Summer making is just so good!
I have two “Moon Rise” coasters completed… and they are perfect! A combination of hand stitching and machine stitching… I appliqued the moons on, then I sat at the machine for less than 15 minutes to sew them together. Then I spent an afternoon reacquainting myself with hand quilting. I have one more pair to complete… but maybe not. These would be a wonderful gift to send… so there might be more of these in my future!
On the knitting front…. I have achieved the Great Sleeve Divide and I am motoring along on the back as I make my way to the shoulder decreases. Gosh is this a fun little knit! At the rate I am progressing, I predict it will be finished for next week’s update! (then I will be guilt free to start a second Test Knit!)
I do have a reading update this week (and just two squares left on my bingo card!!)
I finished my ‘re-listen’ of Pat Conroy’s Beach Music. If it is at all possible, it was even better than the first time I listened. I cleared my “book shelf” and just immersed myself in the story. I did not do any “power listening” where I listen for 6+ hours in a sitting… but rather I listened over the course of twelve-ish days… so about 2.5 hours of listening a day. This slower pace allowed me to catch more nuances of the brilliant story. I am including my review from my “first read” of this brilliant book. No Bingo Square, but just pure reading enjoyment.
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I did not think it was possible that I could like a book more than I did South of Broad, but then I read Beach Music. This book made me laugh out loud and also brought tears to my eyes as Jack collected the stories of family members and shared them so incredibly beautifully. Long live Chippy the Dog stories, GRRRRR! GRRRRRR! The tender brilliance of Pat Conroy’s writing has left an indelible mark on my heart with this story.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read for Summer Book Bingo… or I likely would not have picked this book. It is humorous… but a bit much at times. Moral of the story… don’t be too stuck on your own greatness…and I still think McConaughey is a good actor, however his writing skills leave much to be desired.
Summer Book Bingo Square: (Auto) Biography
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book stopped me in my tracks….so.many.times. I listened to several chapters more than once. Wilkerson completely unravels how society is built… its biased construction… and yes, that we in the US are large participants in the caste system. It is painful to take in most of what she shares… but it has invigorated me in finding a way to actively work towards equality for all. This is a must read book!
Summer Book Bingo Square: Chosen by a celebrity bookclub (at any time)
And that is all for me today… what about you? What are you happy about this week?
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Looks like you’ve had another great week Kat (except maybe for that middle book…LOL). I just love your Moon Coasters – so pretty. What did you use in the center of them (for filling)? Or is it just the fabric stitched together? In either case, they are lovely.
Oh, I love your little coasters! I’ve been thinking of doing some random sewing together of little bits of fabric scraps and making some coasters, so thanks for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Caste. It was a hard read but so illuminating. I think I will likely buy my own copy (I read it from the library) so I can read it again more slowly.
those coasters!!!! I get inspired when I visit your space, it always makes me want to dig through my stash and cast on something new.
I love Beach Music — and re-read it myself a couple of summers ago. Like you, I read it slowly and savored the story over a couple of weeks. A lot of times, when I re-read a book I loved the first time . . . after a gap of many years . . . I don’t quite feel the same about it. But Beach Music definitely stood the test of time! 🙂 Your coasters are GREAT — love the design, love the concept. (And even though I enjoy reading them from time to time – especially in the summer, autobiographies of “famous people” are often so tone deaf it makes for a lot of eye-rolling. . . )
I love your coasters and think they might be too pretty to place glasses on that will drip condensation on them! I’ve never read Beach Music, but am keeping it in my mind as a possible listen when things calm down here a bit. I think I’ll give Matthew a pass. 🙂
Those coasters are awesome!
Oh, I really love those coasters!! Elegant and a little rustic all at once.
How do you have time to read?? So jealous. Sadly my reading has seriously declined now that I’ve taken up knitting. I have not mastered knitting while reading but I can knit while watching podcasts/TV. 🙂
Your coasters and your sweater are perfect companions! (and I can’t wait to see the progress on your Field Bag – setting grommets!!) I’ve heard such mixed reviews of Greenlights – I do think I could listen to Matthew read me the phone book, so there’s that … but it’s still a LONG wait at the library and I’m sure I’ll get distracted by plenty of other books before it comes in. Happy Thursday!
I will echo everyone else. The coasters are darling. Sometimes a little hand-quilting is very enjoyable. You know I have never read Beach Music but now I’m adding it to my every growing list. That Bingo card is almost full.
Beautiful doing work.
Those coasters are too sweet! I love using cloth coasters (or mug rugs as they’re called in the quilting world) – they are perfect for soaking up all of the sweat from my glasses and dry beautifully. Enjoy!