Friday Night Knitting Club

A few weeks ago, author Kate Jacobs, invited me to come to one of her book signings for her new book, The Friday Night Knitting Club.

I am not a knitter, though I believe I would like to learn. My mother was teaching me a few crochet steps, and last winter we started a very easy project of a hot pink crocheted scarf. Alas, we never got to finish it. So, there it sits, in my knit/cross-stitch project bag mocking me to finish. I've got a lot on my plate right now, but knitting has long appealed to me. It's a very tactile and portable craft, and once you get the hang of it, I hear it's a wonderful way to knit and purl your cares as you work stitches.

Kate is from Canada. Hope, B.C., as a matter of fact. Like me, she's a small town girl who couldn't wait to set off for greener pastures after school. She is a writer and editor and has worked for Working Woman and Redbook among other publications.

Kate says she loves writing for and about women. The Friday Night knitting Club is about a diverse group of women who get together for knitting, education and encouragement. Hey, much like the Petaluma Craft Mafia! Those Craft Mafia ladies sure have great ideas. Each sharing their own tales of heartbreak and joy. How they come together is un-premediated, and each member of the group have their own quirks and problems they are trying to cope with. Some of the friendships are not easy ones at first. Some gel immediately.

The central character is a woman and successful entrepreneur named "Georgia." (Of course, you already know why I like this name). Georgia is trying to raise her daughter and juggle her Knit Show Walker and Daughter. I skipped ahead in the book by accident,and hit the Reader's Guide by accident. I was stopped cold when I read that one of the characters get's cancer. Ovarian Cancer. That's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to give the book plot away. But, I found it interesting that Ovarian cancer was the cancer of the character.

Ovarian cancer is the most deadliest of cancers for women, but it doesn't get the press other cancers do. Since our family has experienced first hand how horrible and devastating this cancer is, I felt it was an interesting twist of fate that Kate had invited me to her book signing. I applaud her for writing a bit about it and doing the research. And oddly enough, I felt it was my mother saying "hello, dear. When are you going to pick-up that crochet project we started?"

Of course, my mother wasn't large on endearments, "cher-bear" was one, but dear isn't one she would have used. But, I felt like being a the reading was where I was meant to be this crazy past week-end.

Kate's reading was at Reader's Books in Sonoma and The Book Passage in Marin. I missed the Reader's event, but I made it to the Marin reading. I very much enjoyed her reading, and hearing about Georgia, Darwin, Peri, Anita and the other unlikely friends in the Friday Night Knitting Club. Kate herself is a delight, and I was surprised Copperfield's Books was not on her Book Tour for FNKC. Knitterly, here in Petaluma, would have been an ideal place for her to do a reading. Perfect. Would have drawn quite a crowd.

Kate was headed for NYC, after her Marin signing and back to the publishing world to share a reading back in the Big Apple. Her favorite thing to do is write fiction in her pajamas at home in the wee hours. My kind of gal. Kate lives in Los Angeles with her husband and beloved pooch.

If you're looking for a great winter read to curl up with along with a mug of tea, you simply must pick up a copy of Friday Night Knitting Club. You will find a recipe or two in the novel to try. Speaking of which, Kate's new novel, Comfort Food will be coming out in May.

Look forward to it Kate! We hope to see you in the Spring!