The Knitting Circle: A Novel

by Ann Hood | Women's Fiction |
ISBN: 9780393059014 Global Overview for this book
Registered by lovemylife of Campbellsport, Wisconsin USA on 5/23/2008
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19 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by lovemylife from Campbellsport, Wisconsin USA on Friday, May 23, 2008
Sending to MyssCyn as a thank you. It's on her wish list.

Journal Entry 2 by lovemylife at Campbellsport, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (5/27/2008 UTC) at Campbellsport, Wisconsin USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

OOOPS! Made a mistake. The book should still be with MyssCyn

Journal Entry 3 by wingMyssCynwing from San Antonio, Texas USA on Friday, May 30, 2008
Wow, thank you so much. I really want to read this one!

Journal Entry 4 by wingMyssCynwing from San Antonio, Texas USA on Friday, June 13, 2008
I started reading this and I LOVED it but I managed to leave it at my daughters. She started reading it and no amount of begging got her to put it in the mail to me.
She hasn't finished it yet but promises to journal (or have me journal for her when she finishes.)

Journal Entry 5 by wingMyssCynwing from San Antonio, Texas USA on Monday, June 16, 2008
Great book! I loved it as did my daughter. She will mail it back to me this week so it can continue on it's journey.

Participants:

1. collectorkerri
2. Queniene
3. 300dogs
4. spaceystacey
5. Bluestocking88
6. Aberpeter

Journal Entry 6 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Sunday, July 13, 2008
Will read and send on ASAP.

Journal Entry 7 by collectorkerri from Springfield, Illinois USA on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a knitter and part of a knitting circle, so I know both how therapeutic knitting can be and also how much a group of friends like that is. I found it odd, however, that each of the people in the circle had a great tragedy in their life; it seems a little mathematically improbably for so much drama in such a small group of people. I guess that made it a more interesting book, though.

Sent on yesterday to the next participant in the bookring.

Journal Entry 8 by Queniene from Englewood, Colorado USA on Monday, August 11, 2008
I recieved this book today! :) I will be reading it as soon as i can and keep it moving, Not sure who is next in the ring but will figure it out when i finish :D

Journal Entry 9 by Queniene from Englewood, Colorado USA on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I think this was the first book i had ever cried while reading with. It was so hard reading about all of the loss occuring, especially dealing with children. My husband asked a couple times why i was reading it if it made me cry, and i told him that it was an amazing story. I recomended it to my mom. One of the BEST books i have ever held in my hands. Very interesting to see how Alice could gather a group of survivors together to share a common craft/therapy. As i was finishing this book i learned that my grandmother had passed away this morning. Somehow i guess this book was ment for me, to prepare me as to things to come. I hope the next person in line will love it just as much as i did.
Sending it to spaceystacey in a day or two, as 300dogs asked to be skipped.
Thank you MyssCyn for the chance to let me read it!

Journal Entry 10 by spaceystacey from Bridgeton, New Jersey USA on Sunday, September 14, 2008
Received in the post and read yesterday between parties.

What a blend of characters, each having lived through their own personal losses. They all had to learn to keep on living or was it really existing to some extent before they could really live again.

I loved the characters of Dylan and Mary. Their relationship seems to be very typical of a married couple dealing with a major loss in their lives. Mary realises this,and yet can't changer until it is the right time for her.

Skipped the next reader due to no response. Send on the the reader after her.

Journal Entry 11 by Aberpeter from Renton, Washington USA on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
arrived in the mail today - I will start it as soon as I finish the book I am currently reading

Journal Entry 12 by Aberpeter from Renton, Washington USA on Saturday, October 4, 2008
What a beautiful novel. Dealing with the loss of a loved one, especially a child, can be very difficult. I think Ann Hood did an excellent job of portraying Mary's grief and depression and how she found therapy within her knitting circle. Thanks, MyssCyn, for sharing this book.

Journal Entry 13 by Aberpeter from Renton, Washington USA on Saturday, October 18, 2008
I am sending this book to dabercro as a ray-it-forward

Journal Entry 14 by dabercro from Clinton, Utah USA on Saturday, October 25, 2008
Received in the mail yesterday. It will go near the top of Mt. TBR. Thanks Aberpeter!

Journal Entry 15 by dabercro from Clinton, Utah USA on Thursday, November 20, 2008
This was a well written book. I could relate to it on so many levels. Her portrayal of Mary's grief over losing her child was so realistic. Having lost a child myself, I could feel her pain and remembered my own "dark" days of going through the motions of life.

I used to knit and reading this book made me really want to start knitting again (maybe I will). Years ago I would get together with a friend on the weekends and knit and chat. It was very relaxing and also productive.
I think I used knitting as a sort of therapy at one point in my life (although I didn't think of it as such until reading this book). My husband was deployed for 15 months and I have always called that time "the year of the afghans". I knit a number of afghans for my family while he was gone.

A thought on the book...I think it was sad and unfortunate that Mary's mother was never able to tell Mary about her own loss. I think the revelation early on would have made all the difference in Mary's childhood and their relationship.

I will post on the forum to ray this book on.

Journal Entry 16 by dabercro from Clinton, Utah USA on Monday, November 24, 2008
This book is ready to continue its journey on another ray. Normal bookray rules apply.

1. Journal when you receive the book.
2. Journal your thoughts after you read the book.
3. pm the next participant for their address and journal when you send it.

Please be considerate of those on the list still waiting to read the book. Try to move the book on to the next participant within a month.

Mailing order:

1. 300dogs, NJ
2. Bug2004, NE
3. angela861, IL
4. esq228, NJ
5. awakeagain, NJ
6. sarradee, TX
7. blackadder75, PA
8. top-tappser, WA
9. Sissyrun, CA
10. sunfi,OH
11. bookcraver, MA

On its way to 300dogs in NJ today. Happy travels little book. Enjoy the book!

Bookray has completed its journey. Thanks to all participants!







Journal Entry 17 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Saturday, December 6, 2008
Arrived safely! Thanks for adding me back on the list!

Journal Entry 18 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I enjoyed this book but, at times, it had me confused. Did anyone catch on to this part in Harriet's tale, pages 162-167. She says that she was married for 25 years and had been divorced already for 15 years. She mentions that she got married in November and had a 25th wedding anniversary party to renew their vows, also in November. Two weeks go by, and that's when her husband asked for a divorce--she was knitting a sweater for her son for Christmas at the time. Then, she says that the next morning she called her son to arrange a visit on the following Tuesday. Then she makes it seem like that Tuesday, was Tuesday, September 11th, 2001. There is mention of the planes flying into the World Trade Center, etc. What??? If it was two weeks after the anniversary party in November, how can it be September 11th just one week later?

It doesn't add up. Then, after the Sit and Knit burns down, Alice mentioned that she opened the shop thirty years ago in 1974. So, if this book takes place in 2004, how could Harriet already have been divorced for 15 years if 9/11/01 was 3 years ago???

Also pages 313-314. Mary was describing the fiber-optic snowman that she had on her desk at work. Then, she mentions being at home, making stew, even holding the wooden spoon, thinking about her life when all of a sudden, she is interrupted by her co-worker Holly...now she is back at work? I read that part while at work myself. I had my friend Joyce read that part too and even she thought Mary was still at home making stew, not at work.

I know the storyline did jump around, especially when each of the characters were describing their past-that I understood. The timeline with Harriet and the part with Mary at work,not at work, home making stew, that just confused me.

Even thought I just typed this sort of strange review, I did enjoy the book!!! Thank you for including me. I already have the address for Bug2004 and will mail this out later today.

Journal Entry 19 by 300dogs at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (12/30/2008 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is being mailed to the next reader, Bug2004.

While reading the acknowledgments, the author mentioned a daughter, Grace Adrain. I wondered if Ann Hood wrote this book from her personal experiences with losing a child. After a quick google search, I found the answer. Unfortunately, she did.

Journal Entry 20 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Friday, January 2, 2009
Re'cvd today. Looks great!! Have 2 in front of it, but will pass on quickly! Thanks!

Journal Entry 21 by Bug2004 from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Oh my goodness...maybe I won't pass it on quickly!! Sorry about that...time got away from me, but for what it's worth, I loved it!!! A bit sad, but a great example of what life is and how to work through it. So glad I got to share in this one...I cried and laughed!! Now, I want to learn to knit!!!

Thanks for sharing, dabercro!! Will mail off tmrrw to angela861.

Journal Entry 22 by angela861 from Chicago, Illinois USA on Friday, March 6, 2009
I received the book today. I have another on in front of it but should have it sent off within a month.

Thanks dabercro for starting the ray and Bug2004 for sending my way!

Journal Entry 23 by angela861 from Chicago, Illinois USA on Monday, March 9, 2009
So I sat down to read a chapter b/c I needed a break from another book... and finished it. I really enjoyed meeting the different characters and following their stories. This wasn't the most uplifting book but I enjoyed the writing style.

I'm glad I got a chance to read it. I've already requested the next reader's address and will send the book along as soon as I have an address.

Journal Entry 24 by angela861 at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (3/17/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

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Off to esq228... Enjoy!

Journal Entry 25 by StinaRy from Long Beach, California USA on Monday, March 23, 2009
Received today in NJ. Finishing another bookray book and will tackle this one next. :) Thanks to daberco and everyone along the way!

Journal Entry 26 by StinaRy from Long Beach, California USA on Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I really enjoyed this story. I didn't catch the time-shifting mentioned by 300dogs, but looking back, yeah, there's something off with the timeline. Then again, it didn't bother me when reading, so... I think why I liked the story so much is because it shows us how everyone has tragedy in their lives and I think that can help put ones own tragedies into perspective. In any case, I'll be passing this along as soon as I have an addy. And, despite multiple failed attempts to learn to knit, I think maybe I'll try once more.

Released 14 yrs ago (4/10/2009 UTC) at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent today to awakeagain via media mail. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 28 by awakeagain from Port Murray, New Jersey USA on Monday, April 13, 2009
Rec'd this bookring. I have one book ahead and then I'll be starting. PMing the next in line.

Journal Entry 29 by awakeagain from Port Murray, New Jersey USA on Thursday, April 16, 2009
I read what collectorkerri said about the chances of everyone in the group having a tragedy in their lives but as I read, I realized that these specific people were related in other ways too and were brought together to learn to knit because of their tragedies. Looking at it like that makes it less of a coincidence.

I've started knitting again after a long time away from it and agreed with the book's theme about the relaxing properties of knitting. I used to prefer to crochet but it's not soothing in quite the same way.

Off to it's next stop today.

Journal Entry 30 by sarradee from Mansfield, Texas USA on Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Next up on my reading list.

Journal Entry 31 by sarradee from Mansfield, Texas USA on Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Overall I just found this book depressing. Too much tragedy in too small a package. I also found the inconsistencies in the time line to be distracting. As someone said, how could it be Sept 11th just a few weeks after a wedding anniversary in November. That kind of thing should have been caught during the editing process and corrected.

Journal Entry 32 by sarradee at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (5/20/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing to Blackadder75. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 33 by blackadder75 from Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, May 30, 2009
Got the book a couple of days ago and just now getting time to journal it. I will be reading it next.

Journal Entry 34 by blackadder75 from Lebanon, Pennsylvania USA on Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Knitting Circle was a moving story about several knitters that form a circle at a local knitting shop. Each knitter has a sad story about their life and the solace they find in knitting. I thought this book was so sad, each story just tugs on your heartstrings and doesn't let go. I will be contacting top-tappser and getting the book out soon.

Journal Entry 35 by blackadder75 at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (6/16/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Book being sent out today.

Journal Entry 36 by top-tappser from Lake Tapps, Washington USA on Monday, June 22, 2009
Rec'd today via the postman. I have 1 1/2 bookrays ahead of it but will finish before 30 days have passed. Thanks to all before me for getting this to me.

Journal Entry 37 by top-tappser from Lake Tapps, Washington USA on Monday, July 13, 2009
A wonderful story, but sad. I never thought of knitting as therapy. Some obviously do. I have the address of the next reader and will get it in the mail this week.

Journal Entry 38 by top-tappser at Bonney Lake, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 16, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (7/16/2009 UTC) at Bonney Lake, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed this morning to the next person on the list.

Journal Entry 39 by Sissyrun from Modesto, California USA on Saturday, July 25, 2009
Received in the mail!!! Thanks for including me.

Journal Entry 40 by Sissyrun from Modesto, California USA on Saturday, August 1, 2009
AS a knitter I enjoy this book; I do find knitting to be theraputic.
I learned to knit socks by approaching a group of knitters at Barnes & Noble and asking if I could join them.
We all have stories inside us. Sitting with people who share a common bond, such as knitting, will bring those stories out.
I enjoyed the unique-ness of each one.

Sunfi has been PM'd today for her addy.

Journal Entry 41 by Sissyrun from Modesto, California USA on Monday, August 10, 2009
I enjoyed everyone's different stories in this book. I agree that Harriet's story did not make sense. It was obvious that the author wanted to put in the 9/11 tragedy and messed up greatly on the dates.
As a knitter I do find that knitting reduces stress and gives one a sense of accomplishment.
I have an afghan that I have not finished because it is one that I was working on while my Dad was in surgery. We were told his colon cancer had spread to his liver and he had six months to live. That was 2 years ago. The afghan reminds me of that dark day and I can't work on it yet.

This book was mailed today to Sunfi. Happy trails.

Journal Entry 42 by sunfi from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Monday, August 17, 2009
Arrived safe and sound in Ohio, I have a number of other rings/rays ahead of this but I'll get them on my way as soon as I can. I keep my profile updated (weekly) so you can always see how close they are to the top. Thanks dabercro for including me and sissyrun mailing this to me. I run a knitting group in my area so I'm really looking forward to reading this one!

Journal Entry 43 by sunfi from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Monday, August 17, 2009
Arrived safe and sound in Ohio, I have a number of other rings/rays ahead of this but I'll get them on my way as soon as I can. I keep my profile updated (weekly) so you can always see how close they are to the top. Thanks dabercro for including me and sissyrun mailing this to me. I run a knitting group in my area so I'm really looking forward to reading this one!

Journal Entry 44 by sunfi from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Sunday, August 23, 2009
A touching story of grief and healing utilizing knitting and friendship as the catalysts. As a knitter, I understood the relaxation and peace that comes as a result of knitting, I just never looked at it as restorative and healing, until now. I'll have this onto the next reader as soon as I receive their address. Thanks again for including me.

Journal Entry 45 by sunfi at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Ohio USA on Sunday, September 6, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (9/5/2009 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Ohio USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I was unable to reach bookcraver, so I sent this on to valpete (it was on her wishlist) as a Ray it Forward. I just ask that it be passed onto another Bookcrosser (if possible) whenever they've read it, but there is no hurry.

Journal Entry 46 by valpete from Walnut Creek, California USA on Friday, September 11, 2009
Wow! this book has been on quite a journey this past year. I love to knit, too, and so know that I will enjoy it. It'll be on my TBR shelf for a while and will be sent to another BCer when I'm done.

Thanks!

Journal Entry 47 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Monday, June 4, 2012

Released 11 yrs ago (6/4/2012 UTC) at Walnut Creek, California USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I've had this on my TBR shelf far too long. I've found someone else that has this on her Wishlist and am sending it along with a Ray book. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 48 by FreePages at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Friday, June 22, 2012
Wow, a wishlist book!
Thank you valpete!
I wish I could remember why I put it on the wishlist now, but i think I had seen quite a few favourable reviews and the premise attracted me.
I have a suspicion it was nominated for the Orange Prize too, but I can't find a reference for that at the moment.
Thanks again :)

Journal Entry 49 by FreePages at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, October 7, 2013
This is such a great novel to share and I found it a quick read, it only took a day to fly through it on a holiday down at the coast.
The story struck a cord with me, my daughter had bacterial meningitis within days of being born. Luckily, newborns with meningitis, if it is caught quick enough, generally react well to IV antibiotics and if they survive do not have any long-term effects. So my daughter survived and thrived and is now a beautiful clever 17 year old girl with a charmed her life ahead of her. Those few weeks of her illness were some of the worst of our family's lives and we were so lucky not suffer the devastating effects of her loss.
10 years after she was born I experienced an embolism in my spine, completely out of the blue and our lives did completely change. Not all for the worst, because I believe in not letting bad things ruin good things in life. My mobility is effected so a wheelchair is my main means of getting around.
On the long weekend I read this, I went to a wedding between two beautiful people of the Bateman's Bay Sailability Club, and thoroughly enjoyed myself with my husband. We also went kayaking on Willinga Lake near the lovely accessible holiday cabin we were staying in, while our almost adult children founds some more independence at home without Mum & Dad.
Next week, we'll be traveling back to a place on the coast to pick up a racing yacht for our Sailability Club, the first of it's class in our city. Life is great!
All that aside, simple things can be healing, even doing the dishes can be grounding (if it's not then your doing it wrong, lol)
I'm not a knitter (never finished the scarf I started as a child) but I can see how a group slowly sharing their stories while creating something with their hands can be healing for the group members. I've had talks like that out on the open water on a 2 person Access Dingy while concentrating on adjusting the sails to catch a breeze.
Anyway, I've released this charming novel at the holiday house where I read it, hoping to share it with someone else who might enjoy it as much as I did, I managed to breeze over any of the inconsistencies in the plot details making it a much better read for myself.
Thank you to all the people who shared this before me and especially to Valpete who sent it to me in Australia all the way from The States.
To the next person, who reads this, enjoy :-)


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