Knitting and Reading (but not at the same time)

Happy Wednesday! And let me introduce you to the softest of knits - my (future) Beaubourg jumper. I am knitting it, as advised by the pattern, with Maxima from Manos del Uruguay (I reviewed this ethical yarn here). Although the knitting is quite easy, I cannot read at the same time. How do you do it? I can knit in the car, knit whilst having a chat, knit whilst watching TV - I just cannot knit and read. But I have been reading. I have been using reading as my time off. I go to bed early at the moment - thank you Baby MiH for my lack of beauty sleep - and turn off my mind with a book. 

So actually I am reading more books as a result. I finished the Children Act by Ian McEwan - it is not necessarily easy reading in terms of the topic covered - a high court judge arbitrating on family affairs - but the prose makes it flow. I usually read books with more drama, it felt like an easy read from that point of view, and it was what I needed. There is substance - clearly a lot of research went into it - and it kept me going. So not a 'cannot-stop-reading' book but a good 'quick' in-between read looking at real contemporary issues. 

I am now reading a Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer which was originally published in 1941 under a different title - the Envious Casca. I have not ready any Georgette Heyer's detectives story. I intended to read it during the Christmas period, but did not manage it. I am enjoying it, Christmas in a big country home in Britain, add some snow and I am there - I am making Christmas (or Downtown Abbey?) last a bit longer. 

I am going back to work next week - so reading is going to happen (and not knitting)! It really helps to wind down and escape (totally necessary during my commute). 

#thegreatdestash

And it is time for a second sale on the blog. I really hope you will be inspired by it. I have tried to have something for everyone - crochet, knitting and quilting. So I am hoping this is going to appeal to a few people. I did mention it last time, but we are a smoke free, pet free home. Also everything that I sell is barely used (the balls of yarn are still in their original packaging, and the books have only been opened a few times). 

The prices exclude postage, but I am happy to ship internationally. I will let you know how much it will be beforehand and make sure you are ok with it. Of course it is a better deal if you are based in the UK. 

Let me know in your comment box which item you want and your PayPal address. 

First to comment on an item, first to get it!  I will try to ship as quickly as possible. 

Just a note that the yarn is actually discontinued now, although you can still find it online. 

There are still a couple of skeins left from the first sale as well.  

Happy shopping everyone!

Books, books, books

Here are the latest books I read.. It is an interesting mix, a couple of fictions, a self-help book written like a novel and a biography. All fun in their own way.

I saw this book at the library - one week loan, not renewable - and I had to get it and start it then and there. If you are not a fan, I am sure you would find it the most boring book ever. Even for the fan that I am I found it long at times. But it explains suchet's search to be the ultimate Poirot and make you want to watch all of them all over again. No gossip in this book, nothing controversial, just a really interesting point of view on Poirot. He could have made it a bit more controversial though - because I don't think the decision to make all of the Poirots was that simple... 

(Or the shadow thief) is the 11th novel by Marc Levy. It is a little bit less rom com compared to the others (think Just like heaven) but still romantic - with a touch of fantastic - the main character talks to shadows throughout his childhood and his student life. It is an easy read, but I am thinking that he has not talked that much to shadows (considering the title). I read it quite quickly though, it is enjoyable. 

79-year-old Martha dreams of escaping her care home and ribbing a bank. She has no intention of spending the rest of her days in an armchair and is determined to fund her way to a much more exciting lifestyle. Yes, another 'totally realistic' book. I am not sure wether I hate or like it (definitely not loved). I hated the style, it is way too long, there are several chunks that I read diagonally. But I loved the idea that a group of OAPs decide to take the course of their own lives in their  hands and plan how to get out of their current situation. That made me think and realise that you do no have to accept your situation. It received a lot of praise, I found the style annoying me too much.. But would love to know what other readers think! 

'It is the story of a man who is forced to do all the things he has always dreamt of doing secretly. I wanted to show how far a person can go, once he/she is free of fears..' (Laurent Gounelle). I read self-help books but tend not to finish them because they seem to repeat themselves or the concept is so .. Conceptual.. I am not sure what to do with it! Laurent Gounelle uses the format of a novel, it makes it a bit more real - but still in a very unrealistic scenario. Cannot see an English version but it says that his books are translated. 

So what's next? More bonkers books, some waiting for me at the library actually! What are you reading?