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Monday, June 16, 2014

bookish in crochet

Crochet and floral top, Ross
distressed denim mini, Old Navy (very old)

    I don't own much crochet or lace, but I couldn't resist picking up this top. It just looked like the perfect top for summer. 

 
Floral print on the back of the shirt

      Week 2 of summer break was similar to the first ... a lot of lazing around with books! I read Otsuka's "The Buddha in the Attic," which is about Japanese picture brides' experiences in America, and really enjoyed the collective voice narration. Instead of following one or several women, Otsuka tells much of the story from a "we" point of view, with characters emerging with haunting details, then vanishing into anonymity.  I can see how that wouldn't appeal to every reader (after I finish a book, I like to take a peek at the Amazon reviews, and people were split on their liking of the narrative device), but to me it suited Otsuka's poetic style and it had an incantatory power at some points. I also finished Atkinson's "Case Histories." I'm not a big mystery reader, but I rather liked this one, enough so that I've got the second in the series on request at the library.
      Besides obsessively reading, I did manage to go to the gym twice (major accomplishment, I haven't gone in years). I also bought some boldly patterned chiffon to make a kimono top, and cut out the pieces - basically 3 rectangles. I haven't sewn with chiffon before, so I'm looking forward to mastering a new type of fabric, as well as learning how to sew a French seam.

10 comments:

  1. What a beautiful top. The Buddha book sounds interesting; I'm going to check it out.

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  2. I love this top; it is perfect for summer. And it super flattering on you!

    The book sounds interesting. I don't mind it when authors use different devices as long as they work.

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  3. What a gorgeous top!

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  4. Thanks, Erin! I'm always worried about snagging these tops and ruining them, but this one was too cute to pass up.

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  5. I don't know much about how the Japanese arrived in America, so this was interesting. It's a period in history I'd like to learn more about.

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  6. This top wasn't a very practical purchase, but sometimes it's fun to indulge in something seasonal and pretty! As a reader I'm pretty tolerant of authors experimenting and taking risks, but I know some people like something more straightforward/cut and dry.

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  7. i have to say that you look very snazzy! that is one very attractive outfit, carrie!

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  8. I adore this crochet lace top- it's so pretty! I like to read reviews on Amazon too after I finish a book. Sometimes I check both Goodreads and Amazon before to see what people think. Other times I like to go in blind and not look at reviews until after!

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  9. Thanks, Nnenna! I usually don't check reviews beforehand ... on Amazon it's hard to avoid spoilers, and I like to start a book fresh. I like browsing Goodreads, but I'll confess that I don't log into my account and update my bookshelf very often - I've found Pinterest is one of the easiest ways for me to track the books I read.

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