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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated A Wicked Yarn in Books
Dec 30, 2020
This Debut is a Good Yarn
After the loss of her husband, Lia Geiger moves to a new town in Pennsylvania and starts selling things she and her knitting friends make at a local craft fair run by her best friend, Belinda. She’s expecting to sell lots of items over Mother’s Day weekend, and Saturday is great. But when she arrives on Sunday, she finds Belinda standing over the dead body of Belinda’s ex-husband, a developer who just the day before was planning to buy the barn where the craft fair is held and tear it down. With attendance at the craft fair dropping and Belinda everyone’s prime suspect, Lia jumps in to clear her friend. Can she do it?
While I don’t normally read crafting themed cozies, I’m glad I picked up this debut because I enjoyed it. The mystery is strong with several viable suspects, and it kept me guessing until the end. I did struggle with Lia’s relationship with Belinda. Even given what she is going through, I had a hard time believe that Lia and Belinda are best friends. However, there are plenty of other characters to love here, including Lia’s new neighbors and her young adult daughter. I enjoyed spending time with them. I’m looking forward to visiting Lia again when the next book in the series comes out.
While I don’t normally read crafting themed cozies, I’m glad I picked up this debut because I enjoyed it. The mystery is strong with several viable suspects, and it kept me guessing until the end. I did struggle with Lia’s relationship with Belinda. Even given what she is going through, I had a hard time believe that Lia and Belinda are best friends. However, there are plenty of other characters to love here, including Lia’s new neighbors and her young adult daughter. I enjoyed spending time with them. I’m looking forward to visiting Lia again when the next book in the series comes out.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Stitched in Crime in Books
Dec 10, 2021
Accidental Fall? Or Murder?
Life is beginning to settle down again for Lia Geiger, and the crowds are returning to the craft fair where she sells her knitting projects, thanks in part to Cori Littlefield and her wonderful crochet projects. Sadly, Cori is found dead one day near the bottom of a waterfall. While the police rule it a tragic accident, Lia thinks there might be a connection to a similar death from two decades ago – a death that Cori claimed to witness as a little girl. But can Lia find any evidence to back up her claim?
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and this was just as much fun. We get a puzzling mystery with several strong suspects. Every time I thought I knew who done it, another suspect would do something to put them at the top of my list. The ending answered all my questions, including one the characters never asked. I do feel like the characters could be a little stronger, but maybe that’s just me, and maybe it’s because of all the background characters. I had no trouble keeping all the characters straight, and a character that rubbed me a bit the wrong way in the first book has definitely softened here. If you are looking for a fun cozy, this is the book you need to pick up.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and this was just as much fun. We get a puzzling mystery with several strong suspects. Every time I thought I knew who done it, another suspect would do something to put them at the top of my list. The ending answered all my questions, including one the characters never asked. I do feel like the characters could be a little stronger, but maybe that’s just me, and maybe it’s because of all the background characters. I had no trouble keeping all the characters straight, and a character that rubbed me a bit the wrong way in the first book has definitely softened here. If you are looking for a fun cozy, this is the book you need to pick up.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I normally dont reading books like this nor have I read the authors book The Yarn Whisperers, so I wasnt surprised that this wasnt to my taste. I requested it because I am a knitter, but unfortunately, this story had less to do about knitting and more about travel. The writing is simple enough, having the conversationalist tone of a blog writer trying to entice a reader; and I enjoyed her easy style. It did take me a while to power through it, however, as I found I didnt particularly care about the subjects the author chose to write about. The most interesting part of the book, to me, was the opening where she describes her moms car being on fire. I didnt know any of the people the author name dropped so I felt their significance in the story was lost on me.
I really wanted to like this book although I feel I should have known better. I learned my lesson, I guess. Also, my copy randomly had images of As in giant gray boxes periodically throughout the book. I am not sure what they were supposed to be but they were distracting. I imagine they were supposed to be images that just didnt translate in my digital copy. If thats the case, I am deeply sorry I wasnt able to see them.
I normally dont reading books like this nor have I read the authors book The Yarn Whisperers, so I wasnt surprised that this wasnt to my taste. I requested it because I am a knitter, but unfortunately, this story had less to do about knitting and more about travel. The writing is simple enough, having the conversationalist tone of a blog writer trying to entice a reader; and I enjoyed her easy style. It did take me a while to power through it, however, as I found I didnt particularly care about the subjects the author chose to write about. The most interesting part of the book, to me, was the opening where she describes her moms car being on fire. I didnt know any of the people the author name dropped so I felt their significance in the story was lost on me.
I really wanted to like this book although I feel I should have known better. I learned my lesson, I guess. Also, my copy randomly had images of As in giant gray boxes periodically throughout the book. I am not sure what they were supposed to be but they were distracting. I imagine they were supposed to be images that just didnt translate in my digital copy. If thats the case, I am deeply sorry I wasnt able to see them.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Hearts We Sold in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Okay, so I got this in one of my Owlcrate boxes and I very much enjoyed it. For some reason, I haven't actually read a lot of the books I have gotten in my boxes, but this cover looked really cool, so I wanted to give it a read.
I loved the opening scene. I mean, come on, if you saw a demon knitting, wouldn't you want to see what is up about it? I know I would. That is what immediately drew me in.
The story itself was very well thought out. I loved the pacing and all of the intricacies in the book itself. The rag tag crew of misfit deal makers was fun. I loved whenever they would just hang out. Granted them actually going on missions was really exciting because you could see all of their skills coming out to play.
Whenever they would interact with their demon, I imagined him like a disgruntled mother figure for some reason. I loved him so much.
The character relationships were awesome. I loved how everyone interacted with one another, especially when it wasn't a romantic interest. (even though I loved those too)
The ending (spoiler) was heartbreaking, but beautiful. I loved it so much even though I cried.
I can definitely say that the crew at Owlcrate did an excellent job picking this book out and I can't wait to actually read more of the books from the boxes!
I loved the opening scene. I mean, come on, if you saw a demon knitting, wouldn't you want to see what is up about it? I know I would. That is what immediately drew me in.
The story itself was very well thought out. I loved the pacing and all of the intricacies in the book itself. The rag tag crew of misfit deal makers was fun. I loved whenever they would just hang out. Granted them actually going on missions was really exciting because you could see all of their skills coming out to play.
Whenever they would interact with their demon, I imagined him like a disgruntled mother figure for some reason. I loved him so much.
The character relationships were awesome. I loved how everyone interacted with one another, especially when it wasn't a romantic interest. (even though I loved those too)
The ending (spoiler) was heartbreaking, but beautiful. I loved it so much even though I cried.
I can definitely say that the crew at Owlcrate did an excellent job picking this book out and I can't wait to actually read more of the books from the boxes!
Taryn K (441 KP) rated Yarned and Dangerous (A Tangled Web Mystery) in Books
May 5, 2018
A knitted cozy to enjoy
This cozy mystery was fun. I really liked how Great-Uncle Eb and his niece, Josie (our heroine), got along. The feud between him and his next door neighbor sounded interesting, though the author didn't dig into that too much in this book.
I am a crocheter and a yarn hoarder, so that could be why I didn't quite understand how Josie could consider selling the yarn shop Eb's late wife Cora left behind in favor of going back to the designer who was making her crazy in New York. She was so stifled and couldn't come up with amazing clothing designs until she started going through the inventory with a member of the local knitting group. Yet all through the book, this mental struggle between "It feels so welcoming," and "No, I'm just going to get rid of the inventory and sell it off," just bothered me, which is why it's an 8-star review and not a 9.
The villain is not immediately obvious, which I appreciated, since it's usually obvious by chapter 5 who did it, if not why they did it. I chased a few wild geese before finding out who the culprit was, so I enjoyed that.
It is a good book, as is the second book, and I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series.
I am a crocheter and a yarn hoarder, so that could be why I didn't quite understand how Josie could consider selling the yarn shop Eb's late wife Cora left behind in favor of going back to the designer who was making her crazy in New York. She was so stifled and couldn't come up with amazing clothing designs until she started going through the inventory with a member of the local knitting group. Yet all through the book, this mental struggle between "It feels so welcoming," and "No, I'm just going to get rid of the inventory and sell it off," just bothered me, which is why it's an 8-star review and not a 9.
The villain is not immediately obvious, which I appreciated, since it's usually obvious by chapter 5 who did it, if not why they did it. I chased a few wild geese before finding out who the culprit was, so I enjoyed that.
It is a good book, as is the second book, and I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series.
Moby recommended Silver Apples by Silver Apples in Music (curated)
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated 60 Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220™ in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Cascade 220 is an inexpensive good quality wool in hundreds of colors. However, any yarn of the same weight (or even a different weight if you want to get creative and do something funky) can be substituted if needed.
60 Quick Knits is a fantastic book! The patterns are beautiful and inspiring, each one is unique and holds potential for a million variations of decor, color, stitch patterning etc. There are patterns for kids, like bunny mittens, a lion scarf, a cupcake hat, and more sophisticated patterns like textured tam, hugs and kisses mittens, and even some patterns for the guys like a pocket scarf and tweed mittens.
Here is a preview of some of the patterns photographs I mentioned.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-sER6e5xCaQ/S7fChi20hXI/AAAAAAAACkg/RsTyBqnFFac/s1600-h/60%20knits%20preview%5B4%5D.jpg)
Each pattern tells the level of experience needed to complete it, has one or two high quality good photographs, very good clear instructions, and graphs with keys. In the front of the book is a list of abbreviations, and a conversion table from US needle sizes to Metric needle sizes.
The book doesn’t attempting to teach someone to knit, so you’ll need a good knitting teaching book, or a teacher, or some foreknowledge before you can use it. I find this a good thing, since the book is focusing on patterns rather than instruction.
When I got this one in the mail, I swear I drooled. My mom and I flipped through the pages oooh-ing and aahhh-ing. I’m going to have trouble picking which one to make first!
Recommendation: Knitters at any level
60 Quick Knits is released by Sixth&Springs books on April 6th.
**review copy provided by publisher**
60 Quick Knits is a fantastic book! The patterns are beautiful and inspiring, each one is unique and holds potential for a million variations of decor, color, stitch patterning etc. There are patterns for kids, like bunny mittens, a lion scarf, a cupcake hat, and more sophisticated patterns like textured tam, hugs and kisses mittens, and even some patterns for the guys like a pocket scarf and tweed mittens.
Here is a preview of some of the patterns photographs I mentioned.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-sER6e5xCaQ/S7fChi20hXI/AAAAAAAACkg/RsTyBqnFFac/s1600-h/60%20knits%20preview%5B4%5D.jpg)
Each pattern tells the level of experience needed to complete it, has one or two high quality good photographs, very good clear instructions, and graphs with keys. In the front of the book is a list of abbreviations, and a conversion table from US needle sizes to Metric needle sizes.
The book doesn’t attempting to teach someone to knit, so you’ll need a good knitting teaching book, or a teacher, or some foreknowledge before you can use it. I find this a good thing, since the book is focusing on patterns rather than instruction.
When I got this one in the mail, I swear I drooled. My mom and I flipped through the pages oooh-ing and aahhh-ing. I’m going to have trouble picking which one to make first!
Recommendation: Knitters at any level
60 Quick Knits is released by Sixth&Springs books on April 6th.
**review copy provided by publisher**
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Before They are Hanged: The First Law: Book Two in Books
Apr 27, 2018
First of all, these were some of the longest books I’ve listened to in a while. I’ve been plugging away on these suckers for over a month. some of the tracks are an hour or longer. So if you like long books, it’s worth the time investment! this is a great series for a long road trip, a summer (winter) vacation, or to play in the background while you attack a major knitting project.
All three books have a part 1 and a part 2. Part 1 of the first book was spent introducing a huge variety of characters that didn’t seem to have anything to do with each other; in fact they didn’t even feel like they were living in the same world. I did put the story down and move away from it a few times, because there wasn’t much plot or connection between them. Even though it was interesting, funny, and well written, that first part seemed very disconnected.
I told myself I’d listen to one more track. So I did, and that one track was the one where everything started falling together. Not only were they in the same world, they would be going on the same adventure and working together to save the world from an evil king, a crazy wizard, and magical zombies.
I love a good war story.
Each story left off with a stunning finish that begged for more. Even the last one; though it was open enough that anything could happen, you’re pretty sure you know. All the loose ends are tied up: bad guys die, people get their revenge, the king gets married, the deserving are promoted, and the drunks get… less drunk than normal.
If you’re into action, adventure, fantasy, or bloody thrillers, this series will keep you busy for a good long time!
Content and Recommendation: Ages 18+. Some sex (I’ll tell you know it’s awkward not great, even worse when you’re listening to it, not reading it). Plenty of language. Lots of violence; war scenes, murder, and cutting off body parts. One of the main characters is a torturer, okay? This one isn’t for the faint of heart. And don’t listen to it while you’re eating.
All three books have a part 1 and a part 2. Part 1 of the first book was spent introducing a huge variety of characters that didn’t seem to have anything to do with each other; in fact they didn’t even feel like they were living in the same world. I did put the story down and move away from it a few times, because there wasn’t much plot or connection between them. Even though it was interesting, funny, and well written, that first part seemed very disconnected.
I told myself I’d listen to one more track. So I did, and that one track was the one where everything started falling together. Not only were they in the same world, they would be going on the same adventure and working together to save the world from an evil king, a crazy wizard, and magical zombies.
I love a good war story.
Each story left off with a stunning finish that begged for more. Even the last one; though it was open enough that anything could happen, you’re pretty sure you know. All the loose ends are tied up: bad guys die, people get their revenge, the king gets married, the deserving are promoted, and the drunks get… less drunk than normal.
If you’re into action, adventure, fantasy, or bloody thrillers, this series will keep you busy for a good long time!
Content and Recommendation: Ages 18+. Some sex (I’ll tell you know it’s awkward not great, even worse when you’re listening to it, not reading it). Plenty of language. Lots of violence; war scenes, murder, and cutting off body parts. One of the main characters is a torturer, okay? This one isn’t for the faint of heart. And don’t listen to it while you’re eating.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated One Night on the Island in Books
Feb 14, 2022
Cleo is heading to the remote Irish island of Salvation for work, but it's personal too. She's about to turn thirty, an age her father never reached, and she's trying to reconcile where she is in life. A columnist who writes about finding love, she's yet to discover it herself. On Salvation, she plans to "self-couple"--a concept brought up by her boss, but Cleo can't help but feel there's something to finding herself. As for Mack Sullivan, he's heading to Salvation to research his ancestry and photograph the island he's heard so much about from his mother and grandmother. Escaping his estranged wife and crumbling life is a bonus, though he'll miss his two sons terribly. It's only when they arrive on the island that Mack and Cleo realize they've booked the same one room cottage--a terrible mix-up on a tiny island with no other accommodations. Forced to live together until the next ferry arrives, the two can barely stand being in the same space. But as time passes on the lovely island, their attitudes change.
This is a very slow moving, slow burn romance that focuses on being thoughtful and deliberate in its descriptions. There's less action and a lot of focus on the island and tons and tons of focus on Cleo and Mack's emotions and thoughts. So many thoughts, so much angst!
As for my thoughts... seriously, even on a small island, no one had a spare room? Not even a little one? Enjoying this book means buying into the premise that two complete strangers were truly willing to share a ONE ROOM cottage--sleeping across from another in a bed and a sofa. Thanks but no thanks. Also odd was Cleo's self-coupling (aka marrying herself) concept, which both she and her boss seemed quite into and even Mack accepted. Hmm...
Far more delightful was Salvation Island and its inhabitants. I could have read an entire book just focused on the enjoyable folks Cleo and Mack ran across, particularly the women Cleo joined at knitting circle and the lively group who gathered at the local pub. And while there were plenty of descriptions of this island, some were quite fun (otters!).
The book is told in a back and forth point of view from Cleo and Mack. They grow on you. It's not their fault they were trapped in the same lodge. This one was a little too slow and emotional for me in the beginning, but I still got a bit tearful at the ending.
I received a copy of this book from Random House / Ballantine and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
This is a very slow moving, slow burn romance that focuses on being thoughtful and deliberate in its descriptions. There's less action and a lot of focus on the island and tons and tons of focus on Cleo and Mack's emotions and thoughts. So many thoughts, so much angst!
As for my thoughts... seriously, even on a small island, no one had a spare room? Not even a little one? Enjoying this book means buying into the premise that two complete strangers were truly willing to share a ONE ROOM cottage--sleeping across from another in a bed and a sofa. Thanks but no thanks. Also odd was Cleo's self-coupling (aka marrying herself) concept, which both she and her boss seemed quite into and even Mack accepted. Hmm...
Far more delightful was Salvation Island and its inhabitants. I could have read an entire book just focused on the enjoyable folks Cleo and Mack ran across, particularly the women Cleo joined at knitting circle and the lively group who gathered at the local pub. And while there were plenty of descriptions of this island, some were quite fun (otters!).
The book is told in a back and forth point of view from Cleo and Mack. They grow on you. It's not their fault they were trapped in the same lodge. This one was a little too slow and emotional for me in the beginning, but I still got a bit tearful at the ending.
I received a copy of this book from Random House / Ballantine and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Military Wives (2020) in Movies
Mar 9, 2020
Based on true events, Military Wives tells the story of how the very first military wives charity group came to be formed. That initial group was soon followed by more Military Wives groups, with some of the earlier ones even starring in 2011 BBC reality show 'The Choir', led by Gareth Malone. The Military Wives choirs have continued to grow since then and now comprise of 2000 women, located at over 70 military bases around the world, producing hit singles and albums as they go from strength to strength. The movie is directed by Peter Cattaneo, who directed The Full Monty, and the trailer really does have that traditional feel-good British comedy vibe which we seem to churn out year after year in an attempt to be "this years Full Monty". I wasn't sure if this was going to be for me, but after I found myself thoroughly enjoying Fisherman's Friends last year, I went in with an open mind.
At a UK army base, soldiers are preparing to leave for another tour in Afghanistan. As they say goodbye, we're given a chance to be introduced to the wives and families who will remain in the houses located on the base while the soldiers are away. Straight away, we get real insight into the lives of these women - trying to maintain some kind of normality, while constantly living in fear of the phone call or the knock at the door that might come at any time and turn their lives upside down. The women all vary in their experience of army life - from young, newly married wives to wives who are old hands at moving from base to base and country to country, coping without their husband for long periods of time.
Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas) is married to the regiment's colonel and assumes that she is therefore superior to all the other women on the base - jumping the queue in the small on-site grocery store and generally looking down her nose at the others. Lisa (Sharon Horgan) is much more laid back than Kate, happy to just go with the flow. She has been charged with pastoral care for the wives while their partners are away, and is more than happy just to organise the odd coffee morning or a few glasses of wine rather than anything more productive and engaging for the group. With her husband away, and having to deal with a past tragedy that we learn more about as the story unfolds, Kate decides to try and poke her nose in and organise Lisa and the other wives. Consequently, Kate and Lisa clash... regularly.
After unsuccessfully trying out knitting as a suggested activity, one of the wives suggests singing. Unfortunately though, none of the women appear to be very good at singing and the bickering between Kate and Lisa doesn't really help improve them either. While Kate reads up on vocal warm-ups and learning how to conduct a choir, Lisa digs out her old electronic keyboard and is happy just to have the group try and sing along to a few old pop songs.
Military Wives does manage to follow that traditional Full Monty template I described earlier - with a mismatched bunch of inexperienced singers who eventually manage to get it together enough to be able to perform their own song at the Royal Albert Hall. However, I did feel that the emotion and the drama surrounding these women, who could lose their husband/wife at any moment, really brought something different to the movie, something which I don't feel the trailer accurately portrays. The comedy and the feel-good factor that these trailers like to put across was a lot more subtle, and as a result I enjoyed it far more than I was expecting to.
At a UK army base, soldiers are preparing to leave for another tour in Afghanistan. As they say goodbye, we're given a chance to be introduced to the wives and families who will remain in the houses located on the base while the soldiers are away. Straight away, we get real insight into the lives of these women - trying to maintain some kind of normality, while constantly living in fear of the phone call or the knock at the door that might come at any time and turn their lives upside down. The women all vary in their experience of army life - from young, newly married wives to wives who are old hands at moving from base to base and country to country, coping without their husband for long periods of time.
Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas) is married to the regiment's colonel and assumes that she is therefore superior to all the other women on the base - jumping the queue in the small on-site grocery store and generally looking down her nose at the others. Lisa (Sharon Horgan) is much more laid back than Kate, happy to just go with the flow. She has been charged with pastoral care for the wives while their partners are away, and is more than happy just to organise the odd coffee morning or a few glasses of wine rather than anything more productive and engaging for the group. With her husband away, and having to deal with a past tragedy that we learn more about as the story unfolds, Kate decides to try and poke her nose in and organise Lisa and the other wives. Consequently, Kate and Lisa clash... regularly.
After unsuccessfully trying out knitting as a suggested activity, one of the wives suggests singing. Unfortunately though, none of the women appear to be very good at singing and the bickering between Kate and Lisa doesn't really help improve them either. While Kate reads up on vocal warm-ups and learning how to conduct a choir, Lisa digs out her old electronic keyboard and is happy just to have the group try and sing along to a few old pop songs.
Military Wives does manage to follow that traditional Full Monty template I described earlier - with a mismatched bunch of inexperienced singers who eventually manage to get it together enough to be able to perform their own song at the Royal Albert Hall. However, I did feel that the emotion and the drama surrounding these women, who could lose their husband/wife at any moment, really brought something different to the movie, something which I don't feel the trailer accurately portrays. The comedy and the feel-good factor that these trailers like to put across was a lot more subtle, and as a result I enjoyed it far more than I was expecting to.