Sometimes when I see a good fantasy review, I put the book on hold for when it comes into the library. Sometimes this works out better than others…

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss I started this novel with some trepidation, as it is around 700 pages long. I sighed and fidgeted as he took 100 pages to set up the frame story. But they kept saying that this story was the stuff of legends, so I bravely read on anyway (with some breaks for knitting porn and new magazines.) I felt some amount of sympathy for the main character, Kvothe, a brilliant, socially inept but musically talented young thing, though his arrogance was a bit off-putting. Kinda like Harry Potter in Book 5, but without the getting to know him before he hit the testosterone of invincibility. It kept flashing back to the present, where Kvothe would promise again that there would be Romance and Doom any minute now. No romance. No doom. I read on, through the strange days of the week that were never explained and multitudes of different cultures sketchily described. The book ended, with promise of a couple more sequels to come. I am sure that there is an audience for this book. It is probably young and male and really loves books that are so epic that they can only fit two or three interesting episodes into 700 pages. Oh, wait, the plot: Kvothe’s family is slaughtered by the Chandrian, whom most people believe to be only a fairy tale. After some time on the streets, a still very young Kvothe enters the University to study magic and learn the truth of the Chandrian so he can avenge his family’s death. He quickly makes some powerful enemies, and meets the love of his life. However, since he is a Good Boy and she needs a gentleman of means to support her, they don’t do anything. In the frame story, Kvothe is in hiding running an inn in a remote village, and there are some signs that the Chandrian are looking for him.

Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby Sowerby spent 10 years researching Victorian knitting patterns – the first time knitting patterns were written down as they are today. This book traces the evolution of knitted lace, with brief articles about the major knitting sources followed by patterns adapted from the source. There’s also a nice guide to technique in the back, and a guide to the locations in the photos. The lace is absolutely gorgeous, and conveniently progresses from easier to more difficult patterns as the collective knitting skill of the Victorians increased. There are also smaller scarves and fichus as well as larger shawls and stoles. All the knitting is photographed in beautiful Victorian interiors and British formal gardens, including the manor that was used for Mr. Darcy’s estates in the A&E Pride and Prejudice. This is a beautiful and drool-worthy book.

Because I just can’t resist checking out new books about pirates…
Don’t Mention Pirates by Sarah McConnell Scarlet Silver may be the granddaughter of famous pirate Long Joan Silver. And she may live in a ship-shaped house. But she still has to conceal her talents for making people walk the plank and searching for treasure, because the only rule in the Silver family is, “Don’t mention pirates!” Then one day, she finds gold in her yard, and it looks like Scarlet might not be the only Silver with piratical leanings. This silly story with light-hearted watercolor and ink illustrations will delight the pirate lovers in your family.