Yesterday I did something I haven’t done in (literally) years.
I read. All day. For hours. In fact, I read so much I finished my book. The Time Traveler’s Wife was completed at 5:36 PM after reading off and on since about 10:30. I read about 400 pages. And I didn’t fall asleep once (in fact, I was strangely energized.)
I’m not going to say much about the book, because I’ll save that for the discussion over at K1R2 next Monday, but I cried my eyes out. The book, overall, was disturbing, and I don’t think it was terribly well-written, but it certainly was captivating, and it certainly evoked a powerful reaction – which is pretty much what you’re hoping for when you write. So I’d say it was a success.
For many, many years reading was my only obsession. I was the kid with the flashlight. I was never without a book (used to bring them on dates – kind of the way I do with my knitting now). Not being in the middle of a book resulted in crankiness and irritability. Even BUYING books was cause for celebration.
Things change, and in the last few years, especially since I’ve gotten so involved with my knitting, you could take the above paragraph and change books to yarn and you’ve got my life. So I’m very grateful to Audrey Niffenegger for giving me a taste of my past. I’ve missed it.
I did manage to knit a couple of rows on Clap-O-TEE AND, get ready, hold onto your handknitted socks, weave in a few ends on Short Rows. It was getting awfully crowded on the side and there was just NO MORE ROOM to weave in another end, so I tied a knot. Is that terribly, horribly awful? Just ONE TINY knot. It won’t take away the complete and utter integrity of the piece will it?
I also did a bad bad thing. After I saw Meredith’s spanking new fabulous purple socks, I had to have the yarn. So I bought two skeins – one in the to die for purple, and one in light/dark blue stripes. The yarn is Regia Cotton Surf and it is SO soft. I’m loving the idea of cotton sock yarn too. The problem? I’ve been wanting to try two socks on two circulars and they’ve given me ONE skein for two socks. And Meredith’s stripes match up so nicely – I’m afraid to split the skein in half to have two balls, so I can do two socks at one time. Crazy, right? I should just do one freaking sock already! And Jen? Where were you? You’re supposed to STOP me from buying sock yarn!!!
What I’d really like to do today is knit Clap-o-TEE until my hands fall off – I want this done so I can go back to Short Rows. I’m really missing it.
Hey! Has everyone seen Margene’s Nothin’ But A T-Shirt? A more perfect garment (especially for the owner) has NOT been knit. Go on over and show her the love! 😉
Oh and speaking of showing the love, I want to thank everyone for their comments and emails about my photographs. Your appreciation of my work is beyond appreciated. It’s hard to put yourself out there in the world – really hard. And the feedback is so encouraging. So, thank you!
I cried my eyes out too. It’s a great story and I’m looking forward to the discussion.
I missed you so much this past weekend. I wish you lived closer. Next time. Next time. Next time.
I knew we were two peas in a pod… and I was right when I saw your paragraphs about reading and knitting. I have the same story… and this book has been captivating me as well. Unfortunately I was not able to pick it up yesterday, but I am pretty sure that I will get the chance to do another marathon read and finish this one up soon.
That hydrangea picture is breathtaking–you really caught the texture of the petals. Beautiful.
That flower picture is beautiful! I saw your comment on Bookish Girl and noticed you mentioned Roslindale. That is where i live… right by the Arboretum near Peter’s Hill!
I’m glad you found that in the end you liked that book. It is a genuinely weird book – in the sense that the characters are odd people – but as a picture of love I found it very powerful, both sad and optimistic in some ways.
Funny, I don’t remember thinking anything one way or the other about the quality of the writing – but I read it right after it came out and couldn’t put it down. That happens so rarely anymore … if a writer can captivate me I’ll forgive them a lot.
Do it, Cara, do it. Split that yarn into two balls! I took a class on knitting two socks on two circs last month and it was really fun. Of course, it seems like it takes forever to make progress, but once you’re done, you’re done. No second sock syndrome!
That yarn looks pretty regular, so just find a spot that looks like the beginning of the skein somewhere near the middle and cut it! You’ll have to start a new sock with the same skein anyway, right? Meredith did do an outstanding job of making both socks match, though.
I can’t wait to start the book this weekend! I’m with you on the sock thing — I recently bought some “practice” sock yarn from Elann. I have already started and need to rip. Seems like this new foray into sock knitting is going to involve lots of knitting, frogging, sigh, repeat.
Thanks for the shout out. I haven’t read the book but now it sounds like a must. How could you possibly pass up that sock yarn? It’s wonderful!
The hydrangea looks like an antique photo…just beautiful.
I can’t wait for our book discussion. I, too, cried my eyes out (starting at 50 pages before the end). I mean I sobbed out loud for an extended period of time. Puffy eyes and all.
Your latest flower picture is stunning. You must must must put them into cards.
I think you captured exactly how I felt about the book. It wasn’t technically perfect by any means – but it was captivating (practically a one day read for me as well) and emotional and I cried my eyes out as well. 🙂 Been a while since a book kicked me like that. Very haunting.
I think one of the reasons I am one of the slowest knitters ever is I devote a huge amount of time to reading. (As well as other hobbies.) I’m quick at reading, which helps, but still. Whew.
Is Clap-O-TEE a variation on Clapotis or do you just spell it phonetically as a joke?
hydrangeas are one of the flowers I will plant the instant I own my first home – you’ve (again!) captured the colors and textures perfectly! (how do you do it?)
I haven’t read the Time Traveler’s Wife yet, but it’s on my list for after boards; everyone I’ve heard from that has read it has agreed that once it gets going it’s hard to put down. I can’t wait to have time to read again!
Your paragraph about reading is so me! I was the kid with the flashlight, too. Now my knitting gets in the way of reading a bit, but I’m trying to find a better balance.
Ooooh, I love hydrangeas. 🙂
I could do with a good cry–not related to my own life. 😉 Perhaps I will have to give this book a look. My reading has taken a backseat to blogging, that’s for sure.
I was the girl with the flashlight TOO!! Well, I just kept my door open REALLY REALLY WIDE so the light would pour in!! Then they started assigning books in school (which I was really looking forward to!) and I stopped reading! How wierd is that? Now-a-dayz, I either read OR knit. So there’s been a lot of knittin’ and not so much readin’
I was the same way about reading until I started knitting. I never bought a handbag that was too small for a book!
I envy you your day of reading – it sounds wonderful!
I also wanted to tell you that for the last few days, whenever I’m at work and feeling overwhelmed (especially with this stupid New England weather) I stop for a few moments and look at your portfolio. I always find some new element in your photos that astounds me. Thanks for sharing such an important part of yourself with us!
AND….you did it AGAIN! Wow, girl! I bow down at your photographic abilities.
I am not a part of the group, so I will miss the discussion… but didn’t she use “nauseous” incorrectly throughout the whole book? I seem to remember being driven nuts by that. In any case I think I too had a pretty love/hate relationship w/ that book too.
Fab flowers!
I am still a reading fanatic even with knitting. I use a book weight to hold the book open(My husband calls it my “sap”) and also listen to books on cd while knitting. Love your flowers.
The hydrangeas are gorgeous. Those are among my favorite flowers and you captured them beautifully 🙂
I haven’t had a chance to spend a lot of time reading lately due to school, but I will as of TOMORROW when school ends. I am really looking forward to it. I read an entire book in one day back in January when I was on Christmas break and it was wonderful. It felt so decadent.
Hi, just delurking to say that I’ve never read a book as fast as The Time Traveller’s Wife. Got it from the library last Friday pm, and it was finished by Saturday morning. Totally sucked me in, it did. Love your blog, and especially your photos.
Uhm, I’m late. And I didn’t read what everybody else said. But instead of splitting the one skein for two socks, just knit from both ends.
Cara, you are too kind. I just got back from out of town and was catching up on your blog when I saw your compliment on my socks…thanks so much! Can’t wait to see yours! I love that Cotton Surf, too…at the same time I bought the purple, I got three other colors. It’s fabulous stuff!