Journaling

Journaling

Nightstand May 19, 2010

I’ve got a ton of books to tell you about. Seriously, I must have like 10 books to review but what am I doing tonight instead? Oohing over The Journal Junkies Workshop by Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler.

I saw this at the bookstore a couple of weeks ago and finally I knew I had to have it so I ordered it. I am pretty good about keeping a journal but my efforts to keep a visual journal are a lot more hit or miss. Because art journaling for me requires more time I tend to put it off and put it off until it becomes harder to get back into it. So I’m always looking for ways to keep inspired and to push on. Once I get going I love it so it’s almost like I need to learn to let go of this feeling that I need to find lots of time to work on my visual journals.

We know I complain about not having enough time for reading, bookbinding, etc. so why is this any different?

So back to this book. While the book doesn’t necessarily offer many new how-to techniques, it does have some nice step-by-step instructions for the journaler who is just starting out. I have a quite a little library on books on visual arts so a lot of this isn’t new to me, but regardless, I like it because it has artwork that is different from what other books on the subject seem to have and that in itself is what I find inspiring.

Here’s hoping I get my mojo back. How about you? Do you keep a journal? Is visual journaling something you like to do too?

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It’s A Mystery

It’s A Mystery

Nightstand May 18, 2010

Tonight was my monthly meeting with my mystery book group and we met to discuss The Wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri. Our discussion was all over the map as we talked about Italian food, politics and etc. The book wasn’t a favorite for many but what was interesting is that a lot of us thought some of the author’s other books were better. Anyway, I’ll try to have a little review up soon so you can read more about the book and decide if you want to give it a try.

We did select reading choices for the next few months and I’m excited that we have mostly new to me authors. Some of the books we’ll be reading are:

  • The Fire Engine that Disappeared by Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall. I read the first book in the series earlier this year and really liked it so I want to see what happens with the detective. Too bad this is not the second book in the series but if I like it I’ll definitely go back and read more.
  • The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson. A western mystery is not necessarily one I’d normally choose but I’ve read wonderful reviews about this series so it’ll be nice to read a mystery with a bit different setting.
  • The Last Child by John Hart. One of our members said this was a great thriller so it sounds like a good read for the summer.
  • All Our Yesterdays by Robert B. Parker. Never read any Parker.
  • The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. I’ve already read this one and loved it.

But now it’s time to get to bed and finish up another mystery, The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear. I have to say I was a bit surprised by the love interest Maisie gets in this installment.

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Review: Friday Night Knitting Club

Review: Friday Night Knitting Club

Nightstand May 17, 2010

fridaynight.jpg“The hours of Walker and Daughter Knitters were clearly displayed in multicolored letters on a white sandwich board placed just so at the top of the stair landing. Though Georgia Walker — usually preoccupied with closing out the till and packing up the strays of yarn on the floor — rarely made a move to turn the lock until at least eight fifteen… or later.”

No matter their knitting skills, women gather at Walker & Daughter Knitters on Friday evenings for a cozy evening of knitting, chatting and a sense of community. Georgia Walker, the owner of the shop, never envisioned she would have formed such a gathering spot but after years of hard work and questioning herself she is proud of what she has achieved.

At one time Georgia was young, pregnant and single and ready to go back home to her parents after her devastating breakup, but when Anita approached her for a knitting project it signalled the beginning of a great friendship and partnership. With Anita’s help, Georgia gained self-confidence, opened up her shop and raised her child by herself.

Now Georgia’s daughter, Dakota, is a self-assured twelve-year-old who is often baking and also found spending time with the members of the knitting club. Georgia is happy with her life so far but it’s beginning to get a bit complicated now that Dakota’s dad is back in the picture and wants to spend more time with Dakota and Georgia. Georgia’s best friend in high school, Catherine, is also back but can Georgia forgive betrayals that happened long ago?

As Georgia navigates these new relationships and how she feels about them readers are also given a peek into the lives of the other women who either work at the shop or attend the Friday night knitting sessions. They are all going through their share of relationship woes, career transitions, and big life decisions.

Although knitting is one of the central elements of the novel you don’t have to be a knitter to enjoy it. If you aren’t though be prepared to be tempted to try a new hobby. Reading about the varieties of yarn, colors and textures, and abundance of projects you can make will surely have you thinking about reaching for some knitting needles.

Just like I’ve always imagined that knitting is an activity that can bring a lot of comfort, this book makes you feel like you are around characters you know. Which is perhaps why I didn’t like the end. Without trying to spoil too much, my concern is that I feel sometimes authors create more drama than is needed just to tug at your heartstrings. The novel was a good effort and would have been much better with that last part.

Source: Personal Copy

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