First up – an update on my Christmas Bulb-a-thon: Paperwhites are going gangbusters while the Amaryllis is going nowhere? The bloom and two leaves shriveled up and fell off. The remaining leaves have greened up some, but there is no new growth at all. I am not hopeful that this will be successful, but it has been a learning experience. Now, I am cheering on those Paperwhites, despite the smell that I have been warned about! LOL
Now, on to the reading of the post!! 2016 was a fantastic year for reading at Casa del KatKnits!
I finished 54 books this year and thanks to Summer Book Bingo, I stepped out of my “reading comfort zone” and read some books I would have not normally picked up – but did and I loved them! I might be able to get one more book read this year, rounding out the number at 55. I just got The Nix from the library, but it is unlikely that I can finish it before the New Year – we shall see!
Of the 54 books I read this year, some stand out still in my mind. To Kill a Mockingbird, The Paris Architect, A Man Called Ove, The Book Thief, and The Underground Railroad made a tremendous impact on me and I have thought about them all many times since I have read them.
I read books that made me yearn to visit other places – The Year of Living Danishly, and James Rebanks tales of his sheep and his land in England were excellent books to give you a different perspective on life on this planet.
I became enamored with Inspector Gamache and Three Pines as I worked through mysteries with him. And, Inspector Gamache is the perfect companion for my love of Nordic Noir novels – I filled my shelf with a good number of Scandinavian mysteries.
All this reading has inspired me to really step up my goal for 2017 and I have a well-stocked reading list to get me started!
The knitting this week saw the finish of gift socks, and the start of the first of two Rob Roy hats. My swatching has begun – in the form of the band of the hat. My gauge varies dramatically from flat knitting to in the round knitting, so this is the best way for me to swatch!
I also have almost finished my Peace Cowl.
2017 will be the year of the sweater – I have a couple in process that will be back in active knitting rotation now that the Christmas knitting is over!! And, there are plans for a couple more to be cast on in soon! I will be swatching this gorgeous Sheepspot CVM as soon as I get it wound into a ball! Yes, lots of knitting to usher in the New Year!
How did your year of reading and knitting end?
As always, I am linking up with Ginny’s Yarn Along, where you can find knitting and reading inspiration!
Super CONGRATS on all your reading and knitting accomplishments! And thanks for sharing your Good Reads stats and future plans…curious: how did you manage to read 54 out of 12 books? (Last stat on your stats page. ) Several of my titles are on your list/s : I started Man Called Ove nearly a year ago…and have just pages to finish…I’m probbaly among the – 1% who didn’t/don’t like the book; it is not my orientation to finish a book that doesn’t resonate BUT I am going to make an exception and finish the durn thing ;-)). Also, might I encorage you to read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings? I first read when it was first published. You will be glad you did! Read and knit on!
Cheers~
What a great reading year! I was just thinking that I want to make more time for reading this year. It is such a great stress reliever but I let it go too easily. No bloom on my amarylis either – we will see.
Oh, 54 books!!! Wow! Unfortunately I have been a very slow reader this year. The best two I read – “History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters” and Einstein’s biography. As for knitting, it’s definitely have been a year of sweaters! Wishing you happy holidays!
Wow! That’s more than a book a week – congratulations! I read a lot, but not that much – lol. I loved A Man Called Ove – probably my favorite bok all year. I have Underground Railroad and A Year of Living Danishly on my Kindle…to be started once I finish My Kitchen Year which I’m really enjoying. BTW, I did just finish A Gentleman in Moscow and it is very good.
Happy New Year Kat! So glad I found your blog.
It sounds like you had a wonderful year in reading (and knitting!) and 2017 is looking pretty good also! I’ve told everyone too many times how much I loved The Nix, and I do hope you enjoy it. Doesn’t 4321 sound interesting?! I also had to put it on my list as soon as I saw it. I wonder if your amaryllis bulb got frozen somewhere in shipping? Poor thing, but your paperwhites will be lovely.
Wow, I love to read, but I don’t think I have ever read 54 books in one year….and you knit too. Your knits are very pretty.
Knitting and reading are perfect companions and your progress in both areas has been spectacular.
Nice job Kat! I envy your reading progress. I too am moving toward sweater knitting after the holiday. I’ve got one started and yarn for another. Bring on 2017!
Awesome! I love reading so much, although I will admit knitting cuts into my reading time these days. Persist, I do!
Any killer books on your 2017 list?
Congratulations on surpassing your reading goal! 🙂
I’m making progress on my Peace Cowl and might be able to finish it since we’re expecting a whopper of a snowstorm this week.
Audio books have upped my reading game!! I love to read, and have been an avid reader in the past, but work-grandkids-knitting-sewing-cooking-laundry-etc have hampered my game in recent years. I never even bothered to keep track of the paltry number of books I’d read in a year. I’m so happy, and now there’s a bar… I might even set a reading goal for next year.
That’s a lot of books – well done! And some on your list are really awesome. I’m hoping to finish at least one (possibly 2) more books before the end of the year.
Congratulations on such a great reading year. I know I should try the Underground Railroad, but I tend not to like magical realism.
I love your Peace Cowl. It’s a pattern that cries out for a light-colored yarn. Your choice worked out perfectly.
What a wonderful year of reading!! I’m looking forward to Underground Railroad and the latest Inspector Gamache in 2017. Feels like reading was one of the best parts of my 2016 and I think I’m going to need a lot of great books to get me through next year too 🙂 I have the yarn for Rob Roy and love your idea of swatching with the ribbing. I should be able to start my swatch soon!
It looks like you had a great year of reading & knitting! I enjoy planning books to read and projects to knit in the New Year. Enjoy!
52 books is AWESOME! I wish I had gotten through that many. I really like the Gamache series but I am a couple of books behind and one of my first goals is to get caught up. I’d really like to read “A Year of Living Danishly” – I’ve heard great things!