M is For...

M is For Magic. No, not mine, or anyone's, really. Actually, it's the title of a book by one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman. (And, uh, I haven't read it yet. Have it on audio book, already to go!) Neil's writing always blows me away. I am captured by every story, drawn to the characters, and engrossed in the book. Some stories are sad, some scary, some whimsical, but they're all great. I'd have to say that my favorite so far is probably Coraline, a story geared to young adults, but is a great read for kids of all ages. The creepiness of it all is really fun, too. Erin, another big fan, drove us (me rather pregnant at the time) up to Denver for two days, just so we could go to a book signing and reading. It was a lot of fun, and I now have a signed copy of Anansi Boys and The Sandman: Endless Nights. (Speaking of which, Erin, did I lend that to you? I can't find it.) My library of his books is slowly growing, and someday I'm sure I'll be quite proud to own every book he's done. Which, really, is quite a lot of them. for now, I'll just re-read the ones I have, and hopefully pick up some new ones along the way!

Book Report: Run With the Hunted

I finished reading this book a few weeks go, actually. Charles Bukowski's Run With the Hunted was definitely interesting. The collection of short stories and poems has a very autobiographical tone, which makes it hard to pick out what stories are just words on paper, and which are based on life events. They are chronologically ordered, so you really get a glimpse into his life. I enjoyed the book, a lot of making me laugh, while also being sad. The stories and poems are very intimate, and sometimes just downright sexual. His style of writing was interesting, as well, a lot of it reading much like a journal entry. I would definitely read more of his books in the future. All in all, an enjoyable read, although I wouldn't recommend it to people who are a bit "sensitive" or touchy about erotica. Definitely not a book you bring home to mother (unless, of course, your mom is a pervy old lady- maybe an ex-stripper?). Since then, I've started Ken Follet's World Without End, which follows his book Pillars of the Earth, but set 200 years later. If you want to know more, look down a bit on my right-hand sidebar, for the "Currently Reading" section. See you tomorrow!

Miscellany

Just a few blurbs, I guess. I finished reading Little Children by Tom Perotta over a month ago- I really have to stay on that! It was a decent book, more brain candy than anything. After that, I read The Time Traveler's Wife- absolutely wonderful. The story is a fresh new idea, the characters are people you want to love or hate. You feel everything that happens, and although it can be heartbreaking, you don't want to put it down. A really awesome read I would recommend to everyone. After that book, I listened to the audio book of The Thirteenth Tale. The dual stories of the book are so much fun, and it really drew me in. I listened to it while I knit, and I found myself more than once, knitting stagnant in my lap, just listening to the story. There was a mix of everything in the story, comedy and tragedy. It is another book I would highly recommend. I finished the Big Red Wrap, and I love how it turned out. I did my own version of scribble lace, alternating four rows of the thick (Lion Brand Homespun) and two rows of crochet cotton. The thing is gigantic, and warm, and cozy. I'd love to do another one sometime, but probably not for a while- kind of a boring knit in plain garter stitch. Looks awesome, though, see: Not really knowing what I wanted to start next, I picked some orange Microspun out of my stash and decided I needed to use it. I know it wanted to become a scarf or wrap, but it was hard to find something to knit. The stuff knits up like cotton, but since it's acrylic, won't really block. I went through a few patterns and stitches, and settled on feather and fan. I think so far it looks pretty good: I have made no progress on my second sock- I had to rip it all out and start over. I've made a rule, though- no new projects until sock number two is on the needles. I think next time, I'll definitely be doing them both at once. Yep.

Book Report Double Feature!

Yes, you read that correctly. I have not one, but TWO books that I finished last week! First, of course, is Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. Of course, I absolutely loved this collection of short stories. Like always, his stories are intriguing and well written. There are a few in there I wish I could type out and frame to hang on my wall. If you haven't read any of his books yet, then go away. (Just kidding.) I think this book, as well as his other collection of short stories, Smoke and Mirrors, are a great introduction to this amazing author. Go! Read! The second book I read this week was Anthem by Ayn Rand. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This book is a short read- I read it front to back in about 2 1/2 hours, if that. It is an amazing story that I think everyone should read. It is a very interesting look at society and the ego of man. Ayn Rand writes beautifully, and I would recommend any of her books. She' is inspiring, and the books I've read so far are intelligent books that can really make you think about life. Hopefully someone out there actually reads my book reviews... Next time, I'll have pictures of a bunch of yarn I've accumulated, plus an awesome package from a swap I did with a chica who missed the sign ups for FCS2. Thanks again, C. !

Book Report: In Stitches

I finally picked up this book last week, after having my eye on it since it hit the shelves. I really love Amy Butler's fabrics, and now I have something else of hers to love! Out of over 25 patterns in this book, I love every single one of them. I would make and use everything in there! I think it will be a really good motivation for me to sew more. After all, I have this awesome sewing machine. It should get some use, right? I think that anyone who likes to sew and has a lot of the basics down (this book has more than a few patterns with some advanced sewing) should pick up this book. I love it! Hopefully I'll have some newly sewn objects to show you in the near future...

Book Report: The Electric Michaelangelo

I finished reading The Electric Michaelangelo by Sarah Hall a few days ago. The book started in the 1920's in a small, English seaside town. It followed the progression of a young boy as he grew, became a tattoo artist, and moved across the ocean to work at Coney Island. The characters are wonderful and well developed- they are people you want to know, people you would avoid in a dark alley, people you would stare at in awe. Sarah Hall does a wonderful jb of evoking these feelings. Overall the book's tone was a sad one, but still left you okay with the world. The theme of the story seems to be loss in life, but there is still a sense of hope left when you finish- a feeling that things happen, but it's going to be okay. I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit hard to get into, but the way she writes will definitely have me reaching for more of books in the future. I would say, a 3.5 out of 5. I am so excited to now be finally reading Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. He is one of my absolute favorite authors. I recieved this book from Erin, who is a fellow crazy stalker fan, for my birthday. It is another collection of short stories from the author, and I am trying to savor it like a fine wine or excellent chocolate, and trying to read ony one story a night. It is tough, though, because every story leaves me craving more. If you haven't read any of his works, get on it! He is amazing.

New Read

Since I am currently too poor to pick up the new book I've been coveting, and my list of "Books to Read" is really long, I have moved on and am currently reading The Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall. I picked it up because it was really cheap, and about a tattoo artist. I've been struggling to get it started, but it is really interesting so far, and I can tell this is going to be one of those books that sucks you into its pages and doesn't let go until you've read every word. The author writes beautifully, and it is so easy to get the feeling and images she conveys. I like that. I'll keep you updated and tell you all a bit more once I get a little further into the story. I think once I finish this book, I have three more that I own that I have on my list. At least, I can only think of three at the moment. I think that my reward for reading all three will be a new book. Can you guess which one it might be? Hmmm....

Book Review & Knitting Update

Alrighty! I recently finished the book Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. It started off a bit slow, but about halfway through I really got into it. Not my favorite book he has written, but still very enjoyable. The story was fun and different- it is about a girl who joins a losing army, and discovers that almost her entire squad are also women imporsonating men for different reasons. It is one of Pratchett's Discworld novels, The first of which I have read. I will definitely read more, because I enjoy the settings of them, and Terry Pratchett is a wonderfully funny writer. All in all, I would say 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. The book I started after finishing Monstrous Regiment is Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. It is a story about a family of circus freaks. It is a bit morbid and twisted, definitely not for the light-hearted, but I am really enjoying it. I am about halfway through it already. I love how it is an absolutely beautifully written book, but the story told is not a beautiful one. Here is an example of how sublime the writing is: I sit. She draws. Wearing only my blue glasses I am not cold but my skin rises against exposure, rough as a cow's tongue. The cups steam upward into the pale air. Our island is the size of two canvas chairs and a small cluttered table. We are marooned in the breathing bareness of the room. Darkness rolls out around us, seeping into the distant softness of the grey walls. The curtians shift slowly in their own whiteness, as though the light pouring through them has a frail, moving substance. She is gnawing an olive pit and frowning at the sketch pad in her lap. The wild hair torching out of the edges of her face mesmerizes me. The millions of hairs in a dozen smoldering tones are as alien as her size, the outragous length of her. My mother, Lillian, is seventy inches high. I am thirty-six inches high. "How tall are you, Miranda?" She looks up to focus on my chin, frowning, and says, "Six feet," mechanically before her eyes twitch back to the paper in front of her. Watching her work is confortable. I feel invisible again, as though she had never spoken to me beyond "Good morning." She is not interested in my identity. She doesn't notice it. Her eyes flick impatiently at me for a fast fix-a regenerative fusing of the image on her retina, the model she inflicts on paper. I am merely a utensil, a temporary topic for the eternal dicussion between her long eye and her diliberate hand. Downstairs in the first floor front, Crystal Lil sits sliding the magnifying gas back and forth in search of the focal point. The walls around her are slathered with the crumpled glitter of the old carny posters. A dozen glossy young Lilys smile, kick, and reach for the curving gold name, "Crystal Lily," that arches against midway blue above her. Dressed in white, a paper Lil arches her back against a blue-green sky spangles with stars. Stripes of arsenic-green wallpaper peep between the posters. The picture she paints with her words is magnificent, I can see everything clearly in my mind as I read. I'm devouring this book! If you think you can handle some morbidity and circus freaks, I definitely recommend this book. On the knitting front, I finished one dishcloth out of six I have planned to make my Grandma for Christmas. They're pretty easy to whip out, so I should have them done soon. I also crocheted my sister a scarf, but I'm not posting pictures because it's a Christmas present. I'll maybe take some and post pictures after Christmas. I'm determined to get a few gifts knitted for Christmas, and have made a pact to only keep one thing for myself on the needles (or hook!) and always have at least one gift going. Right now, I have a few things going for myself- the crocheted wrap, Topi, and a hat with the leftover yarn fron my sister's scarf. I didn't have enough yarn left over, apparently, and I need to get some more before I can finish it, but it almost done. Topi I just need to pick up again, and then I'll be working on the wrap as I work on various Christmas gifts. Pictures to come once I finish things!

Good Things

I finished reading Ender's Game and I absolutely loved this book. It is wonderfully written, and the story flows so beautifully that there is no good time to put this book down. I will definitely be reading more Orson Scott Card. I would recommend this book to anyone who even remotely likes science fiction- I'm not a huge fan of the genre myself, but I couldn't put this book down. I think it would be great for kids in their early teens, too, so if you have or know a child of this age, you should get it for them to read. I just need to get myself to the library so I can stock up on more books! Well, James and I made a purchase that we have wanted for a while. Although it isn't quite a car, we really enjoy it, and there's nothing like a little retail therapy, right? So here she is, in all her shiny glory: And here it is, cooking up dinner: And viola! It was muy delicioso! And now for the really really exciting news!! I've started a swap! So go here, check it out, snag a groovy button, and tell all of your friends! Oh, and don't forget to sign up. :) I'm really excited about all of this, and I hope it will be successful. Let me know what you think, and don't forget to tell your friends!!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Alright, folks. it has been a few days, and there is abundant amounts of news. Let's get this party started.... THE GOOD I'm happily making progress on my Fuzzy feet- the first of the two is almost completed! I'm surprised at how quickly these are knitting up. I'm excited to finish them and wear them around, even if it is over 90 degrees outside. I really love the yarn and hope that it looks as beautiful once it is felted. I think I might make a few pairs of these for Christmas gifts. I finished reading The Wee Free Men and then started A Hat Full of Sky . I finished that one too. I really loved them both, they were so wonderfully written and I laughed a lot. They were quick to read and I could barely put them down. It makes me want to read more Terry Pratchett! I just started reading Ender's Game yesterday, and I'm almost halfway through that one too. I'm surprised at how quickly I have been devouring books lately! I really need to get myself to the library-my stash of unread books is quickly dwindling. THE BAD Joie has been a bit of a terror lately. She's dealing with the new tooth coming in, then her shots, and the last two days she has been feverish and just crabby. I understand- it is never fun being sick, and I'm sure it's even more crappy when you can't communicate your needs or help yourself. I just try to cuddle her lots and give her extra love and kisses and keep her comfy. Hopefully she is better soon. THE UGLY. *I'm warning you now that there may be some anger and profanity here. Please excuse me. I think most of you will understand where it comes from in a minute.* So, Friday night, James and I went grocery shopping, came home around 8:30, and settled in for the evening. Saturday is a lazy day for us, so it wasn't until around 2 in the afternoon that James was going to go get some gas for our weekly excursion to Santa Fe Saturday evenings. He walks out the door, and a few minutes later, returns. "Um, the car is gone." "What do you mean the car is gone?!" "It's just not there." I'm calm, or feigning it well at this point. My brain says, oh, the apartment people must have towed it accidentally. So I calmly call the office, ask if they towed any cars last evening or this morning. They said no, and that they give a good warning if they do. Yes, my friends, my crappy little 1990 Toyota Camry was stolen. At this point I break down and cry while I call 911 to get an officer here to file a report. I keep crying a while. And then cry some more. And then I'm pissed. I mean, what kind of asshole takes someone's car? ESPECIALLY one that obviously belongs to a family?!? Did the carseat and baby shades not make it obvious?! I mean what kind of gigantic fucker does this to people? Okay. So it's gone. Well, it's Saturday. James has to go to work on Monday. James commutes 50 miles to work. How the hell is he getting there? What was that, honey? you can take the commuter bus and spend the week there? Okay, I guess we have to do what we have to do, even when it really sucks ass. Wait, what? your brand new $170 dollar work boots are in the car? Shit. Oh well, we'll figure it out. Well, what about the Fourth of July? It's Joie's first! We were going to go to see the fireworks and all that jazz. But noo, some fucking prick stole our car. Now I din't even get to see my husband today, much less fireworks. I can't take Joie anywhere unless I'm walking, because the carseat base is in the car. I'm out of fucking toilet paper. SOME DICKWAD STOLE MY CAR. I'm so pissed, you guys. Pissed and hurt and violated. This so fucks up our life at the moment. I really really hope they catch this asshole and he goes to jail. Or he crashes MY car and dies in it. FUCKER. So now I'm just sitting at home with my sick baby, knowing I don't get to see my husband until Thursday or Friday. Life sure is GRAND. Have a Happy Fourth, everyone. At least I hope it is better than mine.

Finished Reading

I finished reading Broken for You a few days ago. I absolutely loved it! It was really well written and a wonderful story. there are sad parts, but it isn't really told in a sad way- it is told more to give you hope. I would recommend this to a lot of readers I know. Miss Priss- I know you said it sounded interesting- I would read it if I were you! I really did like the way the story was told. There were some very cool things about this book that inspired me in a few ways. If you come across it, I would say read it! I give it 4 out of 5 stars. I'm not sure what I am going to read next- I think I might dive into The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. I'm going to have to look over my "books to read" pile and figure it out...

Productive Weekend

This weekend has gone by so fast! I fee like I have gotten a lot done, though. For starters, I finished "A Night in the Lonesome October". It was a lot of fun to read! It was a really excellent story. It made me laugh a lot, and it was really easy to read because it was one of those books you just can't put down. I wanted to know what happened every time I turned the page. The new book I am reading is called "Broken for You" by Stephanie Callos. It it excellent so far- I really am interested in the characters and the story. It is told really well and I hope it continues to be told as well as it has been. I'll let you know what I think when I am done with it, of course! I'm glad that I am slowly working through my long list of "books to read". I also made a lot of progress on Joie's wrap dress. I decided that I just couldn't bear to rip it all out and start something new. I finished one side of the front part of the wrap, and am almost halfway through the other side. I'd like to have it finished this week- I'll make sure to post pictures of it when I'm done with it. I also bought yarn for the other pattern I want to do for her- the top I mentioned earlier. I bought more cotton, in a pretty white/pinks/purples yarn. I bought another set of size one needles, also, so I can get to work on my socks with the awesome yarn from my Dye-O-Rama pal! All in all, a good weekend. It went by way to fast, though.

Good Reads

Well, I finally finished reading Ayn Rand's "Fountainhead". I really enjoyed it! It was a long book, but well written. I found that I had to devote my full attention to it, not really a book I could pick up anywhere where there would be distractions. It drew me in every time I picked it up, though! I really enjoyed the story and it made me think about how I look at things. I would definitely reccomend it if you enjoy a slower paced read- this is not really a book for one who soley enjoys the novels of today, with lots of action. This book does come with lots of conflict, though- like a well written soap opera (I know, that sounds like an oxymoron). All in all, I would give this book a seven out of ten. Yesterday I recieved one of a duo of long-awaited packages of books I ordered over a month ago. Both seemed to get lost in the black hole of the Post Office, but one finally made it to my door! It included "Coraline" bt Neil Gaiman and "The Wee Free Men" and " A Hat Full of Sky" by Terry Pratchett. Now, I cannot go on without saying that Neil Gaiman is by far my favorite author, rivaled only by Joyce Carol Oates. Every book of his I have ever read I have loved immensely. I would (and do!) reccommend him to every reader and some non-readers I have ever met. If you have never heard of him, take yourself to the library or book store and give him a try. He is great! I even road tripped (about 5 months pregnant) the 7 hours to Denver with a fellow Gaiman lover for a book signing last summer. Anyways, on with the story... I read "Coraline" today in a matter of hours. It is a young adult novel, but it is wonderfully written and eery. It gave me a few tingles and shivers, but it isn't really scary in a horror movie kind of way. Shiny black buttons will never look the same to me! I really hope that if you rever get the chance to read this, you do, because it is truly amazing. All I can say is that it is yet another Gaiman book that I'm adding to my list of "books I love". Next on my reading list: "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny. My dear friend is engaged to the author's son, and that is how I came upon this one. James loved it, and says I should read it right away! I'll let you know what I think of it. On the thought of books, are there any books that you have read that you absolutely love, and think everyone should read?