~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
I cast on for a simple ribbed hat for Jonny a couple of days before Job was born. Jonny really needs another hat, and I wanted a simple, small project to have on hand in the days after the baby’s birth. My urge to knit has been minimal though over the past week, so it’s just a few stitches here and a few there, which is exactly what I had in mind. I’m still reading Angle of Repose. It’s a great book, and I have passed the halfway mark, but it is heavy and making my fingers hurt just to hold it! I think I am almost ready to buy a Kindle (maybe this one.) I don’t know why I am having such a hard time taking the plunge. I guess I just can’t imagine reading on an electronic device rather than reading a real live book. And books are so much prettier! But my right thumb is killing me, and I seem to choose long heavy books lately.
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lila says
Ginny, I’m just crazy about you. And every glimpse you share of your family. Thanks for those glimpses, and welcome, little Job. Your reading recently has been all of my favorite stuff (Wendell Berry, The Dirty Life, and now, my very very favorite, Angle of Repose!).
I was wondering if you’ve ever heard of the Kobo? Essentially, it’s the independent bookstore’s answer to the Kindle. You can buy e-books through their website or through most local bookstores that have teamed up with Kobo, and read e-books from the library and other (non-Amazon) sources. And aesthetically, it’s a bookish-person’s e-reader. I’ve held out on a e-readers because I’m such a hard copy person, and I’m not a fan of Amazon, and shelf space is becoming an issue (AND yes, breastfeeding positions, too!). But now that I know about Kobo, I’m set on getting one sooner or later (I promise, I’m not affiliated with them, I’m just excited for an alternative!). There are several models, but the Kobo Aura looks nicest: http://www.kobo.com/koboaura#overview . And you can try them out or buy them from numerous bookstores in VA (I myself am DC): http://www.indiebound.org/ebooks#Virginia . Not that you’ll be trekking off to a bookstore anytime soon! Enjoy these days in bed with your little one. I know there’s so much conspiring to pull you out of it!
Kate says
I had a hard time switching from “real” books to an e-reader as well but the thing that finally clinched it was vacation. I didn’t have to pack a separate bag for my books (I never know what I’m going to want to read so end up packing 10-15 books for a week long trip). I still buy REAL copies of books I love (for rereading and because I think books are pretty) but do love nook. The nice thing about your kindle too is that you’ll be able to “rent” books from the library!!
And that yarn is GORGEOUS.
I don’t have pictures of what I’m reading/knitting but can’t wait to join in next week!
Camille says
Get the Kindle and don’t look back!! I used to read a ton until my children were born, and then that came to a screeching halt because my evenings were spent getting them to bed (I rock/lay down with them). Now I read during that time and am back to 2-4 books a week. Lightweight, adjustable back light, and I love that I can change the text size and line spacing if I’m tired/juggling a nursing baby and need to hold the book farther away. Also…dictionary!! I get all my books from the library and haven’t had an issue yet.
Cassidy says
I wept when I finally broke down and bought a kindle. Dramatic, I know – I felt like such a traitor to my precious paper pages. While I do miss those pages while I have a tiny nursling – I do love my kindle now. It saves my thumbs and wrists (I too seem to always choose the long, heavy books, lol). I get plenty of good paper paged book time on down the line. 🙂
Gwendolyn says
Ginny, are you working on Jonny’s hat as the pattern is written. Maybe it just looks different because it’s not stretched over a head. Didn’t know if you had any notes for that pattern yet.
Thank you.
Gwen
Ginny says
The pattern calls for sport weight yarn, and I am using dk, so I cast on fewer stitches–104. But yes, I think that the reason it looks so different is because it isn’t stretched. Jonny doesn’t want the brim to fold either, so I won’t be knitting it as long.
Kathy says
No post for me this week, but I wanted to say that the Kindle was a life saver with my little bub… it’s quiet and light weight. And when he did nursing gymnastics, it was easy to quickly change positions and keep reading, or drop the book entirely and not have to search for where I lost my place. It was also wonderful when we went to Britain last year (my hubs bought mine for me for that trip since I wouldn’t buy it). Like you, I love REAL books, but there is a convenience in a Kindle. And it will NEVER replace my real books. I’m rereading Harry Potter in hard back and there is something immensely satisfying about it being a real book. But I got through about 15 books while on maternity leave and nursing with my kindle. much love to you….
Sharon says
You can have both!!! ereaders are good and”real” books are a precious thing to keep.
amey says
I have a first generation Nook. I prefer non-Kindle readers because it gives me more choice from my public library (not all of the ebooks they have are Kindle compatible). I really like it for various reasons. I can start reading a book at 3am if the library has it. I can read while I brush my teeth or dry my hair without having to find something to prop the book open (I have a book weight, but it’s nice to not need it). I have instantly looked up the definition of a word by highlighting it with the ereader. Oh, and I can bring 40 books with me on vacation and not need a suitcase just for books 😀
I would like one that has its own light. Right now I have to use a book light to read at night. This is a minor problem, though.
I agree with a previous poster about the visual memory issue (“I was about half an inch into the book when that happened…”) but I think there’s a way to search for words or phrases that might help. I do still like paper books. I buy, in hardcover, the new releases of a specific author. I also like having physical books in the house for the kids to read because I have a general policy of no electronics or library books in the bathroom (you can all thank me later), so we need things they can read in there.
Anna says
Oh, and I made a slightly different badge and put on our blog’s sidebar. Let me know if it is okay.
Anna says
This is my first time to participate in a Yarn Along and I hope I did it right. I see some great projects posted here! I can’t wait to look at them all throughout the rest of the week.
Brigitte says
My nursing days were long before kindle. I have a kindle now and have often thought how great it would be for one-handed reading! Don’t forget the classics are free as ebooks. I also think I may read faster on the kindle. Not sure.
Blessings on your new baby and the family.
Erica Saint says
I love my Kindle, but I didn’t think that I would like it. My husband and oldest son suggested I get one for my birthday, and I passionately told them, “no thank you!” They didn’t listen to me and bought me one anyway. I am happy that they know me better than I know myself! 🙂
Elizabeth says
Glad you are taking it easy; I am so sorry that you are hurting and that it is hard to hold a book; sounds like a kindle may be the answer, at least for certain times/season’s in life. Keep resting. Good to have a simple but lovely hat project to slowly work away at! Praying still for you and baby!
Beate says
Congrats on the newest addition to the family!
My husband and I both have Kindle E-readers and we love this way of reading endlessly. There are also heaps of free e-books on Amazon, as well as ones you can buy. Just go for it, Ginny 🙂
Jenny says
I absolutely love the color of that yarn!
I have been pondering an e-reader too. I just don’t know if I would like it and I have a hard time making a purchase unless I know I will like it.
Jen says
Ginny, I can’t remember if I said congratulations on that beautiful baby boy!!! I too have cast on a pretty mindless knit that I am now saving for after our little one arrives!
kimberlee says
The simplicity of that gorgeous yarn and the hat design is so lovely. Like someone else said, I hope you are posting from your bed or couch nest where you can observe the hubbub of family and still rest and be treated like a queen. Perhaps a book holder or clip could help you with keeping the book open/propped.
We are rather anti-electronic reader here. Besides all the romance of books – the paper, the covers, the pretty, the joy of vintage books and their history, I am also concerned about the effect on memory of using a reader. I have some very visual people here. My kids often bring me books and find quotes and pictures and references very easily because their brains remember where in the book and where on the page the thing is that they are looking for. I have one son in particular who we’ve long called our reference librarian, but his siblings are good at it too. I would think so much of that would be lost with e-readers. Though I do know they are very helpful for so many people as noted in all the other comments. And we do know we are so very weird in our staunch resistance. 🙂
Barbara says
I completely agree with you about remembering a passage or reference in a book by visual memory. Depending on the font size in an e-book, and it can be changed, a passage could move on the page or even which page it’s on. I really only read from mine at night or in the kitchen. I do love the smell and feel of paper pages. And I can’t think of any children’s book I’d rather read in e-form.
Darcel {The Mahogany Way} says
I use the kindle on my phone and tablet and love it for reading. We have several kids books on there too.
Glad you’re enjoying your time with Job, they grow so so fast! Nice yarn color for the hat.
Cathy says
I love my kindle for traveling, but still prefer a book at home. I only wish I had gone for one with a back light. Take the plunge. Lots of free books to download too.
Monica says
I was SO opposed to getting a Kindle until someone raved about how easy it is to read when nursing a baby — it’s light, it doesn’t close when you have to readjust positions, you can prop it up on your leg or hold it in your hand or (if your lying down), nestle it against a pillow and still be able to see it. It has been awesome for those applications, and as I nursed less, I used it less. Our library also has a great selection of Kindle books to borrow, so I’ve appreciated those. For trips it’s awesome, too, because you can put a whole bunch of books on it and not add a huge amount to your luggage.
I was definitely against Kindles, but once I got one, it enabled me to do more reading. I still prefer books, but appreciate the helpfulness of the Kindle in certain situations.
Tara says
Congrats on your new addition! He’s precious and I love seeing the sweet photos of how your older children are interacting with him. Larkspur, Beatrix, and Silas seem enamored!
I wanted to comment on the Kindle Paperwhite, as I recently received one as a gift. For a long while I’ve been going back and forth about whether I wanted an e-reader. I’m a fan of a “real” book too. Now that I have one though, I love it! Like another comment stated, I still read “real” books but with the Kindle I feel like I’m reading more. The clarity and speed of the device is excellent. It’s lightweight and easy to hold and maneuver. I also love the built in light and anti-glare. They’re great features for reading outdoors or late at night in bed without needing a traditional book light or lamp. My husband doesn’t mind it like he did with lights. The Kindle Lending Library has a wide variety of free books and there are often good deals for purchasing books too. It’s also great for borrowing from your local library too, especially if it’s difficult to get there to pick up a held book. I’ve been pleasantly pleased with this gift and definitely recommend it! I would suggest a case too. I did a lot of research to find the best case for my buck. I decided on this one: http://www.amazon.com/Fintie-Paperwhite-All-New-Resolution-Next-Gen/dp/B009S2CXJC/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1384361878&sr=8-22&keywords=kindle+paperwhite+covers. It’s great–simple, light, auto on/off, quality-made.
Thanks for sharing bits of your life with us!
Lis says
Be brave, get the kindle! I got one for Christmas last year, the paper white, I was a little hesitant, but I absolutely love it and its so great with a little nursling, much easier to hold.
Job is such a doll, and I love his name, so much meaning.
Carrie says
Congratulations on your new addition! Such a joyous time!
Just wanted to share that I too am a great lover of actual books but I also have the Kindle app on my tablet. I find I still read actual books just as often but actually “read” more. The app on my tablet allows me to read in the middle of the night (I battle insomnia) when a regular book would require a light which would wake my husband. I often have two books going-a “real” book and an electronic book.
Many blessings on your new arrival!
Jennifer says
We had some Barnes & Noble gift cards we needed to use so my husband bought a Nook. It’s been in the house over a month and he uses it all the time but I have literally not yet laid a finger on it. I’m kind of afraid to. In the same period of time, I’ve read two books I needed to place holds for at the library, and wait my turn. I could have read electronic copies instantly. But I don’t know whether I want to go down that road yet…
Kelly J. R. says
I thought I would never want a Kindle but then my husband won one and now I love it. The best part: I can read while I walk the dogs because I can change the font size to be big enough to read while I bop around.
Valerie says
I bought a refurbished tablet for £40 and its been great for late night reading. I have downloaded all of my scriptures onto it from the LDS library and that has been very handy. I still prefer paper though, and I think I always will.
Valerie
xxx
Erin @ Mama in Progress says
We bought a Kindle Fire about a year ago and it has been really useful for me to use in schooling the kids- I have a few of my teacher texts on there (sooo much better than lugging the huge instructor guides, especially when we need to school on the go). We also travel frequently and this way I can load the kindle with books rather than packing a couple of heavy backpacks. Our local library allows us to borrow kindle books and that has dramatically cut down on late fees since they come off the Kindle automatically when they are due back! We still read a lot of hard copy books, but the kindle has made some aspects of reading much easier.
Dawn says
I have not gotten a Kindle for myself. My oldest three kids have them (two high school aged and a middle school aged) and LOVE them! I got them each one because they do many book reports during the school year and it is so much easier to decide on a book and instantly have it on your kindle rather than waiting for a trip to the library.
Donna says
I resisted the digital change big time. Once I did it I never looked back. I love the lack of clutter in my house. Now there are still some books that I would only buy the paper version of, but overall I love having everything at my fingertips.
Gretchen R says
I can’t seem to switch to electronic readers either. It just ruins it for me. I love the feel of paper.
I hope you’re posting from your bed, snuggling with Job and being waited on hand in foot.
Jennifer Miller says
I am still pretty resistant to the ereader and being the daughter of a librarian I love my books. I did take the plunge and have been reading on the kindle app on my ipad for the simple reason that I can read at night after my husband has gone to bed and it doesn’t wake him.
Barbara says
I resisted the kindle for a while because I love the smell and feel of books. I bought the Fire because I thought the Internet access would be useful for school since our only computer is a desktop. I like the kindle for reading because it’s always the same size no matter how big the book is, I can lock the screen to lie on my side (probably not necessary with any but Fire), and I read after my husband comes to bed without the light on (my favorite feature). The main thing I don’t like is buying books. I rarely buy a book and then it’s a used copy. I always borrow from the library, but Amazon does have a library for a limited number of books, you can get some for free, and I think libraries are catching up to technology!
PS I love that manly yarn!
Barbara says
PPS For those considering the Kindle for kids, I have the first gen Kindle Fire and it has no parental controls. I can keep my kids from watching movies with a password but the internet is wide open.
Carrie says
I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas last year and I LOVE IT. I was so resistant to getting one because I love my books. And I still do. I visit the used book store constantly. But I love throwing my Kindle in my purse when I’m going out. I am never without something to read, unlike when I would forget my book. We’re considering getting the kids one for Christmas so we can load them up books as well. And games for car time. (And perhaps a video here or there for the littlest during ball practice time when he is incredibly bored).
The Fire is great for browsing the internet as well.
Joy says
The best thing about Kindle, in my opinion, is the wealth of classics that you can download for free! And many others are $1. My oldest 2 love their Kindles, although they read plenty of “real” books too. When you are (or have) a voracious reader, Kindles come in quite handy simply for the volume they hold. The hat yarn is lovely. Perfect for a few stitches here and there. 🙂
Christine N says
I have a Nook and a tablet with e-reader capabilities and I read way, way less often than I used to. I have thousands of books at my fingertips and don’t read unless I have the real thing in my hands. And I haven’t even hit 25 yet. It’s not generational!
I totally understand your hesitation at buying an e-reader.
alisa says
Many blessings to you and your newest little one! Hats are such great easy knits….love the color of yours!!
sheila says
Nice to see you back Ginny! Love that green!
Best,
Sheila
http://sheilazachariae.blogspot.com/2013/11/technicolor-granny-blanket-2nd-pattern.html
Andee says
I have a Kindle Fire. I listen to the audio books on it. I really love it. I listened to the Woman in White and the Dirty Life. Both of your suggestions. I love how the narrators will act out the parts of the book. I definitely read/listen to more books this way.
karen says
take the plunge!! I will always prefer a real book but I can borrow ebooks from my library and read them on my ipad WHILE I knit simple simple stuff. I love this!
I need to make a hat or two but I’m focused on sweater knitting right now. Happy snuggling with your bundle 🙂