January Recap

Recap:

Read:
1. The Mistletoe Kiss by Janet Lee Barton
2. Dragon Sword and Wind Child by Noriko Ogiwara
3. Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger
4. So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
5. Musui's Story: The Autobiography of a Tokugawa Samurai by Teruka Craig
6. Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
7. Gideon Smith and the Brass Dragon by David Barnett

Cross Stitch Finishes:
1. B is for Bunny by The Sweetheart Tree

Crafts:
1. Pokemon ball amigurumis
2. Clara Jellyfish amigurumi
3. Dango amigurumi
4. Kero-chan amigurumi
5. Beast kpop decoden box
6. Octopus amigurumi
7. Pikachu amigurumi

My favorite book of the month was Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell. I had picked up the novel on one of my trips to The Book Nook a while ago. I think the last novel I read of Gaskell's was Cranford. Mary Barton was her first novel, which launched her career after it became known that she was the author. It was also quite controversial because of its subject matter, the average mill worker and their relations with the mill owners in Industrial Age England.

I think perhaps her novel North and South is read more widely nowadays especially since the beautiful BBC series adaptation starring Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage came out in 2004.

I do think Mary Barton would make an excellent adaptation to the screen as well. At first you think the plot focuses on the social aspect of mill work and poverty faced by the lower classes, but then Mrs. Gaskell adds a bit of romance, murder, and mystery into the mix. Makes for a great novel in the end. I would love to see either Brian Percival or Andrew Davies adapt the novel as a mini series. I think they would do the novel justice.

My favorite craft for the month was the Pikachu amigurumi. Not that the pattern was challenging (except perhaps his tail!), just that it makes for such an adorable amigurumi with his expression.

Next month's goals will be to continue crocheting amigurumi plushies, finish the Blackberry Jam cross stitch pattern by The Sweetheart Tree, and stitch some more on my Sampler 4 Saisons pattern for the Frolicking Friday group.

Until next time >___<