A Welcome Surprise

Good morning! I didn't expect to post today because I shared my WIPs yesterday and one day later don't have much more to show, but I have finished a couple of books in the last week, so here I am to join up with Kat and the Unravelers.

 
I've heard Breathe: A Letter to My Sons compared to Between the World and Me, and I'd say it's a fair comparison. Addressed to her sons, who have the sometimes dangerous role of growing up as Black young men in America, Perry examines her experiences as a Black woman and her heritage, upbringing, education, and religious beliefs have shaped her. In many ways, this is a memoir, but it's also part political and social commentary, and the writing is simply exquisite. It's a short book that does not take a lot of time to read, but it deserves a slow read. I gave it 4 stars.

Just before bed last night I finished the 11th book in the Inspector Gamache series, The Nature of the Beast. I'd put a hold on it at the library as soon as I finished the previous book and was pleasantly surprised by how soon I received it. I have to say that I can imagine it's hard to keep things fresh and exciting when writing a series about one character (especially when that character is a homicide detective who retired from the police force in the previous book!), but Louise Penny has yet to disappoint me. This installment involved international arms dealers, espionage, and a serial killer -- in addition to the usual murder mystery and the delightful inhabitants of Tree Pines. I gave it 4 stars.


I'm currently reading The Women of Brewster Place and am nearly halfway through.

The surprise I hinted at in the title is a package that arrived yesterday. I was expecting it -- that wasn't the surprise -- but there was more inside the package than what I had ordered.

This past weekend would have been my favorite local fiber event, Indie Knit & Spin, which was obviously canceled as an in-person event like so many others this year. Rebecca of Dusty Tree had been posting about some special Halloween-inspired soaps, so I decided to place an order with her to stock up, considering how much we wash our hands (have you noticed how hard it's been to find liquid hand soap lately?). The surprise was the bonus package inside, containing an extra bar of soap (the delicious-smelling Latte Bubbles), a small skein of yarn, a set of stitch markers, a lotion bar, a lip balm, and a drawstring bag. Getting fancy soap in the mail was enough of a treat, so I was pretty blown away by the surprise gift. Rebecca is a delightful person who makes amazing soap and also dyes beautiful yarn (you may remember that I used her yarn in my Sky in the Stream shawl). I always feel good about supporting local small businesses, so it was so nice to not only get what I'd ordered so fast but to get a lovely hand-written note, too, thanking me for my business. I can also vouch for the soap, too -- it's great stuff!

I hope your Wednesday has some good reading and at least one good surprise in store for you!