Now we’re bringing book reviews back again. After all, people still love books. Watch for monthly book reviews beginning today. We’ll be highlighting works by local and regional authors as well as books that are connected somehow to Utah.

We are excited to review books for both children and adults, and to be part of keeping the love of books and reading alive.

I’m not much of a quilter, so I wasn’t sure about reading Stitched by Eli McCann. But, I love Pride and Prejudice, even though I’m not the second of five daughters of an early 1800s landowner. So I read McCann’s novel and I’m glad I did. 

Stitched is about a quilting group that has been meeting weekly to work on their creations together for decades in Ogden, Utah. The group, traditionally made up of all women, is preparing for an important competition. One member invites two younger friends – two gay men – to join the group and help them to create a quilt worthy of winning. 

Photo supplied

At first the two men are dubious, but they gradually become so involved with the group members that they enjoy it and want to continue. The individual group members each have history and struggles and as readers, we learn about these as we read about the preparations for the competition. By the way, who knew that there was so much competition in the quilting world, including some bitter rivalry and attempts to thwart the creative efforts of one group of quilters?

While the story is about quilting and the plot might be described as a quilting group preparing for a competition, I found it to be more about connection, something we all need. The quilters in the group have found a family with each other. This may be the larger reason that they have for sticking with each other for three decades. It seems that the newer members, Rob and Byron, want to stay with the group because of these connections, not because of the quilting. In fact, although they are the newest members, they reach out to one of the others, who is really struggling, in one of my favorite parts of the book. 

Sprinkled all through the story are witty exchanges, funny one-liners and hilarious predicaments. I found myself laughing several times while reading. Some stories are either heartwarming or funny, but not both. In this case, the author succeeded in writing a touching tale of friendship with humor woven throughout.  

I would have liked to know more about some of the characters, such as Rob – was there a reason he was seemingly so quiet and introspective?  But one of the most difficult tasks for writers is to tell their stories without going overboard with the number of pages. 

I know that a book is worth reading if I am disappointed when it comes to an end. I want to read more. That was the case with this novel. 

Stitched, published by Torrey House Press, was released on September 8 and debuted at #5 on the New York Times Bestseller List on September 16. 

Quotable Quote: Are we supposed to pretend we can’t hear you? 

Character I would like to meet up with for lunch: Byron, although Leera is a close second. 

Elevator Pitch: A colorful group of friends work together to create a quilt and to help each other through life’s funny and difficult goings-on. 

Best season to read this book: Any, but a humorous, heartwarming book would be perfect for fighting off the winter doldrums. 

What to eat while reading this book: Peach cobbler, even if it’s not made by Betty Lou, using the peaches she canned last year.