Read anything good lately?

Read any good books lately? This question is posed every Wednesday at Quilters at First. And just like our enthusiasm for quilting waxes and wanes, so does our discovery of good books or at least our time spent reading. Several of the quilters belong to the same book club. The “book of the month” gets discussed on several Wednesdays, before the official meeting on the third Monday of each month.

Janis chose this thriller for July. It has so many plot twists, I couldn’t even give a synopsis to my husband. The author does a realistic portrayal of how one person’s perceptive of an event can be so different than another. The book isn’t “great literature” but it is certainly entertaining. I had to stop cleaning to finish it! 🤭

I re-acquainted myself with some of my favorite authors this summer. I had the latest Chris Bohjalian on hold for months–Libby, Public Library and iCloud. It was worth the wait.

The novel is based loosely on a true story of a Confederate soldier’s wife and an injured Union officer that takes place in the northern Shenandoah valley . Certainly not a cookie cutter plot and the novel acknowledges that not all the stereotypes are accurate. Highly recommend this novel and this author.

This prolific author has vowed never to write the same novel twice. I have always appreciated the variety of subjects and locations his novels portray. After reading THE JACKEL’S MISTRESS, I re-read SKELETONS AT THE FEAST and found a couple of novels I had missed.

His collection of essays, IDYLL BANTER are thoughtful and entertaining. I like that he is comfortable discussing his connection to his church.

My daughter introduced me to Martin Walker’s Bruno series. I sort of forgot about him because I was “caught up”. I had let the last two novels slip by me.

Bruno is the community police officer in St. Denis, a made-up town, in the department of Dordogne where the famous prehistoric cave drawings are found. Dordogne is also the home of famous vineyards, foie gras, and cheese. The author’s wife is a well known cook book writer so there is much space devoted to the preparation of food. The novels are similar to each other but they are certainly several notches above “cozy mysteries”. I will probably never visit this part of France, but these novels give me a lovely tour of the area.

A podcaster I listen to recommended SANDWICH. She said I would laugh and cry reading it. I didn’t. It was good to listen to as I sewed, but perhaps because I am no longer a member of the “sandwich generation”, it did not pull on my emotional strings. Plus, I thought the protagonist was a bit whinny. But to a mid life woman, this might be very relatable.

I was reading this novel while listening to SANDWICH. They had many common issues. Again, I couldn’t really relate to the plot, but I admire Anna Quindlen’s writing. Almost anything she writes is worthwhile.

I am a champion of a liberal arts education. We need educated persons not just trained persons. This non-fiction book championed the value of an adaptable liberal arts background. It is a long book but it has some incredible real life stories.

The history loving me loved the book, but probably best I don’t choose it for my book club selection in December.

I may have introduced my discovery of Juneau Black before, but I am patiently waiting for the latest release of their Shady Hollow mystery in October.

I don’t “do” fantasy, I guess I am too realistic. But I fell for the Vera Vixon and her village of Shady Hollow where almost all the woodland creatures live together in harmony…

This series is a soothing escape from today’s world.

Here is a list of “recommendable” books and authors I have read recently. I want to hear about yours!

Ruth Ware–intelligent English mysteries

Rhys Bowen– comfortable series of cozy mysteries

Fiona Davis–most but not all of historical fiction that revolve around a famous location

Kate Quinn– WWII historical fiction, THE ROSE CODE is my favorite

Kate Morton–Austrialian settings

Jacqueline Winspear–but alas, she has written her last Maisie Dobbs book–there are 18 so if you haven’t read any of them, enjoy!

LOVE AND WHISKEY by Fawn Weaver–non-fiction and almost made me want to try Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

THE DAY THE WORLD CAME TO TOWN by Jim DeFede. Non-fiction- I think there is a documentary on the event– championed good people

THE WEDDING PEOPLE by Alison Espach–might be my selection for December book club.

PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee–I learned so much history about the interaction between Japan and Korea

Obviously I love reading but I love libraries even more! I could not afford to buy each of these book nor do I have space in my home to keep them. But thank goodness, we have libraries!! And I am not the only one who feels this way!

Libraries are essential. We must carefully guard them.

So, please tell me who are your favorite authors and what is your latest best read?

Not many items to show this week — a lot of projects being finished but here is what was “turned” in Wednesday.

The custom quilting made this quilt extra special. The distinctive patterns really are visible on the Minky backing. Minky washes well, remaining cloud soft forever. The quilt’s size will allow it to be used for several years. The binding is hand sewn. 35″ x 52″ $100

Two sets of winter placemats were finished.