Just when you think there will be no unraveling – there is.
This week’s queue to finish:
- Iced Coffee Stillwater, which is the recipient of the frogging. I have about 3″ to go on Sleeve #2 until I get to the 50-stitch mark, then…Sleeve #1 is being ripped back to 50 stitches and then I will determine how much if any to knit further before beginning the ribbing. Sometimes when you are knitting a smaller size based on your gauge – sleeve diameter needs some reworking and that is absolutely the case here!
- TTL MKAL shawl, I am in the home stretch and have a bit more of the lace done since I took photos yesterday!
On the reading front, I managed to finish 3 books this week and I got my second BINGO:
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett: I gave this book 5 stars…I was not sure I would like this book, but I loved it! The narration was excellent. I laughed so many times at the “ba-billion” funny things. I also cried a time or two. A great look into how life was and a powerful reminder of what should never have happened.
- Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury: I gave this book 4 stars…The quintessential book for summer reading and, stunningly, a book I had not previously read! I loved it and found myself immersed in the writing as well as my own childhood memories of new sneakers. I also loved the memories of each jar of dandelion wine. Beautiful writing.
- Beartown: A Novel by Frederik Backman. I gave this book 5 stars…While I am not a fan of hockey, this book makes you realize how intricately tied together a town can be and how easy it is to pick sides. You would think reading about hockey would be quite boring, but it is not. It is the characters in the town that Backman writes about – and the decisions they make that are interesting. They are people who you know – or perhaps the person you are – in the pages of Beartown. And, it is masterfully written!
So, what is up next for me?
Reading: I have begun listening to A Handmaid’s Tale narrated by Claire Danes. And I have begun reading The Children Act by Ian McEwan. I also have Nutshell and Dawn in the queue from the library. So, lots of reading!!
Knitting: I think I will begin Bateau as soon as I have Stillwater and the MKAL shawl done…
What about you? What are you knitting and reading this week?
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I should have another Bingo by the end of today and then I have a dilemma: do I read a title from Overdrive that doesn’t fit any of my bingo squares? Or do I skip that one (and be forced to put it back on my holds list) and read a book for Summer Book Bingo? Such difficult choices. 😉
Your Iced Coffee Stillwater is so lovely that a bit of unraveling is for the best, to make it even better! And your reading! You’ve read (or are reading) quite a bunch of my favorites — The Help, Dandelion Wine, Beartown (and I thought I didn’t like hockey!), and The Children Act. I’ve been thinking about Handmaid’s Tale, and with both you and Mary reading it, I think I’ll put it on my list.
Love your shawl colors and Stillwater is looking so pretty. Looks like you will be getting a cover-all for Bingo!!
Your shawl colors are so beautiful together. Kudos to you for the know how to rework the sleeves for your own body. That is something that intimidates me with sweater knitting. Among other things!
Book bingo ….looks like you will be a winner
That shawl is so pretty! I have been spending a lot of time reading and knitting this week – blaming the lack of energy on jet lag! Re-entry will happen soon enough
love the shawl 🙂 🙂 I really enjoyed the Help immensely. I hope to get my hands on Beartown soon.
I’ve read Dandelion Wine a few times and it screams SUMMER. I love the new sneakers and find the way the boys had to grow up quickly so poignant. It’s a great book. I will get back to the TTL, but I’m staying monogamous to Spice Market (for now).
I am amazed at how fast you finish books! I guess it helps to be able to listen while doing other things! I’ve got about 40 pages left in “The Secret History” (which I picked up on your recommendation) and 100-ish on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which I decided to take with me to SSK to reread before I watch the Hulu series.
I started a new summer sweater at SSK and had to rip it a couple of times (user error — it’s never a good idea to try to count while talking with a bunch of knitters), but it’s smooth sailing now.
I had family visiting last week and it took away from my knitting and reading time. Lots of book time and knitting time this week, though! 🙂
I just picked up Beartown form the library yesterday. My book group read A Man Called Ove last year and, although I was quite skeptical of it at first, I came to enjoy the book a lot. Looking forward to reading B’town.
I’m desperately trying to finish the baby blanket — and get it blocked this evening (which has to happen at the office because cats), so I can stop in tomorrow morning, pick it up, and head out of town. I’ll post tonight, when things are a little calmer.
I have been reading and reading and reading . . . but still no Bingo! (My choices are not lining up with geometry, I’m afraid.) All of a sudden, though? Everything is going to break loose and I’ll be bingo-ing EVERYwhere! (Knitting continues at a snail’s pace. . . )
Your summer reading makes me smile! I’m “saving” Beartown for Alaska. seems like a good time to read about hockey 🙂 and I’m cheering you on to finish this week’s knitting queue! that’ll be two GREAT finishes!!