I’m not sure what is going on with my reading lately but I feel like I cannot finish a book. I guess that’s not true because this weekend I started and finished one book, a historical romance, which is probably why that was such a fast read but I feel like I just haven’t gotten settled with my current reads.

I keep starting new ones and then don’t feel as compelled to continue with them or I am eager to start a book(s) that others have recommended. Anyway, here is what I’m in the middle of lately:

• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. I think the last time I mentioned this book I was at 30 pages and now I’m at 50. At this rate it’s going to take me forever to finish. Again, if I could just find a good chunk of time to sit with this book I think I would make good progress so I just need to plan a bit more for this one.
• Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle. When Brooklyn starts talking about restoring an old book or her favorite bookbinding tools, I’m all into this book. It’s a cute series and I’m about half way through this one.
• Courting Greta by Ramsey Hootman When I first found this book I thought it might be a cute romantic story but so far the characters are really not that nice. The book jacket does say “if you want a predictable romance… this is not the book for you. “ so I shouldn’t be surprised but I am not sure if I will continue with this one. Maybe just not the right mood. Anyone read it?
• The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles by Katherine Pancol.  This is a Kindle read and although I only started it, I like it. This was a bestseller in France and I’ve read some glowing reviews so I hope I’ll enjoy it.
• A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. I think I’ve been looking for this type of book lately which is why I couldn’t make a lot of headway in my other novels. I want charming and cozy and I think this book will deliver.

Of course I’m already thinking of what other book to add to my pile and while I would like to add a mystery from one the series I follow I think the next book I add will have to be the mystery for my book group meeting next week. I’m falling behind already so I should start that soon. What about you, what good book(s) are you reading?

We had such a beautiful weekend but being in a bit of an allergy haze meant I didn’t really get to enjoy a bike ride or much of it (allergy medicines make me tired) but I did a bit of crafting on Saturday and I have a new journal to show you.

This is a repurposed Reader’s Digest book. I made one  last year but had to revisit it again to remember how do to the binding. This time I didn’t add a closure because one of the things I really like in my personal journals is to use a binding which will allow them to lie flat.

This cross stitch exposed binding looks like it could be difficult but once you start sewing you kind of just have to go with it and it’ll flow. I still used a bit of leather on this binding and sometimes it was hard to pull the needle through so there are some uneven areas but I was happy to try this again.

Usually when I learn a new bookbinding technique that I know I like and want to try again I have to do it a few times before it feels familiar. So my goal is to try and make this book again soon. Next time I was first thinking of going with book cloth for the spine but now I’m leaning to trying some vinyl. I’ll keep you posted.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I don’t typically use my first journals as they are my samples but as I already have one of these made, I’m definitely using this one. A lot of times it takes me a while to decide what I’ll use the journal for but not this time. This is going to become my Personal Poetry Anthology book. I had started off with a store bought journal that is similar to a moleskine but the pages are so very thin that the ink almost shows through. Even before I started that journal I was never quite set on it so I think this will make a much better choice.

Hope you all had a great weekend. I picked up a new book at the library so I’m off to start that now.