Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Tuesday Book Reviews


The Killer Collective (John Rain, #10; Ben Treven #4; Livia Lone #3)




Four star review of The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler

A complicated story featuring characters from Eisler’s other books and involving people in high places and a child pornography ring. Full of action, but also emotion, even romance. The scenes that take place in Paris are especially riveting. Since I haven’t read any of his other stories, this was my introduction to Livia Lone, Dox, John Rain, Hort, Larrison and Delilah.


Finding Myself in Borneo: Sojourns in Sabah

Five star review of Finding Myself in Borneo by Neill McKee

A fascinating account of the authors experiences as a member of the Canadian equivalent of the Peace Corps, the CUSO in the late 1960’s. He taught in Sabah, Malaysia (North Borneo), and explored southeast Asia. The people he met, the sights he saw and the events he experienced make for a great read. He does an excellent job of conveying his happiness with what he learned, and what he brought to his students and the residents of Sabah.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Sunday Knitting Blog

Another great article from the folks at Mason-Dixon Knitting, written by Jillian Moreno

https://www.masondixonknitting.com/its-not-you-its-the-yarn-superwash-edition/?mc_cid=aa7b40d5bf&mc_eid=46c7e49508

Superwash yarns, especially superwash merino, are some of the most loved yarns in the knitting world.  They are as seductive as an ice cream van jingling its song up your street on a hot day. I know my stash is stuffed with colorful superwash yarns of all sizes.
Why do we love them so much? That’s easy: washability (duh), softness and color.
Click on the above link for more.

Another site I've been visiting lately (not just reading but watching wonderful vlogs) is Sweet Georgia Yarns. I've enjoyed these so much, I hope to visit their store next time I'm in Vancouver.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Tuesday Book Reviews


Myths and Mortals (Numina Trilogy #2)

Five star review of Myths and Mortals by Charlie N. Holmberg

The sequel to Smoke and Summons continues to weave the story of Sandis and Rone and gives us more of the immersive world-building. The descriptions of the different neighborhoods of the city they live in, the denizens of various parts, provides a background to a tense, tightly knit story of vessels and summoners and the quest to kill Kazen. Sandis’ uncle turns out to be the worst choice of an ally. Rone appeals to his father again. After a raid on Kazen’s premises, Sandis and Rone find three other vessels. My main quibble is the way Sandis, who hated being a vessel and used to summon demons, would willingly become a summoner. Circumstances required it, but it still seems wrong to me.

Stress Is Relative: Memoir of an Air Traffic Controller

Three star review of Stress Is Relative: Memoir of an Air Traffic Controller by Rose Marie Kern

For a reader who mostly reads fiction, the lack of tension was odd in this memoir about stress and an air traffic controller. The matter-of-fact tone and extensive descriptions of related subjects contributed to this. Guess it wasn't what I expected.


Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Tuesday Book Reviews



Akrad's Children (Akrad's Legacy #1)




5 star review for Akrad’s Children by Jeanette O’Hagan

In Akrad’s Children, we’re introduced to Dinnis, Ista and Mannok. Slowly we come to care about the three of them, flaws and all, but mostly we root for Dinnis. He’s the blue Nolmec great grandson of the Arkon Akrad who he hates. He longs for the day his father will come and rescue him from Akrad’s cruelty, but after he helps his father’s Tamrin forces defeat Akrad, Dinnis is disappointed by the way his father treats him. We follow the three children through many years of change. The world they live in is described in rich detail and the history woven into the narrative.


Tips Lawyers Wish You Knew by Ann D Zeigler


4-star review of Tips Lawyers Wish You Knew: Going It Alone at the Courthouse by Ann D Ziegler

Many tips squeezed into this book that's essential reading for anyone representing themselves in a court case. Those with lawyers can learn something too. Since I don't belong to either group, I didn't finish it, but what I read, was presented in an engaging and sometimes humorous fashion.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Sunday Knitting blog

It just so happened the days I was away recently were days I usually posted here. I'm back now, so lets start with more on knitting.

I found this article:

Here’s How Knitting Was Used As A Tool To Spy On Enemies During Wartime

from Bored Panda particularly interesting. Whether you're a knitter or not, I think you will too.

Bored Panda