Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Chatty Friday

IMG_4846

I have a few new books to share.  I have not read them yet, but all three are getting rave reviews.  I know many of you are big Kristin Hannah fans, and enjoyed The Nightingale, which came out a year or so ago.  This new book of hers, The Great Alone, has a very different subject matter, concerning a family hoping to start over in Alaska in 1974.  The terrain and the story are supposed to be equally dramatic.  If it's by Kristin Hannah, you know it is going to be good.

An American Marriage was both my Book of the Month Club selection as well as Oprah's Book Club selection.    Set in the "new South" the story is about a couple's marriage and racial injustice.  If you have been wanting to read more diverse fiction, this sounds like a good place to start.

Finally, my most anticipated book of 2018:  The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock.  This book has not been published in the US yet, only in the UK.  I managed to get my hands on a copy and am thrilled to start reading it.  It is historical fiction, and reviewers are raving about how good it is and how it is certain to win various literary prizes.    The book is described as "a spellbinding tale of curiosity and obsession".   Whew.  Set in London in 1795, the book's characters include Mr. Hancock (widower and lonely merchant), a courtesan, and lots of other earthy characters, including eventually I assume, Mrs. Hancock.  And what brings them all together?  Why a mermaid does.  There is a mystery involved and a bit of magical realism.  It is a nice fat book, nearly 500 pages, and the author's writing is supposed to be amazing.  I cannot wait to dive in to this book.

IMG_4845

Just look at that cover on the British edition.  Their covers are almost always better than the US editions!  If you can get your hands on a copy before the September US release date, do try.  Who could stand to wait until September?  If you read it, let me know your thoughts.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Hope your days will include some reading, some sewing and some fellowship.

33 responses to “Chatty Friday”

  4. A book recommendation – Anatomy of A Scandal by Sarah Vaughn. Takes place in London; husband who is a member of parliament and minister in the government has an affair with a co-worker and that’s just the start of TROUBLE.

  5. A book recommendation – Anatomy of A Scandal by Sarah Vaughn. Takes place in London; husband who is a member of parliament and minister in the government has an affair with a co-worker and that’s just the start of TROUBLE.

  6. A book recommendation – Anatomy of A Scandal by Sarah Vaughn. Takes place in London; husband who is a member of parliament and minister in the government has an affair with a co-worker and that’s just the start of TROUBLE.

  10. Ooohhhh! What good books these sound like. If anone has missed Kate Morton’s stand-alone books, they’re good, too.
    Hugs!

  11. Ooohhhh! What good books these sound like. If anone has missed Kate Morton’s stand-alone books, they’re good, too.
    Hugs!

  12. Ooohhhh! What good books these sound like. If anone has missed Kate Morton’s stand-alone books, they’re good, too.
    Hugs!

  13. Just started the Great Alone last night. Not far enough into it to give you my opinion yet. My reads parallel yours so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it. I love your blog for both quilts and books!

  14. Just started the Great Alone last night. Not far enough into it to give you my opinion yet. My reads parallel yours so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it. I love your blog for both quilts and books!

  15. Just started the Great Alone last night. Not far enough into it to give you my opinion yet. My reads parallel yours so I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it. I love your blog for both quilts and books!

  16. I just finished “The great alone”. I loved the book. Much different subject matter than her previous book “The nightingale”. When I get a great book like hers, I have a hard time doing anything but reading. Would highly recommend it!

  17. I just finished “The great alone”. I loved the book. Much different subject matter than her previous book “The nightingale”. When I get a great book like hers, I have a hard time doing anything but reading. Would highly recommend it!

  18. I just finished “The great alone”. I loved the book. Much different subject matter than her previous book “The nightingale”. When I get a great book like hers, I have a hard time doing anything but reading. Would highly recommend it!

  19. The Great Alone is compelling. Start it early in the day so you aren’t so sleep deprived the next day. Nothing in this book lulls you to sleep. Excellent reading.

  20. The Great Alone is compelling. Start it early in the day so you aren’t so sleep deprived the next day. Nothing in this book lulls you to sleep. Excellent reading.

  21. The Great Alone is compelling. Start it early in the day so you aren’t so sleep deprived the next day. Nothing in this book lulls you to sleep. Excellent reading.

  25. Thank you for the recommendations. I’ve read a couple of your recommendations and I have enjoyed them. I just recently purchased a new book for my kindle. I was trying to decide between An American Marriage and The Immortals. I went with the The Immortals but I will probably get An American Marriage next. A friend started a book club last year, it has been difficult getting everyone together and also getting books that most people like and will finish. We have had a couple that were just not anything I wanted to read and ended up not finishing. It is disappointing for me, I really like the idea of a book club. So thank you again for sharing your recommendations.

  26. Thank you for the recommendations. I’ve read a couple of your recommendations and I have enjoyed them. I just recently purchased a new book for my kindle. I was trying to decide between An American Marriage and The Immortals. I went with the The Immortals but I will probably get An American Marriage next. A friend started a book club last year, it has been difficult getting everyone together and also getting books that most people like and will finish. We have had a couple that were just not anything I wanted to read and ended up not finishing. It is disappointing for me, I really like the idea of a book club. So thank you again for sharing your recommendations.

  27. Thank you for the recommendations. I’ve read a couple of your recommendations and I have enjoyed them. I just recently purchased a new book for my kindle. I was trying to decide between An American Marriage and The Immortals. I went with the The Immortals but I will probably get An American Marriage next. A friend started a book club last year, it has been difficult getting everyone together and also getting books that most people like and will finish. We have had a couple that were just not anything I wanted to read and ended up not finishing. It is disappointing for me, I really like the idea of a book club. So thank you again for sharing your recommendations.

  28. Just finished An American Marriage, once I started I could not put it down, amazing writing, wonderful book. It’s one of those books where one situation is told through different voices. Thanks for your recommendations.

  29. Just finished An American Marriage, once I started I could not put it down, amazing writing, wonderful book. It’s one of those books where one situation is told through different voices. Thanks for your recommendations.

  30. Just finished An American Marriage, once I started I could not put it down, amazing writing, wonderful book. It’s one of those books where one situation is told through different voices. Thanks for your recommendations.