two more for the shelves
I took a few moments to write up two reviews of books that now have a place on my bookshelves, well, they will when we finally get around to renovating the library and making bookshelves. The seforim (understandably) are the only books on shelves, the rest are in boxes or piles I just wish I had a few more moments to edit these reviews and make them nicer.
Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters: Book Two in the New Pathways for Sock Knitters Series
by Cat Bordhi
Yikes, I’m the first on GoodReads to review Cat’s new book? I’m not sure I can handle the pressure, or give the book justice.
First off, contrary to popular belief I actually don’t hand out 5 stars to every book I “like” anymore. Those that don’t get high star ratings probably didn’t even get into GoodReads in the first place. Cat deserves it for this book because she has made me think outside of the box, provided clear instructions and illustrative drawings, and in my eyes most importantly, helped me get my sock knitting mojo back.
I believe I’m a pretty expert sock knitter at this point in my knitting life. I can knit socks I like for my (tiny) feet in my sleep. I’m also a pretty lazy sock knitter and don’t always pay attention to the minute differences different yarns, needles sizes, moon phase make to the resulting tension. Thus my socks fit me great most of the time but if I paid attention to a few more details, they’d fit perfect all the time.
I think Cat may be able to help me out here with this new publication.
I am currently knitting the discovery sock and following Cat’s directions (for once) and so far so good. I’m almost at the leg opening. On Ravelry while preparing these few words, I saw some project notes from other knitters indicating difficulty with the heel and leg fitting. I’ll revise this review after I get there, but so far so good!
I love Cat’s brain and I’m thankful for her publishing her thoughts and giving inspiration for those who want to think a bit creatively different.
The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook : 250 No-Fail Recipes for Pilafs, Risottos, Polenta, Chilis, Soups, Porridges, Puddings and More, from Start to Finish in Your Rice Cooker by Beth Hensperger
Melanie spoiled me with this book a few weeks ago. I finally sat down to read through it and to write up a few thoughts. This is a very well researched book. It covers everything from the basic differences in various rice cookers to all those varieties of rice on the store shelves. I haven’t yet cooked with this book as I’m waiting to see if a new rice cooker (which I’ve been begging for years for) magically appears on my counter in the next week or so. (If it doesn’t I won’t be disappointed and I’ll work through these ideas with my vege/rice steamer). I wish I had this book when I had a basic on/off model as I learned various other things I could do with it. I like that it branches out past plain rices and into pilafs, risottos, porridge, and beyond into whole meals (even if those are things I’ll never eat). I’m quite thankful that it isn’t scratch and sniff because just reading the recipes made me hungry.