Nov/Dec on the nightstand

In addition to reading Mercedes Lackey (3 or 4 more in the Valdemar series on backorder + the ones B loaned us which are still being read) and the Marion Zimmer Bradley Darkover series (3 or 4 also on backorder), I read a number of Spenser books by Robert Parker then put them in order and reread all of them straight through (still missing a dozen or so but that's not high on my book order agenda).

In early November I went through, reorganized and cleaned out my 7 bookshelves (about 200 books per bookshelf) and M cleaned out his 4 or 5 bookshelves before we took over 100 books to Anthology Bookstore in Loveland to either donate or trade for credit. With that done, I bought and read (not to mention the Zimmer Bradley or the Lackey or the Parker) these:

John Sandford's Rough Country

Dick Francis' Silks and Under Orders

Ruth Reichl's Garlic and Sapphires  (she still slays me)

Jessamyn West's Hide and Seek (camping along the Colorado River in the early 70s). I loved West when I was a child and first discovered the Friendly Persuasion - then in my 20s her The Woman Said Yes amazed me. I found the mention of Hide and Seek in Sisters of the Earth anthology and made a point of looking for it. I loved it - but then, I will read and read most everything West writes. Some people might find H&S a bit dull but it gave me another glimpse into the life of one of my favorite writers.

Linda Hasslestorm's Windbreak I quarrel sometimes with Hasslestorm. I want her to be less cranky and more more more... something, I dunno. I want to like her more then I do. I want to see her life in a less gray-glassed detail. Hell, I dunno what I want from LH's books and essays. I know whereof she speaks and I guess she's like a neighbor I needed when I, too, raised cattle on the family place and dealt with bossy parents (in-law, in my case) and all that jazz. I know whereof she speaks and yet, I want her to be different. I am asking too much and I know it. I have a LOT of respect for her and I should admit that I reread her books and am looking forward to her new one.

as well as Susanna Lewis's Knitting Lace I bought this one to see what the knitted lace sampler looks like. I have pounds of hand spun Shetland in stash that I've been saving for just the right project (you've seen Leigh's Shetland sampler sweater and Cyndy is spinning the same fleece). In case you don't recall, I bought a lot of Shetland fleeces of a range of colors and types to experiment with and shared with a few friends. My samplers are 3 ply (a bit tooo heavy for the original concept of Fair Isle) and 2 ply and singles (better for something else) but I don't know what. Yet.

In December, because I had to order some Bradley and Lackey to finish off the series we are both reading, I went ahead and ordered (and haven't yet read, still finishing Lackey's Storm Breaking):

Sue Grafton's U is for Undertow

Paul Gruchow's Journal of a Prairie Year and Grass Roots

Carol Bly's Letters from the Country

I discovered Bly when I read Kathleen Norris's Dakota and am rather addicted to Bly's writings. I can't remember how long ago I bought Gruchow's the Necessity of Empty Places but it's an annual favorite to reread. It has to be about 20 yrs, or so it seems. I didn't think to look for more of his writings - so many writers I like seem to be one-book wonders - essays or short stories so I need to think about looking more thoroughly on-line.

Comments

[Dawn Donaldson]

Interesting list. I'm currently rereading Leaning Into The Wind.

[Leigh]

I love a good book recommendation, but can't imagine being able to read so much in so short a time! How much time do you spend reading each day? Are you a fast reader? Do you read and knit or crochet at the same time? I'm slow and can only manage ten to thirty minutes before bedtime.

[cyndy]

You have a very interesting assortment of titles to choose from! You must be able to read just as fast as you spin and knit!

After the new year, I'm going to dive into the lovely moorit to add to my samples...btw
"but I don't know what. Yet." mee toooo...

[Anne]

Great list - thanks, as always, for some suggestions.

Bet you find just the thing to make with the Shetland lace. You always do. :)

[Valerie]

Wow, what a reading list! Library Thing has a search feature that makes recommendations based on the books that you like. That might help in finding books that are most like the "one hit wonders" you love.