Crochet: Blanket: Colourful Blankie

After some consideration, I have decided to put up all my completed crochet projects to date. As much as it serves the purpose of tracking and recording my various projects, it is also my pleasure to share them here.

This blankie is one of my earlier projects, completed on 7 October 2020.

Review: Crochet to Calm: Stitch and De-Stress with 18 Simple Crochet Patterns by Interweave Editors

5 stars for Crochet to Calm: Stitch and De-Stress with 18 Simple Crochet Patterns by Interweave Editors.

When I started my book review blog years ago, I will never have imagined myself reviewing a book related to crafts, especially one such as crocheting. Book reviews on fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, paranormal romance, science fiction, urban fantasy and even children's fiction? A resounding YES! But crochet? No, sorry to say, it has never crossed my mind that one day, I will read up on Crafts & Hobbies. It all started off with my reading of Esperanza Rising. Then one thing leads to another. And before I know it, well, here I am.

Crochet to Calm is a fun, easy to read book. There are inspiring pictures, interesting patterns and clear instructions on how to go about with the projects.

The crochet patterns in this book come in the two main types: the written one where the rows and rounds required to complete the project are given in word form, and charts which require the reader to follow a schematic drawing. Some patterns in this book, in fact, provide both these options, which works perfectly for me, because it makes working on the project so much easier as it is less open to misinterpretation since I can better understand the abbreviations and terminology when looking at symbols.

I have since completed the honeycomb blanket as well as the market tote bag, and sharing pictures of my progress and completed projects below. I am looking forward to crochet more of the patterns in this book such as the coffee mug cozy, peachy arm warmers and sweet granny square slippers, when time permits me to. And yes, some of these patterns, simple but nevertheless great, will make good gifts to family and friends.

Crochet is an easy craft to learn. We need to know only a few stitches - foundation chain, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, slip stitch - to be able to begin making a wide variety of projects. That said, do note that this book is not a beginner's guide. It does not teach readers the basics of crocheting though it does provide some of the techniques at the back of the book.

We all need some calm in our lives. For me, crochet is a form of self-care; it helps me to calm down and de-stress. And this book works miracles with its simple crochet patterns.

Review: Undercity (Major Bhaajan #1) by Catherine Asaro

5 stars for Undercity (Major Bhaajan book 1) by Catherine Asaro.

It has been a long time since a science fiction novel - or better yet, series - sweeps me off my feet.

I chanced upon this book last month during one of my Sunday visits to the library. I borrowed it because it is written in first person and the writing style seems to suit my reading whims, at least from what I glimpse on the first two pages, well, that and the futuristic vibes I glean from the book cover that looks ready to propel me into an alternate world, one which I so love and will gladly stay put in if it is even possible.

Undercity is a story with a straightforward plot. No gimmicks, period. The protagonist, Major Bhaajan, is hired to do a job, a handsomely paid one, to look for a missing person. Since it sounds so simple, what makes this book so good to earn itself a 5-star rating? It is the rich imagination, the engaging plot, the execution of the story, the complexity of the world-building, the depth of the characters and the ensuing development. Not only is it not dry as a space fiction novel, this book encompasses elements of mystery and suspense, romance and even a dash of lighthearted humor. It is literally a gift to fans of science fiction literature.

The author uses impressive imagery, intriguing science and tech-mech to spin a drama set in a vast star empire. To name but a few, there is star travel, space travel, interstellar civilisation, nanomed tech, augmented human capabilities, extrasensory communcations, evolving intelligence (EI as opposed to AI), tech-mech arms, beetle bots, laser carbines, pulse revolvers, IR vision. The world building reaches far and wide with no lack of action and adventure. Yes, there are fightings and killings, grief and pain and death, but there are also reconciliations and fence-mending, triumph and joy and births.

Undercity is everything a good science fiction fantasy novel should have and then some. I am thrilled that this is a series which means I can look forward to having more adventures with Major Bhaajan. Have I mentioned that she is a woman? She is well into her forties but has the appearance of one in her late twenties, all thanks to the nanomeds in her body that give her the health and appearance of one. Speaking of which, this is one more reason why I enjoy living in the world of fiction that dabbles in science. You can stay young and look good. Anything is reasonably possible.

Review: Psycho House (Psycho #3) by Robert Bloch

3 stars for Psycho House (Psycho book 3) by Robert Bloch.

I finish reading Psycho House late last night and promptly heave a sigh of relief. Considering my ongoing crochet project, it is by no means an easy feat to finish reading the Psycho trilogy in succession and post this review in time to wrap up my Halloween reads before October runs out. Seriously, it never crosses my mind that I have the capability nor capacity to add more than one horror story to my repertoire of literary criticism this month. One Thin Air is good enough. A bonus when The Sun Down Motel comes along. Then before I know it, I have completed Psycho I and Psycho II and aiming to finish a Psycho III.

More than thirty years have passed since the happenings in Psycho I. The Bates house and motel which were burned down years ago have now been rebuilt and restored. Unfortunately, with the replica of the house and motel, the psycho also attempts to stage a comeback.

This is one story which keeps me going and guessing all the time. Given the way the author weaves his plot and his courage to kill off characters since Psycho I and II, there is no way to know for sure who the Norman Bates in this book is. Suddenly, every character in Psycho House has the potential to pass off as the psychopath. Well, one never knows.

With the conclusion of Pyscho House, I have come to the end of the Psycho trilogy. I am glad I did not give up on this series given that I did not like Psycho II much, but at least now I can hold my head up high and say I have read all three books. Well, if you ask me, I will say Psycho book 1 will have done very well on its own, and in my opinion, it may have been better being a standalone.

Review: Psycho II (Psycho #2) by Robert Bloch

2 stars for Psycho II (Psycho book 2) by Robert Bloch.

I have been hesitant to continue with book 2 of the the Psycho series. Sad to say, I read it and regretted it. I told book buddy CL and she put it across plainly as the book 2 syndrome; book 2 always has a higher risk of falling below expectations. Well, I agree with her but when book 1 is so well written, it is hard to resist not giving the sequel a go.

In Psycho II, not much has changed, Norman Bates is still Norman Bates but he is no longer the leading character. While I am fine with Bates turning into a sidekick which changes the story to a whole new ballgame, I do not like it that much of the story centers on petty politicking and party power games on the filming industry and production crew.

Even though I do not like Psycho II much, the author is good with plot twist, I will give him that. I certainly never expect the ending to be the way it is.

Psycho is surely a series on the mentally disturbed, the insane, crazy, lunatic, madman, screwball, wacko, weirdo, freako, or those who have gone bananas, that much is clear. But honestly, if you like Psycho, I will tell you not to get your hopes up on this one. Read it at your own risk or, better yet, don't follow in my footsteps.

Review: Psycho (Psycho #1) by Robert Bloch

5 stars for Psycho (Psycho book 1) by Robert Bloch.

I choose to read this book right after The Sun Down Motel, not because I want to read yet another story that revolves around a motel, but rather because the Sun Down mentions Norman Bates more than once and it piques my interest. I certainly didn't know and have no idea that Psycho centers on the Bates Motel, that it is about a 40-year old Norman Bates running a motel and attending to his mother. Well, it seems to me now that given the appropriate setting, a motel can be easily turned into an excellent house of horrors.

Psycho is a deeply memorable story about a psycho (what else) who has serious mother-son issues. It may be categorised as horror, but it is not one involved with supernatural effects, instead, it has got more to do with the dark side of human mind. The scary part is that the horror is not in the motel but in the head.

The story is exceptionally well written with a well-thought-out plan. We know who the psycho is in this story. It is revealed early in the story but knowing who the psycho is does not dampen the suspense nor the anticipation of what is to come, instead it adds more thrill and makes me look even more forward to finding out more.

Though the development of the story and chain of events give me the shudders, I actually feel sorry for the psycho at the end of the story. It is not quite what I have expected but it is definitely one unusual story, and a sad one too.

Review: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

5 stars for The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James.

I don't usually go for books that are told from two points of view, and even more so, one that spans two time periods, in this case, before the millennium in 1982, and after, in 2017. But there are always exceptions to every self-made rule. For this book, the title alone is enough to make me do a double take, add in the all too cheerful-looking book cover of a motel sign complete with a sinister-looking motel with bare trees in the background, and I am all in for a good scare.

The Sun Down is spooky to say the least. The story, ominous and creepy, flows fluidly from the beginning to the end in such a remarkable way that I feel as if I am watching a horror flick from the front-row seat in a big empty movie theatre. I am rooted to my seat literally with the scenes changing and flashing by in my mind's eye.

The good thing about the Sun Down is that it is not just a petrifying story involving a haunted motel and its inhabitants, it is also a puzzle with mystery pieces scattered all over the place, waiting to be found and put back together once more.

On the flip side, it can get confusing as the line between the two perspectives blurred. I have a tendency to lose track of whose view I am on as the past and present seems to merge as one and I find myself wondering whose story (Viv's or Carly's) I have just read.

The Sun Down Motel looks empty, but it is not. If you are looking for a scary story with substance for this Halloween read, this book is the one for you.

Review: Thin Air by Michelle Paver

4 stars for Thin Air by Michelle Paver.

It is that time of the year to read scary stories again. I start my Halloween reads early this year, last month in fact, because I do not think I will read more than a handful of horror stories given that I see myself busy with teaching, reading, crocheting and whatnots. For all I know, this book may well be the only horror story for me this year before I transit to the year-end festive reads.

Thin Air is one chilling and preternaturally intense story. It is slow going, yes, but having read Dark Matter by the same author last October, I have come to expect the same pace and writing style, and thus, able to enjoy every part of this story - the mountain sightings, the snow, ice and rock, the altitude, heat and glare, the superstitions and odd beliefs, the irrational fear and omens and premonitions and whatever part and parcel of the journey before the horror actually starts to creep in.

Narrated from first person perspective of a 34-year old Dr Stephen Pearce, he tells of how his team attempts to conquest Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, by following the route of an earlier fateful expedition - the route up the south-west face - led by General Sir Edmund Lyell twenty-nine years ago.

In climbing the mountain by following in dead men's footsteps, it seems to Stephen that it is no longer just humans against mountain, but something more. Is the unseen for real? Or does the thin air alter perceptions and deceive the mind into betraying? Should the team concentrate on their own task instead of being distracted from the past, from events of the failed Lyell expedition? The remoteness of the place forces Stephen to confront his own insignificance as never before. And the mountain sickness is surely doing its work to affect the climbers, mentally, physically and emotionally. The question is, what will happen if whatever that haunts the mountain cannot be appeased and laid to rest?