Margaret Goes Modern

by Frances O'Roark Dowell

From the author of Birds in the Air, a touching, big-hearted collection of short stories about women whose lives revolve around family, friends and quilt-making.

Meet Margaret, whose adventures in a new quilting group help her reconnect with her daughter as they grieve the slow loss of a loved one to Alzheimer’s.

Then there’s Liz, a quilter seeking her own tribe in a neighborhood of perfect moms. But maybe she has more in common with her neighbors than she thinks.

Sisters Amanda and Lucy, one dreamy, the other practical as the day is long, have financial woes that may force them to sell their beloved home. Can a quilt made with fabric from a mysterious aunt save the day?

Lisa is still reckoning with the loss of her best friend. Diving headfirst into a new quilt project, she learns that sometimes a gift can be a first step toward healing.

Melissa Bennett is sensible, smart and skeptical of marriage. A husband sounds nice, but with all the books and quilts in her life, where would she put him?

Genres: Fiction, Quilting

128 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2017

About the author

While Frances O'Roark Dowell (Dovey Coe, The Secret Language of Girls, Trouble the Water) is best known for her award-winning novels, she also hosts the popular "Off-Kilter Quilt" podcast, where she talks about her latest quilt projects with friends and fellow quilters around the globe. Her own little corner of the globe is Durham, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and a dog named Travis. Connect with her online at FrancesDowell.com.

Reviews

[Carole at From My Carolina Home · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of five short stories are engaging and wonderful, and every one of them would have been great developed into full novels. I devoured this book in just a couple of hours, just couldn't put it down! Margaret is bored with the traditional quilts in her guild, and when her granddaughter asks for a modern quilt, her world opens up to a brand new inspiration for quilting. Amanda and Lucy are on the brink of financial ruin, and the solution may be in an unexpected direction, with just a touch of magic in the air. Lisa is dealing with the death of her best friend, finding an unexpected solace in quilting. Liz is an imperfect mother with a love of quilting and an irritating, near perfect, somewhat judgemental neighbor who doesn't quilt. Melissa believes she has a perfect single life, until it is upended by a 10-year-old charmer, an unexpected man and a quilt that permeates her dreams. Great reading for short bits of time, and I eagerly anticipate Frances' next full length novel.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of short stories, written by the wonderful author Frances O'Roark Dowell. One need not be a quilter to love these stories, but they are extra special for those who quilt or love quilts. I was not familiar with Frances's writing until I started listening to her audio book, Friendship Album, 1933. Frances is writing and sharing this book online about every week, which I love, but listening to it is not the same as reading. I've stayed away from audio books until the past six months or so, when I switched from listening to public radio on my daily commute to audio books. I just couldn't listen to any more Trump news. Instead, I retreated to books. Getting back to her short stories after this segue, let me say thank you to my daughter for this Christmas book. I loved it, loved the stories, and love Frances's writing. I think my friends will, too.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories were enjoyable to read. As a long time listener of the author’s podcast, The Off Kilter Quilt, I could hear Frances’ voice in every story. As a quilter, I appreciate reading stories with characters as immersed in quilting as I am, and all the details about quilting are spot on. I won my copy of the book in a giveaway, but I would have been glad to have paid for it.

[CadyCan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will need to flesh review out when got time. Lovely stories. Just very disappointing that each was so short. Especially the 2nd & 3rd stories & possibly the last one, were all shaping up to be the beginnings or really good books or stories that could possibly even be combined into one good book. It’s like the author had an idea for a story but had no idea how to progress or finish it.

[Morrisonmm77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for those who sew

If you sew, this book is for you! It will get you and speak to your soul. Lovely short stories about how and why sewing saves us, inspires and nourishes us! Not to be missed!

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book. It is a series of short stories that are all related to quilting. It shows how important quilts are and how they help in times or stress, sorrow or happiness. If you are a quilter you will enjoy the stories.

[Zippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great set of short stories with a quilting theme. I even cried.

[Lynn Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful collection of short stories.

[Sandy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Frances fan!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Kresti Lyddon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several lovely short stories, all about a quilt or quilters and how they tie people together.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book of short stories with quilters as the main characters.

[Stephanie Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, entertaining short storie

Loved all the stories, particularly ‘improv’ and ‘a quilt for Dr Watson’ - witty and fun and completely relatable! Definitely one for quilters

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories pertaining to quilting. This was fun read for an online book club where the moderator interviewed the author.

[Arlene Mcleish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five short stories, all with the common theme of quilting. Thought provoking and witty - made me laugh and cry at the same time.

They don't take long to read - ideal for that bus commute...

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quilt fun

An enjoyable collection of stories that all involved quilters…just my cup of tea! The last story of the collection was my favorite.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story of Quilts

I loved this book of stories about quilting and books, I wish it was longer though. It ended too soon and I wanted to know more.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, refreshing and light. Perfect to read under a quilt in front of a fire.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick stories with likable characters. Some of the stories ended quicker than I wanted them to - hoping a few of the characters made it into other books. Only read if you love quilting!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what I thought this would....

Not sure what kind of book I thought this would be. I liked it but, it leaves you wondering “What Happened?”

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book through my subscription to QuiltFolk magazine and enjoyed it. Good quilting short stories!