This week has all been about “bite sized bits of knitting” in my house… you know, the things that are easy to pick up and put down.
I have the attention span of a gnat these days and so I am shuffling between the heel flap of a sock, the ribbing of a hat brim (sorry no picture of that hat), and (thanks to Vicki) a “Gnew Gnome”! (also… sorry about the dog hair on the yarn… that is life with a Pug who thinks that they must be next to you/under you/on top of you… in other words, zero separation… when doing all things!)
I have had a spate of Zoom meetings recently that, while enjoyable, were a very good reminder of how nice it is to have a small project (or three) to work on while Zooming.
And The Christmas Explosion was not such a huge explosion at all this year. Why, even the tree is done! Woo! I debated doing some heavy decorating in the dining room… but after thinking about it over the course of several days, I let that decorating go! (Yes, sometimes release is just what I need to do! Ha!) It is enough to have some candles on the table… more than enough.
So there you have my knitting update… now for the reading!
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book! Amazing! Brilliant! And perfect for the reader who wants to learn how to read better!
I listened and I confess that once Saunders gave his “class” on the Russian story, I went back and listened to the story again. It was fascinating what I picked up the second time through with Saunders notes in my mind.
Also… who knew I would like Russian literature so much!
This book is absolutely in the top 5 of books read this year and I highly recommend!
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I am not quite sure how I feel about this book. I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did… The story is somewhat engaging (not quite believable, but engaging) but the ending was such a let down.
Your mileage may vary.
What about you… what’s on your making list this week? I will see you all back here on Friday!
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The second Frankensock is coming along and I love the colors you’ve chosen for your gnome. I liked Pax more when I originally read it, but found the second one just average. But I am going to put a hold on that George Saunders. I’ve not even considered it before reading your review, and I don’t know if I’ll like Russian literature, but it sounds quite different from my usual and well worth a try. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’ve heard about that George Saunders book – really sounds interesting. Pretty yarns you have wound up Kat! I need to pick through my stash and wind up some yarn for a new pair of socks! It just does not feel right to not have a pair of socks on the needles – LOL
zoom knitting requires no thinking on my part or I make a mistake…Lovely knitting!!
I’m also in the midst of a Zoom-heavy week (three down, three to go), so I fully understand the need for something smaller and easily managed. I have been working on my nephew’s blanket, which is thankfully easy enough lace that I’ve been able to work on it and also pay attention to my meetings, but I think I may need to cast on something smaller and mindless for some more serious meetings.
The George Saunders book is in my nightstand pile — I’m just waiting for some quiet time to sit down with it!
There is nothing at all wrong with bite sized knitting! I remember really liking Pax and I don’t recall much more than that.
Russian literature is marvelous — and George Saunders is a master! So a real WINNING COMBINATION there. I’ve actually been reading A Swim in a Pond off and on for a while now (I own a copy, so I can put it down and pick it back up as the swirl of library holds comes in . . . which is not the best way to read it, I know). My holiday decorating took a bit of a “simplification” last year . . . and I was so happy once I let some of that go. Best holiday decision I made! XO
Your knitting sounds perfect for the season and for Zooming. and yay for releasing some of the stress of holiday decorating. We scaled way back last year, added back a little this year, and I think we’ve got something we can replicate going forward. in about half the time (and half the boxes)!
I also gave up some of the holiday decorating and am much happier. The Saunders book is very intriguing to me. I don’t know if those four colors are for a hat or a gnome but they sure are pretty together. Thanks for hosting the link-up.
You’re welcome!!! 😉
I had the wind knocked out of my holiday sails a bit this year, so whatever’s up is what we’ve got — and it’s GOOD ENOUGH! Ahhhh, release.
George Saunders of LINCOLN IN THE BARDO, right? One of my all-time favorites, and one of the few audio books I’ve listened to more than once. My mom was a huge Russian History fan, which overlapped into a little literature, too. I think I’m going to have to add that book to my queue! Thanks.
Glad to know I am in good company tackling “bite sized bits of knitting”
Bite sized knitting is always good to have around! That’s pretty much all I do anymore 🙂
So glad to read that you loved the George Saunders. I’m also reading it, but very slowly. I only just finished the first story! I love that I feel like I’m taking a really expensive literature class but am not required to write any papers.