Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Fun - a WIPs & Books update

When you're hurtling through the final months of your thrities, juggling the things you have to do with the things you want to do, and spending most of your time looking-after or cleaning-up-after other people, there isn't always a lot of fun to be had. Today is an exception. 

The sun is shining, I had lunch with one of my lovely friends and.... I'm over half way through knitting the sample for my latest pattern!!! I can't show you as it's for publication in a magazine (my first!) so it'll be a while before you get to see it, but it's such pretty yarn and it's knitting up beautifully - and quick, I started it just a few nights ago and have knit over 500m already! I love it when a project comes together like that - especially when it's something that started out as a sketch in my notepad. Needless to say, that's my only 'work in progress' for the moment. 
Fun (gi)
As for my book update, hmmm. There comes a point at which it can be fun to ditch books that you really aren't enjoying, and today I've made the decision to delete TWO in-progress books from my Kindle. The first is Cross Stitch (Outlander 1). I just can't read it. I know most of the comments last time were about it getting better and being great and worth reading, but.... I just can't do it. One minute the main character is with her husband in 1940s Scotland, then she falls through some rocks (!!?) and goes back hundreds of years, and within a matter of weeks is having it away with another bloke. The 'romance' is not at all engaging and I could not care less about any of the characters or the 'historical' elements of the story. I realise that this is the minority opinion (it's set to be huge on the big and small screen very soon), but I simply can't waste another minute on the book, which feels wonderfully liberating. The second book I'm ditching is this month's Book Club choice and I have struggled with it to the point that the day before we meet hardly any of it has been read. Luckily I'm not alone in this as only one of the group has actually managed to trawl through it to the end. This is most unusual and suggests it's not just pernicketiness on my part.

It's surely a co-incidence, but at the same time these uninteresting books have stopped me reading I'm LOVING the TV series Dexter. It's the third time I've tried to watch it (I was pregnant when it first aired and didn't want to watch a serial-killer, and the second time just didn't get into it) but am thankful my mum and sister convinced me to try again - I'm completely hooked. Yes, it's about a serial-killer, but he's actually a good guy and there's no gore, in fact there's a lot of humour and some really great characters - especially his sister Deb who provides much of the light relief. I pointed out to D a few days ago that watching entire shows on Netflix (all eight series are available) is much like reading a book - you can keep going until you want to stop, and in the case of Dexter, the episodes flow seamlessly so it's easy to become completely engrossed in a way that is not possible watching weekly installments. In fact as soon as I've hit the "publish" button, I'm getting back to it, but first a reminder of the Unravel 'preview evening' ticket giveaway which you can find here - there's still time to enter!

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Ok, so that's the end of my update. If you're wondering about the picture - fungi was the closest thing I could use to illustrate a post entitled "fun" and these beauties really did catch my eye on a woodland walk at the weekend - aren't they incredible? They made me think of Leigh's amazing knitted creations - definitely worth a look, if you haven't seen them.  

10 comments:

  1. Those fungi are so beautiful. Congrats on your upcoming pattern publication!
    I'm quite stubborn in what I read. I force myself to read books I hate if I start them but I do occasionally ditch a book. Like when my husband should the end for me (Great Expectations... and I loved that one!). I hope you find a good read soon!

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  2. I can't believe how likable Dexter is! I thought it was going to be a lot gorier and harder to watch, but it's really not bad. The characters are so compelling and it's strange rooting for the "bad guy" and disliking the "good guys" who get in his way. I just started season 3 and can't wait to see where it goes!

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  3. I had a break from Dexter too, but have recently watched all 8 series, highly addictive! Can't wait to see your new pattern too. This year I'm challenging myself to read at least 12 books from 1964 (my library celebrates 50 years in 2014). Have fun! xxx

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  4. Totally agree with you re: Outlander, I didn't like it all, either.

    Love, love, LOVE Dexter, though. The best thing on TV (IMHO) at the moment though is The Good Wife which (if you haven't already watched it, which you probably have) is also on Netflix.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, yes, YES! I just watched all 3 seasons that are on Netflix before starting Dexter. I love it. But need seasons 4 and 5! Apparently the 5th is coming to More 4 soon but I haven't seen season 4 :(

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    2. Perfect timing - just got an email that season 4 is on Netflix now! That's my evening sorted :D

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    3. Season 4 is a good'un - enjoy!

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  5. Well done on your pattern progress.

    I just love Netflix. I've got a huge watchlist. I'm currently ploughing my way through Buffy. I missed out on a lot of TV when I was in my 30s. Having three kids in five years probably had something to do with it :)

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  6. Congrats on the magazine, Sarah, and thanks for the shout out! :)

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