Greetings Unraveler’s!
I wish I could tell you that there has been *loads* of making this week…but that is not the case. It seems very wrong to indulge in the luxury of knitting, stitching, sewing, or baking when the world is collapsing around us.
I did a bit of stitching, but I need something that I don’t have… maybe a brighter color (yellow?) or a much darker color (black?) or maybe both? So I need to get to the stitching store to see what I might find.
I tried to work on the second sock, but even the simplest pattern was beyond me and after I ripped it back – twice – I put down the knitting.
My night time knitting (which you can see above) is at the long, longer, longest row point. So I am lucky to get a “tooth” repeat done before my eyes are closing. (Although, I am not sure I am going to get 5 more teeth done… boo hoo! I might have to toss the handspun yarn to see if I can find something that might work to finish this off…)
While there has been a lull in making, the reading was just what I needed to take my mind away this week! I had two spectacular finishes. And I picked up a lovely stack of poetry books from the library… I am not at all missing the making this week.
Still Life by Sarah Winman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are moments in life, so monumental and still, that the memory can never be retrieved without a catch to the throat or an interruption to the beat of the heart. Can never be retrieved without the rumbling disquiet of how close that moment came to not having happened at all.
Wow. This book. This story. These characters.
Every page was divine… it was a book I never wanted to end. I started reading a hard copy of this book, but I did not finish it before it was due back to the library. So I put myself back on the long waitlist and this time, I expanded my options and also got on queue for the audiobook as well – and that is what came available for me to finish this incredible story. The narrator, by the way, is incredible. It was a joy to listen!
If you are wondering if a book can restore your faith in humanity… this is the book that can. PLUS! Any book that includes Fernet Branca and wool… well, just pour yourself a delicious sip, gather your knitting and let Winman take you far, far away. The writing. My gosh… so so so good.
I highly urge you to get this book and read it! Now! You won’t be sorry!
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is not light reading, but that should not stop you from reading Stuart’s follow up to Shuggie Bain.
Young Mungo is simply brilliant, although it took me a little bit to realize that the story is being told in two different timelines… at the same time. What happened and what is happening…but stay with Mungo… he will show you what a true survivor is.
Thanks to Stuart, I have a clear picture of how incredibly challenging it must have been to grow up in Glasgow… at least how challenging it must have been for poor, struggling single mothers. (Please don’t think I believe that Mo-maw has one redeeming quality, because she absolutely does not!) But still, I cannot imagine the struggle… Her frequent absences might have been a gift… thankfully, Mungo has a barely older sister who tries to fill the shoes of parent. He also has an older brother who, though he is not a sterling character, he inadvertently teaches Mungo the skills he will need to survive.
And despite those struggles, Mungo finds the strength to survive as well as beauty, joy and yes, love.
I highly recommend this book!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC of this book!
What about you? What are you doing to take your mind off the catastrophe that the world is right now?
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It’s been hard to focus on the joy in our own lives while watching the people of Ukraine endure such suffering, I know. But the pictures you’ve shared are lovely and cozy. Your handspun project is also lovely – I hope you find a way to make it work!!
Still Life was a miss for me, but I know that’s not the general opinion of nearly everyone else! So glad you enjoyed it. And that stack of poetry looks lovely!
can you believe it is Lent already? Like you I am so sad about Ukraine and spend way too much time reading the news. Today is a new day! I hope my knitting energy returns soon.
Your knitting is lovely, Kat. I have not been picking up my knitting much lately, either, but I must pick up the pace because now I have a deadline for my big, brown, blob. I am so glad you enjoyed Still Life – I loved it, too, and Young Mungo, too. I’m eager to read that one. XO
Beautiful knitting Kat. Love your handspun and the socks are looking good (as does your stitching – yellow sounds like a good choice). I’ve not been able to knit much (just backwards) – guess I’ve been a bit distracted by the news and life in general. Still Life is on the way to my library for me! Can’t wait to get that one. Your poetry books look great – enjoy!
I do love that Hitchhiker and your sock and stitching are lovely, too. I’ve found myself holding my Hitchhiker more than actually knitting, but when I do try and knit a tooth I often end up saying a peace mantra in my mind. It doesn’t really help, but I can’t do much else. As soon as I finish The Sentence, Young Mungo is up next.
It does feel wrong to do happy things/things that make me happy when there is such turmoil and suffering in the world, but then isn’t that always the case? I was reflecting last night in my journal that it really doesn’t do anyone any good if I let myself be brought down by all the depressing news, so I’m trying my best to go about my normal life and even allowing myself to experience joy when I can.
I’ve got Young Mungo in the TBR queue and am so glad to hear your positive review. I will need a good read after I finish the awful book I’m almost done with (yes, I’m going to finish it, but only because I want to know how it resolves).
I’m looking forward to reading Young Mungo, though I know it’s not going to be “light.”
My knitting isn’t too taxing at the moment and it grounds me.
Still Life is so wonderful and a perfect antidote to the horror of the world right now. I have Young Mungo from NetGalley but I haven’t started it yet as it feels too heavy.
Oh boy, I hope you find just the handspun to finish that hitchhiker. It is so pretty. I love the hand stitching project. The news is hard but I have to hold on to my fiber work. Each stitch is a prayer. I have an electronic copy of Still Life and having a bit of challenge getting into it. I wonder if a hard copy might be better.
Still Life keep crossing my radar… I think I best put it on my list.
I wish I could say I was doing amazing things relative to the state of the world right now. All kinds of good and wise and moving, insightful things. But I’m just sort of dumbfounded. Grieving. And the only thing I’ve come up with re: gratitude here is Thank God Trump is not in office.