Week 10! I think 2020 is going to pan out to be a most interesting year. I can’t seem to read fast enough lately and that’s a good thing! Sometimes I get a desperate feeling, a fear of missing out, when I think of everything that I want to read, but lately it’s brought me so much joy to know that I’m never going to run out of good books.
On Wednesdays I link up with two great communities to share what I’m reading and knitting:
- Kat at As Kat Knits hosts Unraveled Wednesday – full of the sweetest group of knitters and readers; and
- Sam at Taking on a World of Words hosts WWW Wednesdays. The Ws stand for What have you finished reading? What are you currently reading? and What do you think will be next?
Won’t you go visit their blogs and the linkup participants? You won’t regret it!
Reading
Finished This Week:
I finished Prince Caspian. I’m trying to read all of the Narnia books this year because I haven’t actually finished the entire series. I was relieved to read that others had trouble with this book too because I just didn’t find it very interesting. The good thing is that these books are really short, so they don’t require a huge investment of time. I’m planning to pick up the next book in the series at the library this weekend, so I hope I’ll have something more positive to report in the next couple of weeks!
I stayed up too late to finish Bitter Orange last night and friends, what a book! Thank you to Laila for recommending this to me! It reminds me so much of We Have Always Lived in the Castle (perhaps it’s time for a reread of that). It’s broody, atmospheric, and creepy. There was a twist about 2/3 of the way through that I wasn’t expecting and I love it when books surprise me! Definitely a 5 star read for me!
Currently Reading:
By the time I was able to start A Long Petal of the Sea, my overdrive loan was already set to expire and I ran out of time! But I managed to start it and got about 10% through before it poofed away. I’m hoping to be able to pick up a physical copy at the library on Saturday to finish.
Up Next:
I have The Ten Thousand Doors of January sitting right on my desk – I can’t wait to dive into it tonight. So many people have enjoyed it! I give a little squeal every time I walk by and see it. The cover reminds me so much of The Starless Sea and I hope I enjoy this one more!
Anne of the Island is next in my year of Anne. I’m sad to leave Avonlea but am excited to meet all of Anne’s new friends. I’m loving reading through this series!
I realized that I’ve been hesitating to read another Wendell Berry because I don’t want to be disappointed. Jayber Crow is already one of my favorite books of all time and what if I don’t like anything else by Berry?? But I’m going to jump in and get to know Hannah Coulter a bit better.
I want to start The Voyage of the Dawn Treader much earlier in the month than I did Prince Caspian. I kept worrying that I wouldn’t be able to finish it before the month ended and then I’d be behind on my goal! So I’m going to get it this weekend at the library and try to read it in the next couple of weeks.
Knitting
I started my Birkin sweater!! I kept putting off starting it because I was scared that I’d mess it up. I have such a hard time joining pieces in the round when I’m using the magic loop method and I nearly always twist the stitches. But it was nice and quiet in the house when I started this and I was able to give it my full concentration – and no twisted stitches!!
I have a crazy goal with this project: I’d like to finish it by Mother’s Day. Totally impossible for me, I know. But I have a little tradition of visiting The NH Sheep and Wool Festival on Mother’s Day weekend and would love to be sporting a Birkin (and yes, it’s usually cool enough to wear a wool sweater on Mother’s day around here). I think having this preposterous goal will help keep me motivated to do a little stitching every day! Cheers to that!
How is your week going? Are you reading anything great? Are your needles busy? Please chat with me!
Wow, your reading accomplishments (and goals) are so impressive. And I love seeing what you’re knitting. Sheep and Woll Festival, get ready! And I have Hannah Coulter in my queue, too. Maybe now? 😉
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Thanks Jordy. Yes! My vote is for you to read Hannah Coulter right now so you can warn me if it’s not as good as Jayber Crow!! 🙂
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I definitely have FOMO when it comes to books — I always feel that I won’t be able to read all the books I want to! But I’m trying to focus on what I do have time to read and to enjoy those books without worrying about what’s coming next.
I think you can totally get your Birkin done by Mother’s Day! I know your knitting time can be scarce, but I think if you focus on it and have a goal, you can get it done. I’ll be cheering you on!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one with bookish FOMO.
Thanks for the encouragement on finishing my Birkin. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself because then I’ll just crumble, but I’m going to put my head down and try to work on it steadily!
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I love a good unexpected twist too! I’ll have to check out Bitter Orange. Here’s mine this week: https://www.autismfamilypower.com/www-wednesday-march-4-2020/
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I hope you love Bitter Orange! Thanks for your link!!
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I’ve heard good things about A Long Petal of the Sea. Hopefully you can get it back soon ❤️
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Thanks Tessa! I decided to take an unplanned library trip yesterday and grabbed it. It’s in my book basket right now!!
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Love your Birkin color. Your reading life is on fire! I am also reading Ten Thousand Doors.
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Thanks Juliann! I hope you’re loving Ten Thousand Doors. I started it last night and am already hooked!
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I was on the fence about Bitter Orange, but your review is making me get off and get on the wait list! I was “next in line” for a brand new copy of Louise Erdrich’s latest book, The Watchman, and I can hardly wait to settle in with it!
And, it seems my new “potato chip” knitting is socks as I have turned the heel and begun the race to the toes on my St. Paddy’s Day socks… they will be completed with more than enough time for me to give them a trial run pre-wearing of the green day!
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I hope you love Bitter Orange — I thought it was amazing. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about Erdrich’s recent release. I still haven’t read anything by her but have to fix that this year!
Yay for potato chip knitting! I’m excited to see those green socks 🙂
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I’d love to read The Chronicles of Narnia as they were my favourite films coming out when I was a child. It’s a shame you had trouble getting through Prince Caspian! Hopefully you enjoy the rest in the series!
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Thank you! The books are very simple to read – short and easy to follow. I say go for it because there’s so little investment of time!
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I have that FOMO on knitting projects, I usually just get overwhelmed with choices though and start way too many projects 🙂
Good luck on your Birkin! If it was me I’d totally be tracking in Excel and calculating how many stitches I needed per day lol The NH sheep and wool festival looks fun! I took at look at where it was since I’m in CT, but it looks like it’s just a little too far for a day trip from Hartford.
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I’m totally an excel person too, but not with knitting! If I set too many knitting goals then I just collapse under the weight of the wool!
I wouldn’t want to say bad things about the NH Festival, but I will say that it’s quite small so a day trip from CT probably wouldn’t be the best use of a trip! But I think the one in Massachusetts is a bit bigger and might be worth the trip. I’ve never been though, so I can’t say for certain!
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haha yeah very true! I only use it for sweaters, cause it would be way too much on everything!
Ok that’s good to know! If you mean the one in November at the same location as the Big E, I have been to that one, and it’s really nice! Springfield is only about 40 minutes away, so that’s definitely do-able!
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I think I might try to go to the one in MA this year! Every year I think I’ll go to the NY Sheep and Wool Festival and I still haven’t gone… maybe one day!
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Nice! I’ve been to Rhinebeck the past two years and plan to go again this year! My friends and I are making sweaters with the same yarn! I haven’t been to MA in a while, the calendar hasn’t worked out the past few years
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How fun! I love seeing all of the Rhinebeck pictures every year! I can’t wait to see your project as it gets closer 🙂
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The Narnia series is one of my favorites! I loved it as a kid, and I love it still. I’m eager to see how your Birkin progresses, as I’ve been thinking of knitting that one myself (for years now, actually)! Happy knitting!
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So many people love the Narnia books! I’m withholding my absolute opinion until I finish the whole series 🙂
The Birkin is so beautiful and I’ve also been wanting one for years. Here’s to finally taking the plunge!
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I adore the cover of Ten Thousand Doors and hope to pick it up soon! I’ll be adding Bitter Orange to my never ending TBR as well 🥰 Knitting wise I am slowly working on the Outline Shawl/scarf with the mini skeins I got in last years yarn advent ❤️
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The Ten Thousand Doors of January is FANTASTIC so far! I hope you love Bitter Orange. Yay for yarn advent – I’m always interested in doing things like that but it never seems to work out. Maybe next year?!
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I’m so glad to hear that you loved Bitter Orange. I have it on Libby and I hope I am able to get to it soon!
http://bookswithcassie.com/2020/03/04/www-wednesday-3-4-20/
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YES! I hope you get to read it soon too because I really enjoyed it! Thanks for your link 🙂
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