Reading report

Okay, I speed read my way through Anne Rice's Pandora — I enjoyed it, even though I hardly ever read Ms. Rice anymore. A good story, I always did like the character Pandora in her other books.

From the library, I have home the following crochet books:

Crochet for Barbie Doll: 75 Delightful Creations to Crochet by Nicky Epstein (New York: Sixth & Spring Books, 2002) — An interesting little book, something I'll probably return to in a few years, whenever Mairi starts getting into Barbie dolls.

Hooked on Crochet: 20 Sassy Projects by Candi Jensen (North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 2004) — I like Candi's books, and this is no exception. Projects I may return to ("someday" *smirk*) include the "swinging ribbon bag," "the little black wrap," "lacy sleeveless shell," and"chic hippie skirt." A book I wouldn't mind owning.

Simple Crochet by Erika Knight (New York: Clarkson Potter, 2003) — This is a cool book because of the materials used: the author shows how to make things not only with various yarns but also with things like kitchen twine, round leather thonging, fabric, raffia, sisal, and various types of string.

How to Crochet: The definitive crochet course, complete with step-by-step techniques, stitch libraries, and projects for your home and family by Pauline Turner (London: Collins & Brown, 2001) — a British crochet book, but one that uses (or has been converted to using) American terminology for the stitches. The subtitle really sums up the contents quite well. I like the "Bathroom Rug (#4)," "Camisole (#7)" and "Round Pillow (#10)" projects, although that last is Tunisian stitch, something I haven't tried yet. Another book I wouldn't mind adding to my personal crochet library.

(The annoying thing is, this is almost all there is for those of us who chochet: learn how books, afghans, doilies and dolls. There are just no really interesting books of crocheted clothes availble, at least not that I've found, not recently published ones. If anyone knows of some interesting crochet books, let me know, okay?)

I also got Better Homes and Gardens' Christmas Ornaments to Make — I'm always sort of delusional about this time of year and think I'm going to make Christmas gifts. *shrug* This book does have some lovely ideas, though.

Then, just this week, I checked out The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp for the umpteenth time. I had it checked out for several weeks shortly after Nora's birth, and we really found his ideas helpful in dealing with some of the less happy aspects of Mairi's behavior at that time. We've been having more trouble again, so I thought I'd take another look...

I also picked up Sabrina Jeffries's To Pleasure a Prince while I was there, and am quite enjoying it, so far. But then, as I've said before, Regency romances are my guilty pleasure.