“Books are uniquely portable magic.”
Stephen King
Besides sewing and other creative outlets, one thing I really enjoy is reading. To escape in a book, into new worlds, learning about new things, it’s amazing. Of course I own fashion books, as they help me learn re pattern cutting techniques, styles etc, but I also love a good novel! As I am winding down for the Summer break (I will be here, but working less than normal, so I can spend time with my family and also have a break to rest and have my machines all spruced up), you can oat times find me at the library to find new books to read. 🙂 In case you love books too, I thought I’d share a few I enjoyed reading, mostly sewing inspired of course (my blog and work is, after all, about sewing), though I have thrown in a non sewing inspired book too. Just because it’s my favourite one. 🙂 Actually let’s start with that one! Â
No spoilers ahead btw, these are literally books I enjoyed and I am not a book reviewer of course haha! But in case anyone needed a little inspo for a Summer Read, here you go. 🙂Â
The Host; Stephenie Meyer
Nothing to do with sewing, I think there is a bit about folks repairing their clothes in there (maybe one sentence), but I have read this book over and over so far. I can’t really say what catches my attention so much each time, but I do notice details I missed previous time, every single read. Perhaps moving to another country, makes me connect with this book, as Wanderer/Wanda of course has to get used to a whole new planet, a whole new way of doing things. I won’t do any spoilers, as I personally want to be surprised when I read something. See where it takes me. 🙂 But if you enjoy sci-fi, bit of romance and just general escapism, I do recommend giving this one a go. 🙂
Cinderella’s dress; Shonna Slayton
From a young age, I have always loved fairytales. Efteling is of course one of my favourite places due to this, with its fairytale forest. Maybe that is why FB ads started showing me books by this writer and reading the little blurb, I got curious! The story is very interestingly done! The story of Cinderella being real and her dress, instead of just being this fantastic dream gown, come with so much history, excitement and intrigue. The details in the story, describing gowns, fashions and daily life during WW2, as someone in sewing, it was wonderful to shape it all in my mind. Â
Christian Dior’s New Look launching being discussed in here, as a side note, is very accurate too! We now see it as something inspirational and an amazing step in fashion, which it was, but when it first arrived, not everyone saw it as such. The writer combining a very well known fairy tale with history and sewing, I can’t wait to read the sequel! Oh yes, there is a sequel!
The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive; Lucy Adlington
This one won’t be everyone’s cup of tea for a Summer read, but I thought I’d pop it on anyway. As the title grabbed me the minute I saw it. I had never heard of this, till I saw the book in my local library. I haven’t read it entirely just yet, as with this subject, I always need to read it in parts. As, let’s be honest, it hits hard. I did find what I have read so far, very grounding. We all hate making mistakes in our jobs, but the repercussion is never as bad as it would be in this case. Auschwitz Museum also has a social media presence, for anyone wanting to learn more. It’s not an uplifting subject, but it is an important one.
Little side note: For anyone that finds this part of history fascinating, if you haven’t watched it yet, “A Small Light” on Disney+ and Nat Geo TV is also one I highly recommend. The fashions are so accurate and the story is so well done. I read Anne Frank’s Diary when I was about 10 years old, like many before me and I’m sure many will go after me, this series was just amazing. Showing the other side of the story. Not a book, I know, but thought it was worth a mention too.Â
What I’m reading now
These two I am reading at the moment, so I can’t say much yet. But it will be interesting to see what the author has done with the story of Gabrielle Chanel in the shape of a novel (I have read biographies about her). It’s always tricky trying to make a novel about someone that really existed, as you’re more restricted by reality. But so far, so good! Once the Chanel one is read, onto the other one! Both look good to me!
Do you have any books you love? Feel free to share in the comments! Sewing related or not! I am always on the lookout for more!
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Happy (Summer) reading!
