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Liked It “Is a lot like Debbie Macomber books that I've read. Good characters and plot.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Is a lot like Debbie Macomber books that I've read. Good characters and plot.”
Kathie R wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A very nice read! Looking forward to the next segment.”
Diane S wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“he cast of characters in this book is both quirky and lovable. I enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them and am now determined to go back and read The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society! I am hoping for more books with this group. I suggest you pick this one up to read over a lazy weekend, curled up in your favorite chair, with a cup of tea or hot chocolate by your side.”
Kristi (Books and Needlepoint) wrote this review Saturday, August 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Sweet, easy read. Likable characters, though predictable plot.”
Marci M wrote this review Sunday, August 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Better than average, because it's a little more realistic, that is, not everyone solves their problems by the end. "Merry wished her smile was as genuine as Ruthie's broad, toothy grin. Even though she thought the older woman was a bit too free-spirited, she envied her naturally sunny disposition. Merry's chipper outlook came from sheer determination, not from any sense of optimism." (14-5)”
Libby H wrote this review Friday, November 21 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“liked it, but it seemed like there were too many characters--we didn't get to know any of them very well.”
Anne S wrote this review Sunday, August 31 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoyed reading this book. When I first started reading it, I could picture our local librarian as Eugenie. Our librarian is much more relaxed with those in her library though. Thank goodness since my family enjoys visiting and we aren't the quietest bunch.
bigguysmama wrote this review Saturday, August 30 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I could absolutely relate to wanting to help Hannah, what some would deem "trailer trash". Those are the kids I love because I want them to know how precious they are. So, I wanted the Knit Lit Society to really rally around her. They had the same response to her as many adults do to these kinds of kids. Beth really understood how Hannah was being viewed by each of the Society members.
Speaking of Society members, there are a lot of storylines going on and Beth handles them fluidly. First there's Eugenie, who basically runs the group. She's the librarian that likes order in everything, including her life. Of course, what would a great book be without undoing the put together one? Then there are the sisters; Esther and Ruthie. These two take sibling rivalry to a whole new level. Well, at least Esther does. Beth made it very easy to dislike Esther! And next is Merry, mom of 3 and wife to Jeff. I could absolutely relate to her; the hecticness of her life and the disdain she recieves from her daughter. Camille is the young one of the group. Taking care of her ailing mom has kept her from leaving Sweetgum. She dreams of shopping in Paris, but is relegated to running her mom's small clothing shop.
When Eugenie brings Hannah into their knitting and reading group, she turns the group upside down. They're all prepared for the reading that was already planned for the next 6 months. She instead changes all their reading to Classic novels such as Little Women and Pollyanna. Beth did a wonderful job picking books that would reveal a struggle each of her characters was going through. Seems like a daunting task if you ask me.
Each of these characters works through something in this book, although when it comes to Esther I'm pretty sure she hasn't learned anything. Man I wanted to reach through the pages of my book and wring her neck! I wish there were a 2nd book so she would get her come uppance! It would be great to see Hannah's life turned around, Camille make it in the big city, and Ruthie find love in this late period of her life.
My one issue with the book was Eugenie and Paul. *SPOILER ALERT* Because he's a pastor of the church, I find it hard to be okay with them having a relationship. The Bible tells us not to be unequally yoked. The only time Eugenie steps into a church is to have her book club. As we dive more into her past, it seems she wants nothing to do with the church. So, decades have gone by and she has no desire for God, or so it seems to me. You would think Paul, having been a pastor for his entire adult life, would know that this relationship would be a poor example to his congregation. I know, I'm being critical on this point when I truly enjoyed the entire book. Pastors are to be an example and to lead their flock. That was the stickler for me.
So, aside from that one issue, this was a really well written book. It was very emotional and tugged at my heart stings on so many levels. It's a book that will make you think of how you've lived your life and how you still want to live it.”
“"The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society" by Beth Pattillo is a heart warming read about five ladies who meet once a month to discuss books and knit. When one of the ladies, Eugenie, brings troubled teenager, Hannah, to the group, she changes the reading list to incorporate wonderful classic titles for the young girl. As the ladies revisit these classics from their own childhoods, they are confronted by the life issues that they have left unresolved.
Stacey D wrote this review Friday, July 25 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This charming, heartfelt novel showcases the value of friendship, love and the grace of God. It is laugh-out loud funny and a good, cathartic cry all rolled into one! This novel helped to remind me that angry young people are frequently hiding pain and that it only takes one person to take an interest and truly make a difference in their lives. There is even a shawl pattern included for knitting. This would be a great selection for your book club.”
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Patillo is the newest in a flourishing genre of chick lit books focusing on a handicraft. In this case knitting, plus a book group. Eugenie, the long time town librarian runs the society with an iron fist, so when she brings in teenaged Hannah, troubled and caught tearing pages out of a library book, to do penance by attending the meetings and cleaning the library, all of the other members are changed by her presence. Esther and Ruthie are sisters who couldn't be more different. Esther is picture perfect, but her husband is in love with free-wheeling Ruthie. Camille is only 24 but has given up her dreams of leaving small town Sweetgum to take care of her ailing mother. Merry is an overstressed mother with a faltering marriage and a surprise pregnancy. These different women all come to the society for their own reasons and find the same thing: family, acceptance, and love. But only after Hannah forces them to drop their facades and really see each other and themselves. Not too much attention is paid to the books read or the knitting, just enough to keep the plot moving without dragging. These women were so real; they shop next to you in the grocery store and sit next to you in the church pew. Patillo captures their hopes and dreams and makes all of them (even Esther) sympathetic. I hope that this is only the first in a series, because I want to know these characters better and watch them grow.”
clockstein wrote this review Thursday, June 26 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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