The Invisible Library – Genevieve Cogman

Irene is a Librarian, but for a very specialized Library – one that exists outside of a multitude of alternate worlds, and has tasked itself with collecting books important to all the alternates. It’s a varied job – you may be able to purchase said book, or it may involve some degree of sleight of hand.

The book has a solid premise – Irene’s sent to a chaos controlled world, with a brand new assistant, and things start to go awry. Kai (the assistant) is more than he seems, and they meet some interesting citizens of the alternate that help in their search for the book. Things get really busy though – there are so many characters, and characterizations thrown in. I do get that there are lots of alternate worlds, so why not have so many things available to find, but this book centers mainly in one world, so I feel like the author could have spread this out over several different worlds, and made things a little less busy. Still, I’m a sucker for books, so I’ll likely read more in this series.

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Knitting Notes

Pattern: Darryl with a “Y” by Pixie Harford
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in the Playa colorway
Needles: Size 2.5 DPNs

I like this pattern – it’s a nice simple knit, and gave me exactly what the BF had asked for – an additional layer for his hands when snow blowing.

I really love how this yarn ended up speckling out – it’s a really cool effect.   I’ve got half the skein left, so I’m going to try another pair of mitts to hopefully enjoy the effect for myself.

Seeing Further – ed. Bill Bryson

This is a book of essays written for the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society (back in 2010 – there are some political leaning statements in certain areas that are depressingly dated).

There is a real mix of topics – some are very science oriented, some more concerned with the history of the Society and its fellows, and some that are more critiques (of a variety of things). It’s definitely got variety – I think most people could find something to enjoy and something to hate in this book.

Flowers and Herbs in Early America – Lawrence D. Griffith

This is an interesting book, based on the author’s trials at Colonial Williamsburg of various plants that were thought to be available for Colonial era gardeners. He talks about where they were found in sources, reasons that they might have been brought over, and even why some of those plants are probably problematic if you’re trying for absolute authenticity. He also includes tips from his trials and what he grew them with.

I did really enjoy the book, but if you want to put it into practical application, you definitely want to live closer to the Mason-Dixon line – there are some lovely plants in here that my zone 5 garden would eat for dinner over the winter.

Knitting Notes

Pattern: Telja by Jennifer Steingass
Yarn: Quince Owl in the Barred, Buru, Cranberry, Papuan and Straits colorways
Needles: Size 5 and 6 circs and DPNs

My Telja is done!   I’m a little sad – the yoke was fun.   But now I can wear it!

The pattern is cool – three stranded colorwork was an interesting new challenge.   I liked the yarn – it’s definitely a little heavier, but still not super scratchy.    I’ll have to see how I like it with future wearings.

Two Lights State Park – Cape Elizabeth, ME

Garden Notes

The smaller clivia seems to have finally taken to repotting – second year in a row, it’s bloomed again in March.

My seedlings are doing pretty well.     With them starting out so well with the heat mats, I think I’ll start them a little later next year.  Some of them are getting a little leggy, so I’ve put a fan on them (intermittently) to hopefully harden them up a bit.

Knitting Notes

Here are the two temperature scarves, as of the last day of winter.    The high scarf has more colors, though have taken the yarn for the 0-9 and 10-19 ranges away – we’re hopefully past the point of needing those anymore.   I have not yet taken anything out of the low temp scarf – we probably don’t need the 0-9 yarn anymore, but I’m going to wait until at least the end of March before I’ll remove that.

 

Penric and the Shaman – Lois McMaster Bujold

It’s several years after the first story in this series, where Penric accidentally gained a demon, and therefore became a sorcerer. He and Desdemona (the demon) have gotten to know each other better, and how to work together. He’s also been fully invested as a temple divine, serving in the Princess-Archdivine’s temple. This means that when a Locator from the Father’s order comes to the temple asking for the help of a sorcerer, Penric gets assigned.

Oswyl is tracking a shaman accused of murder, an incredibly dangerous man, and since Penric is still young, it’s hard for him to believe at first that he’ll be able to help. But of course, due to his unique relationship with Desdemona, Penric is able to help Oswyl find the shaman, and in the course of things, save both that shaman’s soul, and those of two others.

I really enjoy these books – the characterization of Penric and Desdemona is great, and it’s fun to see how he’s growing into his power. I just wish they were longer.

Spring!

This was the weekend of our annual pie-based party down in MA, and this year, which I think has been the first time in three or four years, the snow was melted enough that the snowdrops were up in our friends’ neighbor’s yard.     Yay green things!