gothic suspense)

* The Cruel Stars of the Night: a Mystery - Kjell Eriksson (police procedural)

* Bad Blood - Linda Fairstein (legal)

* Sins and Needles: a Needlecraft mystery - Monica Ferris (cozy)

* A Beautiful Blue Death - Charles Finch (historical)

* Volk's Game - Brent Ghelfi (thriller)

* Lake of Sorrows - Erin Hart

* Waking Lazarus - T.L. Hines (Christian psychological thriller)

* The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death - Charlie Huston (noir)

* Sonnet of the Sphinx - Diane Killian (cozy)

* The Monsters of Gramery Park – Danny Leigh (psychological)

* Conduct in Question - Mary E. Martin (legal)

* Final Paradox - Mary E. Martin (legal)

* The Oxford Murders - Guillermo Martínez

* How to Marry a Ghost - Hope McIntyre

* Season of the Witch - Natasha Mostert (gothic suspense)

* Saving Cascadia - John J. Nance (thriller)

* Find Me: a Mallory novel - Carol O'Connell (police procedural)

* Sisters on the Case - edited by Sara Paretsky

* Nineteen Seventy-Four - David Peace (noir)

* Special Topics in Calamity Physics - Marisha Pessl

* Angelica - Arthur Phillips (historical)

* Secret Asset - Stella Rimington (espionage)

* Friend of the Devil - Peter Robinson (police procedural)

* The Interpretation of Murder: a Novel - Jed Rubenfeld (historical)

* A Deadly Yarn - Maggie Sefton (cozy)

* The Thirteenth Tale: a Novel - Diane Setterfield (literary)

* Murder by the Slice - Livia J. Washburn (cozy)

* The Bullet Trick - Louise Welsh (psychological)

* The Blind Assassins - Robert Wilson (police procedural)

Young Adult Book Reviews - Master List

In an effort to reduce the long list of reviews in my sidebar, I decided to create an entry of each of the category of books I review. That way I can update this entry and link to just this entry in the sidebar.

This is a list of the young adult books I've reviewed to date.

* Confessions of a Teen Nanny – Victoria Ashton

* The Unwritten Girl - James Bow

* Johnny Kellock Died Today - Hadley Dyer

* Incantation - Alice Hoffman

* Me, Dead Dad & Alcatraz – Chris Lynch

* Un Lun Dun - China Miéville

* Wintersmith – Terry Pratchett

* Flora Segunda: Being the Magickal Mishaps of a Girl of Spirit, Her Glass-Gazing Sidekick, Two Ominous Butlers (One Blue), a House with Eleven Thousand Rooms, and a Red Dog - Ysabeau S. Wilce


Children's Books
* The Butterfly Workshop - Gioconda Belli

* In Arctic Waters - Laura Crawford

* Night's Nice - Barbara and Ed Emberley

* Miss Bea's Seaside - Louise Harding

* Imagine Harry - Kate Klise

* Balloons Balloons Balloons - Dee Lillegard

* Peek-a-Boo, I Love You - Sandra Magsamen

* Hondo & Fabian - Peter McCarty

* Sergio Makes a Splash! - Edel Rodriguez

* Dragon Dancing - Carole Lexa Schaefer

* What Time is it, Mr. Crocodile? - Judy Sierra

* Wangari's Trees of Peace - Jeanette Winter

Knitting Book Reviews - Master List

This is a list of the knitting books I've reviewed to date. They cover a wide range of topics and "categories" of knitting books. If you have a knitting related book you think is a must have of every knitter, or the best look at a topic, please leave a note in the comments here and I'll try and review it.

* The Natural Knitter: how to choose, use, and knit natural fibers from alpaca to yak - Barbara Albright

* Knitting Classic Style - Véronik Avery

* Pretty in Punk - Alyce Benevides & Jacqueline Milles

* The Knitter's Guide to Yarn Cocktails - Anastasia Blaes and Kelly Wilson

* The Best of Interweave Knits - ed. by Ann Budd

* Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave - Ann Budd and Anne Merrow

* Twinkle’s Big City Knits: 31 chunky-chic designs - Wenlan Chia

* Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time – Betty Christiansen

* KnitKnacks: Much Ado About Knitting - introduction by Kari Cornell

* Home Knits: Luxurious Handknits for Every Room of the House – Suss Cousins

* Suss Design Essentials - Suss Cousins

* Pretty Knits - edited by Susan Cropper

* The Northampton Wools Knitting Book: the Store Patterns - Linda A. Daniels

* Mother of Purl: Friends, Fun, and Fabulous Designs at Hollywood's Knitting Circle – Edith Eig

* Inspired Cable Knits: 20 Creative Designs for Making Sweaters and Accessories – Fiona Ellis

* Inspired Fair Isle Knits: 20 creative designs inspired by the elements - Fiona Ellis

* Knitting Beyond the Edge - Nicky Epstein

* Knitting Never Felt Better - Nicky Epstein

* Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers - Nicky Epstein

* Kaffe Knits Again - Kaffe Fassett

* Mason-Dixon Knitting - Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne

* Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature – Norah Gaughan

* Indigo Knits - Jane Gottelier

* Andean Inspired Knits: Designs in Luxurious Alpaca – Helen Hamann

* Knitting Little Luxuries - Louisa Harding

* Miss Bea's Seaside - Louisa Harding

* Natural Knits for Babies and Moms – Louisa Harding

* Knitty Gritty Knits - Vickie Howell

* Wendy Knits - Wendy D. Johnson

* Runway Knits: 30 Fashion-Forward Designs - Berta Karapetyan

* Every Mother is a Daughter: the neverending quest for success, inner peace, and a really clean kitchen (recipes and knitting patterns included)- Perri Klass & Sheila Solomon Klass

* Classic Knits & Glamour Knits - Erika Knight

* knit.101 - editors of knit.1 magazine

* The Yarn Lover's Guide to Hand Dyeing - Linda Labelle

* Knits from a Painter’s Palette: modular masterpieces in handpainted yarn - Maie Landra

* New Ideas for Today's Knitting - Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weiss

* Andean Folk Knits: Great Designs from Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador & Bolivia - Marcia Lewandowski

* Naughty Needles - Nikol Lohr

* Morehouse Farm Merino Knits: more than 40 farm-fresh designs - Margrit Lohrer

* Knitting Color - Brendon Mably

* The Elegant Knitter - Gina Macris

* Nature Babies - Tara Jon Manning

* Knits Three Ways - Melissa Matthay

* Knitting Lingerie Style - Joan McGowan-Michael

* The Museum of Kitschy Stitches: a Gallery of Notorious Knits - Stitchy McYarnpants

* Greetings from Knit Café - Suzan Mischer

* Romantic Hand Knits: 26 Flirtatious Designs that Flatter Your Figure - Annie Modesitt

* Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves – Jillian Morena & Amy R. Singer

* Luxury Knitting: the Ultimate Guide to Exquisite Yarns Cashmere ● Merino ● Silk - Linda Morse

* Knitting Memories - edited by Lela Nargi

* Knitting Through It - edited by Lela Nargi

* Spin to Knit: the Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn – Shannon Okey

* The Knitter's Book of Yarn - Clara Parkes

* Field Guide to Knitting - Jackie Pawlowski

* Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

* Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Knitting Tricks - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

* Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair - Laurie Perry

* knitspeak: an A to Z guide to the language of knitting patterns - Andrea Berman Price

* Punk Knits - Share Ross

* Lacy Little Knits - Iris Schreier

* No Sheep for You - Amy R. Singer

* Victorian Lace Today - Jane Sowerby

* Knitting for Him - Martin Storey & Wendy Baker

* Knitting America - Susan Strawn

* Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today: more than 50 patterns to knit and crochet - edited by Nancy J. Thomas and Charlotte J. Quiggle

* Expectant Little Knits - Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott

* Knit 2 Together: Patterns and Stories for Serious Knitting Fun - Tracey Ullman & Mel Clark

* The Best of Vogue® Knitting - by editors of Vogue® Knitting magazine

* The Vogue® Knitting Stitchionary Volume Three: Color Knitting by editors of Vogue® Knitting magazine

Non-Fiction Book Reviews - Master List

In an effort to reduce the long list of reviews in my sidebar, I decided to create an entry of each of the category of books I review. That way I can update this entry and link to just this entry in the sidebar.

This is a list of the non-fiction books I've reviewed, alphabetical by author.

* Jane Jacobs: Urban Visionary - Alice Sparberg Alexiou

* Abode of Love: Growing Up in a Messianic Cult - Kate Barlow

* Every Book Its Reader: The power of the printed word to stir the world – Nicholas A. Basbanes

* The City of Falling Angels - John Berendt

* My Life as a Furry Red Monster - Kevin Clash

* Grayson - Lynne Cox

* Pursuing Giraffe: a 1950s Adventure - Anne Innis Dagg

* The Weather Makers: How We Are Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth - Tim Flannery

* Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction - Martin Gilbert

* Secrets of a Satisfying Life: discover the habits of happy people - David D. Ireland

* The Intellectual Devotional: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roam Confidently with the Cultured Class - David S. Kidder & Noah D. Oppenheim

* Every Mother is a Daughter: the neverending quest for success, inner peace, and a really clean kitchen (recipes and knitting patterns included)- Perri Klass & Sheila Solomon Klass

* Path of Destruction: the devastation of New Orleans and the coming age of superstorms - John McQuaid & Mark Schleifstein

* It's the Crude, Dude: war, big oil, and the fight for the planet - Linda McQuaid

* The Things That Matter: what seven classic novels have to say about the stages of life - Edward Mendelson

* Time was Soft There: a Paris sojourn at Shakespeare & Co. – Jeremy Mercer

* The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara-Wearing, Book Bearing Guide to Life - by Kathy Patrick

* When the Rivers Run Dry: Journeys into the Heart of the World's Water Crisis – Fred Pearce

* The Secrets of Judas: the story of the misunderstood disciple and his lost gospel - James M. Robinson

* The Mural at Waverly Inn - Edward Sorel and Dorothy Gallagher

* You Can't Win If You Don't Enter - Carolyn Wilman

Check this out!

My friend Susan writes with a capital W. My scribbles are book reviews and this collection of the pressing concerns of my mind. She Writes and someday soon I'll be telling you all to go out and buy her books.

In the meantime, wander over to her blog and get to know Trevor and Mitchell and the rest of Shapeshifter (their band). Spend some time and read some great outtakes that may or may not end up in the finished novels. Oh, and at the website you can read the first few pages of Trevor's Song.

Check back on her blog often as regular outtakes are added.

BOOK REVIEW: Mother of Purl by Edith Eig

There has been a resurgence in the popularity of knitting, driven by celebrities who stepped into the spotlight, needles and yarn in hand. An increasing number of glitterati have taken up the craft, knitting on sets and even appearing, yarn in hand, in movies and TV shows. No longer an activity only for little old ladies, knitting has come a long way, thanks in part to Edith Eig, knitting guru to the stars.

Eig is the owner of La Knitterie Parisienne, the knitting shop now famous for its celebrity clientele based in Studio City, California. For ten years, she has been dispensing advice, teaching knitting neophytes and helping individuals create the “perfect” sweater. More recently, she hosts Knit One, Purl Two on DIY and HGTV. Mother of Purl: friends, fun, and fabulous designs at Hollywood’s knitting circle is her recently released entry into the increasingly crowded knitting market.

With so many new knitting books hitting the shelves each month, how does a discriminating hobbyist which is worthy? This reader assesses each on three categories: technical information, patterns and entertainment value, before deciding to take the plunge.

How does Mother of Purl fare in analysis? Eig provides solid instruction to take the beginning knitter through the stages of learning this craft rather than teaching experienced knitters new skills. She shares interesting tidbits about teaching celebrities knitting basics, which should help put novices at ease, and explains the variety of equipment needed to get off on the appropriate hand-knit, sock-clad foot.

Mother of Purl begins its pattern section with the ubiquitous scarf patterns; however, these aren’t just any scarves. Readers are invited to knit up the “Very Sex and the City” scarf that Eig gave to the cast after they wrapped the show or to create the scarf knit by Scarlet Johannson in Lost in Translation. The rest of the patterns include a little bit of everything – ponchos, afghans, sweaters and suits. The yarns Eig recommends for these projects are mainly novelty and/or very expensive, and would be difficult to locate in a basic craft store.

Anyone who enjoys celebrity gossip will love this book. If constant name-dropping is not your cup of tea, then you will want to skip Eig’s offering, as the celebrity references are sprinkled liberally among the 240 pages. While this may not be the knitting book for everyone, Mother of Purl will have your fingers itching to pick up some decadent yarn and head out for a night of stitching with some knitting friends. She has truly captured the community spirit present at knitting circles throughout the world.

See the review as it is posted at Curled Up with a Good Book - Mother of Purl

Gratuitous Ticia Photo

Just because she wants to say hi to the other kitties out there in blogland.

UFOs - Update on the &*%! Sweater

All around me are unfinished objects. I promised myself that &*%! sweater for my Grandmother (only on the needles for two years) will be finished before I start/work on anything else. The body is sewn together, front plackets done, collar done and sleeves 85% done. I'm knitting both at the same time which is a bit slower but worth it.

So this week I've been working away at the sleeves while finishing up my marathon viewing of Season 2 of Stargate SG-1. I have two episodes left to go and somehow I don't think the sleeves will finish at the same time. I think it's going to need season 3 to finish up this sweater.

Once that's done I can sew in the ends on my Olympic scarf and present everyone here with a photo of the beautiful finished project.

BOOK REVIEW: Inspired Cable Knits by Fiona Ellis

Fiona Ellis’ debut knitting book Inspired Cable Knits: 20 Creative Designs for Making Sweaters and Accessories is a work of art that is aimed at both novice and experienced knitters. More than just a collection of sweaters, this beautiful book takes the reader through Ellis’ creative process, lifting designs and textures found in the natural world and translating them into cable patterns. Inspired Cable Knits features very clear charts, as well as written instructions for those who prefer not to work from stitch charts.

Cables, for anyone who may be wondering, are the knitting stitches featured on traditional cream-coloured Aran, or Irish, sweaters. Highly textured stitches, they are created by moving stitches in front of, or behind each other.

Divided into four sections; change, nature, energy and time, each highlights a different theme that Ellis has incorporated into her designs. The section that called out to me most strongly is the one labeled “inspired by time”, which focuses on the value of slowing down. Ellis took the classic garments that are worn over and over and took elements of these, giving them modern twists.

Cable knits are my favourite type of knitting and Fiona Ellis obviously has a feeling for them as well as she states in her introduction that “I love their crunchy, nubbly textures.” The traveling stitches require close attention as they build a complex, highly textured piece of fabric. Most likely the fascination for me is in the mathematics required to accomplish this type of knitting. What is interesting is that these are the same characteristics that make many knitters throw their hands up in horror.

Ellis believes that all knitters will benefit from the journey exploring cable knits and that the focus required leads to a contemplative state of knitting and mindfulness of the entire process and organic nature of knitting. To assist knitters in achieving this goal, she has included a “mindfulness” pointer with each pattern to engage the knitter’s mind in the process of creativity.

Inspired Cable Knits is a beautiful book will provide many hours of pleasurable browsing and dreaming of future projects. I know my copy won’t languish long before I pick up the needles to cast on a project taken from its pages.

See the review as it is posted at Armchair Interviews - Inspired Cable Knits.

Errata for Inspired Cable Knits may be found here.

BOOK REVIEW: Maddalena by Eva Jana Siroka

Eva Jana Siroka’s debut novel, Maddalena, feels like it has come from an earlier age, one where novels are paced slowly and setting is as important as action. This beautifully illustrated novel, featuring twenty-three original watercolors by the author, took ten years to research, write and illustrate. Siroka, a renaissance art historian, has taken the story of Titian’s famous painting, Penitent Magdalen (originally owned by the historical Alessandro Farnese’s brother-in-law) and brought it vibrantly to life.

Set in 16th century Rome, Maddalena is the story of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese’s love for Monna Rebecca, a Jewish apothecary; her conversion to Christianity; and his quest to become Pope. Maddalena (the converted Rebecca) is of the wrong class, religion, and color, but this does not deter Farnese, determined to possess Maddalena, even if it will cost him the papal chair.

Maddalena is also the story of a papacy weakened by epic corruption and a struggle for power, told through the eyes of Bartholomaeus (Berti) Spranger, a Flemish born painter to Cardinal Farnese and later the Pope. The reader is introduced to a period that saw the birth of great art and musical achievements yet included the harshest days of the Catholic Inquisition, a time when the simplest transgressions could lead to horrific punishments. As this intricate novel unfolds, the reader journeys with Cardinal Farnese in his struggle to balance his passion for Maddalena and his ambitions.

Siroka bring this important period in Rome’s history dramatically to life. Her writing is at its best when transporting readers to the streets of Rome, evoking the sights, sounds and smells of the teaming city. The author’s years of research into the lives of sixteenth-century, North European painters has paid off by creating a dazzling world. Initially the variations of character’s names used, and the shear number of secondary characters is overwhelming and daunting; however the plot quickly draws in the reader.

Notwithstanding the fascinating history woven into this powerful novel, first and foremost this is a novel of love and relationships. This reader eagerly awaits Bartholomaeus, the second book of The Golden Tripolis trilogy, which will be set in imperial Prague.

See the review as it is posted at Armchair Interviews - Maddalena.

BOOK REVIEW: The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James

Imogen spent years determined to capture the heart of Draven Maitland and marry him, despite the fact that he was affianced. In Much Ado About You, the first book in the Four Sisters Regency series by Eloisa James (which focuses on Tess, the oldest Essex sister), Imogen succeeds in her heart’s desire and spends two weeks married before Draven is killed in a riding accident. Now the third book in this series - The Taming of the Duke – focuses on Imogen, who is determined to enter the delicious world open to respectable widows, that of taking a lover. She has decided that Gabe, brother of her guardian Rafe, fits the bill nicely however Rafe and Gabe have other plans for the adventurous widow.

James’ series feature innovative plots, vibrant dialogue and an authenticity that comes from immersing herself in studies of the relevant time period. As a scholar of Shakespeare, the nod she gives his plays when choosing her titles is intentional. The Taming of the Duke takes the basic plot of The Taming of the Shrew and turns it on its head. Raphael, Duke of Holbrook, is an unlikely hero, mired as he is in an alcoholic stupour caused by guilt and pain. Readers gain an understanding of Rafe’s history in the first two novels in this series but it is only in this third offering that he develops into a possible hero – needing to overcome his addiction to alcohol rather than the vitriolic temperament overcome by Katherine in Shakespeare’s offering. Gaining mastery of his alcoholism wouldn’t have been easy, as in the 1800s alcoholism was a moral failing rather than an illness. That James is able to pull this all together into a delightful novel shows just how skilled a pen she wields.

Romance novels comprise 53.3% of all mass market paperback novels and 34.6% of all popular fiction, with an astonishing 51.1 million readers in the US alone. (2002 statistics, compiled by Romance Writers of America) One of the fastest growing sub-genres of romance is the inspirational romance, which adds a spiritual obstacle that must be overcome, strong family values, duty, honour, chastity and integrity to the traditional romance template. James, ever the scholar, chooses to show how religion was part of the daily life of men and women in the 1800s rather than limiting herself by writing within the chaste boundaries of this popular category.

Mary Bly, using the pen name Eloisa James, has been living a double life for many years. Only recently did Bly, a professor of English literature who teaches at Fordham University in New York City, “come out of the closet” to her academic colleagues. The Taming of the Duke is her 10th novel.

See the review as it is posted at Front Street Reviews: The Taming of the Duke

Independent Bookseller Day - April 21

So here's a call to action for all you book lovers. On April 21, go visit your local independent bookstore and buy something. Tell them why you appreciate them being in your community.

Thanks to Booklust for reminding me of this important day! But as she says..."But really, we should keept April 21st in our hearts every day, and remember to Think Independent, Read Independent, and Buy Independent."

BOOK REVIEW: The Kiss by Elda Minger

Tess Sommerville is due to be married to the man of most parents’ dreams. Successful, rich and powerful, Paul Atherton blew into Tess’ life and swept her up in a whirlwind courtship. While out with her best friend Brooke the night before the wedding, Tess begins doubting her decision, and of course this is the moment Will Tremere, her high school crush, decides to walk back into her life.

Later that night, Tess stumbles upon Paul in a highly indiscreet position with another woman - in the very church where the wedding is to be performed. In a moment of panic, Tess calls the number Will gave her and offers to join him on his drive to California. And thus begins The Kiss, a new contemporary romance novel from Elda Minger.

The Kiss has many standard features that propel the plot forward: the getaway from and chase by the evil fiancée, a super-controlling family, the road trip as metaphor for Tess’ personal journey of discovery (and development of a backbone) and of course, the blossoming romance between Tess and Will. So what is there that sets this contemporary romance apart from the rest and makes it worth the reader’s investment of time and money?

More than anything else, what recommends The Kiss is the vibrant cast of secondary characters. Favourites by far are Toby and Sugar, the canine companions for the road trip, and Elaine, the psychic, who communes with them from the West Coast. Rather than making this a groan-inducing plot feature, Minger infuses the characters with enough kookiness to keep the right level of camp and fun.

Her deft writing and sense of timing ensures the novel never goes so far over the edge as to be unredeemable. Elaine, Brooke (the best friend) and Kim (Brooke’s cousin) are the needed balance for the stock characters played by Paul and Madeleine (the controlling step-mother).

There were two areas that were disappointing with The Kiss and addressing these would have definitively moved this novel into a league of its own. First would be further development of Paul and Madeleine’s characters. By moving beyond the standard mold set by the genre, Paul and Madeleine would have ceased to be cardboard stereotypes and become full-scale protagonists, perhaps even evoking some sympathy from the reader. Given that The Kiss runs 304 pages - and 30-40 of those pages could have been edited to create a tighter novel - Minger had room to explore their motivations in greater depth.

The second area where Minger could have differentiated herself is in Tess’ breakdown. Readers can certainly sympathize with her pain and understand the need for her to have time to heal. Having it last nearly half the novel wears thin and threatens to pull The Kiss into the realm inhabited by many of the “poor me” genre of chick lit. This reader wanted Tess to hit the anger phase earlier and found patience quickly vanishing with her lack of backbone.

Elda Minger is well known for her best-selling romance novels (more than two dozen), and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Romantic Times' Best American Romance. While she has written many types of romance novels, her recently published works are contemporary in style and setting. The Kiss is sure to please both ardent fans and win her some new ones.

See the review as it appears at Curled Up with a Good Book - The Kiss

BOOK REVIEW: Enchantments by Linda Ferri

Enchantments, originally published in Italy (1997) under the title Incantesimi, is Linda Ferri’s debut novel. Told in a series of 25 short vignettes, it is narrated by an unnamed Italian girl in the style of a memoir, from the toddler to early teen years. The narrator and her family move from Italy to Paris during the opening scene of this small novel. What follows is an intimate tale of a family whose dynamics are illuminated through summers in Italy, a visit to America and winters in Paris.

Making a cohesive whole out of such a small book is a challenge for any author, but to carry it out in a debut novel and have it result in such a strong voice is a trademark of a gifted new author. Everything about this book is intimate, from the size of the book (measuring only 7.4” x 4.7”) to the length of each vignette to the fact that the narrator is never named, although the reader learns the names of all her family members.

Ferri captures the dreamy sense of wonder that permeates a child’s life. She uses language to tantalize the reader, drawing one into the world she has created. “…so the fear dissolved, reduced to a bit of a mystery I carried in my pocket when I made a foray up to the attic or down to the cellar.” Alone the words don’t have much meaning, but the feeling they evoke is of being privy to a private world and language, one inhabited by a creative child who enjoys making words dance and play.

The distinct chapter titles also add to the dream-like state engendered by this novella. Titles such as “the castrator,” “perfidy” or “dame dame” add to the mystery, impelling the reader to journey with Ferri just a little longer until, suddenly, the narration ends and the reader is shaken rudely awake.

Woven throughout the vignettes is the narrator’s dynamic relationship with her father. She loves him, fears him, is embarrassed by him, and even though she is fond of him, she “would like him better if he were a woman.” Here too, in describing these moments of tension, Ferri’s masterful use of language is present. “…and I know the chain has snapped: he’s not barking anymore, he’s ready to bite.” Seen through the eyes of a child, this novel provides masterful insight into a marriage created by two volatile personalities.

Originally published in Italian, Linda Ferri did her own translation for the French edition. For this English edition she called upon John Casey, one of the pupils she tutored in Italian. Casey (whose first translation was Alessandro Boffa’s You’re such an Animal Viskovitz! - Knopf, 2002) is a gifted translator – he has maintained Ferri’s distinctive voice and playfulness of language yet provided a work that flows as gracefully as if it was written in English.

In her other life, Ferri writes screenplays and this has definitely influenced her stylistically. Her use of language in Enchantments has a cinegraphic quality, painting pictures in the mind of the long, hot summer days of childhood when the worst that could happen was stubbing a toe.

See the review as it appears at Curled Up with a Good Book - Enchantments.

Spring is finally here

Well I've been silent quite a few days but I have a good reason - a new job. I'm doing some consulting for a few weeks and that is keeping me very busy.

So to celebrate spring - and at least give people something new to look at until I can do a decent post - here's something I wish I was seeing now. This is a picture I took several years ago at the floating flower market in Amsterdam.

It's going to be an interesting election

Impeachment Talk Reaches the Mainstream

What took them so long? Now I need to get a copy of William Goodman's book Articles of Impeachment Against George W. Bush.

(Thanks Bookslut for pointing this one out! I had missed this article.)

It finally all comes together

Thank you The Bookish Girl for finally helping me pull together what knitting brings to my life (and for the rockin' image)! I have many dear friends who live nearby but sometimes you just need to send out the call to the knitters in your life - to have them be with you and knit in the same room, even if you don't say a word. There is something about the sound of knitting needles that soothes like no other.

To my dear knitting pals Heather, Alana and Christiane - a heartfelt thank you for responding to my knitting signal.

Today I'm embarassed to be Canadian!

Canada is one of three countries (with the United States and Argentina) that has refused to sign the UN's Biosafety Protocol. WTF?!? I'm going to send letters to my politician about this one.

From Organic Bytes Issue #77 - Organic Consumers Association
Biotech corporations are facing off against developing nations and most of the world this week in Brazil in a debate over the United Nation's Biosafety Protocol. The precedent-setting treaty is an international agreement signed in January 2000 by 132 of the world's nations. But the three main countries that grow genetically modified crops (the United States, Argentina and Canada) refuse to sign it, because the international law would require that countries be notified if the grains they are importing are genetically modified. Biotech companies want that language removed from the treaty, saying that developing nations and anti-GMO consumers in industrialized nations are not entitled to know whether their food is genetically engineered or not. From a press release on March 10, 2006.

Olympic Knitting is finally completed!

I'm so excited to report that my Olympic knitting has finally been completed. It is being blocked and as soon as I can grab a camera, I'm going to post a picture!

And this rant basically sums up my feelings about the situation

Rant on the best picture nominations leaving out the highest grossing films.

Don't even get me started on Crash winning.

This made me laugh and then start to worry...

Reading The Bookslut generally has me laughing loud and long but then I read this entry from Jessa Crispin and after the first outburst of laughter brought on by the phrase "Time to hang up the heels and bring on the chocolate," I began to join Jessa in her concern. (perhaps it's that ever-looming 40th birthday?)

BOOK REVIEW: Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves by Jillian Moreno & Amy Singer

After many years of waiting, a knitting book geared to plus-sized knitters has arrived. Jillian Moreno, knit-wear designer for Acme Knitting Company, and Amy Singer, editor of Knitty.com and regular columnist for Interweave Knits, have created Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves. This book is both a style guide and a pattern manual, collecting knit-wear patterns designed by twenty-one leading knitwear designers, specifically with the fashion-conscious, curve-endowed woman in mind.

What sets this knitting book apart is the style guide that comprises the first fifth of the book. Designed to help women with curves learn the best way to dress their body by determining which of the three “Bs” best describe their body type: boobs, belly or butt. Using cleverly designed icons, each pattern in the latter part of the book is coded with appropriate icons, making it easy to determine at a glance if a pattern works with your body type. Each body type is then broken down and the best necklines, shaping and sweater lengths for each is described.

If the authors had stopped there, this would have been purely a helpful guide with some great patterns; however they took the style guide a step further by outlining yarn types and weights that flatter bodies with curves - including gauge guidelines. An extremely helpful section on accurate measuring and pattern adaptation is also included, to help plus-size knitters overcome their fear of approaching their own bodies with a measuring tape. Altogether this invaluable style guide makes Big Girl Knits an indispensable aid and a must-have for every knitter’s reference section.

The patterns themselves are fashionable, practical and incredibly flattering. Arranged in chapters by pattern category, the designers have not forgotten some of the fashion essentials. Patterns are included for a wide range of tops and coats but also yoga pants, four types of skirts, socks and wraps. Having only seen the uncorrected proof of the book, I look forward to getting a better look at the knitted details in the colour pictures.

See the review as it appears at Armchair Interviews - Big Girl Knits. And don't forget to visit the book's website.

BOOK REVIEW: Mission to America by Walter Kirn

The shrinking population of the Aboriginal Fulfilled Apostles (AFA) has led to a crisis – new bloodlines must be introduced into the community if they wish the community to continue, as it has done for more than 147 year. This isolationist sect has lived apart from mainstream society, tucked into the hills of rural Montana and led by matriarchs, who follow the edicts of their Seeress to maintain a life of modesty and nutritional vigilance called Edenic Nutritional Science. The only wealthy member of the faith, Ennis Lauer, has hand-picked a group of young men to prepare for an unheard-of mission – seeking out “brides” in mainstream America. Mission to America tells the story of one of these pairs of young men, Mason LaVerle and Elder Stark, as they leave Bluff, Montana and travel to Colorado in a decrepit van, bringing their message of clean living and healthy digestion to world-weary Americans.

Walter Kirn’s fifth novel focuses on Mason, a naif bewildered by the choices and depravity all around them as they begin their journey. Dressed to look like Jehovah’s Witnesses’ younger cousins (to take advantage of the good will that group has engendered), they follow the techniques taught by Ennis Lauer – essentially sale closing techniques used by con men and used car salesmen.

Where Mason’s overriding characteristics are naïveté and a calm presence, Elder Stark’s are all sharp edges and chaotic energy. Asserting his leadership in their relationship early on, Stark quickly develops a maniacal appetite for reality television and the worst of America’s junk food. His character soon belies the images created by his name, becoming the polar opposite – a beast controlled by his appetites. These appetites are what make him the natural choice as Lauer’s ambassador in his bid to usurp leadership of the AFA.

When lampooning America’s hunger for spiritual gurus, Kirn is at his best. Using Mason to mirror America’s lack of moral compass works to illuminate the fear and dearth of spirituality at the core of most of the selfish choices made each day. In a post 9-11 world, this novel can be read as an indictment of the spiritual journey upon which many Americans claim to have embarked although in reality, they are caught up in the soulless world of reality TV and idle consumerism. Occasionally he gets bogged down in describing the belief system and mythology of the faith he has created but at its core, this is a strong, thought-provoking and humourous novel.

Mission to America leaves the reader questioning the nature of faith, the quest for understanding and wondering how much of Kirn’s early childhood experiences with the Mormon church are reflected within the character of Mason.

See the review as it appears at Armchair Interviews - Mission to America.

BOOK REVIEW: Johnny Kellock Died Today by Hadley Dyer

Rosalie Norman is facing the summer of 1959 as if she was being sentenced to boredom. Her best friend is away and she is stuck socializing with the boy next door, a strange young man called “the Gravedigger” by the local children due to his job at the local cemetary. Her carelessness with her drawing pencils causes Rosalie’s mother to fall and fracture her ankle and as a result, the Gravedigger is recruited to help the family out with chores. This forced connection is not one that Rosalie wants, fearing the backlash from fellow students when returning to school in the fall. Johnny Kellock Died Today is centred around Rosalie’s hunt for the titular character, her favourite cousin Johnny, whose disappearance her family is hiding.

Hadley Dyer’s first novel pulls from memory the long, hot summers of childhood. Rosalie is the youngest child in a family of grownups, the afterthought baby whose place is never quite certain. Her mother is a true matriarch, ruling the family with the authority of a field general – while her father, the nurturer and comforter, is called only by his surname.

In this family of shifting tensions and dynamics, Rosalie appears to be at sea. Dyer has written a character that lives so much in her mind, and the comics she draws, that she does not appear at all connected to her family. This is exemplified by the fact that she has no knowledge of her father’s first name, in fact wondering to herself at that poignant moment “How is it even halfway possible I didn’t think about this before?”

As the Gravedigger becomes David, Rosalie learns more about herself and her family’s secrets than she ever thought possible. Her household make-up changes yet again and Rosalie is able to finally become one of the adults rather than the afterthought child.

This is a delightful story told in Rosalie’s distinctive voice, wonderfully evoked by Dyer. This reader’s only complaint is that the sub-plot of Martha, Rosalie’s sister, is not more satisfactorily concluded. The reader is left hanging, wondering what has driven her solitary wanderings and tension.

This engaging novel is sure to become the perfect read for a hot summer day, read on the porch with a glass of lemonade.

See the review as it is appears at Front Street Reviews - Johnny Kellock Died Today. Don't forget to check out Hadley Dyer's blog.

Yet another WTH link...

Harry Potter turns kids into Satanists? Huh....

What's with the Vatican?

Another Author Response

I love getting feedback like this, especially when I'm seeing it for the first time in an e-zine.

Dear Armchair Interviews:

RE: SOME LIKE IT HAUTE chick lit review by Janelle Martin.

Thank you, as always! The author (Julie K. L. Dam) is over the moon!

Miriam Parker, Time Warner Books

Writing reviews can feel like writing in a vacuum, so rarely do you hear from your audience and even less often from the authors. I'm glad that I was able to help Julie K. L. Dam over the moon!

Original review is here -> Some LIke It Haute

Olympic Honourable Mention - alas no gold...

I have to concede defeat. Unfortunately my sprint to the finish featured several stumbles and the lace scarf is unfinished - although about 3/4 finished. I should have accepted the unlikeness of my finish last week - what was I thinking to try and tackle this during my last two weeks at my current job. The many late nights made completing my race a virtual uncertainty.

Congratulations to all my team mates who won gold for our fine country! And congratulations to everyone who made a valiant effort. Picture to follow as soon as it is completed and blocked.

Book Meme, an interesting exercise

Meme instructions: Look at the list of books below. Bold the ones you've read, italicize the ones you might read, cross out the ones you won't, underline the ones on your book shelf, and place parentheses around the ones you've never even heard of.

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Neuromancer - William Gibson
Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C. S. Lewis
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert

Interesting! The ones that aren't underlined are ones I do want to read but don't already have on my shelf. I must remember to put them on my to be read list.

Found on Chris' blog. Thanks for the great idea!

Day 14 - The Mad Dash begins

I managed two repeats last night but that means I'm going to have to ramp up the knitting a bit this weekend if I want to finish. The scarf is going to be gorgeous - I can't wait to see it blocked.

I have a fair bit of writing to do this weekend also. I have to finish up my review of Big Girl Knits (which is fabulous by the way) so I can get it posted. Amy and Jillian have done a fantastic job of pulling together great information.

Stay tuned for the review and scarf photo as I begin my last minute dash to the finish line.

Day 12 - Panic Sets In for this Knitting Olympics Competitor

Unfortunately I still don't have a digital camera to provide an update photo. However, with 4 days left of official competition, my lovely lace scarf is just over half-way. I will have to up my output to 3 lace repeats per day to finish in time. (Currently my knitting time has been limited to 1 sixteen row lace repeat per day)

Darn work is interfering with my knitting yet again! I'll try and get a photo up before the closing ceremonies anyway.

BOOK REVIEW: Some Like it Haute by Julie K.L. Dam

Alex Simons is in Paris on a plum assignment, covering fashion week for London’s The Weekly. Her dreams have carried her far from her big-hair days in Texas, landing a career as a fashion correspondent on first name basis with all top fashion houses’ PR reps. A sudden cat-walk collision with this season’s It girl lands Alex in the midst of a media feeding-frenzy which has her cowering in her hotel watching reruns of the debacle on Fashion TV. When she ventures out to a promising fashion debut she meets Nick Snow, a bad boy who spurns the fashion world but sends Alex’s pulse into overdrive. Will this fashion insider get her bad boy and the scoop of the year?

This latest entry into the increasingly crowded genre of chick lit offers a breath of fresh air. Some Like it Haute has avoided many of the major minefields now infesting the genre: heroines stuck in their 20’s, overly whiny main characters and paper-thin plots. Julie Dam recognizes that the readers of chick lit have moved into their 30s and, while still concerned with fashion and romance, they also face serious worries about their careers. By moving her heroine into the next age category but leaving her single, the author has taken a courageous yet fresh approach.

Within the context of haute couture and Paris’ fashion week, Alex’s obsession with clothes and footwear makes sense. The insider’s view of this closed society is enthralling and since Alex’s clothes obsession isn’t overblown, she shows readers an insider’s view into this elite world.

One of Julie Dam’s main strengths is her ability to pen intelligent, rapid-fire banter: words delivered so fast that your head is spinning in admiration. Some Like it Haute contains some fabulous repartee between Nick and Alex, chock full of pop culture references and delivered with deadpan accuracy. Like the icons of old, the sexual tension leaps off the page as Nick and Alex play with words as easily as others toss dice.

More style than substance, this light-weight confection has readers kicking off their kitten heels and curling their toes in longing for the Manolos casually tossed around by Alex. Dam has provided a window into a world guaranteed to delight any wanna-be fashionista, a stylistic fable that marries mystery and romance and wraps it all in a glamorous world filled with killer shoes.

See the review as it appears at Armchair Interviews - Some Like it Haute.

BOOK REVIEW: Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Knitting Tricks by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

This spring will see the publication of several new knitting books from knit “bloggers”. Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Knitting Tricks is the third volume from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, best known for her knitting blog “The Yarn Harlot”. This new work features her trademark wit and light-hearted view on a much beloved pastime, although sadly it features none of her infamous open letters to her collection of yarn, known only as “The Stash”.

Pearl-McPhee’s first two books, At Knit’s End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much and Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter are very reminiscent of her blog. With Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot’s Bag of Knitting Tricks she moves into new territory and provides a comprehensive look at the foundations of knitting. There are a few basic patterns included but more than that, this book offers advice/recommendations on everything from picking the appropriate needles for knitting in movie theatres, to what to stock in your knitting bag (and why you should have one in the first place), to choosing a spouse.

Her irreverent style is a delight for anyone with true knitting passion - “I can think of several times in my own life when knitting kept me from slapping some fool upside the head” – yet her tone can soften to write glowingly about our addiction, speaking about fiber the way others talk about a lover. The power of knit bloggers to influence a wide audience was evidenced again recently with Pearl-McPhee’s creation of the 2006 Knitting Olympics, possibly the largest ever knit-a-long, with more than 4,000 knitters around the world participating on teams designed to coincide with the Torino Winter Olympics. She expected a handful of knitters to join her and her friends and suddenly this viral experiment took on a life of its own – receiving publicity in a wide variety of media outlets including NPR and a variety of print publications.

Part reference book, part how-to manual, part tribute, and part beginner’s manual, this essential book is a must purchase for every level of knitter. Think of it as your own personal knitting guru or new best friend.

See the review as it appears at Armchair Interviews - Knitting Rules!.

What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?

Found this fabulous quiz today (thanks to the Melanoma Uberalis blog)



You will swallow some tacks. You are a little weird, maybe not so much in a good way. Buy a yellow tie and wear it on your head.


I'm a huge Edward Gorey fan, in fact I have several images gracing the bulletin board to my left. My favourite Gashly Crumb Tiny is N is for Neville who died of ennui - which has pride of place on said bulletin board.

Now to go find that yellow tie...

Olympic Update, Lace Knitting - Day 7

If I follow the pattern, this little scarf has 22 repeats but since I am using a thinner yarn, I may need to do 26 - 30 repeats. I have finished 6 of the requisite 22 repeats. I have a feeling I am way behind on this and right now my scarf is looking a bit beat up from all the frogging. (I've been told that lace doesn't come into its glory until the blocking stage so I have hopes).

I hope to have a picture to add after the weekend. I am still madly in love with the yarn and colour.

Go Team Canada! (posted originally on Team Canada blog)

Knitting Rules!

I'm so excited that I have been jumping around my apartment for the last few minutes. Sitting against my door when I arrived home today was the bound proof of Yarn Harlot's new book (to review). I think Olympic Knitting might take back seat to this for a few days - I read the first few pages and was laughing so loudly that I startled the cat. I also discovered a new mantra to live by:

"If you find a non-knitter who thinks what you do is clever, beautiful, and artistic, who never asks for knitted stuff but wears it with pride when you give it to him or her, and will help you carry home a whole fleece or a stack of stitch dictionaries without once implying that you might want to get a grip - marry that person." From Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot Unravels the Mysteries of Swatching, Stashing, Ribbing and Rolling to Free Your Inner Knitter.

Thank you Stephanie, for making it all so clear. Stay tuned for my review sometime next week.

Check this out!

Heather, I think this might be us next weekend! Grab that bottle of Creme de Cacao and head on over...

Here's the Olympic Drinking Game found on the quacking fiber addict's blog (created with help from Rebekkah and Natalie). What a hoot...

Olympics Day Two or I'm hitting my stride

Progress has been made and the knitting is settling into a bit of a rhythm! After a few early spills (see yesterday's post), I have hit my stride. Today I managed to add 3 inches to my scarf - 56 inches to go.

Why did I pick lace? Or Day One of Olympics Knitting

I missed the opening ceremony cast-on by about 8 hours but I managed to cast on Ziggy in the brighter yarn and knit the 5 garter stitch rows and 2 rows of lace on the 10th. 7 rows and I frogged twice on the FIRST ROW of the lace pattern. Why did I pick lace for Olympic knitting?

Day One of Olympics - Watched Jennifer Heil win gold and men's 5,000 m speed skating. In several hours I:
a) completed 8 rows of lace
b) frogged out one row three times before realizing I had somehow lost a stitch!
c) frogged a total of 6 rows
d) managed not to throw the knitting across the room
e) discovered the joys of knitting with Brittany needles
f) decided I need to join this team for even thinking I should knit lace for the Olympics





I may never be able to go back to knitting anything but alpaca/cashmere! The feeling of the yarn is divine. *sigh*

Fun with IKEA and Ibsen

Hmm...I think I've spent too much time at IKEA (or too much time looking at the wierd names of things) if I scored 19/30 on the IKEA/Ibsen test. I'm assuming it is the IKEA side since I haven't read much Ibsen (it's somewhere in Mt. TBR). Have you ever wondering if they just drop a bunch of kids magnetic letters on the floor and pick the names from that?

Thanks to thumbscre.ws for the laugh - highly needed today.

Training Techniques for Olympic Knitting

This post by Beadlizard is fantastic! She has captured so many of the helpful hits and put them in training terms. Now to actually follow them.

Rather a blue day...but need to find time to do my swatching before Friday.

Scarf Bonanza

I'm currently on a scarf kick - perhaps because I'm procrastinating on finishing the &*%! sweater for my Grandmother. It's a Sirdar pattern as I mentioned earlier - in their denim yarn. I think with all the frogging I've knit the thing three times now. I took an in progress photo of it this weekend (I apologize for the picture quality) but I keep picking up other "short" projects so I don't have to work on it. (It's only been in progress 2 years now) I reworked the pattern to get a better fit for my Grandmother but without really knowing what I was doing hence the difficulty and repeated frogging. I'm in the home stretch now with the sleeves (working both at the same time) but can barely face working on it.
So as I said, I'm in the midst of a scarf bonanza - all for me! I finished the one started a few weeks ago and have moved on to my Baby Monkey scarf (grey, brown and acid green mix), a ribbon one made out of Incredible (copper penny colourway) and some gorgeous yarn from Poco that is creating a truly sparkly, drappy scarf.

Project decided for the 2006 Knitting Olympics

I decided to challenge myself with some delicate lace. I've tried several times to do lace projects but without much success (i.e. I've given up quickly in absolute frustration). I was having trouble deciding on a lace pattern for a scarf until the new issue of MagKnits arrive in my inbox last week. It was decided - I would knit Ziggy with the beautiful cashmere/alpaca in my stash from Inca Gold. So before Friday I need to knit some swatches and decide on needle size. I'm torn however between the two colours, basically which to do first.

They're both so gorgeous - frankly the picture doesn't do them justice. The yarn has been languishing in my stash for over a year since I bought it at The Naked Sheep. To be honest, I was scared of trying to make something lacy with such beautiful yarn when I didn't feel confident in my abilities with lace.

Go Team Canada - only 4 more days!

Some of my favourite people!

Aren't they gorgeous? This is Aaron with his Auntie Heather in Curacao, deep in conversation. Aaron appears to be sharing a great story, I just wish I had been there to enjoy it.















Here's another cover-worthy shot of the boy in question, engaged in a favourite activity of chewing on his hand. Fabulous darling!

The joys of language

Part of the fun of blogs is following the links from blog to blog. I regularly read the Conversational Reading blog. I followed a link from there to The Millions (a Blog about Books) and discovered this interesting article where notable authors recommend books for kids.

I love this quote from the article:
Another recommendation, is Kipling's Just So Stories "for the wonderful rhythms and rhymes and the muscular strength of the language. You don't understand everything as a child but you love the sound of it. Children respond very immediately to the musical rhythmic effects of language."

I remember as a child enjoying the playfulness of language. Kids seem to find the sounds of certain words and phrases delightful - my neices and nephews seem to fixate on certain words and repeat them ad infinitum. It is this joy in language that seems to get lost through years of standardized learning and anything brings about its return is fine with me!

Knitting as meditation

I've been fairly stressed lately, standard I guess when approaching a major change in your life. I took an eleven month contract to be able to return to my home community and that job is almost up - 27 days left!

I've been looking for work and apply for jobs as I find appropriate ones but still haven't got a new one. This, of course, is causing a great deal of anxiety for me and many sleepless nights.

This is all to say I've been doing a lot knitting lately. I find the act of knitting very soothing and it seems to one of the only things that soothes my mind. My mind still wanders everywhere but seems to avoid the worries and instead I end up with random connections and imagery. It's definitely time to pull out my copy of The Knitting Sutra by Susan Gordon Lyndon.

I've been making a lot of scarves the past few weeks. Part of my New Year's resolution was to knit through my stash of sample yarns that I bought, thinking I could try out the yarn and make a scarf. I'll have to borrow a digital camera soon and post some pictures.

BOOK REVIEW: The Weather Makers: How we are changing the climate and what it means for life on earth by Tim Flannery

"Earth's thermostat is a complex and delicate mechanism, at the heart of which lies carbon dioxide...."

Tim Flannery poses the question, "Is climate change a terrible threat or a beat-up?" A compelling premise for his new work, The Weather Makers: How we are changing the climate and what it means for life on earth.

Climate change has become a "hot button" issue in most western countries and the challenges to clear-headed debate are addressed near the beginning of this work: "...climate change is difficult to evaluate dispassionately because it entails deep political and industrial implications, and because it arises from the core processes of our civilization's success."

The central character of climate change is CO2--carbon dioxide. Everything we do on earth results in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Humans now are weather makers by their very existence and growth as a species. Flannery authoritatively explains the interconnectedness of everything on the earth, likening it to the interconnectedness of the organs in a body. In such a system, pollutants cannot be forgotten for they continually work on the whole, degrading its health.

Flannery has combined his years of research and observation with the work of leading scientists. The result is an eloquent work that is readable yet not "dumbed down." The message is clear and compelling: what our species has done to the earth cannot be easily shunted to the side and forgotten. As he states, "the most important thing to realize is that we can all make a difference and help combat climate change at almost no cost to our lifestyle. And in this, climate change is very different from other environmental issues such as biodiversity loss or the ozone hole."

The Weather Makers is an important work for anyone interested in the future of our planet and should be required reading for today's political leaders.

See the review as it appears at Armchair Interviews - The Weather Makers