Hourglass BOM Through Block 11 and Two Book Recommendations

I am all caught up with the Hourglass Block of the Month from The Quilt Spot. I am just waiting for the final block pattern, #12. You can really see the sunshine and shadow effect that is made with the alternate log cabin blocks. 

I am currently reading two books which I am thoroughly enjoying.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. This is a chunker of a book, at over 700 pages. The story covers three generations of a family in Southern India that is cursed with a "condition" in which one person in each generation dies by drowning. It is an Oprah Book Club pick and an Amazon Best Book of the Year. This book is epic in its format, focusing on the evolution of medicine, the interconnected storylines of its characters, intense passion and tragedy, and most importantly the power of family. This book is massive in scope and lyrical in its writing. I am completely immersed in it and hope you give it a try despite its length.

Crippen by John Boyne. This Irish author is a real favorite of mine. Crippen is one of Boyne's earlier novels and is the fictionalized depiction of an actual crime that took place in 1910. Scotland Yard's Inspector Walter Dew is in pursuit of Hawley Crippen, a quack who is presenting himself as a doctor, and who may in fact be a murderer. Dr. Crippen's horrible wife Cora goes missing and her remains are discovered in the basement of their home, while Crippen and his mistress (who is disguised as a young man) escape on a cruise ship headed from England to Canada. In actual fact, Inspector Dew pursued their ship across the Atlantic, intending to make an arrest upon landing. The story is told in flashbacks and shifting points of view.  Even though the author has no actual historical support for his speculations, the characters' motivations are plausible and you will be turning the pages as fast as you can to see where the author takes us. This reimagined murder mystery is free on Kindle Unlimited and is definitely worth your while. Very Dickensian in style, with some ridiculous side characters who will have you laughing despite the subject matter. 

Comments

[Mary M]

I loved The Covenant of Water. I was a bit put back by the length but I was completely immersed in the book within a few pages.

[Jan]

Congrats on getting caught up on your monthly blocks! It's going to be a stunning quilt! Both books sound like they're worth the time to read them. Thanks for sharing your reviews, as always!

[Diane Linford]

Your quilt is so pretty. I love it. And I always look forward to your book recommendations.

[Carol]

You gave me a chuckle-- you're "immersed" in the drowning book- haha! Hope to get to some of your top book picks next year-- I'm "immersed" (read: drowning) in Christmas sewing! Congratulations on catching up your BOM-- it's fabulous! xoxo

[Susan W]

Thank you for the reading recommendations and the photo of your beautiful quilt!
Another good book about the Crippen murder and pursuit is
'Thunderstruck' by Erik Larson
He entwines the Crippen murder with the parallel true story of Marconi and the early use of the wireless telegraph to communicate with ships crossing the ocean. I always enjoy Larson's non fiction books that read like novels.

[Dona Zarosinski]

I also loved The Covenant of Water…did you read Cutting for Stone by the same author? Thanks for all your fun posts.

[Kathi Kittle]

Your quilt will be beautiful! I’m partial to blues.
I just ordered The Covenant of Water as a Christmas gift for someone based on your review. It sounds very good.
Thanks, as always, for your book reviews!

[Nann]

Love the quilt! I don't have time to tackle really long books any more. Crippen sounds very interesting.

[Anita]

Love your progress on your quilt! Can’t wait to see it done!