Yarn Along in February

The snow has all gone. Washed away by rain, although some of the drifted snow by the hedges and remains of snow creations made a valiant stand against the inevitable. The rise in temperature finally got them. We’re back to blue skies followed by rain. Hello, mud season. I’ve been expecting you.

It’s February and time for an update on books read and knitting done.

Book

I finished Kindred. {affiliate link} If you’ve not read it, the story is about a woman, from 1979, being called back through the centuries to rescue a slave master. Over and over again. Each time, she spends weeks/months in that era, returning to her own time to find only a few hours have past. There are little twists and turns throughout the story, of course, but I guess the hardest one is that she is black and has to live as a slave.

My daughter asked if it had a happy ending. Had to think for a moment. I didn’t want to ruin the end, so answered as truthfully as I could. Not really, but the story ended for the characters, so I guess that was good.  I felt the same way with the Hunger Games. Not my usual choice of book. I need escapism. It is a hard read story wise, but written in a style that is easy to flick from one page to the next. I’m sure it is a tale that will haunt me for a while. I’ll not need to read it again, so this book is heading for my charity book shop pile.

Always difficult to follow a book like this one. I had an hour to kill, waiting for my youngest to finish an after school activity, this week. I picked up the Miniaturist again. I found it so difficult to get into last time, but with the alternative option of twiddling my thumbs as I waited, persevering with this one was an easy choice. We’ll see if I can finish it this time.

I really am not finding my reading rhythm at the moment. Not at all.

(Moominland is in there too. After checking out the snowball lantern and making my own last week, I couldn’t resist reading it again.)

Knitting

In contrast, my knitting is flying. I’m making progress with my long cardigan. I’ve finished the left and right front sections and love how the pattern is coming out. The cable is fun to knit. Easy to remember without constantly looking at the instructions.

I’m now working on the back of the cardigan which leaves me feeling a wee bit underwhelmed, as it’s all stocking stitch. Inches and inches of no interesting stitches. A bit of mindless knitting, I guess makes a change, but I think I’ll be glad when I reach the neck edge. I’m three quarters finished. The end is in sight and then I can have fun with the sleeves.

Final photo of two shelves from my daughter’s bookcase. These two shelves are making me smile, at the moment, every time I go in to wake her up. They span several years of her love of books. She has always loved books.

I’m joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along linky. Special hello to fellow yarn- alongers. -*- waves -*-

So, what book are you reading at the moment? Please do share. I’m very much in need of some recommendations at the moment.