Greetings, Unravelers!
How is it even possible that this is the last Wednesday of April?? What is usually the loveliest of spring months here has been hardly spring like at all, but it seems in the ‘weather battle’ spring is finally gaining some ground. I have a lilac bush that is filled with blooms waiting to burst open and I am so excited for that to happen! This lilac bush came by way of salvaging her from a neighbor’s yard trash after they did some serious ‘pruning’ of their massive bush. But, she took root and this year she is showing signs of truly flourishing, with lots of new growth and blooms-to-be galore!
One would think that with all the wintry weather we have had, I would have finished another wool sweater – but something inside me just rebelled at the idea. And, so I knit other things (and gladly!) Now, with hints of spring increasing – I have started what I hope will be a transition piece. I thought it would be slow going, but I have managed to get a good bit done as I had to be some place yesterday and wait for an installation technician to work his magic. Sometimes, volunteer work has its benefits and 4+ hours of knitting time is a good benefit! (And, actually I was trapped for over nine hours with a good 4 hours of the time trying to help troubleshoot! This might have outweighed the benefits of knitting time, just sayin’)
My reading has been at a fevered pitch as I have gotten an onslaught of books off hold at the library and I had a Net Galley finish as well! This week I can share the following finishes:
My one Net Galley selection for the month was Jo Nesbø’s Macbeth, which was one of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. I am a fan of Nesbø so I jumped at the opportunity to request this book. Macbeth did not disappoint at all, despite a bit of a slow start…and I don’t mean a slow start in what is going on in the story, but rather slow in my reading as there is lots going on and lots of characters to remember! Nesbø hits a homerun with his adaptation of Macbeth. Throughout the book, as the characters unfold, I questioned whether absolute power corrupts or does a corrupt person take advantage of absolute power? All the characters are flawed, yet some rise above their flaws and find the inner strength to make the right decisions. If you are a fan of Nesbø, Macbeth will not disappoint! I gave it 5-stars and highly recommend this book!
I also finished Louise Penny’s How the Light Gets In, and wow! This book ties up some of the loose ends from previous novels and Penny does the tie up’s in a wonderful way. I cried, I laughed, and I grew to love even more the characters in Penny’s novels. 5-stars and a must-read series!
I also listened to The Death of Ivan Ilych as I dipped my toes into Tolstoy. I must say, for a short story, this one is packed full of thought-provoking things! It is short, the narration was wonderful, and I highly recommend!
I am currently reading The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian and listening to Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie – although I am not sure I will continue with Home Fire but, I am giving it a try.
AND, I got a book from the library that I have been waiting for that I am excited to read!
And, what about you? What are you making and/or reading today?
If you are joining us today, please leave you link below, and thank you!
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I think after Penny’s book four she hits her writing stride 🙂 I love the series as well and those characters oh my goodness! I’m chugging along on my sister’s sweater on the first sleeve yay!
I’ve seen some press about Nesbo’s Macbeth lately and am intrigued, though I didn’t really care for the original.
I’m working on the first sleeve of my Humulus sweater and hoping to get it finished before MDSW. I’m really itching to cast on my handspun Boxy, but I’m not letting myself do it until Humulus is done!
Lucinda does look like a great sweater, and one that you’ll be able to wear for lots of seasonal transitions. And that gorgeous color! I’m rooting for those lilacs in the weather battle and hope to see photos soon!
We have yet to see lilacs, but everything else is hitting its stride! No one knits or reads as much as you do, Kat. I am always in awe when I come to your blog!
What a great color for your sweater! I hope your lilacs make it to bloom, mine have finally leafed out, and I see a few tiny flowers.
So many things going on! And thanks for the link to the new Bohjalian book! I’m hoping our lilacs are budding. I’ll walk over and check them out this afternoon!
I do love sharing about knitting (and sometimes about reading) here each week – thank you for the Link Up! Glad you found a bright spot in the 9+ hour “volunteer opportunity” yesterday. Lucinda is going to be a great piece for spring, summer and fall (where you live 🙂 And a shout out for your lilacs. I hope you see bountiful blossoms … and share a few photos here because that’s the only way I’ll get to enjoy any – too hot here for them. Happy Wednesday!
The orange sweater is coming along. I will be anxious to see it when finished. A few buds on trees and one or two flowering trees in the neighborhood have just begun to bloom. The daffodils didn’t stand much chance in the cold and snow but the lilacs are just beginning to leaf out. Isn’t it just the best to move a shoot of something and have it thrive. Happy Spring.
April sure hasn’t felt like April! I’m still waiting for The Flight Attendant, I generally enjoy Bohjalian a lot.
Spring is way slow here, too — but beginning to unfold, and for that I am grateful! (It’s amazing what a difference a couple of warm-ish days – with sunshine – can make.) The color of your new sweater is wonderful, and will be perfect for you. XO
I loved Home Fire. (Kamila Shamsie is one of my very favorite authors.) 🙂
As soon as I finish my current book (which will be this evening) I’m picking up the 4th Inspector Gamache. I love this series so much!
We had snow yesterday. Spring as usual in Colorado is elusive. When it comes it quickly slides into summer. I can’t wait for lilacs. That’s nice you saved one. Here’s my post today. Continuing on with Longmire book #2. Great books but Oh my, the end of the first one shocked me and kinda got to me. He doesn’t pull punches! http://lovelyyarnescapes.blogspot.com/2018/04/wednesdays-yarns-color-shifting-shawl_25.html
I’ve always thought Louise Penny’s books were simply chapters in life of Three Pines. It was a delight to hear her talk at the Carnegie a couple years ago. Now when I read her, I can hear her voice.
Wow! Wow wow wow!!!! I did not know about Jo Nesbo’s Macbeth!! I can hardly wait to read it! WOW!!!!!
Also . . . so glad you liked The Death of Ivan Ilyich! And isn’t Chris Bohjalian a terrific writer? I haven’t read The Flight Attendant, but I have read Midwives and The Double Bind and liked them both a lot.
I felt the same with the weather lately, it has not felt like Spring until recently! I am looking forward to warmer temps this week. Great you made a lot of reading progress and love the color of your latest project. Happy knitting and reading!