A Knitter’s Home Companion – Michelle Edwards

This is the eighth book I read for the Pay It Sideways Challenge. I’ve been knitting on and off since I was a teenager and have been looking for a book about knitting for a long time. I have a number of knitting manuals and pattern books, some with a bit of history mixed in, but what I really wanted was a more personal, warm and fuzzy book that would induce the same feeling I get from sitting down with a nice long pattern. When I read this review by Book Snob, I knew I had finally found what I wanted!

To start with, this is a very beautiful book, filled with simple but lovely illustrations by Michelle Edwards herself. Straight away, you can tell that it’s going to be a heart-warming and relaxing experience reading through the pages. It’s a collection of short stories and essays, with the odd recipe, book recommendation and of course, knitting pattern dotted between them. Continue reading

The Summer Book – Tove Jansson

This is the seventh book I read for the Pay It Sideways Challenge. I really enjoyed reading the thoughts of Iris on Books and couldn’t wait to get stuck in.

Jansson is most famous for being the creator of The Moomins. I liked the cartoons when I was younger but never really thought much about the books they had come from or the author who had written them. I’m glad this fantastic and talented author has finally been brought to my attention!

Reading The Summer Book filled me with a peaceful calm. The writing is unhurried and there are no huge climatic scenes. It’s a beautiful, thoughtful book with a clear simplicity that matches the isolation and fresh breezes of the setting. Continue reading