Continue in rib pattern until you have 1 inch of rib

Last thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/113346

That's the funniest thing I've seen in I don't know when! Is it local place? I'd be forced to order a scoop of something. Thanks for the laugh, Jenn!

Hi Peggy! This was the sign in the parking lot of the hotel where we stayed in Moab, UT. I never did figure out where the Chinese place was.

Book #89
Princess of Glass

This is sort of a re-telling of Cinderella - it has soot, glass slippers and balls - anyway.
A quick and enjoyable read. The ending felt a little disjointed for me, but it didn't hurt my enjoyment of the story.

I think there is a problem with the link to this thread over at the old thread (http is there twice).

But I found you!

Karen O.

LOL, love the starting point. Though it took me while to figure out it was you behind this thread. What I can say? Brain non-functional this month.

I fixed the links. I should not try to do html, generally speaking.

Checking in, Jenn :)

Love the sign, Jenn. Mmm... Glad you had a good time on your trip. The worst motel I've ever stayed in was also in Utah, only in Green River rather than Moab (wherever we stayed in Moab wasn't too bad - maybe a Ramada? Too long ago.)

I read The Space Between Us a few years ago and loved it so I'm glad to see you liked it as well.

Hi Suzanne. Along with messing up the links, I left my name off the title. Better job next thread, I guess. Glad you made it anyway.

Hi Stasia!

Hi Joanne. Green River is not a nice place. It wasn't that long ago that there was nothing there but a gas station and maybe a Burger King...I don't remember. Next time I go that way, I think I will prefer camping in Arches or Canyonlands to the hotel options. We had a great discussion of The Space Between Us at my book club on Tuesday. There was an endless supply of things to talk about.

Book #90
The Realms of the Gods

Sometimes I can be a little OCD about finishing a series, even if it's just OK. This was one of those times. Nothing truly awful about it, an entertaining enough read for a rainy afternoon, but just OK.

I can be a lot OCD about finishing series, Jenn, so I can relate :)

LOL, Stasia.

Book #91
The Wishing Trees
A man and his daughter take a trip around Asia. It is a trip they had intended to take as a family, but due to the death of his wife he is taking his daughter on his own. The book had a lot of potential, but it was completely overwhelmed by sentimentalism and the father's extremely colloquial Australian accent. It was a lot of work for me to finish this book.

#13: Sorry the book was such a disappointment to you, Jenn. I hope your next read is better for you.

I am going crazy! I posted on Anne's thread thinking it was your thread.... @.@ I think I need another vacation and the last one only took me a week to get over. :)

Hi Jenn, got you starred and love the funny photo at the top, paints all sorts of weird pictures in your head.

Hi Valerie. Glad you're here. Anne probably didn't mind. LOL. I need a vacation too. We got back last Sunday, and ever since, my husband has been working about 3 hours more per day than usual. NOT a good way for me to recover from vacation.

Hi Leonie! I thought it was so funny! I picture waiters coming around with large pots and scoops...

Checking out for a few days. My Etsy team (I am co-head) is having a huge Christmas in July sale and I am a little overwhelmed with tasks.

If you like to shop Etsy, now is a good time. www.etsy.com - then do a search using key words "Christmas in July" or "CIJ", and you will find all the shops with sales on. Add to that key words "Etsymom" and you will find my team.

That's pretty cool that you are involved with Etsy Jenn! I have a friend who bought all her wedding jewelry off Etsy and was SO impressed by what she found there. :)

I can personally attest that Jenn does good work!

Thanks Stasia! That is so nice!

I have to say, it's been a good couple of days for my shop so far - 10 nightgowns sold in two days. Phew!

But I read a book. I still had to sit at the pool, after all.

#92 Lake News

In spite of being totally predictable, it was a pretty good read.

I am glad to hear that the shop is doing well despite the extra work for you!

Impressive that you can complete a book during such a busy time, what's your secret?

Ha. Sitting by the pool, captive to swim lessons. I haven't tried hauling my sewing machine to the pool yet.

Jenn - I'm glad to hear that your sale is going well and that you are getting some relaxing in by the pool. Sometimes I think that I'd never stop to catch my breath if it weren't for lessons and ball games!

Ah, I do miss that actually. Mine don't do swim lessons or anything that requires me to stay anymore. The pool especially was a mini-treat for me as I'd grab an espresso to have with the book.

Hi Amy - so true. If we didn't have a few places we had to sit and wait, how much would we relax, really? Scary thought.

Hi Leonie!

OK - I've been crazy busy, but I've been listening to a few books while sewing, as well as reading by the pool. I'm going to list them with a very brief review, and get back to work.

#93
Corduroy Mansions
First in a new series, similar to the 44 Scotland series, I think. Not my favorite of his, but still entertaining. I especially liked the vegetarian Pimlico terrier named Freddy de la Hay.

#94
While My Sister Sleeps
Explores life and death issues, as well as paternity issues and anorexia. A lot to fit in a medium length novel, but interesting. Good poolside read.

#95
Smoky the Cowhorse
Moving along in my quest to read all the Newbery winners. This is a great horse book. It's written in cowboy vernacular and it took me a few chapters to stop trying to edit, but once I got into the flow it was fine.

#96
City of Dragons
Sort of film noir style. I didn't really like it. It was too "hard bitten" for me, or something like that. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had listened to it on the radio - done in a sort of Guy Noir style like on Prairie Home Companion. Don't know.

I am now reading Major Pettigrew by the pool and listening to Lord Jim while I work. I am liking both of them a lot.

I loved Major Pettigrew when I read it, Amy. I hope you continue to enjoy the book!

27: I'm reading Corduroy Mansions right now! I read every McCall Smith I can get my hands on. I like the format of this series (like you said, very much like the 44 Scotland series)--one can pick it up, read a few chapters, and, if a little time passes between reads, it's easy to pop back in.

There is another in this series--The Dog Who Came In From the Cold. Looks like it just came out.

Good reading to you!

Karen O.

Hi Stasia! I loved the book.

Hi Karen! I also really like McCall Smith. Did you enjoy Portuguese Irregular Verbs? That's one of my favorite series, but I don't often find fans of that one. I am hoping that The Dog Who Came in From the Cold is about Freddie de la Hay. I like that dog.

#97
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I admit, it became very difficult to put this book down. Major Pettigrew is in his late 60's, living alone in a small town in Sussex. He is troubled by the poor manners and attitudes he observes in the younger generations and by the behavior of some of his neighbors and friends. He forms a friendship with the widowed owner of the local shop. She is from Pakistan. Their friendship causes waves in both of their families. Together, they discover that love and friendship can overcome great odds.
I really enjoyed it. It has such a wry view of the world and a gentle sense of humor about it. I was cheering for the Major all the way.

Glad you liked Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Jenn. I have a copy waiting patiently on my shelves to be read.

I am glad you enjoyed Major Pettigrew, Jenn!

Hi Jenn -- found you! I think I'll pass on that scoop of Chinese food ;)

You sure sound awfully busy -- glad you're still finding time to read. I gave my mom Major Pettigrew for Mother's Day. I'm hoping she'll bring it back so I can read it!

30: Yes, I've read the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, too! I haven't encountered many people who are even aware of that series. I used to work as an assistant for a professor who was very much a publishing scholar, and so found a lot of the themes of the books VERY recognizable (academic competition, e.g.).

Karen O.

I had trouble putting Major Pettigrew down too, Jenn! It wasn't what I would call a page turner (with a suspenseful plot), but I found it easy to sink into the story. Glad you enjoyed it!

#98
Peace Like a River

In the acknowledgements, the author says of his parents: "I'm grateful first to my parents: Don Enger, who like Teddy Roosevelt believes in the strenuous life and in vivid narration; and Wilma Enger, who read us Robert Louis Stevenson before we could talk, and who writes better letters than the Apostle Paul. Both grew up in North Dakota and built into their children a westerly tilt and a love of wide places." Based on that, I would have to say that Leif Enger wrote about something he knew.
The characters are well developed and alive, the narrative is steady and reliable, the story is both tragic and hopeful. It's a modern western. Numerous miracles occur, for me, they fit the narrative and added another dimension to the story. As the narrator, 11 year old Reuben, says, "make of it what you will." A special treat is the little sister, Swede, who is writing an epic western poem throughout. The ending is both sad and happy, but very real and satisfying. This will be one of my memorable reads for this year.

Quotes:

Good advice is a wise man's friend, of course; but sometimes it just flies on past, and all you can do is wave.

O'Rourke, she confided, wrote much better Westerns than Zane Grey. "It's his women. They don't talk all the time, and when they ride, they ride like men."

It has been a defining trait of our family: The moment some simple but meaningful treat is prepared, a good fish soup or the first pot of coffee in weeks, up trots some uninvited person with an appetite.

This sounds like a great book, Jenn. I've seen it around forever but never tried it. Must remedy that! And I loved the quote about good advice.

Oh Jenn, I loved your notes and thoughts on Peace Like a River. That book is in my top-5 of all time. Glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Jenn, that one looks great and it's always a good sign when it is described as a top read of the year. i think I need to start a new list within my wishlist for 5 star reads.

Hi Pat, I hope you will get a chance to read it. I think you will like it.

Hi Anne! Are you over jet lag?

Hi Leonie! I agree. The 5 star wish list is getting kind of long over here too.

#99 Not My Daughter

I picked up this book today and read it - pretty much so I didn't have to clean up my basement. It was interesting. It's about 4 best friends who make a pact to get pregnant together. The problem is that they are 17 and just starting their senior year of high school. Three of them manage it. They are all good students, and only one of them has a serious boyfriend. Their families are stunned and so is their community. The really interesting thing about this book is that it deals less with the fact of teen pregnancy and pacts and more with the way the community treats the mothers of the pregnant girls. The main question the mothers get (even from their husbands) is "where were you?" and "why didn't you know?" I've been thinking all day about this general tendency to blame parents (mothers especially) when kids go wrong. I realize there are very clear examples of absent parents, but... but. The main questions I've been stewing over are these (feel free to chime in):

1. What is the line between being cautious and protective or overbearing, and alternatively, being too permissive?
2. How much trust do you put in a child, especially an older teen, and how do they earn it?
3. Even in the absence of excellent parenting, can we really blame the parents to the extent that we seem to?
4. Where does personal choice come in? I really don't believe that most kids are ignorant of right and wrong, so to some extent, their bad choices are theirs.
5. Once the choice is made, what is the parental responsibility - how do you decide what is helping and what is enabling?

I have a friend whose daughter (19) is due to give birth next week. She's struggled with alcohol and pot, she breaks up with her boyfriend (the father) about every two weeks. Neither of them are gainfully employed. She's considering adoption, but struggling. My friend also has a severely autistic child, so having her daughter and the new baby stay with them is really not an option. She is dealing right now with the guilt of having to tell her daughter that she will have to find another place to live if she is sans boyfriend, but keeps the baby. She feels terrible. None of this situation is her fault. I don't know if anyone is judging her personally, but she's sure judging herself.

Clearly, I've been stewing. Obviously the answers to most of those questions are situational and personal, but what do you all think?

Yikes! I'd like to know the answers to all of those questions!! My girls are 12 and 9, and we think about and talk about that balance between parental monitoring and privacy/independence a lot. I've always tried to answer any and all questions honestly, even the hard ones, and to make sure that know that they can always talk to me and I (hopefully) won't freak out. I think good communication is the key, which is easy for me to say, from this side of the teen years!

I thought these New York Times articles were interesting:

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/a-different-kind-of-sex-talk-with-...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24schalet.html?_r=1&ref=opi...

#36: I loved that book when I read it. I am glad to see you enjoyed it.

#40: My sister is going through similar dilemmas with her daughters, Jenn. Both of my nieces have children born out of wedlock. Fortunately for them, most of the family has been supportive.

#36 - Hi Jenn! I loved Peace Like a River too. Have you read Leif Enger's other book - So Brave, Young, and Handsome. It was just as good, if not better!

I can't even begin to answer the parenting questions, and as my boys get ready to start 2nd and 5th grades, I know that the questions are just going to get harder.

Hi Jenn! Just checking in now. :)

Hi Stasia! I think a supportive family is key. No matter what.

Hi Amy - same here. No idea of the answers, just muddling through. I sure spend time thinking about it though. I haven't read So Brave, Young, and Handsome, but on that glowing review, I will add it to the pile!

Hi Valerie! Welcome back.

#45: I think a supportive family is key. No matter what.

Definitely!

Jenn, those are some tough questions you posed and very thought provoking. I think over the last couple of months, my husband and I keep having the same discussion about parenting and how do you do it if you haven't had a good examples set for you. I come from a broken family and so growing up I didn't see either of my parents a whole lot. Didn't see my dad ever and my mom was too busy trying to make ends meet so we were left to our own devices a lot. Fast forward so many years and here I am being a mom for the first time and wandering am I mothering too much, too little? I've seen great parents end up with really rebellious children and really poor parenting end up with stellar children so that totally boggles my mind in terms of how much our parenting affects our children versus just the nature they were born with. I guess that opens the whole can of worm in terms of nature or nurture. In the end I believe as parents you do the best to guide, model and love your children to make the wise choicest in life, but at the end of the day, the choice is still their's to make.
Sorry for the long post but those are some great questions! :)

So true Valerie. I think that as parents, we obsess a little bit. Someone here on LT told me once that if at the end of the day you wonder if you did a good job, you probably did. I guess it's true of anything we do. We have to keep checking ourselves and making sure we are sticking with what we believe as we go along.

Wow Jenn, good questions, not certain I have the answers but my 5c worth is if you are always there for your kids, give them all the information about life, explain consequences of decisions etc. then despite what choices your children make, you have been a good parent.

We can't watch our kids 24/7 and I'm not going to stop mine going out just because I love them and worry about them. I will always be there, we have open discussions about life, they are good kids with good morals. Once they begin to make adult decisions, they also take on the responsibilty for those choices. As much as I would love to shoulder all of their burdens, there is a point where you have to let them go and live their own life.

All hypothetical of course as mine are still young. I do really feel for your friend as her situation is difficult and judging yourself sounds like something that a very caring person would do. A good parent would be the one agonsing over what to tell her daughter and it sounds like she falls into this camp.

Major updates here. I have been a bit of a slug for the last two days. Lassitude? Langour? Something. I wasn't actually sick. I just couldn't make myself do anything except read. Fortunately, I had just been given a new YA series to assist me in indulging my unusual behavior. Before I was languorous, I also finished the audio of Lord Jim. I'm making a list - I'll be back later to comment after my kids are in bed.

#100 Shiver
This is the first book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I really liked it - putting aside the obvious problems I have believing in werewolves and teens finding true love. In the mood to suspend judgement and just read, I was pleasantly surprised. The book is more about relationships and overcoming obstacles than it is about werewolves. Each of the characters has complicated relationships with others and the sense is one of determination to overcome complications and move forward, rather than complain and give up. Even the werewolf part is somewhat interesting. The characters were well developed. The relationship between the main character and the wolves is established, conflict with the townspeople is established and the twist of girl in love with werewolf and the related problems with that is introduced. Finished and went right on to the next one.

#101 Linger
In this second book, the author presents a new development that further complicates the girl/werewolf relationship as well as new characters and further development of minor characters from the first book. The writing is good, kept me reading and ignoring household chores and other things. For example, if you called and nobody answered the phone, well, you know.

#102 Forever
This is the final book in the series and while I really wanted another book when I was done, I think it was well ended. The major issue in the last book is the desire of some townspeople to eliminate the wolf pack and the way the problem is solved by the wolf pack and their friends. New friends come from very unexpected places (struggled a bit with this one) and a new home is found, not without losses.
While I liked the series overall, I really didn't like the absence of normal functional parents. I can't think of any great parents in any of the three books. Let it be said, then, that poor parenting could lead to your teenagers taking up with werewolves. Consider yourself warned.

#103 Lord Jim
This is a very long story about a young man (Jim) who joins the merchant marines to make his fortune. He is romantic and real life does not meet his expectations, nor do his abilities meet real life. He makes a terrible mistake and loses his certificate that allows him to sail with the merchant marines. He does have a few friends who feel sorry for him and try to help him find work. He finally finds a place, very remote, in the South Seas. He does well there until, again, faced with a choice between fantasy and reality, his earlier error returns to haunt him.
The narrator (Marlowe) is one of the friends who tries to help him and tries to make sense Jim's decisions and his life.
I am always mesmerized by the language of Joseph Conrad. He picks you up and takes to to another world - one you never really thought you wanted to know about - and sets you down there to stay until he's done. And when he's done, he leaves you bereft, unable to come to terms with the world he's left you with.

Wow! You finished all the 3 books in the series. I look forward to reading what you thought of them. :)

I have only managed to read Shiver. I really need to get around to the other books in the trilogy one of these days.

Hi Valerie and Stasia,

Short books - easy reads - just what I needed this week. In fact, I went right out and bought another series of hers Gathering of Faerie, which I am now reading. I am liking her storytelling skills.

I am not familiar with Gathering of Faerie. I will be interested in seeing what you think of the series as you progress, Jenn.

Peace Like a River is one of my faves, too. Reading the quotes you chose brought back the good memories of reading it several years ago.

It sounds like reading is the perfect antidote for the dog days of August. Lord Jim is one of those books that I keep saying I'm going to read. After reading your wonderful review I got as far as pulling it off the shelf. I own a lovely Franklin Library edition which should only enhance the reading experience when I get around to it.

Enjoy the rest of your summer before school starts. Will you be homeschooling again?

I had lost you lately, and am glad to find you again. I'm glad that you enjoy Lord Jim. Conrad!!!!!
Just as well that we didn't have kids; they would have been neurotic at best. The idea of the girls in a pact rings awfully true to me. As a teacher, I watched kids talk each other into crazy stuff all the time (mostly ideas for class). I'd say that keeping up communication is crucial. Otherwise, by the time they're driving, you've given them what you can, and you have to pretty much step back and let them get on with it. That is, you can put your feet down about an unchaperoned week at the beach or something like that, but for the day-to-day, they're going their own way. Scary stuff!

Here's the review Stasia!

Hi Donna, I hope you enjoy Lord Jim. I am not homeschooling this fall. My son wanted to go to the neighborhood middle school. I am letting him. I'm more nervous than he is, but I like the teachers and staff I have met so far.

Hi Peggy! Glad to see you. Yeah. Scary stuff. Sad to say, it's a bit like baking. Put all the ingredients together, then hope for the best. Are you a Conrad fan? I am guessing yes by the !!!!! What's your favorite?

#104 Lament

These are some dark and creepy fairy stories. No Tinkerbell flitting about here. I am really struggling to review without spoilers, so here's the info you could just read on the back: Deirdre, a gifted musician, finds herself infatuated with Luke, a mysterious boy who enters her life, at the same time she discovers she’s a Cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Trouble is, Luke is a faerie assassin—and Deirdre is meant to be his next mark.

#105 Ballad

In this sequel to Lament, faeries follow James and Dee to Thornking-Ash, where James struggles with his feelings for Dee and for the dangerous faerie muse, Nuala. When Halloween plunges both Dee and Nuala into danger, James finds he can only save one.

In some ways, typical teenage fantasy type stuff. In other ways, not so typical. The stories stand alone, complete, even though they are definitely related. The characters are well developed, perhaps with the exception of the parents. The story was complex enough to hold my interest easily and there was enough focus on other real-life people and issues to add depth to the story and the characters. In fact, not all the danger comes from the faeries. There are human characters who are jealous and angry and willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want. If you like fantasy and YA books, I recommend these. I like Maggie Stiefvater and look forward to seeing more of her work.

#57: I will have to see if my local library carries Lament and Ballad. Thanks for the reviews, Jenn!

#106 Then Came You

I had seen some good reviews of this book, so I picked it up at the library. I didn't like it at all - in a sort of hands over my ears, eyes squeezed shut kind of way. It's my second strikeout with this author, so I am done trying her books.

I am finishing up Pearl of China, then it's time to get back to my history books for a bit.

#107 Pearl of China

This is a fictionalized account of the life of Pearl Buck, as seen through the story of her (fictional) best friend Willow. I have read other books by Anchee Min, and I was really looking forward to this one. I have loved Pearl Buck's "China" books since I can remember. I was terribly disappointed in Pearl of China. The author took some pretty serious liberties with Pearl Buck's story, and while I thought Willow's story and perspective was interesting, to a point, I also felt the writing was choppy and the focus was more on Willow than Pearl. The other thing that really frustrated me was the complete omission of historical context. There was a passing reference to the Boxer Rebellion, but no real discussion of the political conditions, warlords, factions or foreign influence. There was a passing reference to the Japanese invasion of China, but other than that, you would think that WWI and WWII had no effect on China at all. That was particularly frustrating given that much of the story takes place in Nanking where the Japanese invaders made a fairly significant impact on the lives of the citizens. I was able to tolerate these problems fairly well, and then, Willow married a communist who was a close adviser to Mao. After that, it was sort of impossible for me to suspend belief and enjoy the story. I may have to go re-read Pearl Buck in China just to feel better.

I was also greatly disappointed by Min's liberties with the story.

Unfortunately, I have Pearl of China waiting for me (an LTER book).... I've picked it up a few times and it's failed to engage me. Sorry to hear it doesn't improve.

Oh, middle school. Those are some tough years. A few weeks ago, I was chatting with 5 or 6 recent HS grads in my kitchen and the subject of middle school came up. They were all laughing about how horrible it was. I reminded them that that was where most of them met. It is a great time for close friendships to form. I remember being horrified when, while taking a school tour before my son started 6th grade, the principal mentioned that the hallways for the eighth graders were far from those used by most 6th graders and so our kids would be "safe". It hadn't occurred to me that he wouldn't be safe! Middle school was when I was suddenly unnecessary and unwanted at the school (by my son) but by the high schoo yearsl, all was well again, and he was happy to see me around the halls. I'm glad to hear you like the teachers and staff - they are all so important in helping you stay involved. Courage Jenn! Middle school is sooo high school and high school is a lot of fun again for kids and moms. :)

Thanks Joanne. We had a good day, but a really rough night. You know, when they suddenly remember they had something they HAD to do, but it's 9 pm and you are telling them they will have to do it in the morning. It's going to be a rough road. It's good to hear they come through it.

#60: Skipping that one! I hope your next read is much better for you, Jenn. You have had a couple of duds in a row.

The number of books we read, it's bound to happen Stasia. I'm going back to non-fiction for a bit. LOL

--- or Conrad! I like the short ones, The Secret Sharer or The Secret Agent, but I can't fault Heart of Darkness or Lord Jim. I have to take my own advice and Read More Conrad!

Hi Peggy! I read Heart of Darkness for the first time as a senior in high school. I was the ONLY student in my AP English class who liked the book. I couldn't put it down. Something about the language...
Anyway, all my classmates thought I was nuts.

I just realized I haven't made my July summary yet. Here it is.

Fiction
Peace Like A River - library
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - mine
Corduroy Mansions - library
Smoky the Cowhorse - mine
While My Sister Sleeps - library
City of Dragons - library
Lake News - library
The Wishing Trees - mine
The Realms of the Gods - library
Princess of Glass - mine
The Space Between Us - mine (Kindle)

Non-fiction
Nothing finished, but working on A World Undone and liking it.

I guess July was a "slow" month. I read 11 books. I've already read 8 or 9 books so far this month. Of course, I could just stop reading now... probably not.

A World Undone is very good. I am glad to see that you are liking it, Jenn.

#108 Ancient Rome: How it affects you today

A great little book on the decline of the Roman Empire and the long term effects of the Roman Empire on our world today.

11 books a month would be considered a record breaking rate for me. :)

Good point Valerie. :) Was I sounding like a snob? LOL. You will notice that many are short-ish YA reads so far this month.

#109 Knitting Lessons

I've been reading this book in bits and snatches for awhile. I mostly like it, but then sometimes she goes all introspective hippie on me and I have to take a break. The book is a selection of letters and interviews about knitting. As the author (or shall we call her a compiler?) travels around meeting knitters, she is also learning to knit. What I liked best about the book was the sense of knitting as a craft without generational, cultural or gender boundaries, that people who knit often knit for the same reasons I do, and get a similar mental/emotional result. Without becoming too introspectively hippie, I want to say that I believe that a craft like knitting connects us to others in a way that few other things can. Cooking and reading do come to mind.

I knit for many reasons: I have a hard time just sitting, I love to create things, it is relaxing, I don't have to play pinochle with my husband's family, but I can be in the room with them, I love the feel of the fiber in my hands and then the sense of accomplishment I get from a completed project. I have a hard time with meditation, but I know it's good for me. Knitting time is often meditative for me. My hands are busy, I am not fidgety, and I can then review my day and think over things that need working out. Many, many of the knitters interviewed for this book said the same things. It reminded me of LT - connecting with people around the world - because we have something in common.

Here's a link to a Pablo Neruda poem that was quoted in the book: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-my-socks/
Maybe I'll start my next thread with that...

Quotes:

Knitting in a multicultural community is fascinating, since one can see how the craft has developed and how it is taught around the world. Bhutanese knitting looks nothing like German knitting, though the product is very much the same...In some cultures, for example, weaving and fiberwork are the man's domain.

The reason I knit is because I didn't know how to play pinochle.

Knitting is very calming and very soothing, and no pill can do that for me... I knit when I am sad, happy, worried - it helps me. But when my husband died six years ago, I didn't knit for six months. He loved my knitting so much, and I even taught him to knit. I just couldn't face anything without him. But I am better now, and I know that he would be so happy to have me "knit just one more row" - I always said that to him when he wanted to go somewhere.

72- You've just addressed some of the very reasons why I want to learn to knit. I learned enough crochet to make one scarf, but I've forgotten the small amount I learned. And I never really learned how to knit. So I basically have to start from scratch one of these days. :)

Right on on the money except for the pinochle! My song is, "Let me get to the end of this row." I also love colors in yarn; they speak to me more clearly than color in paint, for instance.
Love the Neruda poem - especially since I have my first pair of socks going (toe-up)! I can't wait!!

Angela, you need to take yourself on over to your LYS (local yarn shop) and tell the people there that you want to learn to knit. They will take good care of you. If they don't, it's not a good place. :)

Peggy! I want to see photos of your socks! I haven't done toe-up socks yet. I've done bunches of top down. I want to do toe-up. I get bogged down in the cast on or something, which is not a good start. LOL. Toe-up socks would be a good goal for this fall, once the kiddos get settled in school.

As part of my application for Mom of the Year Award, I will be submitting the story of today. It was my daughter's first day of school at a new school, wherein we were 7 minutes late to school and then the side door of my van wouldn't open...

I need to go knit something.

My mom used to knit on the side for a living and I have fond memories of sitting beside her and knitting the simple bottom helms of sweaters for her. I really wish I had learned how to do the rest of it but alas, the only thing I can knit is a scarf. :)

#75: Toe-up socks

OK, what the heck is that? And top-down? Clarifications please for the completely non-knitting among you!

>75 nittnut: Jenn, that's a rough way to start the school year! Hope the day gets better for both of you.

Hi Valerie! It's like riding a bicycle. One of these days you'll start and realize you can totally knit.

Stasia, toe-up is just starting to knit the sock from the toe, rather than the cuff (top down). Here's a video if you wish to observe. The demonstrator is a bit odd, or maybe it's just a little early for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXzMr8jHlo
Well, I don't know. Maybe it's too much information, but I am at the edge of my seat ready to run and find some sock yarn and needles...

Hi Anne. Today went better... except we could only find one of the shoes from two different pairs of shoes. LOL

#79: All I can say is that it looks entirely too complex for me. I think I will remain a non-knitter :)

LOL Stasia. Since you clearly have an addictive personality (for books), it may be for the best. I can't tell you the challenges of a book and yarn (and fabric) addiction. Not just space but time! Sigh.

I will one day pick it up! My husband already makes fun of me because I like to cross stitch so he says I'm pretty much ready for retirement. Frankly, I'm not going to disagree with him on that. :)

#81: I used to cross stitch, but my eyesight has gotten so bad that it is difficult for me to do at this point, even with the magnifying lenses I was using. I am just sticking with books for now.

I have to wear my reading glasses when I cross-stitch now (especially on over two fabrics which are my favorites), and it drives me crazy so I don't do it as much as I did. I guess it's given me more time for reading.

#110 The Forgotten Garden

This is the story of 3 generations of women and it skips around between each of their stories. It took me a while to read it. I am not sure if it was slow going because I was also reading other things, or because the skipping around was a little distracting. I wish the characters had been more developed (although the book is pretty long as it is) so that I knew them better. Occasionally, even late in the book, I found myself having to stop and figure out whose point of view I was reading. I liked it well enough, it wasn't a dud, and I will probably read another book by this author. I do think it could have been better.

I loved this book when I read it. You should also read The House at Riverton, Jenn. I think you'll like that better than The Forgotten Garden.

Hi Jenn, just popping in to say hi.

Hi Caro! I saw The House at Riverton at Tattered Cover the other day. I resisted, but I think I will see if the library has a copy.

Hey there Leonie! Nice to see you.

I have that one of the shelf. Actually I have a couple of her books on my shelves but I haven't read any of them yet. Now if it turns out that I don't actually like her writing, then I'm screwed. :)

#111
A Game of Thrones

Clearly an epic tale. There were things I liked and things I didn't. You all know that I am squeamish around the crudities. Still thinking about whether or not to attempt the second book.

#112
Yarn Harlot

Thoroughly comforting and totally entertaining. Perfect for my post-root canal mood (read cranky, irritable and a little sore, but still resisting the Vicodin)

My favorite was the list of 10 ways that parenting and knitting are alike (especially 1, 2, 5 and 7. I know nothing about 3, but I believe it):

1. You have to work on something for a really long time before you know if it's going to be okay.
2. They both involve an act of creation involving common materials, easily found around the home.
3. Both knitting and parenting are more pleasant if you have the occasional glass of wine, but go right down the drain if you start up with a lot of tequila or shooters.
4. With either one, you can start with all the right materials, use all the best reference books available, really apply yourself and still get completely unexpected results.
5. No matter whether you decided to become a parent of a knitter, you are still going to end up with something you have to hand wash.
6. Parents and knitters both have to learn new things all the time, mostly so they can give someone else something.
7. Both activities are about tension. In knitting, the knitter has control of the amount of tension on the object in progress. In parenting, the opposite is true.
8. No matter how much time you spend at knitting or parenting, you are still going to wish you could spend all your time at it. Which is odd, since both activities are occasionally frustrating enough that you want to gnaw your own arm off.
9. Knitting and parenting are both about endurance. Most of the time it's just mundane repetitive labor, until one day, you realize you're actually making something sort of neat.
10.One day, you will wake up and realize that you are spending hours and hours working at something that is costing you a fortune, won't ever pay the bills, creates laundry and clutters up your house,and won't ever really be finished...and the only thing you will think about is that you can't wait to get home and do more.

and this:

Knitting is like a marriage and you don't just trash the whole thing because there are bad moments.

Love the list and the quote, Jenn!

#113 Minding Frankie

I picked this up at the library the other day while I waited for my kids. It was a good story. Some characters from previous books were incorporated and it was mostly good to see where they had ended up. What I really liked was just the comforting sense of a community rallying around one (or more) of their own through difficult times.

#114 Hadassah

A dramatized, fictionalized account of Esther, her rise to Queen of Persia and her subsequent saving of the Jewish people from annihilation by Haman. I listened to it and I think a good narrator covered many of the writing issues that would have annoyed me more if I had read it. I enjoyed the story, Esther has always been a favorite Biblical person of mine.

#93: I think I will give that one a pass. I do not do well with books that lift Biblical characters and rewrite the story. I tend to say 'It did not happen that way in the Bible.'

I know what you mean Stasia. I usually do too. This one was an exception. It was definitely fictionalized, but they stuck to the general story pretty well.

#115 Across Many Mountains

I won this ER book last month. It is the story of three generations of Tibetan women. The story begins with the grandmother of the author. She is a nun in Tibet, who also happened to marry and have a daughter. She and her family escape to India when Chinese persecution of Buddhist nuns and monks becomes unbearable. Life in India is also difficult, and eventually she and her daughter immigrate to Switzerland. The story is interesting just for the fact that not many stories of Tibetan refugees are available. The descriptions of life in a Buddhist monastery was also very interesting. I learned a lot about Buddhism and its practice around the world. The writing was less impressive. I hope more editing is to be done before publication. I got a little bogged down in the lengthy descriptions of Buddhist ritual, and the story is told in a somewhat circular manner so that the author repeats herself occasionally. I found myself wondering if I had lost my place because I was sure I had read that information already. In spite of those weaknesses, the women of the story are compelling and inspiring and I am glad to have read it.

Esther is one of my favourite characters in the bible so I will look that one up. Thanks Jenn! :)

Hi Jenn ... I came across a arts website and community I think you'll really like. Can you send me a PM with your email address and I'll invite you to it.

#116
Evermore YA, fantasy

I grabbed this book on CD at the library. I had a lot of sewing to do this week and I needed something to listen to (besides my 4 year old).

The premise is that people can become immortal, or be made immortal by another immortal, if their desire to live is very strong. I enjoyed the story. I was impressed by the issues that the author chooses to deal with in a fairly short book. Death, survivor guilt, cult behavior, reincarnation, live after death, immortality, relationships (romantic and family), psychic ability, etc. It's not generally my kind of book, but I enjoyed it enough to read the next one. There is a lot of sexual tension, at least one homosexual character, permissive parenting or absentee parents. I won't be giving it to my 12 year old son, but I thought all of those dicey subjects were handled pretty well. I will probably read the next in the series and then see if I catch series-itis or not.

August summary:

Fiction

Shiver - kindle, mine
Linger - kindle, mine
Forever - kindle, mine
Lord Jim - Audio, library
Lament: the faerie queen's deception - kindle, mine
Ballad - kindle, mine
Then Came You - library
Pearl of China - mine
The Forgotten Garden - library
A Game of Thrones - mine
A Clash of Kings - mine

Non-Fiction

Ancient Rome: How it Affects You Today - mine
Knitting lessons - mine
Yarn Harlot, the secret life of a knitter - mine

Not a lot of "heavy" reading here, but it was mostly fun.

#117 A Clash of Kings

I gave the second book a whirl. Some things I liked. I like the way the story is developing, generally. I like the way many of the characters are developing. I really hate the sexually demeaning language in reference to both men and women. It is unnecessary, distracts from the story, and makes otherwise likeable characters ugly. I probably will stop here.

I am beyond impressed at how much reading you got done in August, especially since you read both A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings in one month!

LOL Valerie. I am a fast reader, but not as fast as some people. :)

Lots of what I read last month wasn't very long, and some of it I was already reading, I just happened to finish it in August.

I ditto Valerie's sentiments, you read a huge amount in August and two of the George RR Martins! I was interesting to read your comments about Clash of Kings, I'm reading the first one now and while I am enjoying it greatly, it is so different from what I had pictured in my head and am intrigued at how I will end up writing a review for it, still a way to go though, only 250 pages in.

Hi Leonie! Long time no chat. How are you? I will be looking forward to your review of A Game of Thrones. I thought it read pretty fast, in spite of being quite long.

I woke up this morning to the beautiful sounds of a 9/11 Memorial performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with Tom Brokaw. If you would like to listen, here's a link:

http://byutv.org/seethegood/post/911-Rising-Above.aspx

#118
The Girls from Ames

This book is full of interesting stories and tidbits of research about friendship. I enjoyed it very much. There were some thought provoking quotes - one especially that has generated a lot of conversation among my own friends.

Researchers say that groups of friends such as the Ames girls - those born in the last sixty years or so - often have a greater appreciation of the possibilities of friendships than their mothers and grandmothers did, and a much more powerful bond than most men. The reason: They reached maturity in the era when feminism was blooming. So they naturally assumed they could build sisterly bonds with friends that would feel vital and important, mirroring or contributing to the changes in society. Their mothers and grandmothers all had close, loving friends, of course, but those older women didn't have the revolution of feminism to give their connections purpose and worth.

What do you think?

#119
Mozart's Sister

I am going to see a French film by the same title this weekend, so when I saw this book on the shelf in the library, I thought I'd try it out. The narrative leans heavily to the overbearing father, indulgent to his son but negligent of his daughter camp. I am sure that is more accurate than not. I was hoping for a more research based novel than this turned out to be. There was a lot of introspection by Mozart's sister, a lot about clothing they wore and who they played for, but not much in the way of historical context. It was just OK for me. I am still looking forward to the film. I don't know if this book and the film are more than related by title. I'll let you know.

Hi Jenn, I am well thank you. Life is settling down again for us finally although we are having big winds here at the moment and a massive branch just broke off and fell on my car! I am super annoyed actually, now I have to ring the council and see if they will come and prune their tree that dropped the branch! Sigh.

But, I am still enjoying GOT and hopefully will be finished in 3-4 days if I can keep up my current reading pace.

Ouch! Sorry about your car Leonie. I hope the damage wasn't too bad. Can't wait to hear what you think of GOT when you're done.

I was just thinking about the quote you shared earlier Jenn and I was reflecting on the close friendships that I have in my life. I must agree that if there is something shared in common, it does seem to make a friendship to be more long lasting. For the friends in my life that have drifted over the years, it's mainly because our seasons of life have changed and what we once shared no longer is relevant. The feminist movement would definitely be a huge societal change that would tie and bond many woman together who share, who are passionate, and who lived through that time period.

I found this adorable print at http://www.etsy.com/listing/66401260/the-reader. It's called "The Reader."

Very cute!

Leonie, so sorry to hear about your car -- ouch!

Love the picture, gorgeous style. re. my car, I'm just happy the windscreen wasn't hit. Dents in the bonnet I can live with for a while, smashed glass would have been a nightmare.

Cute picture! Is she sitting next to a potato man with ears?? :)

I know, what is that? Whatever it is, it's cute.

>111 nittnut:- Awww!

#120 Washington's Lady

This is a history of Martha Washington's life, before she married George Washington and then through their marriage. It is told from Martha's point of view. While not very deep or detailed in terms of history, it is an interesting look at the life of a Founding Mother.

Also - just went to see the film Mozart's Sister (http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&near=Denver,+CO&sort=1&mid=c4d20ebad006e896&ei=R2V2Ts6DEYijsQLe8sSLBQ&view=list#trailer) and thought it was really good. It is similar to the book I read, but with extras. :) If it's playing near you, check it out. French, with subtitles.

I just watched the trailer for Mozart's Sister and it looks amazing, I will be going to that one for sure, thanks.

I am having a reading slump. I know it's partly because I'm busy, but nothing I am reading is really grabbing me. Other things are totally NOT grabbing me. Sigh.

Ugh! I'm not reading as much as I'd like, either. You have so many things going on -- I'll bet that pretty soon a good book will grab you.

Have you tried a good YA or graphic novel to bump you out of the slump? I find they usually do the trick for me.

Hi Anne, Leonie. Thanks for stopping by. I am indulging in a Georgette Heyer right now and then I think I will take you up on your suggestion of YA books. Perhaps a Newbery winner. I usually can't go wrong there. :)

I just spent the last couple of days having a Georgette Heyer binge. I haven't felt good and her books really are great for just lying around and trying to escape actual life. I thought I had the toothache, which was incredibly frustrating, since I just had a root canal a month ago. I really couldn't get too excited about spending another $1500 on my mouth. It turns out it's just a nasty sinus infection, and while I am so glad, the pressure is keeping me up nights regardless of the quantity of Advil I consume. Georgette to the rescue!

I just finished Cotillion, which I hadn't read in ages. My copy was published in 1953, and I had to share the Chicago Tribune review from the back cover:

Georgette Heyer has again created "a literary bubble bath wherein readers may take a delightful and frothy dip among the gayer aspects of the Regency period."

Funny, no?

Also, I just spent a few weeks listening to a YA series called The Immortals by Alyson Noel. Partly a case of series-itis and also just a case of nothing else to listen to, since I checked out the entire series from the library. I blame this series for my reading funk. I have never come across a more annoying heroine in my life. Stupid girl. I really prefer my heroines to have some native common sense. This one, well, she trusts all the wrong people over and over again. She ignores the tried and true advice of those who have her best interests at heart. She doggedly continues in the same direction regardless of all the warning signs. I just want to smack her. Also, the author needs a thesaurus. She makes Stephanie Meyer's Twilight books look eloquent. I have never heard the word "squint" used so much in anything. It's probably used less in ophthalmology texts than it was in one chapter of one of these books. Then, every time the love interest enters the scene, we have to dwell on his wavy hair, perfect physique, oh, and the "heat and tingle" of his presence. Gah! Why keep listening? I know, sick. I do admit to having some curiosity as to whether the author could rescue her totally doomed character. She does improve, but not so much that I was happy for her. Also, after book one, the main focus of the series seems to be finding a way for the hero and heroine of the story to "be together" in the most literal sense. Did I mention she's 16? Yeah. Why do I torture myself like this? LOL. In case you are wondering, I don't recommend this series. :)

Hope the sinus infection gets cleared up soon. Yuck! But Georgette Heyer sounds like perfect reading medicine. :)

She makes Stephanie Meyer's Twilight books look eloquent. Gah! Thanks for the warning, and three cheers for Ms. Heyer!

Cotillion is probably my favorite Heyer--I love the way she turns the Romance tropes on their heads, and I love the characters. Glad you were able to escape into Regency England for a while.

Hate sinus infections--hope yours clears up quickly.

Hi Angela, Anne and Roni! I'm feeling much better today, thanks!

Roni, I had forgotten how much I liked Cotillion. Freddy is priceless. One of the best characters GH ever wrote. IMHO.

As another Georgette Heyer lover I absolutely loved the comment describing her work as a "literary bubble bath". It describes perfectly my feelings when reading a Heyer book. I haven't read Cotillion yet, but I certainly plan to.

I've never read anything by Georgette Heyer but will definitely have to look her up. Hope you sinus feels better soon!

I'm yet to read Heyer as well but I loved that comment on the back cover - priceless.

Judy, I absolutely love Cotillion. Freddy - the hero of the story - is absolutely priceless.

Valerie and Leonie, go out and get a Heyer right now! I recommend Cotillion, Frederica or Pistols for Two as good starting places.

I am feeling much better! Later after I get kids to bed, if I can wrangle some computer time, I will do my list of September reading. I think I've emerged from my reading funk.

Yes Mamn! I am on it. :)

Yay for getting out of the book funk. Hopefully your next couple of reads will be excellent to keep the ball rolling!

There's nothing like a Georgette Heyer to raise the spirits and pull you out of a book funk!

I love the command. Yes Ma'am!

So. It only took three days to wrangle enough computer time to talk about the books I've been reading.

September

Fiction
Minding Frankie - library
Hadassah: One Night with the King - library, audio
The Immortals - series of 6 books - library, audio
Sweep books 1-3 - library
Mozart's Sister - library
Washington's Lady - library
And about 6 Georgette Heyer's - mine, all mine

Non-fiction
Across Many Mountains - mine, ER
the Girls From Ames - mine

Not a great reading month. I didn't feel well for about half of it though, and there was the reading funk too. Here's hoping October will be better. That puts me at about book #128 (assuming I don't count the Heyers). I refuse to review The Immortals series. Meh.

ETA: Roni says I should count the Heyers. So, 134 books it is.

Book # 135
Wait for Me

I really liked this story. It takes place in Southern California. It's about a Korean girl and a Hispanic boy who fall in love. It's about immigrants and their children and what life is like for them. It's a novel about disappointing your parents, defying expectations, and making mistakes. It isn't perfect, but there were times when I felt like I was there in the story. It was also interesting to read because many of my high school friends were immigrants (Chinese, Hispanic, German) and I remember that their parents had very, very high expectations and it was hard for them.

An interesting device that the author uses is switching voices between Mina and her sister, Suna. I am not sure it worked because while Mina's story is told in the first person, Suna's is told almost through someone elses eyes. It was a bit odd.

Why wouldn't you count the Heyers? You read them, didn't you? And they are better reading than a whole slew of stuff you are counting, right?

Hi Roni!

You make a good point. It is true, I did read them. I don't know why, maybe because I've read them so many, many times. OK. Alright. I will count them. :)

Immigrant families and their ridiculously high expectations for their kiddos? I hear you loud and clear. :)

I hope you have a great month of reading in October Jenn!

I couldn't help it - here's another quote about Georgette Heyer from Time Magazine: "With a Georgette Heyer you don’t buy a book, you buy a world. If it suits you, you settle down forever."

#136
The Distant Hours
This is my second book by Kate Morton. I liked it better than The Forgotten Garden. I don't know what it is about her books - they take me forever to read. It's not that I am not enjoying the book or interested in the story, I have no idea why they are slow reads for me. The Distant Hours is about three sisters who live in a big old castle and their connection with a girl from London who was evacuated and stayed with them during WWII. It's about choices and consequences, secrets, lies, love gained and love lost. Overall, it's a really sad story, but compelling.

I don't know what it is about her books - they take me forever to read.

It could be that they are rather big books to begin with... :)
I have yet to read one of her books although I think I have like 3 of them sitting on my shelves. Again, I think its the size of them of that always makes me pick them up and then put them back down.

I hope your sinus infection has cleared. I also had one and thought it was a problem with my teeth. It took forever to clear. It did get me to quit smoking (yay!) and it took a lot of hot showers and hot drinks to get it to go away. I hope I never get another one.

Hi Valerie. It's true. They are big books. Maybe we should be reading them on an e-reader. Not so daunting. As long as you don't look at %complete. LOL.

Hi Mamzel - nice to see you here. :) I am still working on that sinus infection. It's the worst one I have ever had. I figure by the time I'm done I'll either have liver failure or be in rehab. I am taking Tylenol and Advil at the same time so that I can function/sleep as the case may be. Antibiotics were not successful. Not sure if I want round 2 or if I'll try supplements this time round. Ah well. I can at least hope that this is the worst thing I get this winter, right?

Oh, no! You poor thing. Have you tried Alkalol? It's the best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkalol

Hope you can get some relief soon!

Thanks Anne! I've never heard of it, but I think I will go get some. It sounds lovely and refreshing :).

#137 The Juliet Club YA

Teenage girl travels to Italy for a summer Shakespeare course. Falls in love. Meh.

#138 The Keepers' Tattoo YA

In retrospect, a post-apocalyptic tale, but that is not necessarily clear until the end of the book. Special knowledge is tattooed on the skulls of a set of twins. Supposedly these words hold great power. The despotic leader of the known world seeks the twins in order to take the words of power. It's an interesting premise and the characters were interesting, but development of both character and plot was weak.

#139 Heart of the Matter - Book Club, audio
It's been awhile since I was so completely frustrated by a book. It's basically about marriage, infidelity and forgiveness. No doubt there will be much to talk about at book club. Without spoiling the story for anyone who wants to read it, I will just say that some heads needed to be knocked together, hard, but things turned out alright in the end. I suppose.

Hi Jenn, I'm glad your book funk is on the mend. Let's hope the sinus infection follows close behind it!

Happy Book Group month! The librarian at our book gathering chooses our books and it's pretty hit and miss for me, although I can usually get through the book and I always take away something valuable from the discussion. We just finished Lonesome Dove. Loved it. Next month is The Handmaid's Tale. I hope I get more enjoyment out of it the second go-round.

I'm curious about how your book club works. Do you meet in each other's homes and take turn picking the books? If I get tired of the library group (doubtful at this point), I may have to start my own group (also doubtful). ;-)

Hi Donna! I am starting to feel better. I got new antibiotics and followed Anne's suggestion above - very helpful. We take turns hosting and choosing books in one of the book clubs I'm in, the other, we throw out suggestions and choose together every month. There are pros and cons to both. I didn't enjoy The Handmaid's Tale very much either - not entirely sure why. Good luck with a re-read.

Hows it going? Have you started The Woman in White yet?

I started it AND I started knitting again! I can't wait till the monkey goes down for a nap so I can get some solid stitching in. Just going to start easy and small and knit an afghan first and work my way from there. :)

Hi Valerie!

I started the Woman in White earlier this week. I think I'm around page 60. I haven't been reading much. I like it so far though. What do you think?

I've been having a couple nights on the town with my sister. We stayed in a nice hotel, down town Denver, ate out, went to the ballet. We saw Swan Lake, which was lovely, although a bit of a snoozer compared to The Nutcracker, which is the only other ballet I have seen. I confess to a short nap during Act 1 scene 2.

When you say something small and then afghan, it confuses me. Do you mean an afghan for the monkey? When I think something easy and small, I think dishcloth... but HOORAY for knitting!!

Hooray for knitting, indeed! Wish I could find the time. My 7th grader really enjoys it, which I love :)

Jenn, so glad you've had some nights out! If Colorado Ballet ever does Dracula again, be sure to see it -- it's a wonderful production. They're also doing Peter Pan this spring, and the Chorale will provide a children's chorus.

Hey Jenn!

I'm liking it quite a bit compared to all the other classics I've read. In comparison to the Austen books, I find this one has much more of an interesting storyline and characters that don't seem as one dimensional to me. I have about a third left in the book and I'm definitely curious to see what actually happens to everyone.
I don't know if you've read this part yet, but there is a person in the book who keeps drinking sugar in water? Is that like a reference to some special type of drink or is it seriously just water and sugar??

Sorry about the confusion about the afghan..haha! I called it a small project since it's pretty basic and straight forward once I learned the new stitches. Small I guess was in reference to the difficulty of the project and not so much the size. I want to work my way up to being able to actually knit clothing which I consider "big" since it's so much more intricate and complicated work. So far so good tho! :)

>152 AMQS: Anne, I have such fond memories of knitting with my mom and I believe that is where I learned to enjoy and love the craft. I don't have a girl yet, but hopefully one day I can share those experiences with her as well.

>153 jolerie:, sadly, we don't knit together -- I just don't have the time right now. It does make me happy that she knits, though.

I came to thank you for the drive-by on my thread and found that I had lost you since August. Not good! To report in, I live in the sinus capital of the world and mostly just live with the sinus condition. I don't run a fever though. Glad you're getting some relief.
Your time with your sister sounds wonderful!!! Glad you got to do it. And you get to come home to *Woman in White*!
To report, I've lapsed and not knitted my socks yet, but now that cooler weather is finally here, I'll get back to them. It's hard to be enthusiastic about wool when it's 100°+ outside, even when inside with the AC on. In my defense I did finish another prayer shawl and start a new one - which I'm also not knitting right now. Our church group that knits meets this Wednesday, and I really should have something to show.......

Hi Jenn! Hope your sinuses are feeling better. I've been fighting a sinus infection too. I thought of you today as I was trying to make Halloween costumes for the kids. I am not nearly as crafty as you. It's about all I can do to glue felt. But I think that we're on our way toward something that looks like Angry Birds - which is what the boys are hoping for. I'll post pics on my thread if we manage to pull this off.

So glad you got to spend a couple of nights on the town. Denver is great for that!

Hi Peggy! Happy to see you. I agree. 100+ is way too hot for wool. I haven't made a shawl yet, but I have some friends at the Catholic parish who have a prayer shawl group. They are very prolific. It's impressive. Someday I may join them - when I don't have to bring a 5 yr old boy with...

I am really enjoying Woman in White. I can't believe I've never read it.

I do not know how you live with a chronic sinus issue. It's horrible. Mostly the lack of sleep is what got to me. I'm really no good without sleep. :) I won't admit to crankiness, but...

Hi there Jenn, I lost your thread for a while and just found you again. You've been busy! Washington's Lady sounds interesting.

Right?? It is really good. I was so surprised at how good it was given my previous experiences with other classics. :)

Hi Carly! Nice to see you. I haven't visited you for a while either. Must drop by soon!

Valerie, I finally caught someone drinking sugar water! Things are heating up and it's getting hard to put it down. That uncle of theirs. Good grief.

LOL, he is a hoot! I actually am quite fond of his brashness. It's like he doesn't have a brain to mouth filter which is rather a riot. :)

#140 The Woman in White

Hooray for Valerie to get me reading this. It's been in the TBR pile for quite some time. The story was easy to get into and hard to put down. I was fascinated by all the characters, even the ones that were not greatly developed. I was surprised by a couple of things. One was that the heroine of the story was not the love interest of the hero. That added a really interesting dimension to the story. I was also surprised that the author reserved his witty criticisms for the villains of the story and let his hero and heroine shine in the best light. The hero and heroine of the book are likeable and not at all stuffy, but they are both fiercely loyal to Laura (the victim). Usually an epistolary style is more disjointed and difficult to read. The Woman in White was beautifully written and the story progressed smoothly even as the narrator changed. So glad I finally read this. Highly recommended.

#141 The Language of Flowers

A girl who spent most of her life in foster homes and group homes finds a job arranging flowers and works to overcome the emotional pain of abandonment. Against all odds, she is successful at her work and at getting closer to people she loves. There is so much to think about in this story. There is the obvious; abandonment, foster care, etc. and then there is the less obvious; the language of flowers, horticulture, love, forgiveness, adoption and second chances. The characters are charming and likeable and the story is engaging. I had a hard time putting it down.

I received an ER copy of Snakewoman of Little Egypt and I don't want to finish it. It's a little on the sexually crude side for my eyes. If you have been wanting to read this book and won't be bothered by the aforementioned, I will be so happy to send you the book. PM me your address - first come, first win.

I loved Woman in White, Jenn. I couldn't put it down when I read it too and I've put it on my re-read shelf because I know it's one that I'll want to read again in a couple of years' time.

Thanks for motivating me as well otherwise who knows how long that book would have sadly just sat on my shelf! :)

Great review of The Woman in White! Another classic I've somehow missed. Need to fix that!

I've been meaning to read The Woman in White for a while now. Your review pushed it up on the TBR list!

#142 Astrid and Veronika

A slow, gentle story of a friendship that grows between a young woman and an elderly woman. The friendship grows naturally over time as the two women spend time together and share their stories. The friendship helps both women to heal and find happiness.

#143 Under a Stand Still Moon

A beautifully written tale of a young girl growing up and learning the traditions of her clan and people. The story is set during the decline of the ancient Pueblo civilization. As she grows up, events shape her life. She is married to a man she does not love because the marriage will bring honor to her family and security to her. She chooses to make the best of the situation, and in return her husband teaches her what he knows about the world. She is able to use this knowledge to help her people.

#144 A Secret Kept

I liked the story, it was interesting. It's about a brother and sister who discover a secret that has been kept in their family for decades, and how that discovery effects them. It really doesn't compare well to Sarah's Key, which would have been hard to do anyway. Still, it is well written and the story moves along at a good pace.

Peggy gets Snakewoman!

#145 A Day No Pigs Would Die

The simple narrative of this story, sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant, pulled me in all the way. It made me laugh, it made me cry. The story is narrated by the main character, Robert. It is the story of how he changed from boy to man in just a few short months. The story begins when he is a 12 year old boy, covers just a little less than a year, and ends when he is 13 and has become the man of the house. We catch a glimpse of how his father is teaching and preparing him to take over the farm and the care of his mother and aunt.
Interestingly, I read that A Day No Pigs Would Die appeared on the ALA's list, #17 of the 100 most frequently challenged books between 1990 and 1999.

Quotes:

"Never miss a chance," Papa had once said, "to keep your mouth shut." And the more I studied on it, the sounder it grew.

"When you're the only one to do something, it always gets done."

#146 The Tower, the Tortoise and the Zoo

I mostly enjoyed this story. It's too bad it wasn't based on truth. I enjoyed the funny situations that happened with the animals and the funny historical anecdotes (true or not). I sometimes got a little bogged down over the disintegrating marriage, but then again, there were some real gems there too. My favorite characters were the Reverend who wrote erotic fiction under a pseudonym and Hebe, mostly for her random "Greek" proverbs. My favorite setting of the book was the lost and found office where Hebe worked.

#147 Son of Neptune

Just like the Percy Jackson series, there is never a dull moment in this new installment. The story is fast moving with occasionally even witty dialogue. A fun, quick read. Of course, it will be awhile until the next in the series, so if you hate waiting or prefer to avoid cliff hangers, you may wish to wait a little while to read it.

Why have I suddenly been reading so much? Well, a quick rundown of the last 6-8 weeks:

Sinus infection 1
Sinus infection 2
stomach flu (6 hour version, thank goodness)
in-law visit from hell
root canal (better than the in-laws, worse than the sinus infection)
bronchitis

Hoping and praying this is it for a while. I feel I've put in my time. Seriously. However, it has been nice to be slowed down a bit and get a little more reading in.

Why have I suddenly been reading so much?

Actually, I have been wondering that. Sorry to hear the reasons why though. You're overdue for some good times! Take good care of yourself.

Oh dear, Jenn. That's a terrible list. A root canal is better than the in-laws? Speaks volumes!
Hope you are now lined up for an equally long list of delights. Sounds like you'll deserve them!
(Meanwhile, as you know, Peggy is thrilled to inherit Snakewoman! Thank you again!!)

Hi Pat and Peggy. Thanks for the good wishes. I'm feeling better and hoping things stay that direction. Especially as I have a knitting class in the morning - a toes-up sock class I've been wanting to take for a long time!

#148 The Perfect Game by Terrence O. Moore

This book and author are so new, they aren't even in Touchstones. The author is Assistant Professor of History at Hillsdale College. I have heard him speak at a Classical Ed. conference and he is a truly compelling speaker. This is his first novel.
I really enjoyed this novella about baseball and coming of age. It contains one of the best and most suspenseful narrations of a Little League game I have ever read in my life. If you love baseball and don't mind the occasional spiritual discussion, you will really enjoy The Perfect Game.
One thing that I struggled with throughout the story was the use of the "Texas vernacular". I think the author might have done better to choose specific words that would convey the idea of the vernacular in conversation without beating the reader over the head with it.

Oh dear, you are definitely in line for some serious good karma now! Here's hoping it shows up soonest.

Oh Jenn, what a terrible time you've had! Hope you're feeling better and stay that way! I'm nearly done with The Son of Neptune myself. Fun.

Hi Roni, Thanks for sending some good karma my way :).

Hi Anne! I saw that you finished Son of Neptune. That's the downside, right? Having to wait a year for the next book. Sigh.

Hi Jenn, I read on Peggy's thread that you might join us for North and South - think I used the wrong touchstone over there, but delighted to have you!

sounds good Nancy - off to find your thread and star it.

#149 For All the Tea in China

A fabulous read - thanks to Caro (cameling) for the recommendation!
The title says it all - England stole tea from China, planted it in India, and changed the world. Well researched and well written, and occasionally even impossible to put down. The story centers around Robert Fortune, a self-made man, who is sent to China to obtain tea plants for the East India Company. He disguises himself as a wealthy Mandarin from "outside the wall" and bravely sets forth into the wilds of China. While telling Fortune's very exciting tale, the author also inserts interesting facts about tea, the world in general and the way tea has changed the world. Highly recommended.

Let's see. I hope you're cleared up in the sinus department. I neglected to mention that I live in the sinus capital of the world - humid with lots of high pressure. Yuck.
Hope you got to your lesson on toe-up socks. I haven't worked on my any more since I was here last. I'm about to get to the heels, and I don't want to have to think that hard right now.
*Tea in China* sounds fascinating. I'm glad to find out about it!

Peggy, I just did the heel. It was super easy aside from the purl in the front and back instruction. I can't quite get my head/fingers around that one. I do really like how you just knit the heel and gusset together without having to pick up stitches. That was lovely! I am cleared up in the sinuses and chest, thank you, and have just enjoyed my first "drug-free" 24 hours in probably over 6 weeks. It's a wonder I don't have the shakes or something.

I have a book recommendation for anyone who is into anthologies/disability studies. My husband's cousin compiled/edited this anthology and it's available on Amazon now.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/184-8243443-7099405?url=search-alias%3Dst...

#150 A Homemade Life

Oh my! I loved this book. I probably drooled on it too. Stories and recipes describes it perfectly. I made it to page 33 before I had to stop and go make one of her recipes. I've made two now and they were both delectable. Buy it, read it, store it on the shelf with your cookbooks.

Will do!

Jenn - A Homemade Life sounds outstanding. And congrats on reading 75 x 2 books!

Have a great Thanksgiving, Jenn!

Hi Amy, and thanks!

Hi Joanne, You too! Lucky us, such lovely weather.

#151 A Trick of the Light

My favorite, so far. Of course I had to listen to the audio. I am not sure that I would believe it was a Gamache mystery without Ralph Cosham.
Another murder in Three Pines, on the eve of Clara's big show. Some twists and turns in the lives of some of our favorite characters - especially Beauvoir. I don't know that I can really wait for the next installment...

I always hate the wait for the next Louise Penny!

Just trying to catch up Jenn! Sorry to hear about the last couple of weeks...being sick is definitely no fun, but at least you got a lot of reading done! Hope you feel better soon, and are still able to get lots of reading done. :)

So did you and your son make chocolate souffle today, Jenn?

Hi Caro - no. We did not. I am buried under a tall pile of little white nightgowns. Maybe we should send the sniffer dogs after me... if I don't emerge by say, December 7.

We'll try again this weekend. :)

Don't stone me....
I actually really liked the movie! :D

OK, it's only Dec 4, but I'm getting the sniffer dogs ready just in case. I hope the nightgowns are going well.

Hi Jenn, glad to see your sinus infection is over with but am a bit worried you're still trapped under all those nightgowns... I'm really intrigued with the tea book For All The Tea in China, great review.

OK. Finally coming up for air. I only have 3 nightgowns left to make - for pay anyway. Thanks for checking on me Amy and Leonie!

Valerie, I won't stone you. I liked the movie just fine too, although I averted my eyes during the delivery scene, and I should have averted my ears... I'm just glad I went with low expectations.

While I've been working, I have listened to two audio books, and I've finally finished a book I've been reading in bits and snatches for about the whole month.

#152 Peter Pan

It's been years since I read this classic tale. I think I remembered the Disney version better than the original. I found it charming, delightful, poignant, wonderful. I followed it with a re-watch of Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslett, and really enjoyed that too.

#153 Hoot

My son has been trying to get me to read this for several years. I finally checked out the audio at the library and got it done.
About a couple of middle school age kids who decide to stand up for what's right and make a difference. One of my favorite things about the story was how the main character, Roy, is a fairly thoughtful child, but at the same time, ready to take on any challenge. A great read/listen.

#154 Charlotte Grey

I had seen the film with Kate Blanchett a long time ago. I came across the book and decided to read it. I liked it very much. The story takes place mostly in France during WWII. Charlotte is a young Scottish girl who feels a deep need to make a difference somehow. She is recruited by one of the "secret agent" organizations in Britain. Her experiences help her to sort out her own fears and struggles and in the end, she achieves a peace of her own. While I found the love story a little fraught, there was a certain charm to the urgency of their wartime romance. More than Charlotte's story alone, it is the story of France under German occupation. There is some good history - discussion of Petain and his government and the accommodations that were made with Germany. The story of Jewish discrimination and deportation is well told and put in context both socially and politically. I really enjoyed this book. *Confession: I prefer the ending of the film - it's more romantic - if not more plausible.

I don't think I've ever read Peter Pan. I must correct that!

Glad to hear the nightgowns are almost done!

Nice review of Charlotte Grey, Jenn! Thanks for that. The film sounds vaguely familiar, especially as you name Cate Blanchett; think I saw it too - but don't remember much of it. May be time to rectify that, either in print or on screen.

Delighted you are joining North and South read : ).

#155 Falling Together

As I really liked de los Santos' first two books, I was really looking forward to this one. Perhaps it was a case of overly high expectations, but this book was just OK for me. It is about a group of best friends from college (one man, two women) who become estranged and then reunite. It took a while to get into, and then we had a chunk of the book that was just littered with gratuitous f-bombs and an improbable journey with a small child, then it all turned out just exactly as expected in the end.

There were a couple of fairly profound moments, and this is one of them:

You know how it is: places are places, but more than anything, they're the people you're there with.

I like this because I have moved a lot in my life, and I have learned that it is possible to be happy most anywhere, if you are with the people you love.

Just adding, I really enjoyed the film of Charlotte Grey as well although should read that book and Peter Pan. I'm always amazed at the classics we all know so well but have never actually read. That is the power of movies for you.

I am back - trying to catch up on threads. I had a cursed week. Someone got my debit card # and went shopping in NY. One of the charges got through and emptied my bank account. About the minute I got that dealt with, my computer succumbed to multiple viruses and had to go to the computer hospital. Good grief.

#156 Ten Miles Past Normal
A quick and fun read about a girl adjusting to her freshman year in high school. She finds that everything has changed and she has to find her way without the crutch of her long-time best friend.

Oh lawd, that is not good at all. At least you caught it and the bank should refund your money? I hope so.. someone stole my credit card number when I was on holiday in London 2 yrs ago and then I apparently bought $7000 worth of jewellery in Sydney! I don't think so! We got the whole lot back from the bank thankfully.

I can also understand computer woes very well and hope yours comes home from Hospital soon.

Oh Jenn, you had the week from hell last week! I hope your computer is recovering from its viruses and that your bank was able to track the lowdown $*&@ who had fun at your expense! Sometimes its hard to love humanity when I hear stories like that.

I hope things have improved in your world. Sending lots of Christmas love your way. I look forward to meeting up again in 2012! We'll be out your way in mid-January but are still trying to iron out the details with my son.

Hi Leonie, Donna!

My computer is home again, and we are slowly getting it set back up. It's nice to have it back.

Donna, let me know when you know. I'm not missing the next meet-up!

Merry Christmas, Jenn!

Merry Christmas, Jenn!

Well Jenn, no fancy pictures from me, just a sincere wish that your Christmas is a merry one and your New Year calm!

Merry, merry Christmas, Jenn!

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Jenn, with best wishes!

Love that picture Roni!

Thanks for the Christmas wishes everyone!

I'm posting my final reads for 2011, and I'll see you all in 2012. We're off to Utah for the weekend for my nephew's 1st birthday and my other nephew's 12th birthday.

#157 Prayers for Sale

I loved this story of women in a Colorado mining town. Hennie is one of the oldest and longest-term residents of Middle Swan. The story is set during the Great Depression. Hennie is welcoming a young married woman, Nit, whose husband has been hired to work on the gold dredge. She helps Nit understand the people and the town by telling her stories. The stories were interesting, the characters very believable, and the ending just right. In Prayers for Sale, just as in other books by Sandra Dallas, the women are shown to be the backbone of their community. They aren't perfect, but they are strong and determined. It's one of my favorite things about her books.

#158 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Just the best Christmas book EVER! I love this short story about a town, the church Christmas pageant and the wild family who takes it over and changes everyone and everything. Highly recommended.

#211 - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is my favorite Christmas book. My 5th grade teacher read it to me, and my son got a copy from his 3rd grade teacher for a Christmas present. It is timeless! Hope you have a great trip to Utah and a Happy New Year!

Oh, I love The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! My mom read it to us every year, and I read it aloud this year. So wonderful.

Wanted to say thank you for recommending A Homemade Life -- loved it!!

Happy New Year Jenn!