Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Arthritis Ask Me Anything Birthdays Bloggers Books Buy More Yarn Charity Knitting Circular Sock Machine Contests Crochet Dyeing Epic Sock Blanket Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Joyful Wednesday Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday March Money Madness Memes Mittens Monday On My Mind Monthly Intentions Movies Museum of Me Mutterings My Backyard NaBloPoMo One Little Word Patterns Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Ravelry Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sewing Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Style School Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on the Tenth Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography
You are here: Home / Books / Reading Update: Mid October through November 2017

Reading Update: Mid October through November 2017

December 5, 2017 By Carole

As I was getting ready for Book Club last night I remembered that I hadn’t written a post for today yet. And I thought, crap, I don’t have anything to blog about. I mean, there’s always stuff to blog about, but I needed something fast as I was getting ready to head out the door. To Book Club.

Oh yeah. I could do a reading update. Amazing how my mind was able to put two and two together like that. Heh.


(this picture has nothing to do with reading. but it’s pretty and I needed a picture for the post. forgive me.)

So, the books I have read since mid October:

4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster
5 stars
This book is super long but so worth the time invested in reading it, the story revolves around Archie Ferguson and four variations of his life. It’s fascinating to see how his life changes and evolves based on a variety of both good and bad events and it’s equally interesting to note the things that stay the same despite those events. Set during the 50s and 60s, mostly in NYC, it’s a brilliant novel and completely dese3rved of the Man Booker. Highly recommended.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
3 stars
Compelling and highly readable but still not a book I can say I enjoyed. Truthfully, the whole premise made me shudder. I won’t say more because I don’t want to give anything away. Recommended for those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
3 stars
This book, while brief, is charming and inspirational and really made me think of things I could do right now to declutter and downsize. The author’s approach is charming and practical and offers some great tips on approaching the task of eliminating the stuff that you just don’t need. Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy of this title.

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
1 star
I did not care for this book one little bit. I was excited about the premise – a fictional account of Lizzie Borden and the unsolved murder of her parents – but the whole thing just fell flat. I expected some revelations with regards to the details of the event and there were none. In fact, I feel more confused and uncertain about the crime since so much was alluded to but nothing was really explained. The alternating perspective of each chapter was annoying and felt contrived since it seemed like every character had the same voice. And they ate a lot of mutton. And pears. A LOT. I get it, there was mutton for lunch and a lot of pears and some dead pigeons, too. Those details just made it gross, though, and not creepy. Perhaps I’m just not the right reader for this book but I don’t recommend it.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
5 stars
I really enjoyed this book and the author definitely created little fires everywhere – so much going on – and yet all interconnected. The characters are interesting and believable and the timeline is non-linear and very well mapped out. Highly recommended, I liked this better than Everything I Never Told You.

Caroline by Sarah Miller
3 stars
This book is a must read for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, illuminating what life was like for the Ingalls family from Caroline’s perspective. It’s a little tedious and could have used some stronger editing but I enjoyed it.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailReading Update Default ThumbnailWhat I’m Reading: September & October 2015 Default ThumbnailReading Update: September through Mid October Default ThumbnailReading Update: December 2017 – Early January 2018
« A Month of Photos: November 2017
Two Jacks »

Filed Under: Books

Comments

  1. Bonny says

    December 5, 2017 at 6:33 am

    A reading update is always welcome! I’ve got 4321 and Caroline on my list for some winter reading. I just started Prairie Fires but don’t know how much truth I want to read about Laura Ingalls Wilder. The whole Little House fantasy was a wonderful part of childhood!

  2. Kym says

    December 5, 2017 at 7:34 am

    I am looking forward to diving into 4321 – probably soon. And I’m on a very long Overdrive waitlist for Little Fires, so someday. I felt the same about Never Let Me Go — I am just not a fan of dystopian fiction; it gives me the heebie-jeebies to be honest. I have no desire to read anything further about the Little House series. I read all the books when I was young . . . and that was enough. 😉
    Hope you had a fun night at book group!
    XO

  3. Juliann says

    December 5, 2017 at 8:14 am

    Great list. I see books here that are on my TBR list – thanks for the reviews

  4. Patty says

    December 5, 2017 at 8:26 am

    I am also on a very long Overdrive list for Little Fires (#110!). 4321 interests me but I’m thinking after the new year for sure! Your picture is very inviting!

  5. AsKatKnits says

    December 5, 2017 at 8:44 am

    I think 4 3 2 1 might be my favorite book of the year! And, I also found Little Fires fascinating. Good books make for happy readers! XO

  6. Gale Zucker (she shoots sheep shots) says

    December 5, 2017 at 10:03 am

    oooh I am always happy to see the book review post. I’m definitely putting the Paul Auster on my list (really like him and it has been a while) and the Ng. No thanks on the dystopian fiction–real life in the news is too close to dystopian enough for me. I just wish it was fictional.

  7. Tracey Lowe says

    December 5, 2017 at 11:23 am

    I just put 4 3 2 1 on hold and I am only 3rd in line. It sounds really good.

  8. Lydia says

    December 5, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Thanks for the recommendations, I’ve always been fascinated by the Borden murders, so I’ll be sure not to invest time in reading this book.

  9. margene says

    December 5, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    Thank you for the reading update! I read Never Let Me Go years ago and didn’t care for it. My book group picked it for January (the award and all that) and I have to read it again-dammit. 4321 and Little Fires are on my TBR because of you!

  10. Becky says

    December 5, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    Thanks, Carole, you know we always love a post about books. I have 4321 and Little Fires on my list. I saw the movie Never Let Me Go, and yes, it is very disturbing. So, I did not read the book.

  11. Mary says

    December 5, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    Hope bookclub was fun! and thank you for the book reviews – I, too, loved 4 3 2 1 and expect Little Fires to be a bookclub pick in my neighborhood next year (when, hopefully, the Overdrive line will be a little bit shorter 🙂 all the dittos on Never Let Me Go (which I know I read but apparently never even bothered to update in Goodreads?!) – our world seems a little bit too dystopian right now as it is.

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 70 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
70 of 75 (93%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

After a stressful morning of learning NOT to play After a stressful morning of learning NOT to play with momma’s knitting, these two are taking a well deserved rest. The squirt bottle is doing wonders and I can see their internal struggle of wanting the yarn so badly but also hating the spritz of water. 🤣 We’re definitely making progress and I’m so glad. #fredandgeorgethecats #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecats #siamesecorner
Oh hey, FriYay. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrack Oh hey, FriYay. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #cheeseboard #martinitime #cocktailhourathome #happyhourathome #tgif
We’ve social obligations the last few Friday nig We’ve social obligations the last few Friday nights and that was fun … but I’ll just say this … there’s no place like home. #fridaynightsnacks #theresnoplacelikehome #martinitime #eastbridgewaterbicentennial #eastbridgewaterbeer #blackhatbrewworks #cocktailhourathome #friyay #mycozyhome
New Year’s Eve at home with music and food is pe New Year’s Eve at home with music and food is perfection. Oysters to start and a dinner of steak and baked potatoes and lobster, easy and delicious! Happy New Year to all! #happynewyear #newyearseve #justthetwoofus #steakandlobster #dinnerathome #welcome2023
It’s the most wonderful DAY of the year! The wor It’s the most wonderful DAY of the year! The work of Christmas is over, there are no lists of things to do, my heart is full from gatherings and gift giving, fridge is loaded with delicious leftovers, and I’m reading in bed with a hot cup of coffee. Hurrah for Christmas vacation! #thedayafterchristmas #christmasbedroom #godjul #readinginbed #wintersolstice #christmasvacation
When your husband is a kid at heart you make him a When your husband is a kid at heart you make him a pancake snowman for Christmas breakfast. Merry Christmas, everyone! #christmasbreakfast #pancakesnowman #pancakes #foodcreations
When Christmas Eve eve meets Friday Night Snacks! When Christmas Eve eve meets Friday Night Snacks! #fridaynightsnacks #christmaseveeve #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #cheeseislife #bestnightoftheweek
I may be a shiksa but I make pretty good latkes! H I may be a shiksa but I make pretty good latkes! Happy Hanukkah to all! #latkes #hanukkah
Just one week until Christmas Eve! #christmas #chr Just one week until Christmas Eve! #christmas #christmastree #jeweledchristmastree #christmastree2022
Fred & George and Santa Kitty have the right idea, Fred & George and Santa Kitty have the right idea, snuggled on the couch on this rainy Friday. #fredandgeorgethecats #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamese #siamesecorner #christmaspillow #snuggledonthecouch
The pictures you find when you look at old photo a The pictures you find when you look at old photo albums: a bunch of Wheaties from 37 years ago.
We were supposed to go out tonight but our friends We were supposed to go out tonight but our friends had to cancel at the last minute due to Covid. (It’s not over, friends.) As much as I wanted to see them, having a bonus night at home is also wonderful. Good thing I always have cheese and crackers on hand! #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #christmasnapkins #christmasdishes
Morning yoga is better with cats and a Christmas t Morning yoga is better with cats and a Christmas tree 🎄 #morningyoga #findwhatfeelsgood #yogawithadriene #siamesecats #yogawithcats
I dare you to resist rubbing that furry belly! #si I dare you to resist rubbing that furry belly! #siamesecat #siamesecatsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #kittybelly #siamese #siamesecorner
Pies are done! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingpies #ho Pies are done! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingpies #homemadepies #givemeallthepie #pumpkinpie #applepie #mincemeatpie #cranberrypecanpie #imadethemmyself
Just a little snack, I’m making pizza in a bit, Just a little snack, I’m making pizza in a bit, but I wanted to show off the napkins. We’re on to Thanksgiving. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #pimentocheese #gobblegobblegobble #thanksgivingiscoming
There’s the potential for a hard frost tonight s There’s the potential for a hard frost tonight so I picked all the dahlias in bloom. There are still loads of buds so this might not be the end, but it very well could be. I’m so thrilled with my first season growing dahlias and I’m excited to expand next year. Stay tuned for 2023 featuring more varieties! More color! More bouquets! #dahlias #dahliaseason #dahliabouquet #octoberflowers #flowersaremagical #dahliasfordays
Friday Night Snacks with a spooky twist, we’re r Friday Night Snacks with a spooky twist, we’re ready for the last weekend before Halloween! #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #charcuterieboard #halloweencharcuterieboard #friyay #helloweekend
My mystery bag from @themossyapothecary arrived to My mystery bag from @themossyapothecary arrived today and it’s full of magickal goodness. #magickalherbs #mossyapothecary #witchyvibes
Today’s picks - I had to fight the bees to get t Today’s picks - I had to fight the bees to get them! The dahlias are still coming thanks to this great fall weather we are having. I know their days are numbered so I’m savoring every blossom. #dahliaseason #dahlias #flowerfarmer #flowersaremagical #igrewthis
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Monthly Intentions Movies Museum of Me One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in