Book Review : Doctor Sleep

I was keen to read this follow up to 'The Shining.'  Although I only ever watched the film it was a story I enjoyed and was looking forward to getting stuck into another Stephen King novel.  I've read several of Kings novels over the years and loved Misery, Salem's Lot, Gerald's game, Desperation, The Green Mile, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, was a touch meh about Liseys story and hated Dream Catcher! I'm also making my way through the audio book versions of The Dark Tower series and enjoying the stories and links to the other novels...but back to the purpose of this review, Doctor Sleep. 

This synopsis is from Stephen King UK website  or you can see the American website here. 

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and devoted to their comfortable Recreational Vehicles. They live off the 'steam' that children with the 'shining' produce when they are slowly tortured to death.  Following a childhood haunted time he spent with his parents at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles into a job at a nursing home in rural New Hampshire where his remnant 'shining' power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes 'Doctor Sleep.'  Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest ‘shining’ ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival . . .

I was fortunate to come across this video of Stephen King reading from Doctor Sleep.  This video explains more about The True Knot, the main 'bad guys' of the book...

I honestly don't know where to begin on how much I enjoyed this book.  The characters were very well drawn and throughout I was enthralled by Danny's story going through a roller coaster of emotions. Their is a particular seen towards the end that almost had me in tears!  I felt protective and drawn to the 'good' characters although was freaked out by the second appearance of Dick which didn't seem to bother Danny.  

Apart from being on the front cover the cat isn't a major player in the story but I felt we would have missed something without him an only relied in the humans. Something about the independent yet caring attitude of the cat that is reflected in Danny's character.

As for the bad guys, the True Knot, I'll never look at a camper the same way again! I didn't see them so much of a threat to begin with but as the story unfolds I found myself being more and more terrified.  I don't want to go on about the scenes I particularly enjoyed as their were quite a few twists and turns and I don't want to give them away but trust me it was a brilliant read!  All I will say is the ending was right for me and ended Danny's story nicely.

As I said at the beginning I am working my way through the Dark Tower series and did pick up early in the book Doctor Sleep the phrase "...their are other worlds than these..." which in the Dark Tower, I think book one, is spoken by one of the characters Jake.  Coincidence? I think not :)

I also picked up a phrase which was in my previous read Resistance (I'm sure just a coincidence and me King isn't stalking my reading habits) "..the devil is beating his wife..."  Hmm, I wonder, is it possible to be haunted by a phrase?

I bought the W.H Smith special collectors edition of Doctor Sleep which differs from the main copies by having purple cat eyes and wisps of steam. The cover felt nice with embossed steam and good paper and print font. I also liked the size of the hardback and format throughout.

If I had to summarise Doctor Sleep in 100 words or less (which I do for several book review sites) I would say:

This sequel to the shining is a must read not just for any King fan but for any fan of horror.  The characters are well drawn and the story keeps you hooked. A magnificent ending to one of Kings earlier stories, the proper ending that the character Danny deserved.

Namaste

Namaste (salutations to you)

This craft blog is turning out to be a bit of a lifestyle blog...unless maybe I live craft??

Well if you haven't guessed from the first word I have taken up Yoga.  I tried it years back and we never quite got on but now I am loving it.  I've been attending a Hatha Yoga class every Tuesday evening where not only have I learnt some postures I have also learnt something deep breathing and relaxation techniques.  Which is doing wonders for the ole anxiety and keeping the doc happy! 

I'm a little obsessed with it at the mo' and as Mr C is working away all weekend I am looking forward to having some me time and some time to do some long Yoga practice.

But for the proper crafty bit.

I bought my gorgeous pink yoga mat from Tesco but I didn't have a carry bag for it.  I since bought Yoga socks and take a water bottle with me so getting a carry bag was beginning to become a necessity.  So roughly following this post I created this little beauty...

Complete with Yoga mat inside to prove it does the job!

I say roughly followed that post as you can see I used ribbon for the handles, didn't have a button closing (couldn't get the button bit to go inside out so threw it across the room) and its not exactly the same but it does the perfect job for me.

Look at that for a bottom seam.  Not only are the handles are aligned, I managed to give it a rounded end (which wasn't easy as I didn't fully understand the instructions).










I also got a book from the library 'Yoga for a new you' Dorling Kindersley 2012 which I am considering buying as its really good.

I've also downloaded a few apps to my smart phone Pocket Yoga and Pocket Yoga Builder both by Rainfrog LLC but I haven't properly used them yet.  If I'm not at class I tend to use a DVD I have called 'Roxys Bite Sized Yoga' which has different routines split into bite sized chunks of 15 minutes each.

I'm hoping to get more regular practice in, especially as its doing my overall health so good, and have downloaded worksheets from my friends Alyson Tyler who is a Yoga teacher and writes a blog here (which has been super useful).  But I feel I need a little more guidance from a video clip for now.

I hope to try out some Youtube videos, in particular ones from Tara Lee, like this one...

...and will let you know how I get on.

Oh and I have seen a pattern for easy Yoga pants in my book 'The Sew Everything Workshop' that I bought to accompany a Craftsy Class so watch this space for more Yoga related craftiness!

P.S I can do a mean tree ;)

Book Review: Resistance by Owen Sheers

Last week I attended a creative writing taster session.  Never having done creative writing in my puff I didn't have high expectations for the night but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.   So as this is a crafty blog and writing is a craft (of sorts) I thought I would publish some of my writing here.  As you can expect with me I don't have much time to knit or sew so the chances of the worlds greatest novel being published here anytime soon is a long shot but hey ho you never know.

I thought I would start gently by posting a book review.  This is something I have wanted to hone my skills on, as I run the Builth Wells Reading Group blog over here, so below is my review of Resistance by Owen Sheers...

Resistance is set in an alternative universe where the Germans are winning World War II and are invading Britain.
Set in a Welsh valley between Hay on Wye and Hereford where a small community of farmers have disappeared in the middle of the night leaving behind the women.
We are led to believe they have gone off to join the 'Resistance' and we are left to explore the unfolding lives of the women left to work on the farms, in a harsh winter, with a German patrol living nearby.
My feelings towards this German patrol were tested throughout the novel.  Initially I began by feeling unsure and a little scared then as the story progressed I found my opinion changing and I became quite fond of them all, especially Albrecht.
My changing feelings were particularly highlighted when in one particular scene a character mistakes the German patrol for the valley farmers and you see the German patrol through those eyes, as though they were the farmers and see no difference between them.
I found I cared for all the characters in the valley and enjoyed the authors descriptions of the area and working farm life.  The audio book in particular was beautifully narrated and although I read some chapters too I wasn't overly keen on the format/look of the print.  I loved the front cover and thought it captured the story well.
The cover is black and white with a lone woman, could be our main character, standing atop a black mountain.  Comforting herself from the elements she seems to be searching for someone, her body language echos both loss and hope.
However I didn't like how the story jumped viewpoints and found it quite disorientating when listening to the audiobook.
Although the was is the backdrop to the novel I didn't feel it was prominent and it was more about working through hardship, community spirit and looking beyond what at first may appear to be a threat which could also be a lifeline.
I liked the valley characters.  The women for their hard work and determination against the Germans, the war and an altered way of life.  I loved how the women didn't give up when the men left, they took on more work and tried their hardest to keep on going.  I also liked the German patrol as although you start believing they are Nazi monsters it goes to show just because you put a uniform on someone and a gun in their hand it doesn't make them a soldier.  And that their true means of survival in the war wasn't to fight.  So you had the women fighting and the men trying hard to abstain, they were a perfect mirror image of each other in a mirrored universe.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction but especially those living or have an interest in the Welsh valleys.

You can find out more about Owen Sheers and Resistance on the Owen Sheers website.

Incidentally I am now reading 'A casual vacancy' by J.K. rowling as part of the book group read this month, feel free to join in and post comments on our blog :)

Hey baby

Well the bootees are finished (hurrah)...

Sparrow from Let's Knit - http://ravel.me/thefunkylibrarian/g0gvg

I've also finished my first ever cardigan...

Paris from Let's Knit - http://ravel.me/thefunkylibrarian/yi8f4

Again knit for my friends' baby when it arrives in January.  I've still to sew on four buttons but apart from that its ready to go.

I'm delighted with this, its so soft and squidgy and will keep the little one warm in cold January, hope he appreciates it!

The pattern was called Paris from a Let's Knit magazine supplement called Handknitted for Baby but I'm not sure of the date.  It was a super easy patterns to follow and can now add making a buttonhole with [yfwd, k2tog, k1] using stitch markers and picking up stitches to my arsenal.  I found picking up stitches quite tricky but making a buttonhole seems to be a mix of black magic and weird science.  I adapted the pattern slightly by not adding on pockets to the front as I wasn't overly keen on them.

Also if I were to knit this again I would go for a stronger colourway than the bluey/grey neutral colour, I think as its a basic garter stitch a strong colour will help the stitches stand out.







Continuing on the baby gifts next on the needles is a pattern called Little Imp from a Simply Knitting supplement called Hand knits for baby.  I've literally just cast this on using Deramores baby DK (gorgeous super soft yarn!) and already ran into trouble.  The first part of the pattern calls for a simple rib patterns then continue in stocking stitch then using a different colour yarn to create stripes.  I have somehow managed to mess up the simple rib at the start!

So tonight's mission is to find out how to undo around 6 stitches.  I refuse to rip it back a row or even to start again (its CO 80 stitches, yawn).  So that will add undoing stitches to the arsenal, if I can figure it out.  What's really annoying is its a rib pattern to I need to undo a purl and a knit stitch...argh!

To infinity and beyond

I don't know if you call it an infinity scary, or a cowl, or what but whatever you call it I call is smooshy and cosy and snuggly warm...roll on winter!

The infinity scarf made from Rowan Big Wool bought from Wool in Bath

Love the moss stitch pattern

I've been through the baby patterns and started on an easy peasy pair of bootees from Lets Knit magazine Issue 61 December 2012 called Sparrow using Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK I got from Deramores. The shade is 0003 Alabaster which is an ivory white colour.

As you can see I just need to sew it up but one down and another one to go!

I love knitting this and the yarn is so soft I'm wondering if it can be scaled up for Shari sized feet!

Another bonus is with this pattern I have learnt [K each stitch tbl], [s1, k1, psso], and refreshed on [kfb] and [k2tog]which is very exciting and I still found the pattern quick and easy to follow.  This builds my confidence for trying other patterns out without looking at the jumble of letters thinking I need to decipher some ancient code, nah its easy when you have You Tube.

Anyhoo on with the other bootee...

Chunky cowl and what's been happening dudes

Well I decided to try the exciting new cowl pattern (which you can view here) with the Rowan Big Wool, shade 00068, a gorgeous mustard yellow (which doesn't show up too well in the pic).  I'm about three quarters of the way there...

[I will post a pic in here but I'm writing this from the iPad and it won't let me upload, grrr]

I'm trying to get some more knitting done so I can start to clear out the stash and try new exciting baby knits for my friends James and Carrie whose baby is due in January and well they way I knit it'll be 21 before he or she gets it!

Also the anxiety has been near on unbearable lately.  I made it to the other side of the depressive episode but have been suffering with panic attacks and generally anxiety for a few months now. Even getting panic attacks in my sleep which is not fun.  I took some time off work to relax, even planned on knitting the whole week but ended up giving the house a spring clean instead.

Anyhoo, will post a pic of the scarf ASAP and details of the baby knit plans too.  Good ole Deramores gave me a discount, had a sale AND free delivery so I went a bit nuts, so much for clearing out the stash eh :)

Misses and Mrs

Well hello again reader, apologies for being off the radar lately but you see I was off getting married (yay) which was then followed by a gorgeous honeymoon in Scotland.  I won't go on but it was a beautiful day and we were able to get married in the sunshine in the garden of a lovely manor house near to where we live.  The hall was then filled with our even lovelier family and friends and we partied into the night.

Our scrummy cake made by the Mimosa Bakery

My sister-in-law, who also happens to run the Mimosa Bakery made our scrummy wedding cake with accompanying cookies ...

I made the bridesmaid bouquets,and it was a joint effort by me and the hubby to make the centerpieces for the tables which were five different planets in Star Wars (he did the planets I did the flowers).  This being a slight nod as we got married on Star Wars day, May 4th (get it).

We then had a fantastic honeymoon in a log cabin in Strathyre, Scotland where we explored all around including Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Aberfoyle and Callander.  The only craftiness whilst on honeymoon was I completed a travel diary each day in a notebook I was given as a wedding gift.  

Not a bad spot to fill out a diary, drink tea or read a book :)

This gave me the idea to incorporate a little more technology in my life (like I need that) and complete a blog each time I go on hols...we'll see if this ever happens!

But on to crafty craftiness.  In amongst all of this I have managed to sew (yes, sew!) two cushion covers.  I followed the Craftsy Class and ta da...

Clicking on the photo takes you to the project page on Craftsy:
Source: French Seam Envelope Pillow/Cushion via Sharon Cook on Craftsy

I was chuffed to bits with the first cushion but the second one didn't come out as well.  the seams weren't the correct size and ended up showing in the final product which it shouldn't do with the french seam.  I've since discovered a bubble in my cutting mat and think that may be the problem so have ordered a new one, a 24" ruler to work alongside my 18" one (the cushion measures 21"x 21" you can see how annoyed I was with an 18" ruler), and a magnetic seam guide for the sewing machine.  I've also ordered more of the same fabric to give it another go and may rip out the stitches of the second cushion to use the fabric and make a smaller cushion or possibly napkins (we could really do with them!).

I have also knitted, but not yet sewn up the seams, for a pair of fingerless mitts from yarn I purchased in Bath.  I'm hoping to sew the mitts up over the weekend and get started on a matching cowl.  

I haven't started on the cowl yet and undecided whether to use this pattern which I use for all my cowls or this new exciting one.  I'll keep you posted on that.

Meanwhile I'm nursing Mr C back to health after a rotten trip to the dentist and hoping the sunshine stays so we can enjoy a hike in the countryside tomorrow, hope you're enjoying your weekend :-)

Mrs C  x