That little penguin loves the spot light!

Still running on the fumes from a very delightful Rhinebeck, we went to Park Slope to hear Stephanie read from her book at her first stop on her book tour. We’re still kicking ourselves for not bringing a coffee (and chocolate) survival kit and hope that she’s forgiven us. We’d also like to wish her a happy 8th blogiversary.

Oh there was so much fun to be had that night at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio for Gale and Joan to talk about how this book came about and all the many delightful things that they unfortunately had to leave out. My greatest apologies for the terrible camera phone photo. This talk inspired me to pickup my 30for30 preemie hat project again and in late December I made a small contribution to Pat Pat’s Hats and the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

We burnt many calories laughing with Franklin at his talk Impractical Magic: Oddities and Curiosities of Nineteenth-Century Handwork at The Lion Brand Yarn Studio in early December. I’m not sure if the blurriness is I was laughing too hard and deprived of oxygen (and kindness to Franklin) I didn’t turn on the flash or my hand was covering the sensors (yet Again) but let’s just say this is Franklin and Ping as seen through a veil. Ping loves Franklin now as he is forever immortalised in my knitting notebook as a much taller and slender penguin.

Ping is a science and technology geek. Who could blame the little guy. It’s endlessly fascinating. When he found out that Connie has a PhD in Physics he was after me to sign up to listen to her first ever book talk. It was a delightful evening learning of the inspiration for the designs in the book and to touch many of them. She and I have a mutual love for buttons and finer weight yarns. If Ping lets me process the photos I took I’ll share some of the buttons that really make these projects something special. Ping loves how she uses “penny weight” yarns to create a greater canvas for stitch and texture exploration.

Ping had loads of fun and inspiration during class with Cookie A at The Lion Brand Yarn Studio. We laughed, we spoke of our love of graph paper, we talked maths, we talked four colour theorem, we thumbed through such a vast array of stitch dictionaries that our heads are still full of excitement and want to swatch.all.the.things and we played with creating our own stitch patterns. Ping is very thankful that Cookie took a few moments before being whisked away in her cab to pose with him and to sign my knitting notebook. What inspires him more is she had taught throughout VK Live that weekend and had already taught a class at the Studio earlier in the afternoon. He wants me to have energy like that.

Ping hopes that you enjoyed his recent book signing and knitting class adventures. He hopes he has inspired you to attend a book talk — and if you do, please buy the book at the store. Please don’t buy it online unless it’s directly from the author if self-published or from the publisher if small-press published.

The Knitter’s Life List is much more than a list of things to learn or do. It not only includes techniques to learn, traditions to explore, fibres to try, and people to meet in list form, but it includes details about many of those techniques and traditions. It definitely lives up to its promise of providing 1,001 inspirations for Every Knitter, a claim that is printed right on the cover!

Why do I find this book inspiring and useful? Many nonknitters think me “quite the knitter”. I’m not sure what the Knitter’s think of me. I do hope they don’t judge me on finished items that were gifts that I find dreadful or my early yarn/pattern pairing mistakes…

Let’s use the Socks List as my example.

We start with a bang of a nice fill-in-the-bubble list of over sixty items including: people to meet (such as Stephanie Pearl-McPhee), things to discover (swatching sock yarns), things to try (knit a pair of Cat Bordhi’s socks or knit a pair of argyle socks [I'd have to finish the pair I started many years ago]), techniques to learn (memorize kitchener stitch, use a picot bind off), places to go (Sock Summit), experiences (knit two socks at a time with magic loop), and extra credit to ponder (which came first, sock or shoe?), and 14 more blanks I can fill in myself. Ok, there are many items on this list I can check off, but I’m finding that I’m now thinking of other socks I want to knit with techniques mentioned here. It’s that nudge to perhaps finish the argyle socks I’ve ignored for six-or-so years that my knitting needs.

Following this list, one finds 20 pages of technique with accompanying step-by-step photos, historical tidbits, and stories behind techniques we know and love (the story behind Judy’s Magic Cast On).The photographs are clear and stunning and where appropriate become diagrams to highlight technique or construction.

What’s even more exciting beyond the basic organization of the book is the extensive index and appendix. What impressed me is that when a topic (such as CraftLit) is indexed as appearing in the main body of the book and that text mentions that more specific information may be found in the appendix, the appendix page number also appears in the index for that item. It’s these little things that take this from a nice book to a great book. Why am I so enamored with this index? Today thanks to technology I’m spoiled by the ability to search information more vast than I can really comprehend with just a keyboard, a computer, and a search engine. I love books but I’m increasingly frustrated when items I want to find aren’t easily find-able. This index proves it’s possible. (Maybe soon I’ll comment about the Talmud index.)

I’m drawn by everything in this book. It’s moved from being a book I borrowed from the library because I was concerned it would be too cliché and without any substance, to a book that I hope will take up permanent residence on my bookshelf. It provides a nudge to get out of a well worn rut and try something from an angle different from most other books that are begging for coveted shelf space.

It’s packed with useful information for everyone from a new knitter just bitten by the bug and to knitters with more stitches under their belt and yarn in their stash. I think nonknitters would enjoy the historical information sprinkled throughout.

Many cowls, mitts, and hats have been knitted and I’m working out the pattern kinks before I send the set out for tech editing. I hope to begin releasing in (gasp) January. Dearest knitter, with that special skein of yarn you’ve saved as a treat you’ll be able to reward yourself for the many gifts that were knitted for this holiday season. Ok knitter, back to work! The rest of this post is for friends of the knitter. ;)

Dear friend of a knitter, I cannot give as well thought out and curated a list of gift ideas as Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, but I offer the following list of items that may be somewhat easy to acquire at this late date:

• Sticky notes, flags, etc. Bonus if you can find the elusive roll of tape. Knitters and post-it notes go well together. I’ve written about this in the past. You do not have to get the brand name product. I got my roll of sticky note tape at Muji since I couldn’t acquire it elsewhere without having to pay shipping.

• Ziploc bags. I’m a fan of quart and gallon sized. Yes, your knitter has lots of bags. These are for stash storage. Your knitter keeps their yarn out in baskets because it looks pretty? Edu-ma-cate yourself on bugs and have a discussions with your knitter about what could happen to the stash. Plastic zipper bags are not the be-all and promised answer of a bug free stash, but they could help mitigate damages.
• highlighter tape. I have a hard time finding this, but it is useful in a myriad of settings.
• a coupon book that you made to include items such as assistance for month of _____ winding 3 skeins of yarn greater than 200 yards, bringing home pizza for dinner because the (example) sock must have its heel tonight, free pass to go over budget on one skein of yarn, offer to drive to destination so knitter can knit, etc.
• a gift certificate to the knitter’s favourite local yarn shop.
• a gift certificate for audiobooks, or quietly download and load favourites from Librivox or Podiobooks. If the selection at Audible is too much, consider a gift to a podcast your knitter enjoys, such as CraftLit, PodCastle, Escape Pod, Clarkesworld Magazine, or many other publications that are out there.
• a donation to Heifer International. While a Knitter’s Gift Basket sounds right up your knitter’s alley, I highly suggest giving a gift that can be used where most needed. There is also always MSF, info about the knittery connection is here.

Next week look for my review of The Knitter’s Life List by Gwen W. Steege. Any knitter, I believe, would enjoy this book. It’s more than the title would lead you to think was in its 320 pages. With beautiful photography you can enjoy too!

I’m excited to participate in the blog tour. I really enjoyed Mistwood when I first read it earlier this year. I enjoyed it even more when I reread it after bringing Nightspell home with me. They are considered companion novels, meaning at least to my understanding, that while there is potential reoccurrence in world, time, or character, one does not need to read them in any particular order to fully enjoy them.

I have a hard time writing reviews of fiction. That is partially why I challenged myself to reply to Leah Cypess‘s tweet putting out a call for participants. I enjoyed these stories so much that I had to overcome my fears and write this review. I’m nervous to write reviews of fiction, because I worry that I’ll inadvertently give away a detail that ruins the delight of discovery for another reader.

I’m a firm believer in discovering for yourself all the twists and turns of a story while you are reading it. Why else were book lights invented if not so you could stay up hours past your bedtime to find out what happens next?

Please, read both books, and if you read them as an adult you might not even need to turn on the book light. That’s a good thing I think. You enjoy a great story and still get to go to bed on time!

Why did I enjoy these books?

In general, what draws me into a novel is not really the main character or the plot. Yes, a story should be written well. Yes, plot matters. Yes, main character development and interaction are important, but it’s the secondary characters that add to a story and give it depth and life that would otherwise be missing. If after the final words have been read and the cover closed and I’ve walked away from the story and find myself still thinking about those characters who are only hinted upon, then I deem a story successful.

Furthermore, if the author has drafted enough to give me enough of a framework of the world to finish it with my imagination I think it an even richer story.

I first read Mistwood in April. Here it is December and I can still close my eyes and wonder about Ven. His appearance was brief but important. I often wonder what drew him to want to study the Seeker in the first place. I wonder how he collected all the volumes on the history of the seeker and if he went around the country and castle collecting stories. There is enough of Ven to spark my imagination and upon that I can build further and wonder what scraps the Cook actually fed to a certain cat.

Nightspell by contrast has more characters who weave in and out of the story.  Callie and Darri are important, but so are Varis, Prince Kestin, Clarisse, Jano, the Defender, and the Protector. It is the flow and ebb of trust, truth, love, friendship and family that drew me in to all of the characters.

Nightspell is more than just Darri’s quest and Callie’s struggles. At first I was fascinated and horrified by Jano and his actions. As I got to know more about him I wondered how some of Callie’s early conversations with him went. Prince Kestin fascinated me because of who and what he is, of course, but I stopped many times while rereading, in order to wonder what he was thinking while shut up in his litter during a hunt before he followed Varis. Clarisse is Clarisse and always fascinating.

That said, what I found most fascinating in Nightspell that is only hinted in Mistwood is something I can’t understand. It is a topic that fascinates me to no end; it is the bond of siblings.

I am purposely vague. I’m afraid of spoilers. I hope that I’ve given enough to tease you and entice you to read these books. Another sign I believe a book is a good one and a worthwhile read? If after returning it to the library, I purchase it. It might not happen immediately, but if a book sticks in my head enough, I will. I did that this summer. I couldn’t stop thinking about Mistwood, and the hold queue for Nightspell was torturously long.

Thank you for stopping by on the Nightspell book tour. If you comment on this post you will be entered to win a very special one-of-a-kind annotated copy of Mistwood. I’m very envious and if I had known that would be an incentive, I probably wouldn’t be writing as a stop on the tour. I love marginalia! Furthermore, if you comment on any of the other tour posts that will be another entry into the giveaway. Sorry, only one entry per post!

In addition, I am hosting a small giveaway of my own. I have a few bookmarks signed by the author to give away to two lucky people. To choose winners, I’ll pick random numbers. If there are more than 10 individuals commenting on this post, as an additional gift, one lucky commenter will receive an embroidered bag that is similar to ones that will soon appear in my shop, filled with a small notebook in which to record notes while reading, a signed bookmark, and some small sticky-note flags to mark pages you like best if marginalia are not enough for you.

You have until 11:59:59pm EST on Thursday December 22th, 2011 to enter in both my little giveaway and the giveaway for the author annotated copy of Mistwood. Please make sure you include a working email address. If you haven’t commented on this site before I will need to moderate your comment. I’ll do that as quickly as I can.

To enter, please answer this question: From any book you have read, which secondary character fascinates you the most? Briefly, please tell me why they interest you? Please include the book title and author.

Earlier today I was (absurdly) early for an appointment and wandered around that big chain bookstore that still is around. I took time to really browse and thought about what might be appreciated by a reader in your life. Please note that I own all of these books unless otherwise specified. I’m lazy and use Amazon wish list^ even though I’d rather you frequent an indie to make any book purchase if possible.

Without further ado, here are a few that I’ve read in the past year or so that I think might be appreciated by someone you know.

for the cook
The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America’s Most Imaginative Chefs
I can’t recommend this highly enough. I bought my mother a copy! I rarely open my cookbooks now, this book has what I need to make new pairings. I do not recommend it to those new to the kitchen. You should be ready to use basic recipes as a blank canvas and try to tweak combinations.

for the knitter
Clara Parkes has done it again with The Knitter’s Book of Socks. Note: please check if your sock knitter has purchased this already. It’s an item they want and might not be able to wait for!

Knit One Knit All
For the lover of Elizabeth Zimmermann and garter stitch. The greatest beauty is in the color reproductions of her notes.

Knitting with Two Colors by Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen
This should be out soon, please pre-order it. I haven’t seen this book yet, but if Meg and Amy wrote a book together there is nothing that could be bad about it.

If your knitter doesn’t have at least the first two volumes of Barbara Walker’s Knitting Treasury, please gift them.

If you want other books please check out Cooperative Press and Schoolhouse Press.

for the weaver
The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory : Over 600 Weaves for 4-shaft Looms and The Weaver’s Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom
Ask what type of loom your weaver has. These are full of useful references. If you are unsure, go with the Idea Book. Jane Patrick brilliantly included drafts for shaft looms.

for the spinner
Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook: More Than 200 Fibers from Animal to Spun Yarn
This is delightful and useful not just for the spinner but the fibre artist (aka knitter, weaver, crocheter) who wants to understand fibre in more detail.

for the fantasy/science fiction lover
Mistwood and Nightspell by Leah Cypess
My review is forthcoming, but check out the book tour in the meantime!

A Discovery of Witches
I reviewed this in May

…
* I agree completely with Stephanie and think I too was a cat in a prior life. There are Finished Object posts I could write but I haven’t been able to take decent photos of them yet.

^ If you are curious, it is here and a list of most books we own is on LibraryThing. LT is mostly only accurate for Crafts (Handmade) and Science Fiction and Fantasy collections. If a book you are thinking of falls outside that subject matter, please ask. I don’t mind duplicates but try to avoid them when I can.

I have lots of reviews to write up. It’s difficult because writing reviews takes away from my reading time.

While speaking of reviews, there will be a Special Post on Sunday 11 December 2011 as part of a Book Tour for Nightspell by Leah Cypess. I’ll finally post my review of both her books, Mistwood and Nightspell. If you comment on that post, you will be entered to win a one-of-a-kind annotated copy of Mistwood. I’m jealous. I’m such a lover of marginalia even if I’ve mostly broken myself of the habit so that I don’t make the mistake of writing in a library book!

If that’s not incentive enough, I will be hosting a smaller giveaway of my own. I have some bookmarks and other goodies (from my shop [coming really soon!]) that are growing into a small package I think any book lover would enjoy and should hopefully put Levenger to shame.

In other news, I’m minutes from being caught up on podcasts and starting to worry freak out. I am on the hold list for various audiobooks from my library. I’d like to add to my list of story-based podcasts. I listen to many that won’t be listed here (the knitting specific ones, such as Cast On, Knit Circus, Ready Set Knit, etc), but am looking for ones similar to the list below. Can you add to my list? I love short science fiction and fantasy. I want to listen to more stories at least about 20 minutes in length but ranging from 20 to up to 90 minutes.

My main list of story/literature podcasts, in alphabetical order, includes:
Craftlit
Clarksworld Magazine
Escape Pod
Pod Castle
Spider on the Web

Can you help?

I was recently able to attend two book talks and finish two hats. It all goes together, trust me.

First up, the day after Rhinebeck, when this knitter was still in a sheep and wool induced coma (3647.5 yards of wool (aka about 2 miles worth), sport weight or finer came home with me. Oops?), I went to Park Slope’s Barnes & Noble for the first stop of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s book tour. We were a slightly difficult bunch, still recovering from our weekend of all things wooly. Stephanie didn’t let us tease her too much (watch out for the spindlers) and Ping is still talking about how happy he was to meet Stephanie. He’s also still yelling at me for not creating and gifting a coffee emergency kit for her tour. I deserve the rebuke. Many thanks to Limonene for taking our photo. I wonder how they plan the floor layout of of a book store.

Her newest book, All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin is pure Stephanie with a slight twist. They aren’t so deeply knitting related. I think muggles will relate well to many of the stories and I plan to read a few to E when the timing is right.

During her talk I pulled out my Porom Hat to figure out where I was going wrong in the crown decreases. Discovering my error while in a book store was a bit amusing. Apparently I misread the chart. They’re still slightly off, but it’s consistently wrong so I now believe I just rewrote the chart to fit my reality. This hat is knitted from about 150 yards of my never-ending skein of Lion Brand Fishmen’s Wool and is super warm. I wasn’t planning on wearing it any time soon but I received a very unpleasant semi-surprise birthday present in the snow storm that blew through here on Saturday. The hat fits well and is warm.

Last Monday, Ping and I went to the Craft Activism book talk and signing at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. I think Beverly’s book review is perfect. During the talk, I worked on my own little bit of crafty activism and almost finished another baby hat. Remember my 30for30 project? Thought so. Well, I have an extra hat to knit now that I’m yet another year older and I have a few new places to donate them to. I learned about PatPat’s Hats through Stephanie and have now set myself a quota of five hats by the end of the year. That’s completely possible right? I think so. I’ve finally gotten around to standardizing how I knit the hats so they are easier for how I knit. I hope to write up the pattern in the coming week and release it soon. Sorry about the fuzzy photo. My phone takes wonderful pictures if I allow it to focus.

Sometimes all I want in a cookbook is the recipes and I don’t care if there is anything else. That doesn’t happen very often.

Thankfully Tanis has written a book that is much more. It is a wonderful story of his relationship with food and cooking and happens to include seasonal recipes and menu ideas that are inspiring and provide a basis for further creativity.

Seriously, how could I not enjoy the writings of a man with a deep love of those zippered plastic bags that I find useful for everything? While I might not have the chutzpah to travel with my own jalapenos, or perhaps I a knob of ginger would be more me, Tanis has shown me his real kitchen journeys. In Heart of the Artichoke he doesn’t come across as anyone but someone who loves food and cooking and I appreciate that all the more.

What I love more than his essays on his rituals are his menus. It’s not that I often need to serve a multi-course menu, I still struggle to figure out what to pair with my main dish. The suggestions are helpful and I will turn to them often as I grow in this area of my cooking.

The photographs, by Christopher Hirscheimer, are warm and inviting and add a depth which left me hungry and looking around my kitchen for the next step in my own kitchen journey.

I’m torn between writing up bits and waiting to see how the entire series fits as a whole before I share my thoughts. For the epic fantasy I’m reading I will probably break and write a mini-review up after I finish parts of the universe. For others I’ll probably write up the story to date, since all parts of the series aren’t published yet. Please be patient. It is very difficult to read a book and write about another… at the same time. Trust me, I tried.

I recently finished:

First King of Shannara
The Sword of Shannara
The Elfstones of Shannara
by Terry Brooks

Armageddon’s Children
by Terry Brooks

Hounded
by Kevin Hearne

Highly recommended from Heather.

Legacies
by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Yes, I’m wearing out the library hold system and have been eying which books I wish to purchase through Librarybin when my patience runs thin.

So my question, do you think I’ll reach my goal of reading 111 books in 2011 by my birthday? Without cheating and pulling out lots of short crafts books? Alternately, when do you think I’ll read more than 32,238 pages for this year, the most I’ve recorded into GoodReads for a given year? ;)