Are you in a book club?  I was in one.  Once.  When I wasn't shy about expressing my annoyance with the leading character in the book, I wasn't invited back.  So much for sharing, right!

Oh, and on a side note, the movie Book Club is really funny.  Don Johnson and Andy Garcia... they sure have aged nicely.  

But back to books - quilt books to be specific!  This stack of new books has arrived on my desk-table-counter-whatever and after scanning, reading, drooling and going back through several a second time, I thought I could share a few of these titles with you.  

Since it's a big stack, let me get to it.

Christmas Figs Block of the Month Sampler Quilt and Projects by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co.  Focusing on this stunning Christmas quilt, this book is includes projects related to the blocks, including table-runners, wall-hangings and pillows.

I need this pillow.  Not one like it... this one.  It's in the book.  

Stitch & Sew by Aneela Hoey.  When it comes to small bags, boxes, trinkets and cute stuff, Aneela is a master.  Her techniques are good, well-explained and accessible - she makes zippers easy.  Simple zipper bags and cases are embellished with a variety of designs - as in, there are multiple embroidery motifs for each bag or project.  

Sleigh Bells by Jan Patek.  This book is coming in August and it's gorgeous!  Make all the blocks for a 62" x 90" quilt, or make some of the blocks for smaller projects.  Needle-turn applique and simple piecing will make this Winter-themed folk art quilt the perfect project for the fall and winter months.      

Yes, a better picture of the entire quilt was in order.    

Table-Runner Roundup by Amelia Johanson.  For someone who will happily admit to not making or using table-runners, this book has a couple that caught my eye... that I might use to adapt for one of those long bed pillows that are so popular right now.  The thirteen designs vary from traditionally pieced to very modern improv-ish in prints and solids.  If you like table-runners, this is a book you should check out.

Patchwork Loves Embroidery Too by Gail Pan.  What is it with the Aussies and their love of handwork?  From embroidery to every kind of hand-stitching, they love it all, and Gail is one of the best at it.  As it was in Patchwork Loves Embroidery, Gail mixes terrific pieced projects with embroidered embellishment with really lovely results.

Okay, bias alert.  Gail is one of my favorite people to see at Quilt Market.  She's funny, charming and just lovely to be around.  And her work would still be awesome even if she wasn't.  

A Prairie Journey by Kathleen Tracy.  If you love small quilts made with scraps and the "make-do" style, then you're going to love this book because nobody does that better than Kathleen.  She's published numerous patterns and books over the years and her designs are always distinctive.  Better yet, they're so good, her small quilts work in every style of fabric.

Easy Precision Piecing by Shelley Scott-Tobisch.  C & T Publishing must have a thing about precise piecing.  They published the books by Sally Collins years ago and this is an outstanding follow-up to those iconic books. 

It's for beginners and near-experts, and every one in between.  There is something for everyone - cutting and stitching, seam allowance, prepping fabric, keeping pieces and parts organized while working on a project, pressing... it's all in there.  And there are a dozen great projects to put your skills to the test.

Quilter's Date Keeper by Bonnie K. Hunter.  I couldn't get a good picture of the cover on this one but it's the second from the top in the stack shown above.  It's a perpetual weekly calendar featuring tips, tricks, quotes and sixty of Bonnie's scrap quilts.  If you're a Quiltville fan - or have one on your gift list - this calendar has your name on it!

Easy Layer-Cake Quilts 2 by Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson of Me & My Sister Designs.  When it comes to fast and easy quilts, Barbara and Mary wrote the book.  Literally!  Twice.  Their designs are popular, versatile and most are easily adapted to make different sizes - bigger and smaller.

This is Stacks.  One Layer Cake and a Bella Solid background - either a Bella Layer Cake or yardage.  Cut, cut, sew, press, trim and the blocks are done.  Does it get any better than that?

Flossie Teacakes Guide to English Paper Piecing by Florence Knapp.  True story - I would buy a Flossie Teacakes Guide to anything!  How could you not love Florence for that title?  The best part is that the book is even better than the name!  It's everything you might ever want to know about English paper-piecing, especially when it comes to fussy-cutting fabrics to get over-the-top spectacular designs.  If you like EPP, or if you're just considering dabbling, add this book to your list.  

The Art of Mixing Textiles in Quilts by Lynn Schmitt.  I met Lynn more than ten years ago at a quilt retreat-shop in Illinois.  She has an artist's eye for color and pattern, and she's fearless when it comes to experimenting because "why not?"  Just as the cover says, the projects in this book mix wool and silk with quilting cotton and decorator fabrics.  

Visible Mending by Jenny Wilding Cardon.  Artful Stitchery to Repair and Refresh Your Favorite Things... this should really say And to make some of your not-so-favorite things into something wonderful and cool!

Whether it's called darning or embellishment, boho or practical, this kind of stitching is very "on trend" these days and Jenny shares ideas, examples and techniques that make it easy to dive in and get stitching.

All those ripped jeans... this is so much better.  Thank you Jenny!

My Doll My Style by Anna Allen.  I wasn't sure about this one but it was in the stack so... surprise!  While I don't have dolls, I have friends with granddaughters and yes, they make doll clothes.  (Apparently doll clothes can be a bit pricey.)  The styles are simple and versatile, and many are easily sewn with leftover pieces of fabric, and even with old clothing.  There are some knits so... old t-shirts?

French Farmhouse by Marie-Claude Picon.  Marie-Claude is a French girl living, designing and creating quilts in France on the French Riviera.  (I know... road trip!) Her style was influenced by the Amish quilts of Ohio and Pennsylvannia, and by a meeting with Judie Rothermel.  Her quilts are often embellished with wool appliqué and embroidery in a style that is all her own.  

This is Wish Upon A Star.  Ticking stripes, plaids and prints combined with wool stars give this quilt a comfortable, aged look.  Marie includes her tips for mixing value and scale to give quilts a vintage feel.  

Thank you to the lovely folks at Krause, C&T Publishing and Martingale for sharing these books - we appreciate it!

So which one caught your eye?  Do you have a favorite?

That's it for today - Happy Tuesday!