I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today with the same hat, still in progress, and just one book.
I may be too used to knitting Hitchhikers somewhat mindlessly as I find myself making careless mistakes on the hat and having to tink back. But it's a good lesson in paying attention to what I'm doing, like crossing cables correctly and actually counting the numbers of knits and purls correctly. Things go better when I do that and don't try to do something else that takes some of my attention (such as answering John's questions about how many bags of mulch he should get or what Medicare Part D program I have). Those questions can wait but he seems to only ask me things when I'm counting.
I requested The Ideological Brain from NetGalley because it sounded like it might help me better understand how people become radicalized and believe in rigid ideologies, especially during this polarized political season in the US. In a combination of psychology, politics, and philosophy, the author argues that some people are biologically predisposed to rigid ways of thinking. Belief in strict ideologies has long been attributed to social forces but Zmigrod's research looks at this in terms of neural and cognitive principles. The book is written in a scholarly manner and can honestly be a little dry to this non-academic reader, but it has at least shown me that there may be reasons for political beliefs that I see as bordering on crazy. She also describes what an open and flexible thinker looks like. Three and a half stars rounded up.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on April 25, 2025.What are you making and reading this week?
Oh, John. He really should have figured out by now when to NOT interrupt the knitting! I'm reading Colored Television and I like it so far.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that our significant others always wait until we're focused on something to ask us questions that aren't pressing and could be asked at any other time?! In spite of John's attempts to distract you, the hat looks like it's progressing well. I also requested Awake in a Floating City -- reading friends are such enablers! I'm hoping to finish Intermezzo today, if work cooperates.
ReplyDeleteI don't know... that yarn is pretty gorgeous. If ever there was a yarn that invited you to just keep knitting, it is that yarn! I really hope you love Awake in a Floating City as much as I did!
ReplyDeleteGood progress on the hat! I hear you on the background noise. The Mister can't come into a room without talking the entire time so if I'm trying to concentrate on something important I know to stop. It's VERY annoying.
ReplyDeleteI have the arc for Three Days in June, too . . . but I haven't started it yet. I just finished The Empusium. And, well. I don't quite know what to say about it yet (but I'm really glad we didn't pick it for Read With Us . . . ). I always have a hard time with my knitting when I need to count carefully. My mind just . . . wanders. And I forget the counting part. So good luck to you! (And the worst part of Medicare is figuring out which Plan D every year.)
ReplyDeleteLove that blue! My recent problem with knitting is trying to stay awake...I find that my eyes are closing (and I'm a knitter who needs to look at her knitting...). We will most likely keep our Medicare Advantage plan (United Healthcare). The premium for us is zero which works and to date it has covered so much (including ALL of our prescriptions and doctors). I do hate that you have to re-look at it all each and every year.
ReplyDeleteI gravitate to patterns that require limited periods of counting these days. I like just enough of it to make the knitting interesting, but not too challenging. Your hat is going to be lovely, Bonny. I have read a few books lately, and it surprised me that I enjoyed Meditations for Mortals as much as I did. I am trying to get some house projects completed, and I have been painting every day for 4-6 hours, so I am taking my time and trying to be patient about the mess. My interior of my entire house needs painting, and I am sure this is my last time doing this by myself. So, no needlework, a little reading, and lots of painting these days.
ReplyDeletelol, I love when my husband talks to me when I am counting, it always leads to a mistake!! Lovely progress on that beautiful hat!
ReplyDeleteI'm still knitting the first sleeve on a fall cardigan (4 days I've been languishing on sleeve island and I can only hope I'm off before next week?!) ... and reading The Empusium - Olga Tokarczuk's new release ... it's fascinating, troubling, and a little trippy? (I dreamed about it last night ... not in a good way!)
ReplyDeleteI do love that blue yarn and it's going to be wonderful in that hat. I sometimes think my hubby has a sixth sense about asking questions that could wait five or ten minutes instead of interrupting. It's a good think we love them and of course, he does other wonderful things for me. But still
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