The Nautilus Passengers

Illustration from "20,000 Leagues under the Sea"

by Alphonse Marie de Neuville

It's good to be back in blogland! Hope your summer is relaxing and inspiring. Speaking of inspiration, I just got back from an annual family trip to a coastal island off of South Carolina. We stayed at a rental house where I picked up a copy of Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Science fiction isn't really my thing so I've never read it before but I was hooked from the beginning! I can't believe it was written in 1869. If you've never read it, you should do so. Unfortunately I started reading it and wasn't able to finish it before I left (yes, I did think about taking it with me but my conscience won). Upon returning home I searched my usual used book stores but it seems it's required reading for students in these parts and none were left! Next stop: the library.

Anywhoo, reading the book has got me inspired to do some sort of tribute quilt. The imagery described by Verne is so fantastical. It brought back memories of the first times I went snorkeling and scuba diving. It was an epiphany that this other-worldly place exists on earth that I had never seen the likes of. I'm thinking lots of sea-related applique is in order. We'll see.

Oh, Little Rabbit, a seller on Etsy has the most awesome screen-printed flour sack towels with sea themes that evoke those fantastical images from the book, including these lovelies:

Before now, The Old Man and the Sea has always been a staple summer beach read. Last year I added Treasure Island to the list too. Love them both.

Got any favorite books you like to read at the beach or during the summer?