Quarantine-while! A Few Good Reads - December

 Whew!!!  Got caught up just in time!!!  Here's what's been filling my reading hours this month:

• Simple Geometric Quilting - Laura Preston.  Over the past few months I have looked at dozens of quilting blogs and videos.  Having finished all my sashiko blocks at the same time B built me a beautiful quilting frame, I figured I'd best learn something about that which I have proposed to do!!  When I discovered the Vacilando Quilting Company I finally found an aesthetic similar to what I had in mind.  I'll be writing more on all that later, but learning more about this incredible maker, her designs, methods and adventures has been just lovely.  She is an amazing artist and I know I will be returning to these pages for inspiration.  

• Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting - Beverly Rivers and Michael Maine.  This book wins every prize for being the most complete and best step-by-step guide to quilting out there according to those who actually know how to quilt.  I read it all, but will have to delve into it many more times to really absorb all its information.  B is the best friend a girl could ever have!  Always jumping on board, no questions asked, no matter my fancies - Quilting?  Sure!  A trip from Chicago to Seattle by train?  Why not? (I think we both have a few regrets about that one!) - sweetly purchased both of these for me.  I am sure they will be well used as I traverse my quilting adventure.

• A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan.  I wanted to like this book.  The characters do stay with you.  Their stories spin like venn diagrams from a group of loosely associated characters.  However, I could never really like or admire any of them, despite having sympathy for their plight. 

• Quilt with Confidence - Nancy Zimmerman.  If you like conventional, old school quilting patterns this book is for you.  There are lots of details on how to create these designs.  I did learn some things about color and contrast.  However, the main information I am really seeking in all this research - how to hand quilt - is sorely lacking.  It seems I've managed to choose to quilt when most who do so either send out their quilt tops for other individuals and companies to quilt them on fancy machines or either machine quilt themselves via regular or long arm sewing machines.  The search for intel continues.

• The Dutch House - Ann Patchett.  Very well written.  Vivid.  Characters are real and believable.  Ultimately about relationships and family bonds - their incredible strength and simultaneous frailty.  A story of how to manage when those you trust are weak, those who 'should' have your back do not, while others support you - no matter what.  Good read.

• Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens.  I identified a great deal with the main character, Kya.  As a child of the swamps, dead lakes, creeks and rivers of south Alabama, with a penchant for active study of the creatures, and furtive examination of the people, that surrounded me, I could feel her discoveries and pain.  Smell the fecund marshy ooze in the summer heat, recognize the natural beauty Owens describes so well.  Abandoned by all she knows and loves Kya makes her way in the world - finding a path to love and family, even with part of her soul in the dark. 

2020 has been a challenging year to say the least!!!  However, I was blessed to be able to download some excellent reads through my local library.  Looking forward to the worlds I will explore through more pages in 2021!!  May many great reads come your way!!! - les