Look what I got today.

That’s a copy of Nicky Epstein’s new book, “Knitting Over the Edge” which I pre-ordered in May.

Three skeins of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock yarn–I bought three because I have a specific project in mind, but couldn’t tell online which would be the best of the three colors. So, one skein will go toward my project, and the other two will combine to make a pair of socks–no waste.

And a handful of needles–some Bryspun circulars, and some Inox gray circulars from Angelika’s, to aid my ongoing quest to find the right needle for my Zephyr stole, since it really doesn’t seem to like the Addi Turbos very much.

Tonight’s knitting plan, though, is to make the camera sock for my new Elph, which should be here on Wednesday. The S2 is backordered until September, which I knew when I ordered it, but this is fine–it will give me a chance to learn all the functions of each camera without getting the confused. I’m glad the tiny one will be here first, though, since it will fit in the cute little purse I’m carrying to the wedding at the end of the month! And as to this double camera purchase–I’m equally excited about both of them, and I’m not having second thoughts about my decision. A good sign, I think. I’m not denying the essential insanity of it, but at least I’m happy about it (grin).

  Not only that, a friend of mine sent me these.

I’ve mentioned Dorothy Dunnett a couple times–without question the best historical fiction author I have ever read. I’ve read both her “Niccolo” and “Lymond” series three times. (Well, technically, I’m 2/3 through my third reading of Lymond.) She’s amazing. Complex, subtle, crafty, tricky, elaborate, and can tell a death scene right up there with the best of them, and is a master at the emotional torture of her characters (grin). Great books.

And, did I mention they’re complicated and elaborate? Well, this is what my friend Carolyn sent me. (She, incidentally, is the person who got me hooked on these books two summers ago.) A family tree linking the characters between one series and the other, and a translation guide by Nancy Wright, to interpret all of Francis Crawford’s flowering quotes in multi-languages into English for those of us who don’t speak Scottish, Latin, Spanish, French, Arabian, Turkish, Russian . . .

I highly recommend the books. They’re challenging, but oh, so fun, and despite the slow beginnings, with enormous emotional payoffs at the end. I mean, really, I only discovered these massive books–14 in all between the two series, at over 7,500 pages–two years ago, and I’m on my third reading. Even for a fast reader like myself, that’s quite a commitment. She’s that good.

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning, Reading // 5 Comments »