Friday 13 March 2009

If I'm not knitting, I'm reading

And that's it. That's all I'm doing because the doctor has now signed me off of work for a week which means I can try and relax. As part of this I am not planning anything beyond what I have already told you- knitting and reading. I don't know which projects I will work on, nor which books I shall read but right now I just don't care. It's all good.
To keep y'all updated on what I have been doing over the few days I have, as promised, a list of books that I am going to rant about a little but first I'd like to post a picture of my new sock project. My new mad-insane-crazily-coloured sock project that I LOVE. I was sent the yarn as a gift from a friend of mine in America. It is some Knitpicks Essential multi which is a real treat as Knitpicks do not post to the UK. So this is the first time that I've had the chance to fondle this yarn. Just look at these colours! I've ended up nicknaming them my vegetable socks as the the colours put me in mind of a vegetable patch- well, a pumpkin patch to specific. The colours are a bit more muted in real life than the picture would have you believe but they are still pretty impressive nonetheless. I love bright socks- in my mind every sock should be bright and patterned and as fun as possible. I don't think I have a sensible sock in my whole entire clothing collection.
I have finished sock number 1. They look even better on. Once the lace pattern is pulled out it looks really good but I'm afraid that you will all have to wait for a bit before I can show you what they look like as the camera I would normally use is at work. This will however give me the chance to finish sock number 2 off in the meantime so you can have the full effect of the pair.

Other than a bit of gentle sock knitting I have been reading, reading, getting stomped on by cats and reading.
I have read my way through 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman, 'Anno Dracula' by Kim Newman, 'Wyrd Sisters' by Terry Pratchett (that's the book for this months Pratghan square) and 'Runemarks' by Joanne Harris. I am currently in the middle of 'The City of Dreaming Books' by Walter Moers and this morning I went out and bought myself 'Lost in a Good Book' by Jasper Fforde.
All of the ones that I have read (re-read in the case of Terry Pratchett) have been great books. The copy of the Graveyard Book that I was lent has illustrations by my favourite, Chris Riddell who illustrates 'The Edge Chronicles' series (wuh-wuh). This made it even better in my opinion but then I am totally biased on the subject :)
The Walter Moers book is proving to be the very best so far however. I love his works. Most of them are written in german so I only have access to the four that have been translated. The first book I ever read was 'The 13 1/2 live of Captain Bluebear' which is my hug book. Whenever I'm feeling gloomy and in the need of a good read that I know is guaranteed to cheer me up then this is the book that I go to. 'The City of Dreaming Books' is actually the third one in this series hence I am already half in love with it despite the fact that I haven't finished reading it yet. I have been trying to make it last for as long as possible so have been limiting myself to about 50 pages at a time. It's quite a hefty book so this has been working well so far.
I would recommend any of them to fellow fantasy and sci-fi lovers. Although some of them scoot well over into the humour section in the fiction department so you don't have to be a geek to love them. Jasper Ffordes books are particularly good with lots of clever language and puns to keep you giggling.

So if anyone wants me then you will probably find me with my nose stuck in a book. Or under my lamp a-knitting away. I'm going to have a dive into my projects basket later to see what I have that can be finished off. There's nothing like a freshly completed FO to get good and healing juices flowing :)

3 comments:

  1. Oh my god! Don't be so hard on yourself. I'd be pretty worried, too. I don't think you're over self-pitying; truly. I'm glad to hear you're doing better now. Enjoy your time off! I love your pumpkin patch socks!

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  2. What pretty colors. I love the socks so far. "Pumpkin Patch" is very appropriate!

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  3. Knit Picks does have some beautiful yarns. I love these socks you are making and can't wait to see the finished product!
    Feel better.

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