BOOK THOUGHTS: THE WINDING WAYS QUILT An Elm Creek Quilts novel

 

This is the first time in my history of reading that I committed myself to reading this many books by the same fiction author, particularly a series. THE WINDING WAYS QUILT-An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini is book  the 13th out of 24 of the Elm Street Quilt series. I was attracted to the quilting theme of the first book before I knew: THE QUILTERS APPRENTICE,  published 1999,  which I read in August 2025. Yes, I recommend this book.

My thoughts: 

I was reading this book, which reveals more about the characters we all know sharing more of their personal stories. It helps those of us who have been reading these novels develop a better perspective of why each individual is the way she is and what drew them to quilting. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the characters we know, though not all and as I read her chapter I discovered I really am not fond of her. I wasn’t fond of her when I was first introduced to her and so when I got to the chapter dedicated to her I struggled, it took me days to get through that one chapter! I really had to force myself to read it. Yes, I was happy for her. (No! I am not going to write why.) I was able to understand why she is, prayerfully in time she will make an attitude adjustment. I know it is not going to be in book 14 to because I am almost through with that one! 

For those of you who want to know what the book is about I suggest you read the comments whereever you buy your books or read the reviews. All of the books in the series are about quilting a friendship.  THE WINDING WAYS QUILT looks deeper into the complexities of personalities as individuals.  The book is about real friendship, loving someone despite their shortcomings; it is about patience and kindness and respect.  And so, even though I am not fond of that one person, I am happy for her. 

Reading this book has convinced me that you should read it only after you have read the other 12. You can read it out of order but it takes away from the growth revealed in each of the individuals. By book 13 they will have become your friends. It has taken me 13 books to reach a point of understanding of a character whom I met 12 books ago and knew there was something about her that indicated that she could not be my best friend. There were other characters that I want to read the next book because I am concerned, I can’t call her so I have to read the next book. If you read the book in chronological order the characters become your friends, especially if you are a quilter. I am a quilter and I will be meeting with them in the next book THE QUILTERS KITCHEN.

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BOOK THOUGHTS: A RAINBOW OF STITCHES

 I am sure I have not written reviews for “alllll” the books on stitches I have.Last year I purchased one of those embroidery books with a billion stitches to create and 999,999,999 of the stitches I cannot find a demonstration on how they are to be sewn. I have subscribed to quite a few embroidery channels on YouTube and downloaded a book from National Archives on embroidery, I was on Thriftbooks.com and saw: A RAINBOW OF STITCHES  by Agn
es Delage-Calvet, Anne Sohier-Fournel, Muriel Brunet, Francoise Ritz, Photographed by Frederic Lucano- Embroidery and Cross Stitch Basics, Plus More Than 1,000Motifs and 80 Projects, list price $24.99, copyright 2009 purchase price $9.39; with FREE shipping. 

MY THOUGHTS:

• If you are a cross stitcher, and I have done a few, you will love it. 
• As an embroiderer: there are lots of ideas and patterns to trace and create.
• Looking for gift ideas, there are 80 wonderful suggestions.
• Did I learn how to do a new embroidery stitch NO!

But the book is well worth the investment and I do not regret buying it. I like creating my own designs thus I classify it as inspirational, motivational and helpful.

Written by MarshaL Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Another YouTube Review

Ian

M subscribed to HEATH AND SADDLE, I "Like" every video I watch and occasionally comment. WHY?

The charade everyday people, which makes them relatable. The women are not size three, perfect hair and nails, designer clothes wearing divas. The other channel I  listen to is dedicated to obese women.  "MY MAIL-ORDER BRIDE NEVER SHOWED UP -The Kitchen Girl Sat Dow and Said: Can I Tell You Something" is all you need to know about this 51 minute 36 second audio story.

Sigh! Yes! It is an Ai generated story. I think the author authors are busy writing stories with profanity, naked women and violence; there is none of that here.

I started listening to this story while washing dishes (no dishwasher for me) and finished while hand embroidering. I  am cueing-up a Nero Wolf story to fall asleep on. 

https://youtu.be/UbPTlk9oW8Y?is=RqU8-0AsxFuv4OcM

YOUTUBE CHANNEL REVIEW: MYSTERY LANE

 YOTUTBE REVIEW:  MYSTERY LANE

MYSTERY LANE is not my favorite channel that shares Nero Wolfe stories but I do enjoy them and have subscribed to the channel.  In reading the comments I find they are no different than any other channel, regardless of the topic, some like it others found fault. 

I was playing games, Rummy and backgammon, while listening to an episode of Nero Wolf via YouTube;  NERO WOLFE AND THE MURDER IN CRAMER’S OFFICE,  I am not an Ai specialist thus though I know that it is Ai influenced I cannot tell you the extent to which it is. I can tell you I have listened to “Nero Wolfe, inspired stories as well as other stories that are not worth my commenting on. 

“NERO WOLFE AND THE MURDER IN CRAMER’S OFFICE” explores why there is a dead man in Cramer’s office. As with most of the NERO WOLFE STORIES there are characters that most followers of the orchid loving detective expect to prese=you need to know: Nero Wolfe, Archie, Fritz, and Cramer, any channel worth viewing must have these individuals as part of the plot, Mystery Lane  checks the boxes.

The plot captured me within the first minute and kept my attention throughout the one hour 20 minutes and 32 seconds. I am drawn to, and have SUBSCRIBED, the channel because the conversations are not dumbed down, meaning: if you do not have an extensive vocabulary get a dictionary. I had to look up two terms spoken in this episode:  Invective and Prevericate, I assumed the meaning by how it was used in a sentence, I looked the words up to be sure. 

The generated Ai images don’t seem to match the dialogue, something I have noticed with most of the short stories found on YouTube. M y imagination is better.

When listening to the audio story REMEMBER: This is a spin-off of the original Nero Wolfe chronicle of which I have watched. The original was written by Rex Stout  and published in the 1930’s.

DEFINITIONS:  
Invective is harsh, abusive, or highly insulting language used to blame, censure, or violently attack someone. It often combines intense anger with sharp rhetorical skill or bitter sarcasm

 prevaricate means to avoid telling the truth. It is a formal verb used when someone dodges a direct question, beats around the bush, or gives a misleading answer without outright telling a flat-out lie 

Check it out. Please Like and Subscribe the channel if you watch it as well as SUBSCRIBE AND COMMENT on this blog.

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

LISTENING TO A YOUTUBE AUDIOBOOK produced by THE WILD WEST VAULT

My print books are taking second place to audiobooks because I cannot embroider or sew and read a book.  It seems that there are quite a few audiobooks available to choose from  many with similar themes which is why narration is very important. 
What is important to note is the increase number of Ai generated stories. Ai is not the best content creator or graphic facilitator. 

The following video is the 3rd video I have listened to produced by THE WILD WEST VAULT.  It is historical fiction with faith, inspirational. The theme is in the title: "The Sheriff Only Wanted a Housekeeper for Winter—The Polish Girl Changed His Entire Life" .  You could listen to the story while you are driving on errands or to work or, like I do, wile sewing; it is 56 minutes and 45 seconds long.

I have discovered these "historical fiction like, mail order bride" tales are relaxing, they are non-violent,  "G" rated plots worth listening to. I find these stories inspirational and motivational as well as entertaining.  I have decided to share other audiobook channels that I enjoy. 

 by Marsha L Floyd

BOOK THOUGHTS: A SINGLE THREAD BY MARIE BOSTWICK

 

As I mentioned in a previous review, I chose this book because it was about sewing and it had the same title as another book; I wanted to read both books and compare. Unfortunately, I stopped reading the other book with the same title because of the introduction of sexual behavior, I don’t read romance novels. After the disappointment from the first book entitled A SINGLE THREAD, I am happy to report that this book is one I can appreciate.

A SINGLE THREAD by Marie Bostwick is a book that talks about life in a way that will pull on your emotions; have you wanting to hug a character, yell at another character; cry, laugh and sigh with relief, while planning your next quilt. 

The underlying theme of the book: “The need for friendship is the single thread that we all have running through us.” (page 322) This is the lesson I have learned in my 66 years of living and the one young people need to learn. 

The book published in 2008, is 344 pages, centers around 2 main characters and deals with  issues that most women will encounter, directly or indirectly. One of the trials the main character faces was addressed in a very poignant way. (No, I will not tell you what it is!)  There is emotional pain in this book that is dealt with in a manner that makes sense and, there is healing.  

A SINGLE THREAD is not a thriller but it is, at least it was for me, an emotional roller coaster in which in the end you walk away with a smile. Yes, I recommend you read this book then go make a quilt!

               “Quilts are made of broken lines, just like life.” (page 327)

Written by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

BOOK THOUGHTS: THE NEW YEARS QUILT

 

NEW YEAR’S QUILT An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini, the eleventh of the twenty-four books in the Elm Creek. The beauty of this book and the others is the ability of the writer to blend the life of one woman, the life lessons of others, and the art of quilt making in a historical setting. When does a book stop being historical? 

It is the making of a New Year’s Quilt by Silvia, the main character, that is the basis of this novel, upon completion it will be presented to her step-daughter who is against her father, Andrew, marrying Sylvia. They know she will be very angry when she learns they are married.

If you have been reading these books in order of publication, starting with THE QUILTERS APPRENTICE, you know that each book reveals information regarding Sylvia’s past that sheds life on her present personality.  I appreciated learning the story behind the New Year’s Quilt; readers of the other books will go “ooohhhh!”  Will the quilt be finished in time, to present it to her new step-daughter? 

The bigger question:  How does Andrew and Sylvia get past an adult daughter’s rejection of their marriage?  Especially since she does not know, the purpose of the visit is to reveal the wedding which occurred Christmas.  So what happened?  The reader may like it or not like it, depending on how they feel about senior citizens getting married and how much influence children should have in their parents’ lives. 

I will be reading The Winding Ways Quilt next, after I finish a few others. Will I be able to read the other 13 books before the end of the year? My reading list gets longer and longer. 

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED