Going back to my roots today with a good old fashioned book review! I was already familiar with Clara Parkes before starting Knitlandia; I got the Knitter's Book of Socks for my birthday and fell in love with her writing style. She effortlessly imparts huge amounts of technical information to the reader without you even… Continue reading Book Review: ‘Knitlandia’ by Clara Parkes
Tag: book review
‘Hag-Seed’ by Margaret Atwood
From the back of the book: Felix is at the top of his game as Artistic Director of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival. Now he’s staging a Tempest like no other. It will boost his reputation. It will heal emotional wounds. Or that was the plan. Instead, after an act of unforeseen treachery, Felix is living in exile… Continue reading ‘Hag-Seed’ by Margaret Atwood
‘Le Grand Meaulnes’ by Alain-Fournier
(From the back of the book:) "When Meaulnes first errives at the local school in Sologne, everyone is captivated by his good looks, daring and charisma. But when he disappears for several days, and returns with tales of a strange party at a mysterious house and a beautiful girl hidden within it, Meaulnes has been… Continue reading ‘Le Grand Meaulnes’ by Alain-Fournier
‘Veronica’ by Nicholas Christopher
Veronica is told from the perspective of Leo, who is suddenly thrust into a world of magic and time travel after a chance encounter on the snowy streets of Manhattan. The opening few chapters of Veronica were some of the best I've read in ages, totally unlike anything I've read before. Everything was described in crystal clear detail,… Continue reading ‘Veronica’ by Nicholas Christopher
Books to retreat into
Everyone has those select books that make them feel safe. Whether it's because you read them at a particular time in your life, or associate them with something comforting, these books can have a surprisingly powerful effect. In this post, I'm going to share some of the ones I like to bury myself in when… Continue reading Books to retreat into
‘South of the Border, West of the Sun’ by Haruki Murakami
I haven't read a Murakami novel in a long time (well, actually it's only been a few months, but for me that's ages) and the relief that washed over me when I started reading this was overwhelming. Returning to his controlled yet eloquent style felt like putting on a well-worn pair of shoes. South of… Continue reading ‘South of the Border, West of the Sun’ by Haruki Murakami
‘Call Me By Your Name’ by André Aciman
Call Me By Your Name is about the romance between 17-year-old Elio and Oliver, an American scholar staying with his family. Set in Italy over the course of a summer, it follows their relationship from when it blossoms up to its inevitable end. I'd previously seen the film and absolutely loved it. With another novel… Continue reading ‘Call Me By Your Name’ by André Aciman
‘Astragal’ by Albertine Sarrazin
I wanted to read Astragal as soon as I saw the blurb- it sounded like my perfect book, particularly as for a while I've been a bit obsessed with all things '60s. Once I found out a bit about Albertine Sarrazin's life, I was even more eager to start it. My edition included an introduction by Patti… Continue reading ‘Astragal’ by Albertine Sarrazin
‘Bad Behaviour’ by Mary Gaitskill
Apologies for my long absence- I've been deep in exam season. It's almost over, though, so I should be back to regularly posting soon! In general I avoid reading short stories at all costs- the result of having to study an anthology of them for GCSEs and loathing it- but Bad Behaviour may have changed… Continue reading ‘Bad Behaviour’ by Mary Gaitskill
‘Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron’ by Daniel Clowes
Many of the features I would normally write about in a review don't apply to this book. This is partly because it's a graphic novel and also because it's unlike anything I've ever read before. From the very first page you're plunged into Clowes's seedy and hypnotic world, which I found completely immersive. As… Continue reading ‘Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron’ by Daniel Clowes
oolong stitches 