What will you be reading on the last day of 2014?

For a slightly different take (at least for me, that is, not a quilter) on the New Year, try The New Year's Quilt: an Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and am learning more about quilts and the designs of the blocks with each title. This time, Sylvia, a main character, designs a special quilt, as a memoir for times past and a look ahead to the new year.

I like learning about severe weather and a recent read was Extreme Weather: a Guide and Record Book. This is the Climate Change Edition. It is by Christopher C. Burt with cartography by Mark Stroud. Lots of lists and charts and maps here, but also some great photos and information on really bad weather and what causes it.

Have you met Carl? If not, you are in for a treat! (Start with Good Dog, Carl.) The author, Alexandra Day is also the illustrator and her pictures are wonderful. The book I've chosen for this blog is Carl's Snowy Afternoon. Join Carl and Amy as they sneak past the babysitter for a romp outside.

There are poems and stories from faraway lands in Snowy Day, edited by Caroline Feller Bauer and illustrated by Margot Tomes. I found an old favorite about the noise of the city hushed by snow, and a new treat in a story from Japan about hats made for statues. A very nice collection.

A last minute find here: Winter: an Alphabet Acrostic, by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Leslie Evans. Beautiful winter time illustrations (hand colored linoleum cuts) and clever verse that can be read both across and down. I learned on the back cover that each season has a book by this team.

Happy New Year!

Reading Hermit With Dog