Books and Crafts
Seeing as I don't use this for anything other than reading other people's journals and occasionally looking at the spotlight pages, I thought I'd start keeping a record of the books I have read and the things I have made.
The Dark Volume, GW Dahlquist (Thanks Malin!) is the sequel to The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, which I adored. As far as a vehicle to move characterisation along, TDV is worthwhile, but it doesn't have the tightness of plot and pace of its predecessor which is a shame. There were a lot of really nice touches in it, as in the first; Dahlquist continued not to name the country he had set his novels in, nor the city, and the science is charmingly steam-punky and vague as before. Mostly I was left wanting the next one, which I believe is in the pipeline, so I can see what happens. There was much more of a cliffhanger which is a little frustrating. I also wanted more interaction between the three main characters; they spent this book mostly on their own, with not as much crossing of story- and time-lines. I do love them all, deeply flawed, obsessive, sociopathic, selfish wankers that they are.
Days to completion: Less than 5.
Late night unable to stop reading? Yes, more than one.
Re-read? Highly likely.
Would I pay full price? Yes.
Maybe the Moon, Armistead Maupin. I bought this because I needed change for the bus and it was the best option in the charity shop I was in. (I often buy books this way.) It was definitely worth 99p, it was a very funny book, very well crafter; Maupin used a different style than the slightly irritating, disjointed conversations that he used for the Tales from the City series. It wasn't the best book in the world, but I'm glad I bought it.
Days to completion: 1.
Late night? Yes.
Re-read? Probably no more than once, I like it but I'm unlikely to keep it for long; my book collection requires regular pruning and this is unlikely to survive the cut.
Would I pay full price? No.
Quirkology, Richard Wiseman (nf). A book about strange experiments done on people and their findings. It was interesting and well written; I have many more factoids with which to amaze/bore people when I need to fill a conversation gap.
Days to completion: 5 or so.
Late night? No.
Re-read? Re-skim probably.
Would I pay full price? No.
Currently being read:
The End of Mr Y, Scarlett Thomas
Severian of the Guild, Gene Wolfe
Books I have and need to read:
The Blade Itself (re-read) and Before They Are Hanged (new), Joe Abercrombie
And now the craft.
In the last month:
Pair crocheted gloves in dark blues/purples. Still need to sew in ends but otherwise done. Very satisfyingly quick pattern from SnB The Happy Hooker.
Crocheted corset belt, dark green/purples, from same. Properly done.
Knitted Penguin for small child, completed.
Knitted Zebra for small child, done apart from eyes. Looks creepy but child too small to care.
Crocheted gloves, same pattern as above, different wool, incomplete (I had to wait on another skein).
Fuzzy toe-up socks, knitted, first one nearly done. Toe up is win.
Fingerless gloves, knitted, on palm of first one.
Tiny Cthulhu for birthday present, crochet, on main part of head. Needs finished for tonight.
Necklace and headband, crocheted, still to start but I have found an awesome free lace pattern on MYpicot.com
I shall attempt to update this more frequently than twice a year, because I'll forget what's done and what's WIP otherwise.
The Dark Volume, GW Dahlquist (Thanks Malin!) is the sequel to The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, which I adored. As far as a vehicle to move characterisation along, TDV is worthwhile, but it doesn't have the tightness of plot and pace of its predecessor which is a shame. There were a lot of really nice touches in it, as in the first; Dahlquist continued not to name the country he had set his novels in, nor the city, and the science is charmingly steam-punky and vague as before. Mostly I was left wanting the next one, which I believe is in the pipeline, so I can see what happens. There was much more of a cliffhanger which is a little frustrating. I also wanted more interaction between the three main characters; they spent this book mostly on their own, with not as much crossing of story- and time-lines. I do love them all, deeply flawed, obsessive, sociopathic, selfish wankers that they are.
Days to completion: Less than 5.
Late night unable to stop reading? Yes, more than one.
Re-read? Highly likely.
Would I pay full price? Yes.
Maybe the Moon, Armistead Maupin. I bought this because I needed change for the bus and it was the best option in the charity shop I was in. (I often buy books this way.) It was definitely worth 99p, it was a very funny book, very well crafter; Maupin used a different style than the slightly irritating, disjointed conversations that he used for the Tales from the City series. It wasn't the best book in the world, but I'm glad I bought it.
Days to completion: 1.
Late night? Yes.
Re-read? Probably no more than once, I like it but I'm unlikely to keep it for long; my book collection requires regular pruning and this is unlikely to survive the cut.
Would I pay full price? No.
Quirkology, Richard Wiseman (nf). A book about strange experiments done on people and their findings. It was interesting and well written; I have many more factoids with which to amaze/bore people when I need to fill a conversation gap.
Days to completion: 5 or so.
Late night? No.
Re-read? Re-skim probably.
Would I pay full price? No.
Currently being read:
The End of Mr Y, Scarlett Thomas
Severian of the Guild, Gene Wolfe
Books I have and need to read:
The Blade Itself (re-read) and Before They Are Hanged (new), Joe Abercrombie
And now the craft.
In the last month:
Pair crocheted gloves in dark blues/purples. Still need to sew in ends but otherwise done. Very satisfyingly quick pattern from SnB The Happy Hooker.
Crocheted corset belt, dark green/purples, from same. Properly done.
Knitted Penguin for small child, completed.
Knitted Zebra for small child, done apart from eyes. Looks creepy but child too small to care.
Crocheted gloves, same pattern as above, different wool, incomplete (I had to wait on another skein).
Fuzzy toe-up socks, knitted, first one nearly done. Toe up is win.
Fingerless gloves, knitted, on palm of first one.
Tiny Cthulhu for birthday present, crochet, on main part of head. Needs finished for tonight.
Necklace and headband, crocheted, still to start but I have found an awesome free lace pattern on MYpicot.com
I shall attempt to update this more frequently than twice a year, because I'll forget what's done and what's WIP otherwise.