January 2022--the beginning of year 12 of this book blog, and what a lovely set of books that rang in the new year.
No Stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History by Gail Collins Gail Collins is one of my favorite columnists in The New York Times. In this book, she addresses how women and aging have been perceived by American society. As an aging woman myself who lives history and social commentary, how could I not read this book? Ms. Collins begins with the lives of woman in the early seventeenth century, when their lives were short, hard, and likely full of medical issues But a surprising number of women found successful lives as ministers, midwives, and even authors as society changed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The pressure to be beautiful and appear young becomes more urgent even as a small number of professional opportunities arose in the twentieth century. Ms. Collins introduces the reader to many famous and should-be famous women of history, and IO enjoyed the book very much. I listened to the audiobook, and I wish Ms. Collins had read more than her prologue; I found the narrator's style sometimes annoying, The book, however, was fascinating.
After the Funeral by Agatha Christie I listened to audiobooks while walking this month, and I was happy to find my library has acquired audiobooks of several Agatha Christie short stories. Cora thinks her brother's death was not an accident, but it's not until her murder that her suspicions are taken seriously. Hercule Poirot is hired to find out the truth. Enjoyable as all Agatha Christie stories are, and personally delightful to me to find some Hercule Poirots that I don't remember.
The Gate of Baghdad by Agatha Christie Parker Pyne appears in several Agatha Christie short stories, and in this one, Mr. Parker Pyne his traveling in Syria when one of the passengers on the bus is murdered. As much as I love Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, I enjoy stories that rely on her other detectives like Mr. Parker Pyne or Ariadne Oliver. Another engrossing short story enjoyed as an audiobook while walking.
The House by Raelyn Drake Everyone is scared of the abandoned house at the end of Gracie's street. Part of the mystery surrounding the house is that every Halloween. candy appears on the porch for trick or treaters brave enough to venture close. Gracie and her friends decide to investigate and solve the mystery of the house be bravely spending an entire night there, alone. Wonderful, atmospheric story for young tweens, with engaging role models in Gracie and her friends, and a heartwarming mystery behind the abandoned house.
Vanishing Fleece: Adventures in American Wool by Clara Parkes Clara Parkes is well known in the fiber arts world. In Vanishing Fleece, she tells the story of her year-long adventure to turn a 676-pound bale of wool into yarn. Ms. Parkes begins at the beginning, at the merino sheep farm and the very sheep from which her wool was shorn. She documents the process that fleece undergoes and how the wool industry, once dominant in certain parts of America, has dwindled to just a few producers and a number of mills that can be counted on one hand. Wool lovers and crafters will be fascinated by the journey of the raw material, but historians will find the book a useful summary of the history of wool production in America.
Wendy Knits Lace by Wendy D. Johnson Charming book of knit lace patterns by designer Wendy Johnson. Beautiful photos illustrate patterns for socks, shawls, and even a couple of sweaters.
Closely Knit by Hannah Fettig Hannah Fettig is popular knit designer on Ravelry whose Featherweight Cardigan pattern has been knit 10,176 times as of this writing, so it makes sense that her popularity would lead to a publication of her patterns. Closely Knit features 32 patterns for adults, children, and the home.
Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery Prolific knit designer Veronik Avery has published several books of patterns. As the title implies, those published in this 2007 compilation stress classic lines for men, women, and children.
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