~Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading and I love sharing my projects and current reads here. I would love for you to join me each month and share what you are knitting (or crocheting) and reading too! Post your photo(s) on your blog or on Instagram (#yarnalong) and then share a link below to either your blog or Instagram post!~ (This post contains affiliate links.)
In the springtime battle between yarn and plants, the plants are winning. I do have plans to cast on for a fall Puddle Duck for Mabel in this gray yarn, so at least I am planning to knit. Printing the pattern is on today’s “to do” list.
My girls have been giving me a hard time for starting so many books and then abandoning them. I read about half of Possession and couldn’t go on. Maybe I will pick it back up at some point. I’m reading Vanity Fair now, and I’m far enough in that I don’t think I’ll abandon this one (I really like it), though since it’s about 800 pages long, I’ll be reading it for a while!
How about you? What is keeping your attention these days?
Lisa G. says
I did that recently – heard a bunch of women rave about Beneath a Scarlet Sky, so I picked it up. But even though I wanted to know this man’s story, I didn’t care for the writing style. I think I would have liked it better if it had been written as a non-fiction book. I don’t feel guilty for letting it go, quite the opposite. One doesn’t want to (deliberately) waste one’s time.
MotherOwl (Charlotte) says
As always I love your knitting – or not 😉 And like to hear that other stumbles over books that are generally touted as a page turner or must read.
But what has happened to your updating? The last post in my feed is “Changes” Long ago post now. I happened to look out of concern about what had happened, and thankfully nothing but technical issues had!
karen says
my daughter and I started reading Middlemarch together and so far it’s good! I never read Vanity Fair….I should add that to the list.
Vickie Neman says
Vanity Fair — a fantastic book. Very cynical (or perhaps realistic) about the selfishness, heartlessness, and manipulative power of so many. And the sentimental guilelessness and manipulability of others. In a large cast, there are only two or three decent, honorable characters. And the most disheartening aspect is that there is, even at the end, no redemption. Not a single character “reforms” or even changes very much. But Thackeray is not really depressing. On the contrary. In fact, his worst character, i.e., Becky Sharp, is also his most charming (and she provides all the amusement of the novel). But he is harsh about his fellow man. It is a novel well worth time and reflection. Oh, and beautifully, fabulously, written.
Juliana says
Oh, I’m sorry you burned out on Possession! It really is a great book (although as I think I probably wrote before, Angels and Insects is better). But I’ve also burned out on plenty of books that other people loved and thought I would too (Kristenlavransdatter and A Gentleman in Moscow are two such) so I totally get it!
I love the Puddle Duck pattern–I made my daughter one out of bits and bobs in January and it is such a useful garment!
Ginny says
That’s funny-i made it through Kristen and A Gentleman in Moscow! I’m just so lost in Possession–maybe my brain will make it through at another time? I think timing is important with lots of books.
Marilyn says
I read Vanity Fair many years ago. I am reading America’s First Daughter. It is about Patsy, President Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter. The same authors also wrote MY Dear Hamilton. Stay well and safe. God Bless.
Marilyn
Marion says
Vanity Fair I read quite a few years ago. I just finished My Dear Hamilton and am now reading Thomas Jefferson and The Tripoli Pirates.
Have a safe and good week.
Marion
Joan says
i have read Vanity Fair and now am reading “An Irish Wedding” it is a mystery
Joan
Kate says
Whether I do gardening or inside projects these days largely depends on the weather. If it’s a sunny, warmish day without wind, I try to spend a few hours gardening and save knitting or sewing for evening to relax. I’ve always been a bit of an ADD homeschooler. I had to do something while I was listening to a child read or helping with math, etc. That’s when I’d do my knitting (or fold laundry). Otherwise, I’d fall asleep. Sometimes, I just had to get outside and I’d have the kids bring their school work outside and do it near me while I pulled weeks or pruned or planted. I do most of my reading in the winter evenings.
I was wondering if you could recommend a knitting project I could do with wool and #3 needles? I have 10 balls of lovely gray alpaca that I picked up at a thrift store pre-Covid. It’s probably about 2,000 yards altogether. I started a funky Boho woman’s vest, but the instructions were not very good (or I’m dense) and I ended up restarting three times. It seems like it’s not meant to be. I want to do something besides another shawl.
Ginny says
I’m no help–I’d knit a shawl! Alpaca drapes so nicely… I don’t have enough cardigan knitting experience to be able to recommend something along those lines.
Ermetta says
I’m reading The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery. A very different book for me. At first I wasn’t too crazy about it, but now I am really enjoying it. Hope to finish it today! Blessings!
eileen says
Plants or knitting, it is hard to choose. Yesterday, I was planting and thinking, I’m so gun hoe now and will abandon these flower pots by end of July! It will be too hot outside….haha. Only a tiny lettuce garden in this new place-;-[
Emily DeArdo says
I haven’t read Vanity Fair in almost 15 years. I remember trying to read it before my transplant, and not finishing it, but I don’t think that was the book’s fault! 🙂 I need to give it another go.
Katie @ The Cozy Burrow says
Vanity Fair! My goodness – that’s amazing. I’m glad you’re enjoying it and can’t wait to read more about your adventures with it!