Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.
I wouldn't normally read a book with a cover like this, but I found a reference book in the library about who to read next if you like a particular author, and when I looked up Barbara Kingsolver this was one of the recommended authors.
It's "The Collaborator" and it's by Margaret Leroy. Set in Guernsey during the German occupation of the Second World War, it tells the story of one woman's war years. I really enjoyed it, from the details of day to day life under occupation, the darker story of the prisoners kept on the island and also the personal relationships. People dug up their flowers to plant vegetable gardens. It made me think how hard it must be to grow things and know that if they fail you will go hungry. There was a great food shortage there during the war.
I was a bit embarrassed by the cover. Romance! Eek. I have something with lots of plain blue now. Much more comfortable with that. Wouldn't want people to think I'm some sort of soft nice person.
The knitting is a(nother) scarf. I like to knit things that will fit, and a scarf fits the bill nicely. Partway through I realised I'd need another skein. When it arrived it was a completely different colour. I'm not complaining, I like that the skeins are all individual. I'm knitting the middle section with two rows old colour followed by two rows new colour to blend it in a bit, and I'm pretending it's an intentional design feature. No doubt by the time I've finished it it will be spring at least.
As someone who defiantly breaks the adage, never judge a book by its cover, I'd mot have picked up it up either. Covers are so important. So is the style of prose, of course, and I always read a few random passages to test whether I'm going to get on with it before I commit myself. If I don't have a particular book in mind when I visit the library I head first for the 'recommended' or 'new' book displays and invariably end up choosing something from one of them. I'm rarely disappointed. Your reference book sounds useful though.
ReplyDeleteWe shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but we do!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the cover but being a Barbara Kingsolver fan I would be willing to try it. The colour of your yarn is lovely!
ReplyDeleteAs those before me have said, a great reminder not to judge a book by its cover! Either the book, or the person reading it! Glad you enjoyed it and stepped outside of your normal "zone". xx
ReplyDeleteLove the colour of your scarf and look forward to seeing the finished article. I would have given that cover a wide berth too; glad you enjoyed it though, it's always nice to discover a new author. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm a serial scarf knitter too! I started a jumper recently and am ashamed to say it's lying abandoned (hidden) in the trunk as I cocked it up within the first few rows.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever visited the Channel Islands? They're lovely. Apparently my paternal great grandparents are from Guernsey. I read 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' after my holiday there and enjoyed that, but it's quite light in comparison to your book I suspect.
How about knitting a removable book cover? Only kidding. Sometimes great reads can be found but I must admit, it's always the cover which attracts me first and some I don't even bother looking at. I've probably missed out on some brilliant books...
S x
Very confusing as the book has the alternative title The Soldier's Wife. I might well read it if I come cross it in the library.
ReplyDeleteHappy knitting and reading. Flighty xx
Of course it is an intentional design, it will make the scarf much more unique. There is nothing wrong with a little romance.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Kindle is great for taking any stigma out of reading, but I do miss a decent cover. There are some lovely velvet texture covers around that I have to stroke now and again just for the pleasure of touch, the stories aren't even ones I'd read.
ReplyDeleteIf my husband saw that book, he'd read the subheading ("A forbidden love...a private war") in a creepy voice and I'd never be able to take it seriously. So I'd be reading it furtively too, maybe in a closet with a flashlight. :)
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean ...the book cover is a bit 'Mills and Boon', but sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteThere was an article in The Guardian a few years ago about book covers, and how they can influence the reader. It was really interesting. They mocked up a kind of pulp fiction cover for P&P, which made it seem v different! Barbara Kingsolver bloody rocks.
Leanne x
Umm, I also see what you mean about the book cover, and I also agree that a book cover can have a huge influence over whether you decide to read it or not. Love the colour of your scarf.
ReplyDeleteCaz xx
Dare we think you're a nice softie. ha! The colorway of your scarf is gorgeous, fitting for February ... um not that we think you're romantic and sappy or anything loving like that ;) Can't judge a girl by her colorway!
ReplyDeleteToo late, I already think you're a soft. nice person. I'm enjoying my series I'm reading.. there are 6 books and I'm almost done with #3. Then I'll have to find some new books again. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteThe saying 'never judge a book by its cover' springs to mind with this one. The story sounds really good though. xx
ReplyDeleteAnother book set in Guernsey during the occupation is the Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society byMary Ann Shaffer - maybe you've read it? If not it's well worth it, written in the form of letters between a London journalist and members of the society. One more place to add to my bucket list I think.
ReplyDeleteLove the colour of the yarn shame the second skein is not the same colour but that it is the imperfections that I love about wool and crafting.
ReplyDeleteI would have been put off by that cover too :-) Martin likes to read any books that I buy to but I can't imagine him wanting to be seen reaing that one.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe the amount of effort and time that goes in to designing book covers – there are sometimes several different jackets for differing markets. They must've identified a particular market for this. Or had an off day. I love Barbara Kingsolver but would not have been persuaded to read a book with this cover! How shallow I am :-) Love the look of your scarf. Sam x
ReplyDeleteHmmm not keen on the cover either but the story does sound interesting. I do love the colour of your wool though :o) xx
ReplyDeleteI think I would have picked it up, the hairstyle said 40s and I love books about both the wars but agree, don't care for cover. And yes to Barbara's comment, the Potato Peel Society a great read.
ReplyDeleteWhat's irritating is that books sometimes come out over here (US) with different title and cover ........
Love the scarf, it will look great and you've always seemed very nice to me...
Yes, I think the book is called The Soldier's Wife in the US, and no doubt the cover is different. I have ordered the Potato Peel Society book from the library, looking forward to reading it, thanks for the recommendation, and for your lovely comment. CJ xx
DeleteAnd yes! A much more appropriate cover in the US, thank you for the note about different title!
DeleteI think I either read this book or one that had a very similar plot - and really enjoyed it. I'm not good about remembering author's names. I had not known that the Germans occupied those islands during the war, so it was an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to be reminded that book covers are not always an accurate depiction of the story. I am guilty of choosing books with appealing covers... Love the colour of your scarf. I feel the need to make one myself. Funny, I always get this urge at this time of year. Have a lovely weekend. x
ReplyDeleteI love Barbara Kingsolver and this sounds like a book I would read. I often choose my next book from my ever-growing to-be-read pile based on the cover. The look of the book has to fit my current reading mood. When I want to read something on my Kindle, which does not show pretty colorful book cover photos, I scroll through the Kindle app on my phone, which DOES show pretty colorful cover photos, to make my choice. This practice does make me feel a tiny bit ashamed.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm in the dilemma of having several library books checked out, all of which are coming due, so my next read is the one that is due soonest--The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood.
I knit a lot of scarves, too, for the same fit reasons as you. Right now I am knitting a hat, just to branch out. The pattern said "knit to 6 inches, which should be 42 rows" but I hit 6 inches in 32 rows. Argh. I am proceeding anyway to see what happens.
I've been reading your blog for quite some time, but this is my first time (I think!) commenting. My blog has been sadly neglected the past year. I enjoy your gentle tone and humorous tales of parenting three boys.
I think everyone is influenced by the covers, as Sam said they put a huge amount of time and effort into getting them just so. So let's not feel ashamed! Thank you for your lovely comment, it's great to hear from you. And good luck with the hat. CJ xx
DeleteI rather like that cover. You can't beat a bit of smooching I feel. Like the scarf too. Gorgeous colour. I am sewing all day tomorrow and can't wait. I have been running around a bit too much in recent months and now I'm rather cherishing the slowing down part, in the way you do when you've been over-doing it for a bit too long :o) XX
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean about the cover. When I was younger I wouldn't have minded something like that but now - ugh! It makes me think of cheesy romance novels. Glad to know the inside is better than the outside. :D
ReplyDeleteHope we'll get to see the scarf whenever it's finished! Is it allotment time yet? ;)
It almost is! Just need a dry spell and some free time... CJ xx
Deleteromance...eek...haha...loved that! don't want anyone to think your soft ;) Serial scarf knitting is awesome
ReplyDeleteI always judge books by their cover, which is terrible I know. I hate it when they give good books crap covers, it's like they're doing the author a huge disservice.
ReplyDeleteHave you read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? You might also enjoy that, it's a good read. Can't remember what the cover is like though. ;-) xx
While I do not gravitate toward the Harlequin sort of romances, I discovered Betty Neels writing and read as many of her books as I could find. Upon retiring from being a nurse in Holland and England, she started writing romances after hearing a woman at the library moaning about the lack of good romances. Her characters could behave maddeningly, but she interjected humor, and interesting setting/location details that provided me hours of happily ever after reading.
ReplyDeleteI also highly recommend the literary and potato peel pie society, very moving.
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of that book but I know what you mean about cheesy covers! Lovely yarn :)
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