The ultimate Sashiko sourcebook by Susan Briscoe

****

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese type of embroidery, initially used to reinforce cloth. Being no expert on Sashiko I can hardly comment on how “ultimate” this is. However it is well set out and contains everything you need to make a start. The projects are a bit uninspiring, but then I’m used to a more modern approach. This stuff seems destined for cushions and picture busywork, not really very practical or beautiful. I’m not a fan of making stuff for the sake of it!

Genre: craft

Read: 31/05/2008

Persuading Annie by Melissa Nathan

****

A bit reminiscent of the earlier Jilly Coopers this. Partly because of the characters, partly because the plot is very like oooh I can’t remember. The one where she is a flipperty gibbet and he comes in to sort out her family’s company. Anyway, thats the plot. They met in the past and now he wants revenge. It is a much bigger/deeper book than the Jilly Cooper, but strangely has barely any interaction between the hero and heroine. I seem to remember this from a previous book too. Quite odd. The character stuff is great though. The supporting characters have a real life of their own.

Genre: contemporary romance

Read: 31/05/2008

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

****

This book solves the great mystery of the Bridgerton series. Who is Lady Whistledown? There is also a story of unrequited love. A little implausable but fun.

Genre: Historical

Rad: 31/05/2008

The Copenhagen connection by Elizabeth Peters

****

You can tell how much I like Elizabeth Peters from the fact I am reading this in Large Print from the library. Yuck! Anyway, another solid performance. A standalone set in Copenhagen, theres some historical background, a silly girl and an emotionally conflicted man. A Mary-Sue of a writer character strained my patience but the rest is good.

genre: mystery

read: 17/05/2008

The jackal’s head by Elizabeth Peters

****

Typical Elizabeth Peters standalone mystery book. Reliably entertaining, well-written and slightly brain-stretching in places. I’m starting to get a feel for how these all work out now, but even so its still a good read.

genre: mystery

read: 17/05/2008

The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

****

Bridgerton book number 1.  Daphne meets up with a Duke. There is some pathetic bullying by her brothers (which makes you glad not to be a Bridgerton but is surely supposed to have the opposite effect) and la la la typical ending. A firm start to the series, but not all that great. Plus she drags out father issues in the Duke, which also happens in another Bridgerton book. However, she does every ounce of story out of the situation even if it does go on a bit at the end.

genre: historical romance

read: 17/05/2008

It’s in his kiss by Julia Quinn

*****

This is one in the longish Bridgerton series. Less annoying than such series usually are – perhaps because the smug marrieds keep mostly out of sight. Perhaps I just like the characters. This time one of the youngest Bridgertons (H) meets up with a man with father issues (didn’t that already happen in one of the earlier books?) and there is some enjoyable chasing about after treasure.

As un-historical as ever (the cover picture gives you an idea of how accurate it is likely to be!), this is enjoyable fluff.

genre: historical romance

read: 17/5/2008

I’m in no mood for love by Rachel Gibson

****

Its one of those ones where they knew each other as children and meet up again later with issues. Theres some bonding with parents. Its an continuation of the writer’s circle started in Sex, lies and online dating. Rachel Gibson is consistently good. This one got a bit tied up with issues for me. Or perhaps I just didn’t like the characters that much.

genre: romance

read: 17/05/2008

Sex, lies and online dating by Rachel Gibson

****

Shes going on internet dates to get info for a book about a serial killer. Hes a cop going on internet dates to catch a serial killer. Hilarity and romance ensues.

I enjoy Rachel Gibson’s writing, so this is a re-read. I’m not quite sure why not a 5 star review for this. It falls somewhere between enjoyable fluff and a thoroughly good book. Perhaps if it went one way or the other I would be more favourable.

genre: romance

read: 17/05/2008

Kaffe knits again by Kaffe Fassett

****

Basically a reworking of some of his classic knitting patterns in new colourways and available Rowan yarns. The good stuff is the colour combinations and ideas. The bad stuff is the same as always – most of this stuff would take me years to knit. Tons of intarsia. The colourwork is better suited for needlework (which he has done a book of). Of course the fact that these are difficult to knit does add to the effect. Beautiful to look at. There is one pattern (Caterpillar) that is striped in an easy to knit manner. Some of the others could be adapted to be easier (by breaking up the pattern, using less colour, etc). For the rest just admire the pictures in Ravelry, but note that most have the caveat “I started this jumper in 1991 and have only just finished it…”)

genre: knitting

read: 17/05/2008