Happy Thursday, folks!

I decided it was time to provide an update on my reading adventures.

You may note a theme: parenting. We had a baby in October and, although this is my second, I thought a little reading was in order.

I have been going to a breastfeeding support group here locally. Nighttime Parenting was recommended in that group. I highly recommend it as well. There is a lot of guilt that goes on with modern parenting. This book helped relieve me of some of it. It struck a cord. It talks about the basics of baby and child sleep. It talks about the impacts of breastfeeding and baby sleep on mama's sleep. It covers co-sleeping in all its forms and the pros/cons of that. There is a slant. It was put out by La Leche league. But at the same time, it also states that you should do what is best for your household and your baby. He states that ultimately that is up to you. If you are a new parent or about to be a parent, it's worth the read. There is even a section on fathers. 

I finished Girl in Reverse as well recently. It is pleasant to have Kansas City represented so accurately in novel form. We often are not. Of course, it helps that she is from the area. I love that the Nelson Atkins Art Gallery is featured. It is one of my favorite things in the city. The journey follows a Chinese student who was adopted when she was very young as she searches for information about her previous life. It is set during the Korean War and touches on the prejudice that was present in that period. I think that it is a relatively lighter hand than most would have taken on the subject. I did enjoy it. I think I will probably put some of her other novels on my list. I do so enjoy supporting local artists. 

The other books in the stack are works in progress. The Country of the Pointed Firs is a reread. It is one of my favorites. I am reading it allowed to the new little one. It is so beautifully written. 

A short update on the shawl: I don't have a lot of experience with short rows. Instead of flying fast and loose, I put in a safety line. I am glad that I did. After completely section two of the shawl, I had two extra stitches and an odd little hole. So, I ripped it out and am starting over on that section today. 

- Kate