Out West BOM Block Three: Western Books
For block #3 Pat wants us to let our imagination fill in the blanks with Western Novels, we can’t wait to read some of these!

The block download is further down the page after Pat tells us about the inspiration for this month’s block.

The supply list and blocks during the year will always be found at our landing page for the Mystery. The five prior years are also still available at the ‘Mystery BOM’ tab above.

CLICK HERE for the Project Page if you are just joining us or to download the supply list!

At the end of our posts each month we showcase a quilt shop that we think is amazing. You will be able to find new shops to visit on your travels.

Also be sure to visit Pat’s page for additional tips, hints, information, and to enter your block for a chance to win her giveaway each month!

Novels About the West - A Few Classics
Are you an avid reader? With the ability to click and see so many things online, we can dive into any place to experience it by ‘seeing it.’ But it is nice to stop and crack open an actual book every so often. To join the author and let their words, and our imagination, build the images of the West woven through their story telling.

Below are a few classics to add to your reading list (even if you read on a kindle like I do!).

1903 The Log of a Cowboy by Andy Adams – Reading old novels can be very tedious as they don’t write in our current style. The review said this one was very readable the whole way through. It has real life stories from the author who spent twelve years in the saddle. It is fiction, but what cowboy story isn’t a bit of fiction?

1912 Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey – Have you read any Zane Grey? He was very prolific, and wrote a lot of easy to read Western novels which are sometimes called the ‘Dime Store’ novels. I can remember my grandfather telling me he read them as a kid. To see all the books and movies from Zane go to his wiki page. His home is also a museum.

1953 Hondo by Louis L’amour – I found it interesting that this book came after the movie. Many consider this his most classic story. I think it would be so interesting to listen to the audio version of it.

1968 True Grit by Charles Portis – You might have seen this as a movie, it’s been made into several. The novel has you following a 14-year-old girl seeking revenge for the murder of her father and a one-eyed US Marshal named Rooster Cogburn that she takes with her to ‘get the job done.’ Ok... I’ve got this one on my kindle and I’ve never read it!

21 Western Novels Every Man (and Woman) Should Read

Best Western Novels of All Time

More Contemporary Western Novelists
Tony Hillerman – At one point when I was reading Tony Hillerman novels I could not WAIT for the next one to come out. And I’m a fast reader so they were devoured quickly and then I had to wait again. I love books in a series where I get to know the characters. Now I want to pick up one that I’ve not read.

C.J. Box – The author of 27 novels, including his Joe Pickett series. His novel Blue Heaven won the Edgar Alan Poe award for Best Novel in 2009. From his website "He is a Wyoming native who worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small town newspaper reporter and editor. and he owned an international tourism marketing firm with his wife Laurie." And he writes lots of wonderful Western novels! I have gotten a sample of the novel Bitterroots as that is the area of Montana my mom lives in.

Patrick deWitt – His book The Sisters Brothers kept came coming up on the lists. This novel will be made into a movie, like so many great books are. It’s about two brothers who have the last name of ‘Sisters’ which… makes that title so attention grabbing doesn’t it? They are hired killers and this is the story of the underworld of the 1850 frontier.

Other authors to check out:
Ivan Doig
Craig Johnson
Larry McMurty
Thomas Berger
Elmer Kelton

Also, here is a great list to check out!

Western Quote of the Month

"That the only goal for man was beauty, and that beauty was found only in harmony, and that this harmony of nature was a matter of dazzling complexity."
- Tony Hillerman, Dance Hall of the Dead

Our featured quilt shop for March, First City Quilts in Leavenworth, Kansas, is sewing along with Out West! Be sure to stop and and visit them. Details below.

** CLICK over to my website to add your block to my quilt show on my website, you might be my monthly random pick to win a prize!

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Are you loving our Out West theme this year? Leave me a comment below telling me about your favorite Western book! Have you ever done a book-related quilt?

Featured Shop
Take a look at another GREAT quilt shop this month! Once you download the block, visit them, it’s so fun to find new quilt shops to visit!

First City Quilts, Leavenworth, Kansas
First City Quilts is where Tradition meets Modern by offering a selection of the industry’s finest fabrics, notions, patterns, books, kits, tools and more.

Located in Leavenworth, KS, our brick and mortar location is classy and well organized, with a friendly atmosphere that inspires learning and creativity. Our goal is to provide you with the products,services and atmosphere you need to let your imaginations soar and realize that with creativity your POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

Largest Colorwall in the KC Metro - Batiks - Reproduction/Civil War - Patriotic - Novelty - Tula - Kaffe
Landscape - Christmas - Fall - Halloween - Wide Backing - Minky
First City Quilts Exclusive Patterns

Owner: Maria McKenzie and Connie Linder
First City Quilts
200 S 5th St
Leavenworth, Kansas

Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstCityQuilts/
Website: https://www.firstcityquilts.com/

Email:
info@firstcityquilts.com

Phone:
(913) 682-8000

Hours:
Sunday & Monday - Closed
Tues - Fri: 10 - 5
Sat: 10 - 3

Where you can find Pat:

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