This sweet story, set in sleepy Sweetgum, Tennessee, knits together the lives of five typical smalltown residents and one angry teenager named Hannah. They meet the third Friday of the month to discuss the book of the month and display the knitting project assigned by librarian Eugenie. In the meantime each character wrestles with her own issues, and puzzles out a conclusion for her life. Along with their own issues comes a realization of Hannah's huge problems, and a conclusion for her, too.
Part of the conflict is a long-held secret between the two sisters, Ruth and Esther, and the satisfactory conclusion. Shadows from Eugenie's past haunt the controlled order of her life and she meets new challenges with unusual courage. Merry's perfect little life meets major roadblocks. Camille is held by strong ties of love to the town she longs to leave.
In her fourth novel, Pattillo skillfully ties all the threads together at the end, pouring in forgiveness, true love and a takeaway for the reader's life. I cheered long and hard for Hannah, the one "impossible" thread, that tucks itself into the knot at the end. Nothing surprising here, but a comfortable read that inspires the reader to be more kind and generous to those we don't fully understand. No high tension either, but a satisfying, challenging ending that any reader needs to encounter. Sometimes we become too complacent with our own lives and forget to consider strangers who may need us.

"The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society" by Beth Pattillo is a heart warming read about five ladies who meet once a month to discuss books and knit. When one of the ladies, Eugenie, brings troubled teenager, Hannah, to the group, she changes the reading list to incorporate wonderful classic titles for the young girl. As the ladies revisit these classics from their own childhoods, they are confronted by the life issues that they have left unresolved.

This charming, heartfelt novel showcases the value of friendship, love and the grace of God. It is laugh-out loud funny and a good, cathartic cry all rolled into one! This novel helped to remind me that angry young people are frequently hiding pain and that it only takes one person to take an interest and truly make a difference in their lives. There is even a shawl pattern included for knitting. This would be a great selection for your book club.

I HAVE READ BOTH BOOKS ABOUT THE KNIT LIT LADIES OF SWEETGUM AND HOPE THERE IS A SEQUEL. THE BOOKS EXPLORE LOVE, DISAPPOINTMENTS IN LIFE, SURVIVAL AND OVERCOMING RACIST OPINIONS. LOVE DOES NOT CONQUER ALL BUT IT HELPS. LOVE AND MONEY BOTH ARE KEYS TO SURVIVAL BUT THESE LADIES HAVE A STRONG SPIRIT OF SISTERHOOD AND OVERCOME LOSS OF LOVE, RENEWAL OF OLD LOVES, NEW LOVE, MONEY LOSSES AND THE LOVE OF A SMALL TOWN WHITE LADY AND THE BLACK FOOTBALL HERO RETURNED TO THE SMALL TOWN. I HOPE TO LEARN WHAT HAPPENS IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE QUIET, PLAIN MARIA AND THE RICH CITY LAWYER. DOES CAMILLE FIND THAT LEAVING SWEETGUM FOR THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS NOT ALL THAT SHE DREAMED AND DOES SHE COME HOME TO THE LOVE OF HER LIFE. THE BOOKS ARE TASTEFULLY WRITTEN, AND WOULD MAKE GOOD READING FOR TEENS ALSO SINCE IT ALSO DEALS WITH THE CLIQUES IN HIGH SCHOOLS. GOOD CLEAN READING FOR EVERYONE.

Similar to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe--it will warm your heart, but lacks a certain quality that will take your breath away.