In which my weekend is rehashed

[kitewithfish]

Knitting: the project to make my dad a sweater is still in limbo - tho I have found a really viable candidate! The Neighborly Cardigan is free online and is, as the name suggests, deeply nostalgic for Mr. Rogers.  But I'm just not sure about it - I've only done top-down sweaters, and I'm suspicious about something I would have to knit in pieces for someone I don't see that much.

Reading:  I have done so much glorious reading over this long weekend.

First, the non starter - I started reading Mr. Churchill's Secretary, the first in a series, but I'm wondering if I should move further down the series.  This book's summary says it's got a lot of things I should love (historical setting, smart heroine, sneaky mysteries!) but I'm getting bogged down in the introductions of many, many side characters, and I think the stars are just not aligned for this book right now. It's got all the stuff I want, I think, but there's a lot of First Book stuff happening that I think would probably get smoothed out once the author gets her feet under her. It was recommended by a friend, so there's something here worth getting to, but it's just not suiting my current mood. 

I have finished, at last, the truly excellent Spinning Silver, which has a really great ending! I took forever to read this and yet every time I picked it up again, it was enthralling - I have no idea why I couldn't commit to it. It's excellent and sneaky and has loads of characters with lots of opinions about responsibility and choices and honor and it all ties together really well - no spoilers, but man I love everyone in this novel.

I am currently reading Witchmark by CL Polk and oh, it's delightful. It's so weirdly English and full of gay drama and bicycles and social privilege and lies and gay gay gay Feelings and it's a delightful read. I am on Chapter 11 and I adore the main character, who is both careful and clever and always a bit scared and there's nothing for it except to read on, adoringly, and see how things go. I also love everyone in *this* novel. 

 

 

Comments

[elrhiarhodan]

I have Witchmark on my iPad, but have been oddly reluctant to start it. Thank you for the recommendation. It will be next on the list.

[yalumesse]

OH! I'm planning to read Spinning Silver soon, it's at the top of my list. I won't ask more because spoilers but have you read Uprooted too? I read that a while ago and loved it.

[kitewithfish]

I did! I liked Spinning Silver better, actually - I think it was more tightly written and had a better pacing. I was kind of meh about the main characters in Uprooted, but it has been a while and I'd have to re-read to tell you what the issue was

[yalumesse]

Good to know, thank you! I'll let you know what I think when I read it.