Almost all are granny square patterns and I seriously doubt I’ll ever make any of them, but why look a sale book in the mouth?
This book has some non-granny square patterns, but ditto ditto.
Then this book full of “designer knitting” (how unexpected!) which again ditto ditto, but might serve as good swap/Bookmooch fodder.
But this booklet, which I’m hoping will be very useful, as it covers a wiiiiiiiide range of sizes from 9 mos to size#50 in seamless raglans. It sounds too good to be true. It only gives instructions for worsted weight and sportweight, which means I might have to do serious swatching before ever using the patterns, but you never know! It covers both cardigans and pullovers. You work out your gauge and choose your size from a table and plug in the values that the table gives you into a pattern format, and hey presto, you have your pattern! What could be simpler? Only Rs 10.
One booklet on plastic canvas cat things, one for “full figure” sweaters (I haven’t got there yet, but the rate I’m going, I should reach there pretty fast), another with two patterns for men, and one for larger sizes, each at about Rs 5 or 10. A good haul, might serve again for swap/mooch fodder.
Also a fair amount of British mystery writing. Just finished PD James’ Unnatural Causes, and am in the middle of her Shroud for a Nightingale. A couple of Martha Grimes (she’s American but writes with a Brit detective) and one Ruth Rendell, I think. A nice haul from a book sale at YMCA Secunderabad.
Also in Hyderabad, I managed to finish my first Anthony Berkeley Richard Sheringham and the Vane Case (not too impressed with it, seemed laboured somehow, without the ease of the BWW*). And my first Priscilla Masters, Endangering Innocents. Much better, maybe you have to be female to write the good stuff. In this particular genre anyway. Not very uplifting, though. I think I prefer older victims. Both from the British Council Library.
My train reading on the way to Hyderabad (since the baby sweater only needed sewing and seaming) was this book:
I picked it up at Crossword and it was a good read, but after finishing I was wondering if perhaps it counts as (oh the horror) “chick fiction”? Interesting, but it was the end that raised my doubts on its classification. Too M&B-ish. Not that I haven’t read my fair share of those (and still will, given a chance) but not if I have to buy it for Rs 415! 4 strangers are named in a will by another stranger and they spend the book trying to discover why. I’m thinking I’ll use this to try for my first-ever exchange at a bookstore.
So, about 4 or 5 books in a week. That’s my usual speed (I spent a large part of one day at an annaprasana (first solid food feeding) for the niece of my last post, and another running some errands including the book sale and checking out the new Fiat Palio Stile with my sister). Would that be your usual speed too? Or do you think I lose something by devouring the tomes at such a hectic pace? (Sort of like yo-yo dieting, feast and famine).
Come on, I want to hear what you think.
*BWW = British Women Writers
5 comments
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April 19, 2007 at 3:13 am
Andrea
There’s nothing wrong with reading that fast. Personally, I don’t… but then I’ve always been slow at lots of stuff.
April 19, 2007 at 6:21 am
knittenkitten
I have moods so if I’m enjoying a reading mood I can read about 3 a week max, but in all fairness (you overachiever) that’s since I’ve had kids aka constant reading interruptors.
April 19, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Darla
You named some of my favorite writers (James, Grimes, Rendell). I think I’ve read almost everything they have written.
I read about 2 books a week and use the library a lot.
Darla
April 20, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Debbie
I’m sure you’re not “losing” anything by reading so quickly, and I’d be willing to bet you slow down with some books and savour them.
I’ve just checked out a Carl Hiaasen mystery. He’s supposed to be good, but I haven’t read him yet. I also use the library a lot, but it’s frustrating when they only have one or two of an author’s.
April 23, 2007 at 5:43 pm
sosha
Show off! Just kidding! I think I can do about 4 a week if I am not at work. What’s yr reading speed in wpm (words per minute) Mine’s around 500 – see if you can best that.
Actually ‘Feasting, Fasting’ is the name of a book by the famous mother Anita Desai if I’m not mistaken.
There was a lovely piece in the Deccan Chronicle about mystery writers last Saturday.