Marie Bostwick

Reader Comments about A SINGLE THREAD

Kensington
ISBN: 9780758222572
(October 28, 2008)

Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Marie Bostwick's A SINGLE THREAD.

Bonnie from Muskegon, MI

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
I'd never read anything by Marie Bostwick before. I never had even heard of her.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
I enjoy many authors including Anita Shreve, Barbara Kingsolver, Laurie Notaro, Jodi Picoult, Lionel Shriver, Jen Lancaster and others.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I thoroughly enjoyed A SINGLE THREAD and have already recommended it to others. It was interesting, honest, and heartfelt, and it taught me a little about quilting, about which I knew nothing. It wasn't a revelation, but a very comforting, entertaining way to spend my reading time. Often, that's more than enough. I thought the characters were well-rounded and believable and, more importantly, I liked them. The plot was true to life and showed what friendship is all about.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
I'd certainly read other books by the author.

Linda from St. Paul, MN

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
No, this is my first novel by Marie.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Beverly Lewis, Terri Blackstock, Hannah Alexander, Francine Rivers (LEOTA’S GARDEN is excellent), Dee Henderson, Eugenia Price and Bodie Thoene. There are many more, as I am an avid reader.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I thought it was a well-written book. Since I have disabilities, I can relate to her loss of friends at the time of her divorce. This is a good book to remind those not in these situations to maybe stick it out with their friend(s). Even before I got to the section in the book about friends, it came across to me that people need people. Her message was clearly outlined: don't go it alone, whether it's divorce, sickness, disability, etc. The quilting group was a great way to reach out and meet new friends in the book. Her dependence on someone else was good to see, also. I, personally, would like to get into a Christian writer's book club to discuss books as a new way for me to meet new friends.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Yes. I've learned she has some historical novels, and I always enjoy well-written historical fiction. I like her style of writing, minus some of the swearing.

Linda from Three Oaks, MI

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
No, this is my first experience with her.

What other women's fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Jodi Picoult, Diana Gabaldon and Julia Spencer-Fleming.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I really enjoyed it. It was a very heartwarming story and I particularly enjoyed the quilting theme. I liked it so much that I passed it on to someone else who reads these types of books. So far, the feedback from her is also positive.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Yes.

Liz from Staten Island, NY

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
No.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
Jennifer Chiaverini, Mary Higgins Clark, Anita Diamant, Barbara Delinsky, Sara Donati, Linda Fairstein, Dorothea Benton Frank, Diana Gabaldon, Philippa Gregory, Hannah Howell, Jodi Picoult, Luanne Rice, Karen Robards, J. D. Robb, Nora Roberts, Amy Tan and Gail Tsukiyama.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. What caught me was that one of my closest friends had just been diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer that Evelyn has.

I admired Evelyn's wiliness to return to a dream she had put on hold 20 years earlier and still have the courage to go for it now. Although there were times I was not a fan of Abigail, her fear of getting close made me feel sad that she is so closed off from who she is, and that people would and could love the humans we all are. Liza was the most hopeful character in that you could just feel the hurt and pain under her outrageous behavior and attitude. The only character I never got a good handle on was Margot --- she seemed to be outside the openness or back story of the other characters and I could never be sure how I felt about her. She annoyed me at times with her cheerfulness and gung-ho attitude.

I would strongly recommended this book to all my friends; in fact I am passing it on tomorrow to a friend to read.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Definitely.

Loren from Appleton, WI

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
No.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Debbie Macomber and Dorothea Benton Frank.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I enjoyed it very much --- the characters were believable and the plot was interesting.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Yes.

Mary from Irondequoit, NY

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
No, I haven't read any other books by Marie Bostwick, but I will now.

What other women's fiction authors do you usually read?
I usually read Jodi Picoult, Anita Shreve and Alice Hoffman.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I enjoyed reading A SINGLE THREAD. It was a good story. It reminded me of THE FIRDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB and A GOOD YARN. As I read A SINGLE THREAD, I kept thinking about how wonderful it would be to be able to go to a shop like the one in the story. I've always wanted to learn to quilt, and reading the story reminded me of my wish. I had an immediate connection to the story from the first line of the book: "One of my happiest memories is one of my mother's worst."

I enjoyed the main characters, Evelyn and Abigail. When Evelyn finally told her son about her breast cancer, I was reminded of how mothers always try keep their bad news from their adult children, denying themselves the support their children can provide. There were parts of the story that were predictable, but overall, I think Marie Bostwick portrayed what it is like to be a woman with breast cancer accurately and sympathetically. She showed how a woman truly needs the support and love of friends and family to cope with breast cancer.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Yes!

Lindsey from Caswell Beach, NC

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
I had not previously read a book by the author.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
Some women's fiction authors I usually read are Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Emilie Richards, Barbara Delinsky, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Luanne Rice, Marian Keyes and Lisa Scottoline.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I thought A SINGLE THREAD was very formulaic. I knew what would happen almost from page one. The book is very similar to Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street books, only the women are sewing quilts instead of knitting. However, I liked the characters and how they grew and changed by knowing each other and learning to quilt.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
I will probably read the next book in the series since I do like serials.

Monica from Jersey City, NJ

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
No.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Amy Tan, Nora Roberts and many others.

What did you think of A SINGLE THREAD?
I was disappointed. I was attracted to this book because of the storyline (and great cover), but I didn't think the characters were developed strongly enough and, at times, their actions and/or reactions got frustrating. Occasionally, I had to put the book down and walk away from it.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Probably not.

Pamela from Sweethome, OR

Have you previously read a book by Marie Bostwick?
I have not read any of her books before.

What other women’s fiction authors do you usually read?
I usually read between 10 and 15 different authors, depending on how their books sound to me.

Would you ever read a future book by Marie Bostwick?
Yes. I like the way she writes and will read more of her books. It was refreshing to read a book with a wholesome message.