What Are You Reading?
Do you have a book on the go? Next Wednesday, 25 April, is World Book Night, so I am sharing some of my favourite recent reads to inspire you to grab a book and dive into a story.
I have always loved to read. When my children were young, I found that holidays were the time when I could dive into a book. I would generally choose the same genre as I wanted to be certain that I would get hooked by a tense thriller. Lately, I have found that I can dip in and out of books more frequently, and my selections have become more varied. I am enjoying discovering new authors based on recommendations from friends and family. I have shared some of my favourites below; you may already have read them, but if not, why not give them a try?
Of course, I could not omit my other love, sewing, from this post, and so I have teamed each book with a fabric which could have been inspired by the cover image!
Hamnet
Maggie O’Farrell
I am starting this list with the book I recommend to just about anyone. It is undoubtedly one of my favourite books of all time. The fictional story of William Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, has been awarded many literary prizes, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020 along with Waterstones Book of the Year. It is beautifully written, painting a vivid picture of family life in the 1580’s. I was hooked and wanted desperately for it not to end!
A traditional design by Morris & Co., Golden Lily is my fabric choice inspired by the cover.
Yellowface
RF Kuang
This book was not one I would ordinarily have picked up, but having been assured that I would enjoy it, I decided to give it a try - and it did not disappoint! It is a fast-paced story of 2 rising literary stars and the ramifications that play out when one steals from the other. The attempts of the perpetrator to keep their crime secret create an almost tangible tension and explore how far someone will go to protect themselves from discovery.
The vibrancy of this cover is so striking and bold in its design. I have paired it with a classic Liberty print, Capel in yellow, which brings a softness to the vivid splash of colour.
Girl With A Pearl Earring
Tracy Chevalier
I was drawn to this book simply because this is a favourite painting of mine. It has always captivated me. Tracy Chevalier tells the story of Griet, who is employed by the Vermeer family initially as a servant. Her perception and attention to detail are noticed by her employer, and this leads to her becoming his assistant and model. It is easy to read and transports the reader effortlessly to 17th century Delft, Holland.
The fabric I have selected pulls the beautifully soft earthy hues of the painting, creating an abstract design. Clarke & Clarke Figura Denim.
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
A magical tale of a circus which arrives without warning, opening only at night. The characters of this book are all remarkable, and you cannot fail to be transported into their world. At the heart of the magic lies a competition between two magicians, which only one can survive, and the circus is the stage on which their dual will be played out. I was engrossed by the magical world and vibrant characters created by the author and will certainly seek out more of her work.
My fabric choice is classic Orla Kelly, Abacus Flower Tomato. Always recognisable, her bold designs never fail to make a statement.
The Dance Tree
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
I loved the concept of this book. Set in sixteenth century Strasbourg, it tells the story of how a city unfolds into hysteria and frenzy when a woman starts to dance and cannot stop. Other women join her until hundreds dance uncontrollably in the town square. Musicians are hired by the men of the town to play the Devil out of the women.
Outside the city lives Lisbet, a pregnant woman who lives with her husband and mother-in-law. She looks after the bees on the farm that is the livelihood of the family. When her sister-in-law returns from a seven year penance on the mountain, Lisbet is determined to uncover the secret and discover what crime her sister-in-law committed to deserve such a punishment.
My fabric choice is a rich gold velvet by woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk which picks up beautifully on the colour palette.
I hope that you will be inspired to try some of my suggestions above. Maybe next time you pick up a book, have a look and see whether you can find a fabric to pair with it!
Happy sewing (and reading),
Suzanne, Charlotte and Rebecca