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viveelan's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
"Things ended whether I finished them or not."
I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book or not. I really did like the way she equated parts of her life with her hobbies of spinning, weaving and knitting. She is obviously a gifted writer, she was invited to teach at Harvard.
I don't think two people could be more different than Kyoko Mori and I but that is one reason we read, to untethered perspectives.
Is my life, my talents mediocre? I don't know, but I don't think I should judge myself by anyone else's yardstick.
I hated the way she acquiesced to her husband feelings and opinions saying she shouldn't have been so selfish to have friends he considered snooty. Perhaps that is from the Japanese culture but I've learned over my life that sometimes being selfish is necessary, even good for you. My feelings, my time, my love for myself and things and people I enjoy are valid.
I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book or not. I really did like the way she equated parts of her life with her hobbies of spinning, weaving and knitting. She is obviously a gifted writer, she was invited to teach at Harvard.
I don't think two people could be more different than Kyoko Mori and I but that is one reason we read, to untethered perspectives.
Is my life, my talents mediocre? I don't know, but I don't think I should judge myself by anyone else's yardstick.
I hated the way she acquiesced to her husband feelings and opinions saying she shouldn't have been so selfish to have friends he considered snooty. Perhaps that is from the Japanese culture but I've learned over my life that sometimes being selfish is necessary, even good for you. My feelings, my time, my love for myself and things and people I enjoy are valid.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I am so glad that my friend Ginger lent me this book. I never would have found it on my own and it is such a good read. I may have to try knitting after all. If I went by Mori's definitions I think I would be better off as a knitter than a weaver.
Mori really knows how to write. Much of this book is about her writing life and what she does obviously works for her. There were phrases that I just wanted to reread and savor. Her comments about thread and yarn were lovely and were true. I also was impressed with Mori's ability to see her life and reflect on her past and present dispassionately. I don't have that kind of perspective in my life.
I would recommend this book to both knitters and writers. Mori's words could be of importance to both. I know I want to read more of her writing - I now have a couple of her books on my "to read" list.
Mori now teaches at George Mason. I wonder if she wants to come visit Ashland. She might be an intriguing speaker.
Mori really knows how to write. Much of this book is about her writing life and what she does obviously works for her. There were phrases that I just wanted to reread and savor. Her comments about thread and yarn were lovely and were true. I also was impressed with Mori's ability to see her life and reflect on her past and present dispassionately. I don't have that kind of perspective in my life.
I would recommend this book to both knitters and writers. Mori's words could be of importance to both. I know I want to read more of her writing - I now have a couple of her books on my "to read" list.
Mori now teaches at George Mason. I wonder if she wants to come visit Ashland. She might be an intriguing speaker.
celestihel's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Mori effortlessly navigates through so much subject matter you're left wondering how it's possible you never felt overwhelmed, lost, or disjointed. She talks about ordinary struggles with place, identity, career, relationships, family, fiber arts, and life in a way that is accessible and lovable by all of us with similarly regular lives. She makes that which is ordinary seem extraordinary, and that which is extraordinary seem understandable to folks without that experience. The most delightful part of her style is that she does not lead or preach. So many memoirs nudge you in a way you're supposed to feel or give a conclusion. She doesn't. She just tells it like it is. She tells you what she thinks of any particular situation and how you feel about it is your own. I will be reading everything she's written now.
rknitss's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
A long mediation on life and the parallel to knitting. I really appreciated the amount of thought and honesty Kyoko Mori put into every sentence.
kimberly_w's review against another edition
4.0
Of course I picked up this book because of "Yarn" in the title, and pictured on the cover, but it is so much more than a knitting story. There is a lot going on in this story, but the best thing I took away from it was a reminder that moments of quiet and reflection and simplicity are important, especially in the life of a writer.
miscellamy's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, how I loved this book. Mori's musings on her personal development and life itself, all interwoven and held together by descriptions of different knitting techniques, made for a compelling one-afternoon read.