Rating: 
Summary: Fulfillment
Review: After the events of "Round Robin", many assumed that Jennifer Chiaverini had stretched the story format to the breaking point. What could she possibly do now that could match, much less surpass, what she did in the first two books? Were we in for a surprise. The book starts, and for the most part, stays in the location of Elm Creek in the early days of the twenty-first century; there are dips into the past to show us some important threads which runs through this book, and how it ran through the other two (even if we didn't realize it at the time.) While the protests against the Vietnam war are going on in the various ivy-encrusted institutions (which Ms. Chiaverini rightly states were well-intentioned, but seriously misguided), a young boy on a farm in Kansas is growing up. We begin to see the very tide of history progress as we realize that the events of the last 30 years have been a definite progression; how we have accomplished more since 1970 since we accomplished between the fall of Rome and the signing of the Decleration of Independence. Ms. Chiaverini casts off the delusion of the pothead Baby Boomers and their spawn and teaches us that the "high water mark" that Hunter S. Thompson was refeering to has not been reached yet. This book, then, is about history. Just as the first book was about temporal physics, and the second book about super-string theory. It doesn't contain the technical jargon, but it does contain a great deal more conscience and heart. You'll notice that I haven't said much about the plot thus far-- even though it is not the central fixture of the book, I do believe that you will find it interesting; especially as we see the connection of the Elm Creek quilting circle and our main character. I recommend this book especially; it is truly engrossing, and is filled with a message of hope that does rely on sappy sentimentality to deliver it.
Rating:
Summary: Jennifer Chiaverini has done it again!
Review: As with all of her books, Ms. Chiaverini makes it so that you can not put the book down. Like a good box of chocolates (something that all quilters have to have) I tried to make myself only read a chapter a night so that I could enjoy the book for many days. I started on Thursday night with one chapter... Friday with another chapter... Started the third chapter on Saturday night at about 8:30... Finished the book on Sunday morning at 2:00 am!My only question... when is the next one coming out????
Rating: 
Summary: A lovely novel
Review: Chiaverini has again written a beautiful, heartwarming story covering the lives of friends, and how women can come together over objects they create from their own hands. An unlikely circle of women meet at Elm Creek Manor for a week-long quilt camp. As these women begin working on various projects, they realize that they are all experiencing different stresses in their lives. The women experience illness, trouble with their children and grandchildren, and work difficulties. None are extraordinary hardships - they are what women everywhere face on a daily basis. In order to help each other with their problems, the women decide to work on a challenge quilt - however, they are not permitted to start on their square until they have addressed the problems afflicting their lives. As the book progresses, each woman is followed on her individual journey. The stories are perhaps predictable, but are told with such loving care that the reader cannot help but find themselves cheering each of these lovely people on. The only disappointment about Cross-Country Quilters is that little time was devoted to Elm Creek Manor itself. Through Chiaverini's last two books I have grown to love the Elm Creek Quilters, and was looking forward to reading about their latest triumphs. Overall, Cross-Country Quilters is a wonderful read and is well-recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-warming story
Review: Every year quilters from around the country gather at the Elm Creek Quilt Camp. This installment of the series features five women who bring with them hurts from their past. There is an aging movie star, a woman who is worried about her grandson's single state, a single mother who is encountering difficulties in raising her young son, a woman who is frightened by her doctor's diagnosis, and the mother of a young woman who is involved in a troubling relationship. As they participate in the camp's activities, they improve their quilting skills, but more importantly, they form a close friendship where they feel free to share their concerns with the others in the group. They decide to make a challenge quilt in the year before the next camp. Each of them declares the personal challenge that she has taken on and each one agrees to create part of a quilt which will signify the overcoming of the challenge. The book follows their lives as they are together and apart, and shows that quilting is a simile for the friendship which binds their separate lives together. This is a satisfying and heartwarming book.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-warming story
Review: Every year quilters from around the country gather at the Elm Creek Quilt Camp. This installment of the series features five women who bring with them hurts from their past. There is an aging movie star, a woman who is worried about her grandson's single state, a single mother who is encountering difficulties in raising her young son, a woman who is frightened by her doctor's diagnosis, and the mother of a young woman who is involved in a troubling relationship. As they participate in the camp's activities, they improve their quilting skills, but more importantly, they form a close friendship where they feel free to share their concerns with the others in the group. They decide to make a challenge quilt in the year before the next camp. Each of them declares the personal challenge that she has taken on and each one agrees to create part of a quilt which will signify the overcoming of the challenge. The book follows their lives as they are together and apart, and shows that quilting is a simile for the friendship which binds their separate lives together. This is a satisfying and heartwarming book.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful work of women's fiction
Review: Everyone familiar with the hobby respects the famous quilting retreat at Elm Creak Manor in Waterford, Pennsylvania. Strangers come there to camp and life long friendships have formed such as the accidental meeting of the Cross-Country Quilters who vow to return next year. The group consists of people from a wide variety of lifestyles. Long time attendee octogenarian Vinnie has been at Elm Creek every year since it opened. Julia the actress needs to learn the art for a part. Award winning Grace suffers from a nasty medical diagnosis that has left her with a quilter's mental block. Megan earned a week at the camp as a prize from a quilting magazine and is accompanied by her cyber-friend Donna, escaping from a daughter that is worrying her to death. Even after the camp ends, the participants stay in contact encouraging, boosting, and cheering each one's triumphs. Jennifer Chiaverini has written a special book that demonstrates the resiliency and courage of an extraordinary group of determined women. Although Elm Creek manor is not the star of the story line, it serves as they catalyst that generates the development of subplots into a cohesive tale. THE CROSS COUNTRY Quilters is a powerful women's mainstream fiction at its literary best. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Jennifer Chiaverini Does it again
Review: I enjoyed this book even more than the first two. It reminded me so much of my online quilting friends, which made the book even more special. It seems that our lives can become the soap opera tales as in the book, so it was truly believable and fun reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: Jennifer Chiaverini Does it again
Review: I enjoyed this book even more than the first two. It reminded me so much of my online quilting friends, which made the book even more special. It seems that our lives can become the soap opera tales as in the book, so it was truly believable and fun reading experience.
Rating:
Summary: Cross Country Quilters
Review: I felt like was part of the circle.Couldn't wait to read the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Buy all of her books!!
Review: I have read all of her books and they are great reads.
I am not a quilter - so I passed them on to a friend who is because I am sure if you are you would really identify!
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