book reviews & giveaway #4

We're moving into the 2nd week of giveaways. This is rather fun for me, if you can't tell.  The winner for Kristin Nicholas' book was notified via a Rav message-but there's still time for Just Like Me Knits by Brandy Fortune, and for Wear With All, ebook version.  Not to mention every giveaway I'm doing this month, one comment for each, including this one, below.  And, more books added soon.

I'm thrilled to be able to give away a copy of  Knitting Yarns, Writers on Knitting, edited by Ann Hood.  She, the editor,  says in the introduction
“The impressive collection of writers here have contributed essays that celebrate knitting and knitters. They share their knitting triumphs and disasters as well as their life triumphs and disasters. . . . These essays will break your heart. They will have you laughing out loud.”

What do I say?  Just that, if you are not the winner, please treat yourself to a copy of this book. Don't even think twice. You want to read it and you want to own it. Most of my favorite writers are in here , including Barbara Kingsolver and Ann Shayne and Ann Patchett  (yes, that Ann Shayne, you must know she is also a novelist, right?) , not to mention Sue Grafton and Andre Dubus III and Jane Smiley.....oh so wonderful, they are all talking about knitting,as a touchstone in their lives.  Of course I have that same feeling, even if I can't articulate like an award winning write. So there's the feeling of recognition, and connection that moves this book into its own category for us, as knitters.
If you search around online, some of the pieces are excerpted. Together, in one volume, they are nothing short of joy.

Seriously, the only complaint I have about this book is the lack of a wonderful portrait of each of the writers in their favorite knitting spot, photographed by a professional editorial photographer who specializes in real people and is a knitter, like ohhhhhhhh,hmmmm, whoooooo..ME! Am I right? Are we not visual people, craving that peek between the blinds into all of their private space?  After you've bonded by reading their essay and you are touched and moved and crying or laughing, don't you just want a little look, too?
(did I really just come out and say that. why yes, I did).

PS A lovely lagniappe, there are 5 patterns in the book. sigh. This truly is one of those keep next to the bed books.

PPS Thanks to the publisher WW Norton & Company for sending me the review and giveaway copies. 

To enter the giveaway for a copy  of Knitting Yarns , Writers on Knitting leave a comment below telling me what book you keep next to the bed for revisiting. I'm giving away this book by mail , leave a comment below, by midnight Wednesday night December 10th , with  your email address* or your Ravelry name.  I’ll choose a winner by random number generator. ___Stop by again soon, I'm going to keep reviewing and giveaway-ing all month.__________  
*my blogging platform doesn’t reveal your email address with your replies normally, so I need it. if you are worried about it attracting a ‘bot scanning for addresses, feel free to leave it as JaneSewAThotstuffDOTCom  ok?  ___________________________ Another  plug for classes I am teaching at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC on January 17th! A hands-on workshop,  Photography for Your Ravelry Page (limited seats left) and a fast. fun and functional slide lecture,  10 Tips and Tricks to Fabulous Photography , from noon-1. Sign up now.