It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons by Franklin Habit. This was a cute little book of knitting cartoons and short essays. Not much else can be said about it. It was fun to read. It would make a nice gift for a knitting friend.
Four stars for knitters, three for non-knitters.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Book #10
Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair by Laurie Perry. (aka Crazy Aunt Purl)
If I was not an avid follower of the Crazy Aunt Purl blog, I might have given this book 4 stars. However, as I have been reading it regularly for what seems like years, I was disappointed by the lack of new material. I'm giving it 3.5 stars, but anyone who doesn't already know CAP's whole story should probably add a half or even a whole star.
This story essentially covers Laurie's life from when her ex walked out until she begins finding happiness again - by herself, with her friends, with her cats, with her knitting. I was disappointed with the lack of ink her four cats (Roy, Bob, Frankie, and Soba) received. Maybe cat literature doesn't sell main stream. Laurie has a down-to-earth writing style that makes her blog (and her book) fun and easy to read. Weirdly, after all this time, I feel like I actually know her. (Note the strange way I am using her first name.)
Despite the 3.5 star rating, I recommend this book to anyone not familiar with Laurie's work.
If I was not an avid follower of the Crazy Aunt Purl blog, I might have given this book 4 stars. However, as I have been reading it regularly for what seems like years, I was disappointed by the lack of new material. I'm giving it 3.5 stars, but anyone who doesn't already know CAP's whole story should probably add a half or even a whole star.
This story essentially covers Laurie's life from when her ex walked out until she begins finding happiness again - by herself, with her friends, with her cats, with her knitting. I was disappointed with the lack of ink her four cats (Roy, Bob, Frankie, and Soba) received. Maybe cat literature doesn't sell main stream. Laurie has a down-to-earth writing style that makes her blog (and her book) fun and easy to read. Weirdly, after all this time, I feel like I actually know her. (Note the strange way I am using her first name.)
Despite the 3.5 star rating, I recommend this book to anyone not familiar with Laurie's work.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Book #9 (Audio)
Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie. Read by Susan Ericksen.
This is a cute little love story, nothing more, nothing less. It was a little, er, uncomfortable listening to some of the racier parts read aloud, so I'll recommend reading the book over listening to the audio. For the record though, the reader did a very good job.
I'll give it 3.5 stars. Add half a star if you enjoy romance novels. I didn't know it was romance - picked it in a hurry based on the photo of the dog on the cover.
This is a cute little love story, nothing more, nothing less. It was a little, er, uncomfortable listening to some of the racier parts read aloud, so I'll recommend reading the book over listening to the audio. For the record though, the reader did a very good job.
I'll give it 3.5 stars. Add half a star if you enjoy romance novels. I didn't know it was romance - picked it in a hurry based on the photo of the dog on the cover.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Book #8 (Audio)
The Unbidden Truth by Kate Wilhelm. Nine CD's read by my favorite narrator, Anna Fields.
This one has been playing in my sewing room. I think I finished it in about a week or so, as I've had extra time to spend in there lately. A good listen, although the plot could be a bit hard to follow if you're not paying attention. Or perhaps because there was a scratch in the cd, so I had to forward past it and maybe missed something important in that section.
When I first started listening, I thought the story was a little familiar and that maybe I'd listened to this before. Now, however, I see on the cover this is "A Barbara Holloway Novel". Apparently, this is a series, so I guess I've listened to another one featuring these characters.
I give this audio book a 4-star rating. Anything read by Anna Fields is always enjoyable.
This one has been playing in my sewing room. I think I finished it in about a week or so, as I've had extra time to spend in there lately. A good listen, although the plot could be a bit hard to follow if you're not paying attention. Or perhaps because there was a scratch in the cd, so I had to forward past it and maybe missed something important in that section.
When I first started listening, I thought the story was a little familiar and that maybe I'd listened to this before. Now, however, I see on the cover this is "A Barbara Holloway Novel". Apparently, this is a series, so I guess I've listened to another one featuring these characters.
I give this audio book a 4-star rating. Anything read by Anna Fields is always enjoyable.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Book #7 (Audio)
Oh My Stars by Lorna Ladnvik. Twelve CDs read by Teres Byrne, approx. 15 hours. I am linking to the paperback version for the purpose of reading other reviews.
I have had this book playing in the car for many, many weeks. It is an enjoyable, easy to follow story with a good reader. I rarely had to rewind to remember what was happening. This was the first time I've heard a book by this narrator. She did a good job with the voices and I could usually tell who was talking even before the "said Violet" at the end of a sentence or paragraph. I sometimes wished I had more time in the car so I could have listened in bigger chunks.
I am giving this book a 4-star rating. I was tempted to add another half-a-star to that, but I feel like an Olympic judge who has to leave room for even better books to come this year. I will seek out further books by this author and also look for ones with Teres Byrne as the reader.
I have had this book playing in the car for many, many weeks. It is an enjoyable, easy to follow story with a good reader. I rarely had to rewind to remember what was happening. This was the first time I've heard a book by this narrator. She did a good job with the voices and I could usually tell who was talking even before the "said Violet" at the end of a sentence or paragraph. I sometimes wished I had more time in the car so I could have listened in bigger chunks.
I am giving this book a 4-star rating. I was tempted to add another half-a-star to that, but I feel like an Olympic judge who has to leave room for even better books to come this year. I will seek out further books by this author and also look for ones with Teres Byrne as the reader.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Book #6
Knit Two, A Friday Night Knitting Club novel by Kate Jacobs.
I started this book with high hopes. I remember loving the first book, The Friday Night Knitting Club. Shortly into the story, however, I knew this sequel wasn't going to do justice to the original. I slogged through it anyway, hoping it'd get better, but it never did. If anything, it continued to get worse, right through to the last page. The final wrap up seemed like a "Gee, the publisher only wants 300 pages and I'm already on page 296! How can I end this thing quickly without having to do too much rewriting?" moment.
I clicked on amazon.com and am surprised by all the 4 and 5 star ratings. I'm going with a 2.5 star rating and that's probably more than it deserves. My real recommendation is don't waste your time on this book, but if you do, don't be suckered into buying it. Get it from the library.
I started this book with high hopes. I remember loving the first book, The Friday Night Knitting Club. Shortly into the story, however, I knew this sequel wasn't going to do justice to the original. I slogged through it anyway, hoping it'd get better, but it never did. If anything, it continued to get worse, right through to the last page. The final wrap up seemed like a "Gee, the publisher only wants 300 pages and I'm already on page 296! How can I end this thing quickly without having to do too much rewriting?" moment.
I clicked on amazon.com and am surprised by all the 4 and 5 star ratings. I'm going with a 2.5 star rating and that's probably more than it deserves. My real recommendation is don't waste your time on this book, but if you do, don't be suckered into buying it. Get it from the library.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Book #5 (Audio)
This book was an audio - 15 CDs.
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. Read by Susan Ericksen.
I really enjoyed this audio book. I must have if I kept listening for 15 CDs worth. The ending was sad, but nicely handled. I don't believe I've listened to anything by this reader before. She did a nice job of changing voices. The change was subtle, but discernible.
I went back and forth between a 4 and 4.5 star rating. Finally, I'm settling on 4-stars, as the ending bordered on banal. Add a half a star if you enjoy chick-lit.
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. Read by Susan Ericksen.
I really enjoyed this audio book. I must have if I kept listening for 15 CDs worth. The ending was sad, but nicely handled. I don't believe I've listened to anything by this reader before. She did a nice job of changing voices. The change was subtle, but discernible.
I went back and forth between a 4 and 4.5 star rating. Finally, I'm settling on 4-stars, as the ending bordered on banal. Add a half a star if you enjoy chick-lit.
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