There's a lovely little bit in one of Elizabeth Zimmermann's books (I think it's Knitter's Almanac) about sitting with her family at the kitchen table, knitting while she reads aloud to her children. It's impossible to envision a cozier scene that the one she describes, and as these long, cold winter nights continue, I've been thinking of her as I curl up on the couch with my knitting and my latest book. [caption id="attachment_3189" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Not those books. Those books are all dictionaries."] [/caption] One of my goals this year is to read more – a sad side-effect of reading for a living seems to be that I don't read for fun nearly as much as I used to, and I miss it. Luckily, unlike using a sewing machine, it's perfectly possible to knit and read at the same time (though, yes, I'm predicting some straight stockinette/garter stitch projects in my future!). So far in 2011, I've read and knitted my way through:

• As Always, Julia (the letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto, edited by Joan Reardon)
• D is for Deadbeat (a Sue Grafton mystery)
• Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen)
• The Best American Non-Required Reading 2010 (edited by Dave Eggers)

Four books in, and I've just finished the yoke of my sweater. Any recommendations for books to amuse me through the body and sleeves? I'd love to see them in the comments. Thank you!