Stitches & Stories is a new concept book group for 2023. It is a collaboration between Jo from The Bobbin Sisters (Backfold, Hay-on-Wye) and Jules at North Books. We thought a book group of crafters who sit and discuss books while they work alongside each other would be rather fun. Jo takes the credit for coming up with the first five textile-themed books.

The group will meet on the third Thursday of every alternate month (starting with 16 February) from 4pm to 6pm, and refreshments will be included.

Bring a stitching project with you and don’t forget to read the book in advance! See below.

JOIN THE CLUB

The book club meetings are seated events, so places are limited, and the club is currently full to capacity for the February event. Please email Jules on jules@northbooks.co.uk or pop into the shop to add your name to the waiting list. Participation costs £2 (or is free if the book is purchased in advance from North Books at a 20% discount).

At North Books, 4 Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye on Thursday 16 February, 4–6pm.

THE BOOK

Our first novel up for discussion on Thursday 16 February is Dangerous Women by Hope Adams.

One hundred and eighty petty convicts all sentenced to transportation to Australia. On board the Rajah, Kezia makes it her duty to redeem them, enlisting a select few to create an intricate quilt. With each stitch, they are tied closer together.

But when one woman is murdered, Kezia’s work is threatened. She maintains faith in their innocence, even when the men leading the investigation do not. But if she can’t find the killer, then how can Kezia save them?