the blue blog archives: i deserve a break today

Since last week, sockapaloooza has been non-stop update receiving, sock ogling, email sending, sock savior finding workapaloooza. I need a break.

After reading Knit One Kill Two last summer, I couldn't resist getting the second book in the "knitting mystery series" (yes, it's a series!), Needled to Death. Don't know exactly why I'm so excited about reading this one. I mean, the mystery isn't really that suspensful or well-crafted and the knitting talk is often annoyingly basic (like a paragraph about how the main character can't believe how knitting in the round is going to make a sweater) or down right insipid (as many times as you say that the yarns look gorgeous and feel incredible, I still can't see or touch them). Still, there's something about the fact that the main character is always walking across the street to the local yarn store or squeezing in a bit of knitting that appeals to me. She seems so normal. So she's fallen into a rather mediocre mystery novel. She's a knitter, like us. Plus, this one has alpacas!

posted by alison at 8:27 am | in blogging about reading about knitting

Comments

I started reading that one a couple of months ago and you're right, it's not a page turner. I do, however, really want a ball winder that will wind a skull shaped ball of yarn. Center pull, naturally.

Posted by: Enjay at May 3, 2006 8:39 AM

You do deserve a break!!!

Thank you for the Sockpaloooza!

Your hard work is gift to all of us who participate!

((hugs))

Donna

Posted by: Miz Booshay at May 3, 2006 8:39 AM

Based on the first one, if I were in any way related to her--I'd move away! But I got the second and enjoyed it as a break from life with a preschooler and two teens. Can you say, "Calgon, take me away!"? Whoops, really showing the age now :o)

Enjoy your book and a good rest--you've earned it!

Posted by: JennyRaye at May 3, 2006 8:40 AM

I've read the second one - perfect reading-while- knitting-in-the-car-book! I love guilty pleasure books like this!

Get some well-deserved rest, Queen of Knitalongs!

Posted by: Carrie at May 3, 2006 8:45 AM

Someone gave me this the other day- didnt realize it was the SECOND one- havent started. do i need to read the first one first??
enjoy your reading!!!

Posted by: beth at May 3, 2006 9:15 AM

Oh, you SO deserve a break!

Posted by: Ashley at May 3, 2006 9:29 AM

I picked up that book in a bookstore and opened it up to random pages, reading some of the more amusing passages aloud to my husband. Without fail, I was able to find an absurd knitting scene on every single page. We were literally rolling on the aisles in laughter at the ridiculous ways that knitting was incorporated into the story! (yeah, you probably wouldn't want to be shopping near us in a bookstore!) Unfortunately, I didn't buy the book - I bet it is an enjoyable (if somewhat silly) read.

Thanks again for all your Sockapaloooza work. You did a great job organizing the swap, and I'm excited to see the results of it popping up all over blogland in the next few days.

Posted by: Cyndi at May 3, 2006 9:30 AM

It is a bit silly but sometimes you just need a really lighthearted book to read.

Posted by: trek at May 3, 2006 9:47 AM

I've read them both and find them to be "eye candy". Not difficult to read, easy to follow the plot and just an easy read. Enjoy it and I do hope she comes out with another soon.

Posted by: Lynette at May 3, 2006 11:17 AM

I will have to check them out. I believe I have one of her books on one of my wishlists ... mothers day is coming soon, perhaps I'll drop a bug in my hubby's ear. :)

Posted by: Samantha at May 3, 2006 11:30 AM

I think the best part of this book may be the blueberry pie recipe at the end. But, yes, I'll admit I read the whole damned thing. Including the many discussions about knitting eyelash novelty yarn scarves. It's a perfect break from thinking.

Posted by: Mandy at May 3, 2006 11:44 AM

you totally deserve a break!!
thanks so much for all your hard work.
my three year old now likes to talk about "the sock pal" daily.

Posted by: ann-marie at May 3, 2006 1:02 PM

I read "Knit One, Kill Two" last fall and enjoyed it, much as you did, despite it's lack of literary excellence, and probably for the same reason -- the fantasy of living across the stree from a yarn store. I got "Needled to Death" for Christmas and am saving it to read on my next long flight. A guilty pleasure, for sure, along with the likes of Debbie Macomber's "Shop on Blossom Street" and its sequel, "A Good Yarn", both of which are even more "fluff" than Sefton's books.

Have you read the knitting fiction of Mary Kruger ("Died in the Wool") or Anne Bartlett ("Knitting: A Novel")? Any good?

Posted by: Mary at May 3, 2006 1:23 PM

Two almost 4 year old boys--you deserve a break plus all the work involved w/the sockapalooza.
Feel no guilt and enjoy!

Posted by: Leslie at May 3, 2006 1:34 PM

I've read both of them and they are really light. I enjoyed them and tried to figure out which yarn it was they were talking about. Hmm...pink fluffy could be crystal palace whisper. I know there is a third one coming out in August.

Thank you for all your work on Sockaploooza. I really enjoyed being a part of it!

Posted by: Lavendersheep at May 3, 2006 1:53 PM

My motto: never underestimate the value of a "light read" (or even a trashy novel); to take you away! And thank you thank you thank you, for sockapaloooza!

Posted by: alliesw at May 3, 2006 5:55 PM

Thank you so much for all of your, and your teams', hard work on Sockapaloooza!! I can't wait to participate again!

Peace ~ Roberto

Posted by: Roberto at May 3, 2006 6:28 PM

Sometimes a mediocre mystery novel is the best way to destress. I have a stash of books like that for times when I am really tired.

Posted by: Rebecca at May 4, 2006 6:39 AM

You sure do deserve a break. I hope you sprinkled a little Calgon into the bathtub and read your book in there. =) (Oops, someone else already beat me to that one!)

Posted by: katie at May 4, 2006 8:20 AM

I love the looks of your Glisten Cardi!!! I know that you made it for the store but would you ever knit it for yourself? I'm thinking about ordering the yarn but it's a bit expensive for not being sure about it.

Posted by: Diane at May 4, 2006 10:28 AM

It's refreshing to sit down with a bit of trash every now and then and just relax.Maybe a glass of wine and a nice hot bath:)

Posted by: kylie at May 7, 2006 10:56 PM