Happy Friday, Gentle Readers! And, Welcome September – okay, maybe not welcome – it is just 50 degrees out this morning and decidedly fall like. Brrrr!
Blue = 5 star books; Orange = 4 star books
August closed out my summer reading on an incredible high point. I finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay on Wednesday and what a way to finish my book bingo! To say I loved Kavalier and Clay is an understatement – it is one of the best books I have read this year. I gave it 5 stars and if you have not yet read any of Michael Chabon’s books, this is the place to start! I deeply loved Rose, Joe, and Sammy.
This summer had an incredible number of good reads (thanks to so many of you for sharing such incredible titles with me!!) Of the 25 books I read for my cover all there were 14 books I gave 4 stars and 9 that I gave 5 stars. IMO that is just amazing. I discovered some new (to me) authors that I was fortunate to be able to read more of their great writing and I even spent some time with authors I already love.
Staying on books for a moment – I began listening to Pat Conroy’s Beach Music on Wednesday and I am completely enthralled. I mean what is not to love about someone who writes about more dysfunctional families than I had!
And the knitting! I am on clue 3 of Laura Aylor’s Sand Ripples MKAL – and wow! Just wow! I have bound off stitches on 2 sides of the square and now am knitting out from the sides that were not bound off. It is a fascinating construction and I hope to be caught up and start today’s clue this weekend!
Now, how about some knitting inspiration?
First up, some interesting shawls: Touchstone (and it’s a free download!), Balvraid Hap, and Sketch Shawl (I especially like this knit with Zitron Filigran)
Interesting construction with Wood Warbler Cowl and Warrior Cowl
If this weather keeps up you will need a sweater: Steampunk Pullover, New Berlin Gansey, Intrigue, and Brookings Crew
PSA: There are just 115 days to Christmas…if you plan on doing any gift knitting you better get started! Here are some easy gift knits to get you started: Elska, Ruschia Hat, Transitus, and Soft Washed Herringbone Mitts
That is all I have for this week! I will see you back here on Monday!
Well done on your bingo card! I am hoping for cooler, sweater weather but it looks like summer is going to hang around a bit longer for us.
Congratulations on your cover all! Kavalier & Clay is definitely on my to read list; I’ve read several other Chabon books and enjoyed them.
Well done and congratulations! Not only did you read a lot of books this summer, you read a lot of GREAT books! I can’t resist Kavalier and Clay with your great recommendation and will be listening soon. I hope your weekend with Pat is wonderful and also allows for plenty of knitting time on your beautiful Sand Ripples.
Congrats on your Bingo card! I just got my library card, and have discovered that all of their audio books are not very well represented. 🙁 They have 2 different networks to choose from, as well as their own titles, and still… They do not have Kavalier and Clay. I did find something… I got The Help, so we’ll see how it goes. 🙂
Thanks for the PSA. Who knew there were only 115 days til Christmas. Better get busy. There is a sweater that Miss Audrey needs. It is the Matilda Cardigan. Lovely. I picked up some Swans Island Organic Washable DK, in a lovely shade of dusky purple.
I am going to enjoy my long weekend. I can’t tell you how many years it has been since I had one, with having 2 jobs etc.
And those links… lovin’ the links!
You’ve ended summer with an incredible accomplishment!
Hooray for completing your summer reading goals! And cheers to autumn knitting!
Hooray for your SUmmer book bingo reads!
I only read one book this SUmmer but just started another last night .
I do need more fingerless for gifts so thanks for the link!
Love that orange (it looks orangey red over here). Perfect for the fall weather we are sort of getting!
Congrats Kat! What a great way to finish. Have a fantastic weekend!
Absolutely love your Bingo! I’m adding lots of titles to my TBR.
Let’s hear it for Kat! Go Kat Go! Enjoy your cool knitting weekend and whatever you are going to read, next…and adding Kavalier and Clay to my Audible reading queue. Thanks.
Cheers~
Congratulations on all that reading. You put me to shame.
I really, really love that Warrior Cowl. Thanks for find it and sharing it.
YAY for an awesome summer of reading! This was certainly my best one yet and I hope the momentum carries into the fall. That Laura Aylor mystery is most intriguing; interesting construction is always a pull for me. and I LOVE your Nekia – congrats on a fine finish!