Inspired by Reading August Blog Hop...

Today is the Reveal for August's selection of the Inspired by Reading Book Club!  We read, "The Infinities" by John Banville.  Many of the members felt that this was a more challenging read and just couldn't get into it.  The elevated language, complex sentence structures, and flitting narrative voice certainly didn't make it an easy read!  One of the members described the style as, "Yoda and Freud's lovechild with a thesaurus." In an interview, the author mentions how his goal is to make "prose as dense as poetry".  I think he achieved his aim.  Even still, the author is able to lushly paint the scope of an alternative reality through one day in the dysfunctional Godley family.  The story is told through cerebral wanderings, drifting back and forth through the lives (and seemingly random thoughts) of a theoretical mathematician who is in a coma, his two children, his wife, the housekeeper, his daughter-in-law, his would be biographer... and even his dog.  Joining this cast of tragic characters are none other than the Greek gods, Hermes and Zeus!

And without further delay... here's the REVEAL!

Using an assortment of blood red beads, Laurel Ross created this multi-strand bracelet.  The bracelet was inspired by a scene towards the end of the book involving the daughter, Petra.

Here's a different view of the bracelet.  I love how all the different lengths of strung beads gives a very full and cascading look.  

Amy Roadman made this "infinity" necklace out of cat's eye and sapphire-colored faceted stones.  It's a really long necklace that can be worn in one long length or doubled up for a multi-strand look.  She said the color palette of the necklace came from Zeus's thunderclouds.

This is my piece!  I debated about what I was going to do, but finally decided on making a ring.

I created the band of the ring by beadweaving size 11 Japanese delicas with the peyote stitch.  I used a Greek key-pattern.

For the focal of the ring, I sewed on a vintage button and set a Mercury-head dime in its center with two-part epoxy clay.  Mercury is the Roman name for Hermes.  I wanted to feature Hermes since he is one of the main narrators of the story.

We had a really good night at book club.  I always enjoy the group that we've put together.  Not only do we talk about the book and the things we've made, but we talk about our lives and we've grown together as friends.

But wait... there's more!  The fun isn't over yet!  Take a look at what these Inspired by Reading Book Club members made with "The Infinities" in mind for this month's blog hop:

Jeanne Steck

Sarajo Wentling

Mary K. McGraw

Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, and Amy Roadman

The next book for the book club is, "Dogeaters" by Jessica Hagedorn.  For this year's full list, CLICK HERE.  The list for next year will be coming soon!  The in-person meet up is schedule for Tuesday, September 24th!  It's also going to be my impromptu birthday get together.  I'll be making all kinds of Fillipino cuisine.  The next blog hop is Wednesday, September 25th!  If you're interested in keeping up with what we're doing, CLICK HERE to visit our Facebook group page.