two reviews… more to come

I’ve struggled to write book reviews for the past few years. If I like a title I become tongue-tied to say anything more coherent than “go read this book now”. I’m slowly working my way through the backlog. My current NetGalley feedback ratio is 7%, they prefer a ratio closer to 80%! I’m slowly working my way through the backlog. Posted here are two I recently reviewed, the first is a title was denied early access through NetGalley, but borrowed from my local library once it was released. The second is a review of a book received through NetGalley.

deep-work-cal-newportDeep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
by Cal Newport
Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
January 2016.
star star star star star

While one could potentially argue that Newport’s book about why deep work is valuable, meaningful, and increasingly rare (and how shallow work harms knowledge workers) is simply a rehash of plain common sense, I counter that it is a valuable read. He makes the case in a compelling and clear manner that left me questioning each of my daily actions and if they helped me contribute to the goal of helping my clients truly solve their technology (or yarn) problems. The book is divided into two parts, the first is to convince you of the validity of the deep work hypothesis and the second teaches you how to transform your habits so you can work deeply. Don’t turn into someone who has become so used to shallow work that when a deep work project comes along, there is no ability to think deeply and complete a successful project.

Please see my full review at PennyWise Consulting.

inventive-weaving-coverInventive Weaving on a Little Loom: Discover the Full Potential of the Rigid-Heddle Loom, for Beginners and Beyond
by Syne Mitchell
star star star star star

While the information within Inventive Weaving can be found over several other titles published over the past few years by different authors, it is nice to see a range of weaving information in one volume that could be kept by the loom for quick reference. Syne Mitchell has packed several weaving courses into this book and it deserves a place on every weaver’s bookshelf whether they are on their first warp or experienced and looking to take this oft-overlooked loom to new places.

NetGalley generously provided a copy of this title for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please see my full review at little acorn creations.

library-April2016

it followed me home

So… a Cricket rigid heddle loom followed me home from TNNA. I was amazed it took me until Monday to purchase one, we were across from the Spinning & Weaving Group and I could see hints of Schacht Spindle Co in the aisle beyond.

This loom was really easy and quick to put together, I didn’t even need to get out any power tools! With the help of Liz Gipson‘s book, Weaving Made Easy Revised and Updated: 17 Projects Using a Rigid-Heddle Loom I was warped and weaving quickly.

I tossed up a quick warp to practice on and work through while I waited for the more Penny-yarn-weight-friendly 12-dent heddle to arrive (it was delivered this afternoon). I’ve been working through some of the wonders within The Weaver’s Idea Book, a book I picked up years before I owned an appropriate loom!

I’m much happier with this than the loom I built a few years ago and only wove on once. That has been taken apart and the parts set aside for other projects.

Why? I can get weaving quickly and with minimum of fuss. It allows me to focus on simpler weaves and delight in creating beautiful fabric different from what I’m used to making. In time I’ll probably want to return to the intricate designs a larger 4+-shaft loom can provide, but for now, this is perfect.