Wednesday 14 September 2011

Yarn Along, WIP and books

More reading, more knitting, you might notice that there is a self banned book in the photo.


That's right, I caved and started a fiction book. I do have a reasonable excuse, I was reading it while I supervised an exam, for which I get paid (paid to read = awesome, where can I find more of that!). I did do some knitting during the exam, but was worried that my metal needles were making too much noise.

Moving pictures is (I think and am too lazy to check) the 10th Discworld book. I am trying to collect the whole series, preferably from second hand shops to make it more affordable. After a huge score at a used book stall a few weeks ago I am down to seven missing, plus the new one out in October. I got some funny looks buying fifteen books and they were scooped up by my brother who is giving them to me for Christmas. It seems fair, he found the book stall I just picked the ones I needed. The next book in the series is in the pile, so I am safe from the Discworld for a couple of months at least!

I suspect the Discworld books are a bit like marmite in a love them or hate them way. I enjoy them, although I have to admit some are much better than others although I can't explain why. I do think the first two are not the best, so I suspect quite a few people have been put off the series by reading. I particularly seem to enjoy the ones featuring witches, I don't know why, usually I have no preference for either gender in my characters. I am putting "Moving Pictures" in the enjoyable pile, worth a read. For the most part they can be read independently of each other, although characters might be in multiple books you don't really need to know the history to enjoy the book.

The other three are not really books, but I have been reading them this week. they are plant and seed catalogues. I am not a great gardener, but I do enjoy trying to grow things, unfortunately I often forget to water the garden at some point in the summer and a lot of the plants die off. We have installed an automatic watering system this year though, with a nice timer to avoid using too much water, so next year I should be able to grow things that survive. I have loads of seeds left from this year, so it might just be some new strawberry plants this time, it is still fun to look through though. 

Knitting wise I am knitting something flat, with stripes and sparkly bits which is quite a change for me and has reminded me I don't really like knitting flat. If you are desperate to know what it is you can check out my projects page on Ravelry, if not I shall leave it as a bit of a mystery. I have done a little more on it now and it does look like it might be heading for a frogging, if so I shall do a post to share it in more detail in its funny looking glory.

17 comments:

  1. The Colour of Magic is a little odd, but The Light Fantastic is my favourite in the whole series! Probably because it was the first one I read.

    I love the witches books too, I think it's because they are the richest, most developed characters and they are very well written, rather than because the leads are women. I do like the City Watch books too though, Sam Vimes is another great character.

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  2. I always mean to read some Terry pratchet but never get round to it! Maybe some day! Love the yarn you are using!

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  3. I read the first Discworld book, didn't love it and haven't read any others... Perhaps I should give it another chance, if it gets better after the first 2!

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  4. I think I need to find a job like that! Sounds like heaven!

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  5. Paid to read! That sounds like heaven.

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  6. Paid to read and knit sounds like bliss!
    I love the Discworld - have collected them from the beginning (uh-oh showing my age!) and love them - some more than others, we've held onto them all to re-read, lend out and for our daughter to pick up one day too maybe. We've just been re-watching The Colour of Magic that was on the telly last Christmas.

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  7. Lucky you paid to read! I haven't read any of them... let us know what you think.

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  8. Whatever it is, love the yarn for it!

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  9. I think I have to check out the Discworld series. I know they have it at the library :)

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  10. I've always enjoyed the Discworld series. I haven't read them all, but I have a bunch of 'em.

    It's always a bummer when you're reminded you hate a certain knitting technique when you have to do it again, heh.

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  11. getting paid to read? I'd love that job, knitting looks ace too :)

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  12. I tend to not water and thus kill things too. And next summer we intend to put in a full vegetable garden. Here's hoping I keep on top of it. BTW I love Pratchett and Discworld. I've read almost all of them but I only own a few.

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  13. We always cash out stacks of books at the used bookstore.

    I've had jobs that I was paid to read and knit.

    Whatever your knitting it is pretty.

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  14. terry pratchetts one of those writers I keep meaning to read and never actually getting round to it. I really must get one of his books and have a nosey

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  15. I don't know what it is but I do know I L-O-V-E the yarn! It looks like an earflap hat but as I haven't checked ravelry and you're knitting flat, I'm guessing it's not that.

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  16. I agree...do not care for flat knitting. Give me circs or else!

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  17. I love the colors in your yarn, and I am also a dedicated circular knitter. I'll knit flat if I must, but much prefer not to!

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