Sunday, February 3, 2013

Quilters' Book Club and Schedule

Bookworm Quilt Block

If you like to both read and quilt, I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club.  Each month, we'll read a book, discuss it through the comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book.  I'll research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events.  And I'll find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access.  Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.

The books should be available at your local library (hopefully).  If you use your stash to make your quilt blocks, it need not cost you anything to be in the Quilters' Book Club! 

Information about the book club is available across the top of my blog:  

"Quilters' Book Club/Schedule" provides basic information about the book club as well as a schedule of the books we're reading.  Check back regularly to view an updated schedule.

The section "Members' Blogs" provides links to members' blog posts related to our book club.  Check this out to get to know fellow members.  Let me know if you write a blog post related to our book club so I can create a link to it.

The next section "Recipes" contains recipes related to the books that we're reading.  Food, quilting, and books make a wonderful combination!    
Check out the specific month sections to find all of the blog posts related to that particular book:

February '13:   The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas, Historical Fiction and Mystery set in Kansas during the Great Depression of the 1930's

March '13:   A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick, Realistic Fiction set in Connecticut, first of her Cobbled Court Quilts series

April '13:   The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini, Realistic Fiction set in Pennsylvania, first of her Elm Creek Quilt books

May '13:  Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas, Historical Fiction set in Iowa during the Civil War, 1862-1865

June '13:   The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue, Mystery set in Archers Rest, New York, first of her Someday Quilts Mystery series

July '13:   Wedding Ring by Emilie Richards, Realistic Fiction set in Virginia, first of her Shenandoah Album novels. 

August '13:  Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick, Realistic Fiction set in Texas, prequel to her Cobbled Court Quilts series

September '13:  The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs, Realistic Fiction set in Wyoming

October '13:  State Fair: a Benni Harper Mystery by Earlene Fowler, Mystery set in California

November '13:  Aunt Jane of Kentucky by Eliza Calvert Hall in 1898
Recommended by Sandra Dallas and found free online here

December '13:  The Christmas Quilt: An Elm Creek Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini, Realistic Fiction set in Pennsylvania

January '14:  The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling, Realistic Fiction set in the state of Washington

February '14:  Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini, Historical Fiction set in Washington, D.C., 1861-1865

March '14:  A Drunkard's Path by Clare O'Donohue, Mystery set in New York, second of her Someday Quilts Mysteries series

April '14:  A Thread of Truth by Marie Bostwick, Realistic Fiction set in Connecticut, second of her Cobbled Courts series

May '14:  These Is My Words: the Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy Turner, Historical Fiction based on the life of the author's great-grandmother, set in Arizona Territory, 1881-1901

June '14:  Sarah's Quilt: a Novel of Sarah Agnes Prine and the Arizona Territories, 1906 by Nancy Turner.  This is the sequel to our May '14 selection. 

I'll include a discussion question with each post.  There are no right or wrong answers.  We'd just love to hear your thoughts!  Respond by answering in the comment section below each blog post.  (If you are reading via emails, you must click on the blog post title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.)  

I'd love for you to be part of the online Quilters' Book Club!  To make sure you don't miss anything, follow my blog or sign up for my posts to be delivered to you through e-mail.  I look forward to a wonderful time of reading, discussing, and quilting with you!

starwoodquilter@gmail.com

72 comments:

  1. I have just ordered both books from Amazon and will look forward to joining in.

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    1. So happy to have you, Diane! I am hoping that most people will be able to get the books from their local library, but Amazon is certainly as option as well.

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    2. I live in th UK and bought both of the books in the used section at Amazon. Neither of the books were available from the library and only "A Single Thread" was avaiable on the Kindle. I was able to buy both books for £9 incl postage. Looking forward to receiving my books and making the blocks.

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    3. Thank you so much for this information, Diane. In the U.S. The Persian Pickle Club is available on the Kindle. I expected it to be available on the Kindle no matter where you lived. I'm so happy you were able to get both books used through Amazon. We're looking forward to reading and quilting with you!

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    4. Hello. I am joining from Australia. The books are available at bookdepository.co.uk and this is a cheaper options for Aussies because postage is free. I am looking forward to the book club. Lynne

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    5. Lynne, we're so excited to have you join us! Thank you for the tip about the bookdepository.co.uk for other Aussies. I love it when book club members can help one another.

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    6. Thanks Lynne, I'll be trying book depository too when books aren't on kindle for Aussies.

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  2. I have decided to quilt along and try to get the books as I can. I went to the largest book store with English books but couldn't find any. I know I can get them over the summer (or maybe get one of my kids to send me one)so my reading will be a bit late.

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    1. Julie, have you checked with Amazon.com? I know they ship to Japan.

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  3. I would encourage all participants to check the books out from the library! (I know that may be difficult for Julie in Japan, but those in the U.S. and Canada should not have any problem.)

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    1. I agree with Nann. I think most of you should be able to get the books from your local library. If you make use of your library as well as your fabric stash, participation in this book club doesn't need to cost you anything! Amazon.com is a good source for books if you don't have access to a good public library.

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  4. I checked with the Kindle books and unfortunately these first 2 can not be loaned. I would have sent Julie mine if she had a Kindle. Finished the first book last night. Won't spoil it for the rest. Now to find the fabrics for this quilt.
    Susan, will we get a list of different blocks like the above Bookworm Quilt Block? Also, is there a link for this block?

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    1. Wonderful, Ansje! Tell us a bit about yourself on Quilters' Book Club Introduction, if you'd like. So glad to have you as part of the group!

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    2. Shirley, thank you for the kind offer to loan Julie the books from your Kindle. She does not have a Kindle, so we're trying to locate the books for her.

      I will give you several block options for each book for you to choose from. You can see that I've already given some block choices that relate to the theme of friendship in the book: http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/01/theme-of-friendship-in-persian-pickle.html
      Throughout the month of February, I will give you even more block choices that relate to the setting, the characters, and the events found in the book.

      The Bookworm quilt block was not found on-line, so, unfortunately, there is no link for this block. It came from Judy Martin's Ultimate Book of Quilt Block Patterns, published in 1988. It is a 10" finished block made up of 2-1/2" squares (2" finished) and 2-1/2" half square triangles (2" finished). I was not considering this as an option for The Persian Pickle Club. I just thought it might make a good emblem for our Quilters' Book Club!

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    3. I also got the book and really enjoyed it.....finished it Tuesday morning before work. Quilters are a community to themselves and there is such a strength of family when they pull together to always help there Sister or Brother quilter.

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    4. Sorry this part is new to me and so my post was not signed
      It is I Cal from quilt talk

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    5. Cal, I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. I agree with you that quilters are a community unto themselves and can provide so much support to each other.

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  5. I am going to read along with the books I can get from my library. I've just ordered the Persian pickle club from them.

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    1. Welcome, Gail! So happy that your local library has The Persian Pickle Club. Feel free to tell us a bit more about yourself, if you'd like.

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  6. Hi there ladies I had to order the book from the book depository in the UK as i live in australia in a sleepy seaside village in remote tropical nth queensland where the temperature is a balmy 32 deg celcius today.
    I am so looking forward to reading your book and being a member of a book club, thanks very much for having me....
    quilty hugs
    helen

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    1. Helen, we're thrilled to have you become part of the Quilters' Book Club! I will think of your balmy weather when it snows here. I wanted this to be an international group so I'm so happy that you've decided to join us.

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  7. I am having a hard time finding this book in the libraries I belong to, so I am reading the book for March. I am going to do a block from this book though. My oldest daughter asked me if I was going to make our book club quilt for her. :-) Hope you all have had a good weekend! Terry in Va.

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    1. Terry, I'm sorry you had trouble finding The Persian Pickle Club in your library. You can make the block for it or you could make two blocks for another book. Your choice! (Or maybe you should ask your oldest daughter!)

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  8. I have now finished the book and will start the block this week. The hardest part for me is picking fabric and it isn't like I don't have a large stash. Happy reading and quilting everyong.

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    1. Let us know which block you decide to make! Tomorrow I'll post blocks that will go with the main character of Queenie Bean if you want even more ideas. I agree with you that choosing fabrics for a block can be hard. So many choices!

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  9. I called my library to find the Persian Pickle, but they said it was reserved for an interlibrary loan. I then found it on Amazon and ordered it for .01 with 2.99 shipping. I had just finished that transaction when the librarian called back and said I could have their copy. I finished reading it before the one I bought arrived. lol.

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    1. Mercy! I guess it's better to have two copies than none at all!

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  10. I picked up the Persian Pickle book last Friday from the library and almost finished it that night. I had one of those nights where I couldn't sleep. As I was reading, I kept thinking Kansas Troubles described their lives to a "T". Earlene Fowler writes mysteries with quilt block names. I was reading her Kansas Troubles when I went to meet my future in-laws in the Kansas City area. Atleast my visit didn't include a murder. :-) I have read the other 2 books, but will probably re-read them so I can join in the discussion. Patti

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    1. I agree with you, Patti, that Kansas Troubles is a perfect block to go with The Persian Pickle Club. (So glad your visit to your future in-laws was free of murder!) Earlene Fowler would be another good author for us to read.

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  11. I am so excited about joining this group. I am so new to the blogging world. Hope I can figure it out. One question. I can't always find the block patterns you post. Am I missing something? Are they all always free and available? Picking up the book at the library in the morning. Can't wait to start reading.

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    1. Welcome to the group! Not all of the block patterns I show throughout my blog are available online, but I always state the source within that blog post. However, all of the patterns I suggest to go with a particular book in the Quilters' Book Club are found free online. Go to my post entitled Quilt Blocks for The Persian Pickle Club. After the name of each pattern, there is a link. Click on that link, and it will take you to the pattern directions. Let me know if this was helpful to you.

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  12. I am excited about this blog. Lucky for me I have read all three books... loved each of the authors

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    1. We would absolutely love to have you join us. Click on "March" at the top of my blog to see all the posts about our current book, A Single Thread. Feel free to join in with your own comments.

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  13. Finally found the list with books....sorry I bothered you about it.

    Peg

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  14. Hi Everyone, very excited to have found this group and can't wait to get started! Thanks for doing all the work behind the group!

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    1. So very excited to have you, Trisha, as part of the group!

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  15. I'm hoping to figure out how to join this group. I love both quilting and reading, and since I'm recently retired I have more time now for both hobbies. Can you let me know how to join and know that I've gotten in so I can then get the June book?

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    1. You're in! Check out June's book from your local library and start reading! We're thrilled to have you as part of the club!

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  16. Want to try to catch up! Upon finding your book club earlier this week, was able to get The Persian Pickle Club, Alice's Tulips and The Goodbye Quilt at the library. I read The Quilter's Apprentice some time ago, and the rest of the books are "on hold" so don't know when I'll be able to get them. Just finished reading Persian Pickle - will read the comments and attempt to get a block done while reading the next book (but out of order, of course!) Hope that's OK. Thanks for such an interesting blog and challenge!

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    1. We're very flexible in this group. We're just thrilled to have you join us. No need to try to catch up unless you really want to.

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  17. Did finish the book and found it very good reading.
    After reading it I thought of a quilt block to make
    and add one for every book I read with this group.
    After I have it figured out I will let you know
    what it looks like.
    Wish me luck.
    Arleen
    asnorthwoods@centurytel.net

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    1. Good luck with your quilt blocks! Let us know about them when you can. We're excited to have you part of our book club, Arleen!

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  18. Several of us in our small library quilt group have decided to read your book club selections and follow along with the discussions. It is really fun when the books have companion quilt books.

    Thank you,
    Gay
    theshire@twinvalley.net

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  19. We'd love to hear about your library quilt group, Gay!

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  20. helo my name is Gloria I would join this free online quilter. I am from Colombia thanks

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  21. I'm a little late to the group but just bought the August book, now to read it on my Kindle. I'm from a little town in Ohio.

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  22. Read the book in one day, couldn't put it down. Do you know the name of the book that is next in the series after Between Heaven and Texas?

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    1. Between Heaven and Texas is a prequel to Marie's Cobbled Court Quilts series. The first book is called A Single Thread. We read the book in March, so you can check out all the posts under March, if you'd like.

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  23. What a great idea!! Because I have extra time to read?? I can't wait to join you ladies! And we are reading for September right? This will fit right in with my Friday Night Block Party! I can feature you on one of the posts!

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  24. I am confused about your different block of the month patterns. I can't seem to find a link to download the patterns. Could you help? Thanks.

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    1. If you click on any month, you will see all the blog posts for that book. Several of those posts will include links to quilt patterns. There will be quite a few patterns to choose from over the month.

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  25. Hi
    I am exploring your site. I would like to join in so any tips would be helpful.
    Jo

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  26. I have just ordered "State Fair" from my local library. Pick it up Monday.
    I'm from Melbourne, Australia.

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  27. I'm a public librarian and would love to use this format for a monthly program. Should I start with February 2013 in 2014 and go from there? Or what is the time frame when a new book is selected?

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    1. Mary, you are a no-reply commenter, or I would e-mail you personally about this. I think your idea is wonderful! It might be wise for you to select books that we've already done so you have time to prepare your program. You can see my blog posts and the comments for each of the books under the month we read the book. Why don't you email me at starwoodquilter@gmail.com, so I can answer any other questions you may have.

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  28. I can't wait for you to start your December posts

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  29. Just finished chapter 11 of The Healing Quilt. I love it when women can come together and work on something for a great cause.

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  30. I just finished the book The Healing Quilt. WOW
    To be able to find women like this today would be a gift from God.
    I love it when Beth finally told them and I love their answer, to Don't you hate me?
    I want to be more like aunt Teza
    Like Beth, every time we move, I have to start all over again, making new friends is never easy.

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    1. I agree with you RoseMary. A group of women like that would be a gift from God. It must be very hard for you to move and have to start all over making friends. I've lived in the same place for almost 28 years now. That's one advantage of quilting friends made through the internet. They're always available!

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  31. I saw a comment here that someone doesn't have a kindle so can't download from Amazon. If you go to the Amazon.com site there is a spot to download "kindle for p.c." . It is free. It means you have to read the book on your computer but I don't find that harder than on my e-reader. You don't have to be in the U.S. to do this. I'm not. I am going to buy the Healing Quilt now as it is the only one on your list I haven't read and my library doesn't have it.
    Mary Anne

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  32. I would to be a part of this group! How do we join?

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    1. You want to join so you're in! It helps to become a follower and/or to sign up to receive my blog posts via email so you won't miss any of the posts. Just get a copy of the month's book at your local library or bookstore and start reading! I will give you lots of block pattern options so you can make a block to represent that book. You can use any fabric you'd like. If you shop from your stash and get your books from the library, it shouldn't cost you anything! And I would encourage you to comment so you can be an active part of the bookclub.

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  33. I am thinking of joining in with the March selection, Drunkard's Path' which is noted as the second in the Someday Quilt Mysteries series. Do I need to read the first in the series to understand and enjoy the second?

    Also, is there any way to put the most recent comment/reply at the top of the list. I am not interested in comments from one year ago and scrolling down through the list to get to the recent posts is non-productive, a waste of time, time-consuming, boring, confusing, a small irritation - take your pick. It makes sense to me to want to see the most recent reply first, the most appropriate to the time it is being read.

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  34. I just found this blog and looked through the list of books to see what I've missed and was amazed to discover that I have read every single one listed so far! Wow I think I might have a problem!

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  35. Diane, maybe that just means that you are kindred spirits with the book club!

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  36. Hi there, Starwood Quilter, Julie Fukuda sent me over. I've managed to order the next three books, Alice's Tulip, The Lover's Knot and Wedding Ring, used from Amazon after drawing a blank with my library. I'm in England. I've read the Elm Creek Quilters' series which we can get here. Looking forward to reading and sewing along, two of my favourite things to do.

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  37. I would love to be a part of this group because quilting and reading are my 2 favorite things. I have already started reading "Sarah's Quilt!" I live near Tulsa, OK

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I love hearing from readers. Your comments make my day!