eKnitting Books

I have recently become the proud owner of a brand new Kindle, and for Christmas I was lucky enough to receive an Amazon gift card. I know there are so many wonderful things to buy on Amazon, but I am still excited about my new toy. I, of course, want to buy books.

The number one book on my wish list is Knitting Mochimochi and it just so happens that Amazon has a Kindle edition. So, I am wondering what you guys think. Have you bought any eKnitting books? How did you like it? The interactive Table of Contents seems like it wouldn't be too troublesome to get from pattern to pattern. Generally I get most of my knitting inspiration from the pretty pictures and brilliant modifications on Ravelry so I think I won't miss flipping through the pages too much. I am really close to having my mind made up to get it, but I think I was to hear about how much someone loves having their knitting books digital before I go for it. So tell me about it. To ebook or not to ebook! That is my question.

Famous!

Last night the Yarn Harlot was in Brooklyn. I had never read any of Stephanie's books, but I've been reading her blog since before I knew how to knit. I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity to see her speak and get my hands on her new book. The Barns and Noble that I was headed for was in Park Slope. Since Park Slope was home base during our apartment hunt last year, I figured I could handle it. Nope. I got off the subway and walked almost 15 blocks in the wrong direction. I managed to turn around and find my way. I missed out on the leisure reading time that I had planned, but I wasn't late for the reading. (As you all know, I like to leave plenty of cushion time for these very reasons.)

She gave a great talk about what she goes though making a book, and how when you add knitting to something it no longer the same. (Specifically, a book about knitting, becomes a knitting book, even if it is a book of essays and not patterns.) Then she read an essay from her new book on knitting and self-esteem. Finally she answered some questions. Then we all lined up to have our books signed. Over a year ago she came in contact with the Charity Blanket that I worked on. If I was thinking straight, I would have given her an update, but it didn't occur to me until after I got home.

As I waited in line I received the greatest compliment I could ever imagine. A knitter told me that she was debating with herself over whether or not my sweater was store bought. To have my sweater mistaken for store bought by anybody is incredible, but to have a knitter consider it is almost overwhelmingly flattering. Then when I got up to her table, the Yarn Harlot herself gave me a compliment. I mentioned that I was proud of it because it was my first project with sleeves. That earned me a spot on her blog! I have no idea what snork means but clearly I'm famous now. I may not be Kinneared any time soon, but it is a compliment that I will be proud of for a long time.

The End

I am finished with OpArt. All the ends are sewn in and it is soaking right now. Normally, with baby stuff, I just throw it in the washer and dryer and present it in the same state as it should be in coming out of the mom's dryer. This particular blanket is special though. I knew when I started, that it was going to need wet blocking after I finished, so instead of doing the norm, I am soaking it and blocking it.This picture is what it looks like unblocked. I don't mind blocking at all, I'm just a little worried that the corners might start curling up again after it gets washed. The plan is to be firm with it and show it how happy it can be as a square.

I'm also finished with Treasure Island, and I haven't decided what book to listen to next. I seem to be hit or miss lately with how much I like the books I pick. I was disappointed with both The Life of Pi and The Alchemist despite all of their positive reviews. I've been wondering if I didn't enjoy them as much as the critics because of the fact that I listened instead of reading. Audio books inspire a fairly different relationship, because I am always multi-tasking when I listen to them. I could be doing the dishes, riding the train, or just knitting garter stitch. Either way, I am not quite as committed. On the other hand, when I listened to A Connecticut Yankee in King Aurthur's Court and found it absolutely hilarious and entertaining. I've also had great luck with Twilight, Dracula, and American Gods.

So here are the books I'm thinking about:
Eve's Diary
The Prince and the Pauper (clearly I've gotten excited about Twain's humor)
The Cricket on the Hearth (in hopes that I continue to have luck with the classics)
Anansi Boys (I love Neil Gaiman, but I'm starting to worry that if I work though his stuff too fast, I'll have nothing left)
New Moon (The first one was light and entertaining. I enjoyed it just fine as an audio book)
One For the Money (a friend of mine has been recommending this series to me for over a year. I have no idea if I'll like it, because I haven't read a mystery novel since The Boxcar Children)

What do you think? Is there something else that I should definitely be listening too instead?