Twilight

I have a confession to make. I have spent the last three weeks completely obsessed with the four Twilight vampire books. Please don't think any less of me- I simply wanted to know what the kids are up to these days. :-)

I started Twilight on December 20th, and finished Breaking Dawn a few hours ago. For those of you keeping score at home, that's 2,548 pages of teenage vampire and werewolf insanity in 18 days.

One of my coworkers has four kids (boys and girls) in middle school/high school, and they are all reading the books. This coworker was reading the books, too, and we've talked at length about her impressions. She felt like Edward (the vampire) was a great role model for how men should behave in relationships- took things very slow physically, very concerned for Bella (teenage heroine) and her safety, old-fashioned, etc. I can sort of see her point, but I hope my hypothetical children don't ever tell me that they hope to grow up to be just like Edward or Bella....

Edward was, for most of the story, an over-protective, jealous, domineering mysoginist. He treated Bella as if she was a petulant toddler, incapable of basic human functions. Bella didn't help the situation- I was frequently frustrated by her portrayal as an overly emotional, ditzy, whiny, clumsy, out of control basketcase.

The first book was a bit boring, but I kept on reading. The second book was better, despite way too much time on Bella's heartbreak. I really enjoyed the third book, and I couldn't put the fourth book down- absolutely insane.

If you're looking for a good romp, you might consider the Twilight books. It's not great literature by any stretch, and I don't have vampire fever, but I must say I have enjoyed myself. I'm curious to know your thoughts.

Outstanding books on the way!!!!

I am such a sucker for good knitting books, and it looks like this fall is going to be a gangbuster season for gorgeous books....

I just ordered Jane Brockett's "The Gentle Art of Domesticity from amazon.co.uk- it doesn't look like it's available in the US yet. Jane Brockett writes the amazing yarnstorm blog, which is visually stunning. Her color sense and general aesthetic is fantastic- I cannot WAIT for this book to get here. I don't know how much knitting will be in this book, but frankly, I don't care.


Kaffe Fassett fans rejoice! Not only does the master of color have a new line of sock yarn out, he has knit again! I've got a couple of his other books (Kaffe Fassett's Pattern Library: Over 190 Creative Knitwear Designs and Family Album) and they're great. I'm curious to see the new book and all the color goodness it surely contains!


This book, Pretty Knits, is apparently patterns from Loop, a fantastic yarn store I visited when I was in London in 2005. The cover alone is enough to make me want the book.


Again, a serious case of Rowanphilia and cover photo love makes this book virtually mine.