Unraveled Wednesday: 3/19/25

I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today, with an FO. Here is the Classy Hitchhiker!

And because I feel somewhat classy when I'm wearing it, here's a rare self-portrait of me. 

After Sarah shared Molly's Neutral Socks along with the link to Fibernymph Dye Works, I went to the web site to look at the yarn. I was quite taken with the socks and when I saw that there was one skein available, I took it as a sign that I needed it. Sarah had encouraged us to treat ourselves in honor of her birthday, so that's what I did! I cast on for the first sock and am enjoying knitting My Own Neutral Socks. I also wound the new Wollmeise yarn, but haven't cast on yet. I have a plan, or more accurately, I have a concept of a plan and am thinking about the best way to use these color-saturated skeins while I knit with neutrals. 

 

 

 I finished two books this week. Sarah put The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker on my radar and it sounded intriguing. I found it a thought-provoking exploration of memory, identity, and the complexities of the human mind. The novel follows Jane O., a 38-year-old single mother who experiences unexplained blackouts and hallucinations, leading her to seek help from Dr. Henry Byrd, a New York City psychiatrist. As their sessions progress, both Jane and Dr. Byrd confront unsettling questions about reality and consciousness.

Walker's writing is both profound and evocative, drawing readers into a speculative mystery that intertwines psychological intrigue with emotional depth. The narrative structure, presented through Dr. Byrd's clinical notes and Jane's personal letters to her son, offers a unique and intimate perspective on their evolving relationship and the enigmatic circumstances they face.

While the novel's deliberate pacing allows for deep character development, some readers may find the progression slow, particularly in the middle sections. Additionally, although the open-ended conclusion might raise interesting questions, it's also possible that it might leave those seeking clear resolutions somewhat unsatisfied.

Overall, The Strange Case of Jane O. is a compelling read that challenges perceptions of reality and self. It is well-suited for readers who appreciate literary fiction infused with psychological and speculative elements. Three and a half stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with a copy of this book. It was published on February 25, 2025.

I have Kat to thank for recommending Lights on a Ground of Darkness by Ted Kooser. This five-star book is a beautifully rendered, deeply personal memoir that feels like sitting on a porch with an old friend, listening to stories woven from memory, love, and loss. With his characteristic warmth and poetic precision, Kooser reflects on his childhood in Iowa, his family’s history, and the small but profound moments that shape a life.

This book is a masterclass in storytelling—elegant, understated, and brimming with quiet emotion. Kooser’s ability to capture fleeting moments of beauty and sorrow makes this slim volume feel expansive. It is a quiet, heartfelt tribute to a way of life that has largely disappeared. The author recounts the struggles and joys of his family with tender detail, from his grandfather’s slow descent into blindness to the resilient and self-sacrificing women who held the household together. His descriptions of childhood—summers spent playing in the creeks, the smell of fresh-cut hay, the dusty aisles of the local hardware store—evoke a nostalgia that is both personal and universal. Initially, I was a bit disappointed that this wasn't a volume of his poetry, but I quickly got over that after reading the first page. What makes Lights on a Ground of Darkness so compelling is Kooser’s ability to find meaning in the ordinary. His prose is unadorned yet luminous, capturing the weight of time and the inevitability of change with a poignancy that lingers long after the book is finished.

What are you making and reading this week?