In Silence

in silence there is eloquence
stop weaving and watch how the pattern improves —rumi

Recently Finished Books Archive

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley (I absolutley loved this book! In the same genre of Harriet the Spy, but definitely written for an older audience. Puts an immediacy to Nancy Drew style investigation that I found refreshing and perfect. Loved Miss Flavia--the book was one hundred percent believable and I wish that a sequel was written as soon as possible. 1/25)

The Help - Kathryn Stockett (I was actually surprised to find myself really liking this book. Jim Crow laws and the Civil Rights Movement have been topics I've read so much about in non-fiction, that I kind of assumed I would be able to run through this book without pausing for breath. I thought wrong, and I'm really glad I read this book. I recommend it for anyone who loved To Kill a Mockingbird and thinks that they can't read another line about race relations. 1/10/)

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks - E. Lockhart (I most admittedly have a weakness for girl-power young adult fiction. It's hard for me not to enjoy reading about young girls doing fabulous amazing things, thumbing their noses at boy's secret societies and doing--Most Definitely Doing--the intelligent things society tells girls they needn't (and probably shouldn't) be doing. I loved the awkwardness Lockhart gave Frankie--it's so true to teenage girls, and it made the character absolutely believable. 1/8)

Tinkers - Paul Harding (I kind of wish I hadn't read this book right after my Grandfather passed away. It's a great book, poetically written and perfectly paced, but it really goes into the death of an old man who has lived a good life. And I really wasn't ready to read it when I did. I doubt I'll ever read it again, but if it falls into your lap, don't toss it aside. 12/23)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford (I got this from the library originally, and before I even finished the book I knew I would have to order a copy for myself. It provides a fabulously detailed look at Seattle's International District during the deportation of Japanese citizens during WWII. Also, it's a great love story. Highly, highly, highly recommended. 12/13)

Yellophant

This is a six-month baby-versary present that I managed to get done early! Hurray me! Me fhinks I need to get some of of these adorable little pachaderms churned out...seems like everyone is babymaking these days.

Recently Completed Books Archive

Damar 2: The Hero's Crown -- Robin McKinley (The protagonist for this story was a bit easier to empathize with, and I loved the way McKinley wrote so meticulously in this story. Also, it didn't hurt that the female hero got to kill a dragon. Yay for female dragon slayers! 5/3)

Damar 1: The Blue Sword -- Robin McKinley (I'm almost done with my Robin McKinley phase, I swear. I liked the plot of the book, but I couldn't really get into the characters. Worth reading, but not worth purchasing. 4/28)

Weekend Sewing -- Heather Ross (The pictures in this book are really pretty. The blog tours that she did were neat too--all the pics of clothes people made using her patterns look awesome too. However, I have made nothing from this book so far. Why? 90% of the patterns are only sized to about a women's 12. Also, all the patterns are printed on two (2!) sheets of humongous thick paper, right on top of each other. The little note in the legend says to take them to a copystore. This book makes me sad that I bought it. 4/25)

When You Are Engulfed In Flames -- David Sedaris (David Sedaris is a funny, funny man. I've never seen him live/in person, or even via video. I'm hoping he lives up to his voice and his way of talking about himself when I finally do get to go seem him perform live. Someday. These are funny funny stories. Mostly I think I love when he talks about his awkward childhood and his disfunctional family, since on both accounts I can highly relate. Since I've been rationing myself, I'm not quite done with this set. My favorite so far has to be the undewear/french hospital story. Good Stuff. 4/18)