On a dark night in Provence in December 1888 Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear. It is an act that has come to define him. Yet for more than a century biographers and historians seeking definitive facts about what happened that night have been left with more questions than answers.In Van Gogh’s Ear Bernadette Murphy sets out to discover exactly what happened that night in Arles. Why would an artist at the height of his powers commit such a brutal act of self-harm? Was it jus...

Once a week, six women living in Los Angeles meet to read from the Tao te Ching and reflect on their lives. One subject arises over and over: the dream of owning a home. One by one they take on the real estate market. They discover, among themselves, great reservoirs of expertise and experience that keep them sane-and laughing-along the way. Now, the Tao Girls want to share that expertise and experience with women who find themselves similarly confused, frustrated, or disappointed....

“Bernadette Murphy’s luminous book shows us how to take risks that make us fierce and vulnerable, knowing that true strength is about being generous as much as it is about not giving in.” —Emily Rapp Black, author of The Still Point of the Turning World and Poster ChildWhat happens when women in midlife step out of what's predictable? For Bernadette Murphy, learning to ride a motorcycle at forty–eight becomes the catalyst that transforms her from a settled...

Passionate knitters know that knitting is more than just a craft or a hobby. Knitting forms the texture and a background for their lives, binding them to their mothers and grandmothers who shared their great legacies; to friends and family who wear their homemade gifts; and to their fellow knitters. The Knitter's Gift is an inspirational collection just for them.Beginner and longtime knitters will rejoice as they read about:A father who treasures the scarf mad...

If you’re like most knitters, you have lonely skeins of yarn in your closet — casualties of projects discarded mid-row or leftovers from long-completed pieces. Offering 101 charming designs that use just a single skein of yarn, Judith Durant shows you how to turn these extra bits of fiber into stylish hats, mittens, scarves, and tea cozies. Covering a wide range of tastes and styles, this collection will inspire you to dig out your orphan yarn and get stitching.

A collection of poignant essays about the transformative power of knitting by twenty-seven extraordinary writers.“The impressive collection of writers here have contributed essays that celebrate knitting and knitters. They share their knitting triumphs and disasters as well as their life triumphs and disasters. . . . These essays will break your heart. They will have you laughing out loud.”—Ann Hood, from the introductionWhy does knitting occupy a place in the hearts of so ...

With a knitter's perspective, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee describes the astonishing wisdom and hard-to-swallow truths that are embedded in everyday clichés. You'll laugh with Pearl-McPhee as she realizes that "babies grow" after spending nights knitting a now-too-small sweater. "Beginning is easy, continuing is hard" takes on a new meaning to the knitter who has five projects going, but wants to start another. The next time you drop a stitch, take a cue from this insightful collection and remem...

A sock is a work of wonder. No other knitted garment has as many structural demands or endures as much wear and tear. The humble sock must defy gravity, suffer the confines of our shoes, and endure being trampled on all day long.All too often, the root cause of a sock's triumph or failure is the yarn itself. In The Knitter’s Book of Socks, Clara Parkes shows you how to knit socks from yarn up, following the sock yarn life cycle from its foundations to its final moments on a proud f...

Sock yarn isn't just for socks anymore! Veteran knitter Judith Durant presents 101 original projects that can be created from just a single skein of sock yarn, including adorable baby clothes, warm hats, beautiful scarves, and even a dog sweater. A quick and creative way to use up leftovers, many of these projects knit up in less than three hours. Adapted from designs contributed by yarn shops and crafters from throughout North America, knitters of all types will delight in these fun and s...

Beau Delaney is a bit of a showboat, a prominent lawyer whose exploits have become the subject of a Hollywood film. He's also the father of ten children (many adopted). Now he's charged with the murder of his wife, Peggy. It's another hard case for lawyer and bluesman Monty Collins. His client is keeping secrets; a mysterious eleventh child turns up and demands to take part in the trial; and the last words anyone heard from Peggy were "the Hells Angels!" Monty isn't alone in trying to save...

From acclaimed food writer, restaurant owner, and author of The Fixed Stars, an elegant memoir of life and food featuring with recipes throughout.When Molly Wizenberg's father died of cancer, everyone told her to go easy on herself, to hold off on making any major decisions for a while. But when she tried going back to her apartment in Seattle and returning to graduate school, she knew it wasn't possible to resume life as though nothing had happened. So sh...

In this all-crochet addition to the One-Skein Wonders® series, Edie Eckman and Judith Durant offer 101 exciting crochet projects — including jewelry, scarves, bags, hats, dresses, and home decor items — that each use just one skein of yarn. With projects organized by yarn type and weight, you'll be crocheting lacy shrugs for the springtime and heavy-duty beanies for the snowy winter months. Whatever your experience level, you're sure to find a delightfully portable project that suits your ...