LET'S READ TOGETHER

I am determined to read more in 2026 for pleasure, for information and to share my thoughts regarding various books with readers. I particularly want to share the works of independent authors, we need every boost we can get. When I first came up with this idea I had a list of about 22 books and 2 audio books as well as reading the Bible, I got books for Christmas!This is a challenge for me because I am a slow reader and I have crafts that I am working on, (Check out my blog: MARSHA SEWS),and I have a part-time job. That said, I believe, with less television and social media, I can accomplish my goal, particularly after April 15th. 

What is important is that I read. Because I want everyone to read, more than my blogs, I am challenging those of you who are book buyers to start reading what you have. Check out this that convinced me to not buy any more books, not counting the ones I got for Christmas.

And for those of you who once read but got out of the habit, this video is for you, as well as those who don’t read:: 

DON'T FORGET TO LIKE THOSE VIDEOS! PLEASE

Reading is fun! 
Written by: Marsha L Floyd

THE EASY ART OF APPLIQUE - Techniques for Hand, Machine, and Fusible Applique, by Mimi Dietrich and Roxi Eppler

 

Sunday, December 14, 2025 3:34:20 PM

I reviewed a quilting book not to long ago and I gave it lots of praise, however I kept thinking of the applique book that I spent money to have the templates printed. The book: THE EASY ART OF APPLIQUE  - Techniques for Hand, Machine, and Fusible Applique, by Mimi Dietrich and Roxi Eppler,  is fabulous. 

How unfortunate that it too is a book I purchased from THRIFTBOOKS and may be hard to find. This book was published in 1994, they don’t make books like they used to”! The newer books are great for their images but I have yet to find one with directions I can learn from.

THE EASY ART OF APPLIQUE - Techniques for Hand, Machine, and Fusible Applique is all things applique! This booklet is a total of 63 pages which includes 10 pages of templates this in addition to the larger templates that were folded within the book as an insert.

Within the pages of the book, like the quilting book I like, is very bottom of the line directions, helping the reader learn how to either Hand or machine applique. The steps are detailed  and easy to follow. The thing about applique is applying the design onto the fabric, curves are the most difficult for me.  The directions are printed in a font that is easy to read and the accompanying diagrams make sense. Even the needle position is easier for me to follow, this is important.  The last few pages are dedicated to taking the applique lesson and applying it to making a quilt top, after all that is the ultimate goal. 

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED  

QUILTS! QUILTS! QUILTS! THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO QUILTMAKING by Diana Mcclun and Laura Nownes

 Saturday, December 13, 2025

I found my new favorite quilt book QUILTS! QUILTS! QUILTS!!! THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO QUILTMAKING by Diana Mcclun and Laura Nownes
a book published in 1995. Since I started taking my quilting to the next level and I discovered THRIFTBOOKS.COM I have been purchasing books about my hobbies there, hand embroidery and sewing; I have ordered a few from other online stores. I like all of my quilting books but it seems older books are more helpful to me.Newer quilting books promote products that are helpful but not essential, the older books discuss the basics of quilting which is what I want; I am interested in technique.  I am a self taught quilter not a beginner but not an advanced quilter. YouTube, Google, and most of the books I have read are excellent resources but even the simplest of patterns in the books are not what I am looking for. We all need motivation and this book sets the stage for success. QUILTS QUILTS QUILTS THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO QUILTMAKING begins with the possibilities, using beautiful images of quilts displayed as art, before you read the Table of Contents.  Chapter one The Essentials  begins with what you need to make a quilt. The authors did present a list of supplies that a quilter could have but does not need, including a sewing machine. You don’t need a sewing machine to make a quilt and if it is your first quilt I do not recomend purchasing a very expensive machine.  A $150 Brother sewing machine from Walmart will do, my opinion. If you learn the basics any sewing machine will do.
The directions on how to make a quilt, the patterns provided and the measurements for various size quilts are included in an order that makes sense to me. Everything is in the order of  the creating process. The book concludes with chapter 9- Quilting and chapter 10- Binding;  follow the order and your quilt is done. However, in the back of the book there are 8 pages of templates needed to create the quilt blocks.
I have another book on quilting that I love, but this one is what I need because it does have a chapter on appliques that makes sense! Unfortunately, for you it is not a new book thus you might have to search thrift stores and other used bookstores 

     WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd
     ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE READING LIST

 Saturday, December 6, 2025 2:58:39 PM

Every year I have reading plans that are greater than my time and reading speeds and every year my list gets more challenging. Starting this month: I am reading THE QUILTER’S HOMECOMING and listening to the KJV audio- Bible, I will continue my tradition. Add more to the list and increase the challenge, what I don’t finish in 2026 will give me something to look forward to in 2027!  

THE LIST

BIBLE 

KJV audio
NASB

FICTION
THE QUILTERS HOMECOMING
THE NEW YEARS QUILT
A SINGLE THREAD  Tracy Chevaliar
A SINGLE THREAD Marie Bestwick
THE WINDING WAYS QUILT
THE QUILTERS KITCHEN
ELCOME TO SPICE TOWN
THE BLACKSMITH’S WIFE
MURDER ALL SEWN UP

AUDIOBOOK - THE BOOK OF LOST NOTES 

NONFICTION
SLEEPING WITH THE ANCESTORS: How I Followed the Footprints of Slavery by Joseph McGill Jr. Herb Frazier
THE IRON TRIANGLE  VINCE EVERETT ELLISON
25 LIES VINCE EVERETT ELLISON
CRIME INC.  VINCE EVERETT ELLISON
THE END OF TOLERANCE VINCE EVERETT ELLISON
EXPOSITORY APOLOGETICS VODDIE BAUCHMAN JR
THE EVER-LOVING TRUTH VODDIE BAUCHMAN JR 

I CAN’T WAIT TO CALL YOU MY WIFE: AFRICAN AMERICAN LETTERS OF LOVE AND         FAMILY IN THE CIVIL WAR ERA

THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION by Andrew Murray

BIOGRAPHIES

AUDIOBOOK- 
    HUDSON TAYLOR

CLASSICS
THE HEART OF THE MATTER Graham Greene
AUDIOBOOK- GRACE ABOUNDING by John Bunyan

CRAFT

- Marsh L Floyd

LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER by Elinor Pruitt Stewart

LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER by Elinore Pruitt Stewart (1876-1933) is a historical non-fiction book originally published in 1914; it is one of the first audio books I listened to. I have since listened to it at least three times in the past 2 years. This auto-biographical book is composed of letters which were printed originally in the Atlantic monthly, 1914. The letters date from April 1909 to November 1913, a time when railroad travel was not as comfortable as it is today and there were no Motel sixes or Holiday Inns to stay at until the real estate agent found you a nice air conditioned in the summer and heat in the winter home. Life in the early 1900’s was harsh but the author had made arrangements to work for a man as a housekeeper upon her arrival. The interest begins quickly and does not have a dull section in the book. There are so many tales; so many amusing, heart wrenching, gut gripping, stories found in these letters that I don’t know where to begin to help you understand how interesting this book is. there is even romance! This book is why I love historical fiction. The story is inspirational and demonstrates how a strong independent woman can maintain her femininity and fulfill her dreams. It also reveals how hard work and determination is the key to true success. I cannot tell you how much I love this book, and as an audio it was perfect. I suggest you grab a cup of tea, sit in your comfy chair and do some needle work, sew, knit, crochet, or even spin, while you listen to this enjoyable story: LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER by Elinore Pruitt Stewart. The print version of this book is available for free thanks to Project Gutenberg, see link below. I am sad to say that I will have to wate before I purchase the print copy, my current reading list has me busy for all of 2026! And I have a numerous books that I want to purchase after either listening to them or reading them via ebook. I will get a print copy someday. Because I value print books. Written by Marsha L Floyd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PRINT: PROJECT GUTENBERG AUDIO: YOUTUBE

THE HAUNTING OF THE HOLY: Reflections of the Spirit’s Unexpected Pursuit by Sari Butler

On September 30th (2025) I was scrolling Facebook and learned of a 30 day writing challenge to take place in the month of October. I accepted the Faith Book Writing Month, FaiBoWriMo, challenge and completed my 50 thousand words in less than the alloted 30 days. Post writing challenge I was reading the post of author Sari Butler who mentioned she had just released a book, I volunteered to review it, she understood that I would post the review on my blog and with her agreement would post it on a site that sold her book. Sarai Butler knows that I will give an unbiased review and post my opinion on my blog even if I do not post a review anywhere else. Reviewing another author’s work is a challenge because you want it to be great because you want people to like your work but book reviews are just opinions, what one person likes another person may not like. THE HAUNTING OF THE HOLY: Reflections of the Spirit’s Unexpected Pursuit by Sari Butler is not what I expected. Before I tell you why I would or would not buy this book for my personal collection let me say (write) this: This book is for a particular audience of whom I recommend it to. It will be an informative read for anyone who enjoys daily devotionals and is going through difficult times. My impression of THE HAUNTING OF THE HOLY is, it is a collection of 40 essays addressing the issue of: discouragement, depression, hopelessness, feelings of faithlessness. Each chapter delves into the emotional experiences a person, a Christian, may feel during a time of despair, this is when an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit is needed. I can see a person reading each chapter meditating on the words to understand the hope that must be seen through faith. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now , I will share with you why this book is not for me. First, the word “Haunting” in the title, I don’t identify the goodness of God with haunting, in my opinion the word should have been “presence”; “THE OF THE HOLY: Reflections of the Spirit’s Unexpected Pursuit”, to me this sounds more comforting. Next, the Bible versions, the author used: The New International Version, American Standard Version, Berean Standard Bible, New King James Version, King James Version, the Message, and the New Living Translation. For someone like me, who prefers the King James Version and memorizes from that translation, but has read other translations, not knowing which version she, the author, is citing is a problem. I do check to see if something is used in context, especially if I am reviewing a book. There were times when a quotation was used and I am honestly don’t recall the citation source. To be fair, I was reading via an ebook and I am not able to make notes as I would have if I have a print copy; I did try to go back through the book and I saw a few citations. I have not read the Berean Standard Bible, I don’t have a copy nor do I want one, I wouldn’t know if the quote was accurate. I am not a fan of the Message Bible, I actually trashed not donated the copy I had purchased. I think an author should cite one or two Bible translations, particularly if your audience has new believers in it.It may mean you have to elaborate a bit more to breakdown a concept. Finally, over the years I have been gifted and had the opportunity via a publishing company to review devotionals, all of them a are great books I study the Bible to much to read a daily devotional. The author may not have intended this to be a devotional but that is how it reads to me, it is not a quick read. I would suggest, you buy this book, a journal and a pen, grab your Bible and appreciate the read. If you have been reading my reviews for a few years you know I set a higher standard for Christian authors than secular writings however, this is my honest review. If you are struggling, discouraged and are wondering where is God read this book and let me, and the author know what you think. Marsha L Floyd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE DOCTOR'S BRIDE by Celia Dowdy

THE DOCTOR’S BRIDE is book 2 of the 3 in the romance bride series by Celia Dowdy. It is a “historical clean and wholesome inspirational Christian romance novella” (approximately 101 pages), which makes it a quick read. As with the first novella I was attracted to the book because it is historical fiction, the reason why I am going to read book 3 is because it portrays Black people in America in roles other than slaves. Slavery ended in 1865 this book takes place in 1870 in the state of Pennsylvania and though, as in the previous book, it does not ignore the prejudice that existed that is not the focal point. The story is about an educated woman who wants to go to college against her mother’s desires. She is a school teacher, an acceptable profession for unmarried women who do not work on the farm during that time period. She is also a woman who is interested in plants used for medicinal purposes which is why she wants to go to college. After the death of her twin sister her brother-in-law returns his home town where he grew up with Deborah and his late wife, to get the assistance in raising his daughter. And that, dear reader is all of the plot I am going to share with you, it’s a novella! The beauty of this book is that it is non-sexual, non-violent and captivating. Based on the title you know there will be a bride but when you first start reading the book, at least for me,I was , focused on Deborah getting that degree! What a challenge. It was a time in which women were not encouraged to think let alone go to college and an educated Black woman was not an expectation. Most men did not marry educated women. Spoiler alert! I loved the ending but it was like going to a restaurant and eating a desert that was out of this world good, once it is gone it is gone. The ending was fabulous but, it was so good and there was no more. :( I am so glad I have book 3, THE BLACKSMITH’S BRIDE, ready to read. Go ahead and buy all three books at the same time, and then you can join me crying, over a cup a tea, realizing that there is no book 4! Written by Marsha L Floyd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED