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color affection with edge
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cedar leaf shawlette 2
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Read With Us: The Women of Brewster Place

October 20, 2020 By Carole

It’s my turn to take a crack at convincing you to read our fall Read With Us book selection, The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor. While I’m tempted to just say, you should read this because Kym and Bonny and I recommended it . . . I realize that may not work for all of you. So, here’s my pitch.

Read it because it’s an award winner. Yep. Naylor won the National Book Award for first fiction for this book back in 1983.

Read it because it’s short. At only 192 pages it’s a fast read. If you choose to listen it’s just over 3 hours long.

Read it because it may help you walk in another woman’s shoes. You may be meeting characters who are different from you, who have had experiences that are unlike your own. At it’s core this book is about women who face incredible challenges because of their race and economic circumstances, women who experience pain that is so real it will make you cry, women who are blamed and judged and ridiculed . . . by each other and by society. Some of this will make you angry. A lot of it will probably break your heart and there are parts that may make you uncomfortable. But when we read about situations that are different from our own, when we encounter characters we struggle to understand and settings unlike where we live, that’s when we find empathy. That’s when we grow, not just as readers but as human beings. That, my friends, is when reading becomes magical.

I hope I’ve convinced you to read The Women of Brewster Place with us.

Filed Under: Books, Read With Us

For The Love of Reading: Mid August to Mid October

October 13, 2020 By Carole

It’s been a little while since I shared a book update so let’s get caught up today with what I’ve read, hmmmm?

The Book Woman of Troublesome CreekThe Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to love this book but I found it tedious until about the last 1/3. And then that part felt rushed. I did enjoy Cussy Mary’s dedication to getting books and materials to her library patrons and I thought the book illustrated the hatred people have for those who look different than they do, but over all I felt it missed the mark.

How to Be an AntiracistHow to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“We know how to be racist. We know how to pretend to be not racist. Now let’s know how to be antiracist.” An excellent approach to the work we need to do to become antiracist. I liked how Kendi used stories from his own life to illustrate the history of racism and the work we all need to do to counter it and become antiracist.



The Vanishing HalfThe Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A beautiful story of race, identity, lies, and love, I was captivated by the story and the writing.





Cape CodCape Cod by William Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the way Martin wove legends, facts, and historical figures into this novel about the settling of Cape Cod. A little long but still highly recommended for anyone who has ever wanted to know more about the Cape.



The Giver of StarsThe Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this historical novel about the pack horse librarians of Kentucky. It was more romance than anything but the descriptions of the mountains are beautiful and the recognition of the importance of delivering books to those who need them warmed this librarian’s heart. It’s a bit predictable and the villains are stereotyped but I would recommend it for anyone looking for a fast read with a heartwarming ending.



HamnetHamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, this book. The writing is gorgeous, every description is precise and important, each character is drawn with compassion and wisdom, as O’Farrell fictionalizes the short life of Hamnet Shakespeare and the impact his death had on his parents, particularly his mother. I devoured it and wish I hadn’t so that I could still be caught up in this time period, in the woods and by the river, in the home of the Shakespeare family, in Agnes’ garden and yes, even in her grief because it’s incredibly spectacular. I haven’t read a book this wonderful in a very long time and I highly, highly recommend it.

The Women of Brewster PlaceThe Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This collection of intertwined short stories is exceptional. The women in these stories are real and full of life, love, pain, heartbreak, and loss. I have to admit, though, that the ending didn’t work well for me and that’s why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. I can appreciate the symbolism of what Naylor does but it just didn’t fit well with the realism of the rest of the book for me. Highly recommended and I’m looking forward to discussing this one with my online book club.

All the Devils Are Here (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #16)All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the last Armand Gamache book I just wasn’t sure where this series was headed and I started to fear that it had gotten stale. Now that, I can unequivocally say, the magic is BACK. New characters and a new setting but all of Penny’s style and charm are here and I highly recommend this one.




Redhead by the Side of the RoadRedhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Short and powerful, Tyler does what she always does with this book: turns the ordinary into extraordinary by shedding light on the details of life. Highly recommended.




Deacon King KongDeacon King Kong by James McBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, this cast of characters! They are real and full of life and heart, they struggle and fight and ultimately come together in a completely satisfying and profound ending. Recommended most assuredly.




Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our OwnBegin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is good but a tad too academic for me. I think the author does a great job of using biography, literary criticism and social criticism to connect the writings of Baldwin with the things we are experiencing today and I appreciate how he exposes America as a racist nation. Honestly, though, I think my time would be better spend reading Baldwin himself.



The Bass RockThe Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book, comprised of 3 separate storylines (2 historic and 1 current), had great potential but was ultimately disappointing for me. The earliest story was sketched out without enough detail to really connect to the characters or understand what was happening. The other historical story was better but again, details were sketchy and the trail of bread crumbs meandered too much. The current storyline was filled with unlikable characters with self destructive behavior that was very frustrating to witness. And then there were these vignettes of acts of violence against women. I thought they were flashbacks that involved the main characters and that it would all come together in the end but I’ve ultimately concluded they had little to do with the plot and were just meant to illustrate the proliferation of violence women experience. There are nuggets of greatness here (hence the 3 star rating) but it’s just too uneven for me to recommend.




The Guest ListThe Guest List by Lucy Foley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fast paced and easy read, the story is entertaining even if it’s not great literature. It was a little repetitive but it kept me guessing (almost) right up until the end.




And there you have it. I hope you are reading great things right now!

Filed Under: Books

Unraveling

September 30, 2020 By Carole

Today I’m joining Kat and friends with an update on knitting and reading.

On my needles:

Cat Bordhi’s Rio Calina Cowl. She released it with the news of her impending death which, sadly, has now happened. Her words about it, though, are lovely:  It looks complex but is SO simple. It teaches you to let go and allow the spatial brilliance and inherent grace of nature create a unique stream of cabled rivulets. I’m allowing myself to be free (open?) with the cable placements and I’ve truly discovered that letting go can be incredibly beautiful.

In my ears: Apeirogon by Colum McCann. Several of you have already read/listened to this and recommended it passionately. I’m only a few hours in and I love it. Interestingly enough, the structure is sort of like those cables in the Rio Calina Cowl, letting go of the rules has allowed for a unique and incredibly beautiful book.

Before my eyes: Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. Part biography of James Baldwin and part commentary on the systemic racism that is pervasive in America, this one is making me think. A lot.

And that’s what I’m knitting and reading today. How about you?

Filed Under: Books, Knitting

Read With Us: The Fall Book Announcement

September 8, 2020 By Carole

Hold on to your hats, friends, because I’m about to share some exciting news. Today Bonny and Kym and I are announcing our fall book selection for the Read With Us Book Club and it is . . .

The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor

In the interest of full disclosure I will admit that I have only just started this book. BUT it comes so highly recommended and I already love what I’ve read so far and that leads me to conclude that I’m 100% confident that it’s a great choice for us. It won the National Book Award for First Novel in 1983. It’s on the Zora Canon list, which is a list of the 100 best books by Black women authors. And it was adapted as a miniseries for television back in 1989 and was also a television show in 1990 produced by Oprah. Good street credentials there, am I right?

It’s a collection of intertwining stories of seven women living in Brewster Place, an inner city housing development. The stories are described as touching, vulnerable, heartbreaking, resilient, loving and painful. That sure makes it sound like there will be lots for us to discuss!

It’s a fairly short book so even if you have a busy fall I think you can make the time to read it. We’ll be promoting the book on our blogs on Tuesdays in October and our discussion is set for November 10th. I hope you’ll join in and Read With Us for our fall selection.

Filed Under: Books, Read With Us

Read With Us: Wild Game Wrap Up

August 18, 2020 By Carole

I’ve been given the responsibility for wrapping up the time we spend reading and discussing Wild Game. It’s my first time handling this portion of our online book club and I’m technically on vacation so . . . be kind. Ha!

We each offered up questions on our blog last Tuesday and the discussions were interesting. Bonny talked about whether we are all destined to become our parents. Kym’s discussion question centered around the use of Mary Oliver’s poem The Uses of Sorrow. And here on Carole Knits we talked about how the book impacted you as a reader. I followed all the discussions and I think it’s safe to say that those 3 topics covered most everything y’all wanted to talk about regarding this book.

I was a little surprised that the book wasn’t more universally liked . . . quite a few of you didn’t enjoy it or couldn’t relate to it because the author’s relationship with her mother was so dysfunctional. For me, that’s the great thing about reading a memoir. You either relate (as I did and some of you also did) or you don’t. But I would argue that not relating to someone’s experiences doesn’t make it less valuable. I would say that reading about a life that’s vastly different than yours can help you find compassion and empathy for those that are different. And isn’t that one of the main reasons for reading? To understand the world around us? It is for me and I’m guessing it is for many of you, too.

And now for the part you’ve all been waiting for . . . our prize winner! It’s Vicki! Congratulations Vicki and thanks for joining in on the discussion on all 3 of our blogs. We just need your address and then we will get that prize right in the mail to you.

Thanks again to everyone who Read With Us. We will be announcing our fall book very soon!

Filed Under: Books, Read With Us

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The final @aliedwards Pieces of Us prompt was refl The final @aliedwards Pieces of Us prompt was reflection. Here’s current me reflected in the frame of a picture of Dale and I from our honeymoon 24 years ago. I’ve always loved this photo of us, it captured our joy so perfectly. And I’m still filled with joy every time I look at it. #aepiecesofus #reflection #piecesofme
The @aliedwards prompt for today is a full body sh The @aliedwards prompt for today is a full body shot and I have the perfect photo for it. Here I am at the polls today with my friend and State Representative Alyson Sullivan. It was a great day out there in the sunshine. And I won my re-election to the Board of Selectmen! #aepiecesofus #eastbridgewaterma #iwonagain
My take on @aliedwards today’s half face prompt My take on @aliedwards today’s half face prompt ... half of mine and all of Jackie’s. It works for me because his is cuter! #aepiecesofus #halfface #nanalife #attaboyjack
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These hands. They are 55 years old and they show t These hands. They are 55 years old and they show the wear and tear of those years. The washing and moisturizing, the attempts to hold the approach of aging at bay. They’ve held and comforted so many loved ones, they’ve changed diapers and checked out books at the library, they’ve typed countless words, they’ve cooked and cleaned and done everything I’ve expected and I appreciate every bump and age spot and ... they are mine. #aepiecesofus #piecesofme #myhandstellmystory
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Friday night plans: crescent pizza rolls and Jesus Friday night plans: crescent pizza rolls and Jesus Christ Superstar. Happy Easter weekend! #fridaynightsnacks #crescentpizzarolls #martinitime #easterweekend2021 #eastertraditions
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