Sunday, November 3, 2013

Turning Pages: "Still Life" by Louise Penny


It has been a lovely, quiet day, just perfect for curling up with my current knitting project. The back of this sweater is plain knitting, the front is an all-over cable design and I'm about 75% finished this section.

There was just one problem with the notion of sitting peacefully and carrying on knitting, purling, and fiddling with the cable needle.

A distraction. 

In the form of a novel.

As of a couple of days ago, after weeks of being on the library waiting list, the volume I had been waiting for became mine.




If you enjoy a good mystery and have yet to read Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, this is the first book. The protagonist is intelligent, observant, patient, compassionate, imperfect, and insightful: "Crime was deeply human, Gamache knew. The cause and the effect. And the only way he knew to catch a criminal was to connect with the human beings involved." (pg. 87)

I had already read A Beautiful Mystery, Penny's second-last book, and was completely captivated by her writing style, plot development, and the well drawn characters. Clearly, I had to go back to the first novel and start making my way through all of them.
 

I didn't knit a stitch today. I was in Québec, in the village of Three Pines.
Immersed. 
Absorbed.
Staying there until I knew, along with the villagers, who had committed murder.


I can always knit tomorrow. In a few days, I'll head to the library for Dead Cold
This sweater could take awhile.


19 comments:

  1. hmmm....it seems like rather a sweet set of choices you have there...knitting or reading....

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  2. Oh, yes! I could live in Three Pines! Love Gamache. We could sit in the Pub, you with your knitting and me with crochet -- sounds good!

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  3. Your knitting is beautiful, I love the pattern and the colour! I will have to go and check out this book, you have me intrigued.... xx

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  4. I love a good mystery Karen! I'll have to put that on my list to read this winter. Right now I don't have time to read although I would love to sit down with a good book. You'll have to show the your knitting project when it's finished.
    Have a good week!

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  5. Sounds like a good day... knitting and reading. All you need is a cup of coffee and maybe a book stand to hold your book so you can knit and read at the same time. I am also going to check out the book. thanks for the suggestion.

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  6. I love your knitting. It looks like it will be very warm and cosy when finished. Sarah x

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  7. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a weekend!
    Your knitting is beautiful!

    Hope this is a great week for you :)

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  8. I'm reading these books as fast as I can get them from the library. Not always in order, either. But I did read Still Life first. Enjoy!

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  9. Good Evening Karen, There is nothing like being immersed in a good book and even better when there is time to put my feet up and just get lost in the book. I have not heard of the author Louise Penny, so I will have to visit the library to see if I can find her books.
    Your knitting is lovely and I can see it takes a lot of concentration to knit the cable pattern. I am knitting a vintage tea cosy for my daughter which I am enjoying as I have not done any knitting for quite a while.
    Have a lovely time putting your feet up and enjoying your books.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  10. I'm on A Beautiful Mystery (read them in order) and then I have only one more to go. I'll be sad! She is an amazing writer, isn't she?

    xo
    Claudia

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  11. je lis en ce moment le tout dernier " Tracy Chavalier
    on y vois la passion pour les quilt en patchowork des États -unis en 1830
    on a presque envie de s'y mettre:::::
    bon tricot et bonne lecture
    tendresse
    edith (iris)

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  12. I have this author written on my list to explore on Thursday when we go to the library.

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  13. Your knitting project looks gorgeous!...I love the pattern and the colour is lovely too...I'm putting your latest book on my 'to read' list too...Is great to find a book that you just can't put down, isn't it?
    Susan x

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  14. Oh my, I have been immersed in a Louise Penny novel recently too!! I saw her books mentioned on a couple of blogs and looked in my local library where I found two available. Have just finished 'Bury Your Dead'.......such an amazing atmosphere, sense of place and history. I love how you describe this reading experience, Karen! I am planning to work my way back through the series too. Love your beautiful knitting too........perfect things for the winter drawing near.

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  15. Hi Karen,

    Between your lovely knitting project and your page turner, your weekend must have been lots of fun! I haven't read in a while, (blogging has taken over!), and I don't knit, crochet or sew, but I bake!

    Your novel sounds very exciting; happy reading!

    Poppy

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  16. I'm always on the look-out for new authors. I haven't heard of Louise Penny but I just went to the local library site and requested four of her books. Thanks for the recommendation!!

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  17. Wonderful i like your blog :) thank you for sharing and i will try to find your books...

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