Books - Aug 3-30

A Good Yarn - Debbie Macomber, 2005 - book 2 in the trilogy, knitting socks - want to try the two circular needle technique and self-patterning yarn.

The Wedding Officer - Anthony Capella, 2007 - a British officer in Naples during WWII is charged with discouraging the marrying of Italian women and British soldiers, until he himself falls in love with his chef. True story of Vesuvius eruption during war. Buffalo mozzarella comes from water buffalo milk. Light romance and descriptions of Italian food.

Metzger's Dog - Thomas Perry, 1983 - soldier of fortune steals cocaine from college research facility and also takes some CIA classified documents. A standoff between his ragtag band and the US government ensues. Funny and clever.

Knitting under the Influence - Claire LaZebnik, 2006 - three young single women from LA bond over drinks and knitting and discover that the men in their lives they spar with are really their true loves. Predictable but still fun.

Audiobook - Back on Blossom Street - Debbie Macomber, 2007 - book 3 in the trilogy, prayer shawls. Discovered a companion knitting book with the patterns.

Audiobook - What I Call Life - Jill Wolfson, 2005 - young adolescent in foster home learns to knit with "the knitting lady" and bonds with a group of girls who help heal each other.

Audiobook - What the Dead Know - Laura Lippman, 2007 - A driver who flees a car accident breathes new life into the 30-year-old mystery disappearance of the young Bethany sisters at a shopping mall when she tells the police she's one of the missing girls. Moves between past and present to present the last day for both sisters from a variety of perspectives. Intricate and unpredictable.

Connections-WWII battle at Anzio: The Wedding Officer, What the Dead Know. Setting in Los Angeles: Metzger's Dog, Knitting under the Influence.

Books - July 18 - Aug 2

Rapture in Death - J.D. Robb, 1996 - 4th in the series, Eve investigates a series of unexpected suicides related to virtual reality goggles and subliminal suggestions.

The Shop on Blossom Street - Debbie Macomber, 2004 - a young cancer survivor opens a yarn shop in Seattle and the three disparate women that enroll in her first knitting class bond into friends and support. Pleasant and easy to read. Enjoy the knitting references.

Audiobook - People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks, 2008 - Fascinating story of a book conservationist who uncovers tiny clues to the history of her ancient Jewish prayer book as she preserves it.  The story jumps back to explain the origins of each fiber or stain as the author rewinds the history of the book. Very well written and intricate story.

Audiobook - The Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs, 2007 - another story about a knitting store and the knitters that gather there. Set in New York City, owner is a single mother who reconnects with the father of her child. Surprised by the ending, not really satisfied by it.

Connections-daughter abandoned by unknown father: Special Relationship, Weekend in Paris, People of the Book

suicide theme: The Pact, Rapture in Death

cancer: The Friday Night Knitting Club, The Shop on Blossom Street