My Favorite Books of 2020

I’ve been struggling so far with finding my mojo to read. I think quarantine has definitely set my mental state reeling. Now that I’m more in a self-imposed quarantine, I’m reading more and more. I think sometimes my brain is more amenable to doing something if it’s my choice. During the actual shelter in place order, I ranted and railed and plotted what I would do once this was over. Now I’m mostly quarantining because I choose to- at this point it’s obvious I can only watch out for my own health and those I love since no one is going to do it for me.

Rant over. This blog post is supposed to be about my favorite books I’ve read so far this year. In truth it’s a hard question to answer, since I’ve mostly struck out. I think the award goes to A Night to Remember why Walter Lord. Recently I’ve come to appreciate narrative nonfiction. This book reads like a novel, which I truly appreciate. I completely binged this thing- while working from home, going on runs, and doing chores.

I also woke up with an insatiable desire to knit a blanket. I can’t tell you why since it’s getting to be summer in the south (yes, summer starts May 1 and lasts until Halloween, why do you ask?) and it’s about to be unearthly hot, but I immediately ordered a bunch of bulky yarn and an appropriate knitting needle. I’m also about to finish a skirt for an American Girl doll.

What have you been up to? What is your favorite book this year?

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An update

I finished the blanket I was working on, which immediately got hijacked and checked for coziness by my children. I put that one down in the tent in their playroom, for a cozy place for them to read and chill out. I’ve never knitted a hat before, but I’m making a search for the Elf Hat from the Harry Potter knitting book I got ages ago but have been too chicken to try anything from. I had to improvise with the yarn since they’ve discontinued the recommended yarn, but it’s knitting up beautifully and I’m really loving it. It’s Lions Brand yarn, which I love. Once I check the gauge I’m hoping to be able to cast on this week. There’s another hat I have my eyes on that’s actually knitted in the round, but I don’t have everything I need for that one yet. Once I have that, I’m hoping to make it for myself. I’m hoping they’re quick knits. I hear hats tend to knit fast and go under ‘instant gratification’, but we’ll see.

Check in

For once in my life, I believe I have all my Christmas knitting done... before Christmas. I just have a few ends to weave in, but that shouldn’t take long. My son’s scarf. I honestly thought I’d never finish it. I had planned to make it twice as long until my husband reminded me that he’s really only three feet tall, but I still think it’s short. If it is, I’ll whipstitch it and make a cowl. I went back to the Elf Hat I’d been working on. It seems majorly huge and I’m not sure how it’ll work once seamed up, but either I can’t measure heads or I totally misunderstood gauge, or it’s really supposed to be this huge: It just seems impossibly ginormous, doesn’t it? Oh well. I’ll figure something out, even if I have to give it away to an adult with a huge head. ;) I think I mostly have Christmas figured out. All I have to do is wrap a few more gifts and do some baking, and my part is done. Although it’s been a crazy month, for once in my mom life I sh...

The Nightingale

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah 5/5 Last year, when I opened a Goodreads account, I decided on an easy ranking system, so I’d know how to rate each book I read. A 4 is usually what I give a book... enjoyed the read, had fun, carried it with me everywhere, etc. A 3 would be kind of ‘meh.’ Like, I didn’t love it, and I didn’t hate it, but it could have been better. A 2 or 1 would be books that I finished but either didn’t like it or it was written well. A 5 would be reserved for the best of the best, and ladies and gentlemen... this book is a 5. I couldn’t put it down, it gave me an emotional response, and when I put the book down finally (late last night) I think I just said, “Wow.” It’s stuck with me all night. The book is about two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, living in Nazi occupied France. Isabelle wants to join the resistance, but her sister wants to pretend like the war isn’t happening... until she’s forced to host a Nazi soldier in her home. The story is how bo...

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