Category Archives: Books

Books

All Books Considered Book Club

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There doesn’t seem to be a dearth of online book clubs – two of my undergraduate schools (yes, I attended two colleges – long story) offer a book club, which admittedly I’m not very active in, but I do from time to time read the books chosen.

But here’s another one, in our own state: Maine Public’s All Books Considered Book Club

This book club will take on 6 books over the course of 2021, and it’s free! That’s one book every two months, so not too onerous. Bookstores across Maine are offering discounts on these books.

The first book featured is by Meredith Hall, her novel “Beneficience.” Several years ago I read her memoir, “Without a map,” which was magnificent (see my Favorite books of 2016 blog). So, I’m eager to read this one too, which fortunately for all of us, is available through the Long Island Community Library.

Happy reading! (in a communal way)

Books

First ladies in fiction

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Last year I wrote about two memoirs of First Ladies – by Michelle Obama and Laura Bush. Today, in honor of our upcoming election, I would like to share two books I’ve recently read about First Ladies who appear in fictional accounts of their lives.

“Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters,” by Jennifer Chiaverini, who seems to be finding a niche writing novels about Mary Todd Lincoln (see Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckley, Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival), presents Mrs. Lincoln as a somewhat unpleasant and unlikeable First Lady, although she did seem to adore her husband, Abraham. I didn’t find the book to be very interesting, but I did learn a lot about Mary Todd Lincoln and her family, especially her sisters, who didn’t seem to be overly patient or kind to their famous sister.

In contrast, Curtis Sittenfeld writes a brilliant and engaging novel about Hillary Rodman, “Rodman,” which surmises what would happen if Hillary turned down Bill Clinton’s third offer of marriage, and went on to live her own life. While at times the politics of the book made it drag, overall this is a tour de force, written with some wonderful humor. I loved how this book turned out, and found Hillary Rodman quite an endearing character. I was really cheering her on throughout the book.

Regardless of how the election on Tuesday turns out, I can see foresee that a novel about Melania would be quite fascinating, don’t you?

Books

Read Me Maine 2020

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Every summer the Maine Humanities Council sponsors Read Me Maine, a statewide summer reading experience. This year’s selection was made by Lily King, Maine author (Writers & Lovers, Euphoria, Father of the Rain), who chose the two books by Maine authors, fiction and non-fiction, for our reading pleasure. The fiction choice is The Vigilance of Stars  by Patricia O’Donnell. The non-fiction choice is a memoir, Roughhouse Friday, by Jaed Coffin.

I was fortunate to be able to read both these books at the same time, and found them to both be quiet yet strong books, in their own way. Although Jaed Coffin is a Brunswick author, this takes place in Alaska, chiefly in Sitka, where Coffin found himself living and working when he was a young man, tutoring and teaching in a local high school by day, and spending his spare time in a boxing gym. But this is not really a book about boxing, so don’t let the subject matter turn you away, if that’s not your thing. It’s more a book about a young man finding himself. Full of honesty and self-doubt, this book will get under your skin, as Coffin comes to terms with his parents’ marriage and subsequent divorce, and his relationship with both of his parents, as well as his own journey as a half-Thai American man. But the book is rich with the characters he finds in Sitka, as well as the landscape.

Patricia O’Donnell’s book takes place in Maine, specifically in Portland and on a lake somewhere in Maine, which makes it fun to recognize familiar places in Portland. The focus of the book is on a pregnant young woman and her disinterested in fatherhood ex-boyfriend, and their various parents and lovers (the real person William Reich, an Austrian psychoanalyst who lived in the Rangeley area, makes an appearance in a more historical segment). The writing is beautiful and mesmerizing, and while the plot is not gripping, I did find myself moving quickly through the book, and greatly interested in the characters, wondering what would happen to them, and hoping for a good outcome.

Summer is over, but you can still find these wonderful books in our island library.

Books

Booksellers in fiction

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I’ve recently read several books where some of the main characters are booksellers. As someone who loves books and bookstores, these settings resonate with me. Two of the books take place in England: “The Library of Lost and Found” by Phaedra Patrick,  and “Bookends” by Jane Green. In “The Library of Lost and Found,” the main character, Martha Storm, works in a library but becomes acquainted with a bookseller, who finds a mysterious book that has Martha’s name attached to it. The charming novel, which takes place in a seaside village, emphasizes the power of stories and writing, and of course, books, to inspire. The other British novel, “Bookends,” uses more of an urban setting, in London, to share a story of a woman whose long-time dream was to quit her dreary corporate job to take a chance to open a bookstore/café with a friend.

Island dwellers may appreciate “The storied life of A.J. Fikry” which takes place on a fictional island in Massachusetts – A.J. Fikry is a curmudgeonly bookseller, whose life is changed when he allows love to enter his world.

These are all fairly light reads, in contrast to my favorite recently read book with this theme: “American dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore before her life changes dramatically, thanks to her favorite patron, who turns out to be her greatest nightmare. This extremely well written and paced book is a thrilling book to read, although I could only handle one chapter each evening, due to the intensity of the story telling.

There are many more out there, that have booksellers as main characters – I would love to hear about some of your favorites!

Books

More ways to access great books during the age of COVID-19

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I recently learned of more great ways to access books these days, and a wonderful way to have books arrive in your mailbox! (and support the Long Island Post Office)

Paperback Book Swap

Here’s how it works:

  • It’s easy: List books you’d like to swap with other club members.
  • Once a book is requested, mail it to the club member.
  • In return, you may choose from 1,206,450 available books!
– You pay postage for the books you send out; the books you receive come to you postage-paid.
– Books you request are yours to keep, or swap again!
And it’s not just paperbacks – it includes hardbacks, DVDs, etc.
Another fun one is The Page 1 Book Subscription – a personalized service that hand-selects books for you based on your preferences and our knowledge. You receive a new book every month. This bookstore, out of Evanston, Illinois, has a fun website, regardless of whether or not you subscribe to the service. Sounds like the perfect gift to me!
In any case, no matter how you receive your books, happy reading!
Books

Portland peninsula bookstores in the age of Coronavirus

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While the libraries are opening up in various ways, including curbside service for our island residents, and “PPL-to-go” for those of use who like to make good use of our Portland Public Library, sometimes a bookstore is just what you need, especially if you are looking to purchase a book as a gift. Here is a rundown of which bookstores, within walking distance of Casco Bay Lines, are open for those who need books.

Longfellow Books. This beloved and venerable Portland landmark is still closed for browsing but offers this information on their website: We are currently closed to the public, but we are providing curbside pick-up Monday-Friday, from 1:00-4:00 PM and Saturday from 12-2 PM. AND we can still ship you books as always–we will continue to waive shipping fees for those experiencing financial hardship!  We will be here answering phones and processing orders Monday- Friday 10am-4pm.

Sherman’s Bookstore. In contrast, this store on Exchange Street, is very open to the public. Exchange Street is blocked off to car traffic these days, which makes for a very pleasant stroll. According to their website: Our Website is Open and Mailing Out Orders Daily. You Can Now Order Online and Pickup In Store or Curbside. (Wait for Our Call Before Coming to Pickup…We May Not Have Your Book in Stock Yet!). Thanks For Shopping Locally!

Print: a bookstore. This lovely store at the foot of Munjoy Hill,  is one of Portland’s newest bookstores. They are still closed to the public, but do have curbside service. On their website, updated July 27th, they state: At this time, the doors of Print remain closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are, however, still here to get books to you. We continue to offer shipping directly to customers – with free shipping on orders over $20 – and curbside pickup from 1p to 4p, six days a week.

Yes Books. If browsing through used bookstores is your thing, you’re in luck. Yes Books, located next to Congress Square Park, and across from the art museum, is open to the public. No doubt protocols are in place, so wear your mask. This is a great place for the atmosphere and charm, alone.

The Green Hand Bookshop. This charming bookstore, located in the arts district on Congress Street, is owned by my friend Michelle Souliere, and offers a “warm outpost with shelves stacked with a handpicked selection of secondhand books from all genres.” The Green Hand opened up mid-July to the public, with limited hours. Michelle does offer pick-up, for those who aren’t ready to venture into her shop.

Carlson Turner Antiquarian Books and Bookbindery. Another longtime institution on Congress Street, advertises that We are currently open by Appointment or Chance. Give us a call if you want to stop by. We’re planning to RE-OPEN and returning to regular hours EARLY to MID JULY. We hope to see you then! (I haven’t walked by yet, to see if they are indeed open).

There are other options for specialty books, such as Casablanca Comics and Maine Historical Society’s museum shop. And don’t forget that the Ivy Hall Gift Shop on Long Island, also has books for sale! So, there is no reason to not be able to continue to purchase books in Portland and our island, and support our local booksellers.

Books

The delicious taste of food memoirs

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One of my favorite literature genres is food memoirs. Who can resist Ruth Reichl’s Tender at the Bone: Growing up at the Table or Julia Child’s My Life in France? (or any memoirs by Reichl or Child – all are delicious!). Speaking of Julia Child, I recently read Judith Jones’ memoir The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food. Judith, a food editor who lived for many years in France after World War II,  championed Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Many food memoirs take place in France, including another wonderful book I’ve written about in the past: Bonjour Kale: a Memoir of Paris, Love, and Recipes, by Kristen Beddard. There’s definitely a strong connection between France and food. 

 

I am reminded of food memoirs by other chefs, such as Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef, by Gabrielle Hamilton, and Dalia Jurgensen’s Spiced: a Pastry Chef’s True Stories of Trials by Fire (the titles in themselves are evocative  descriptions). It’s so inspiring how many chefs are such good writers – Gabrielle Hamilton has a master’s degree in creative writing – and even moreso that they were able to take the time to write about their experiences. 

 

And then there is the more spiritual aspect of food. I recently read Melissa D’Arabian’s Tasting Grace: Discovering the Power of Food to Connect us to God, One Another, and Ourselves. Melissa, the winner of the The Next Food Network Star, shares her life story with food, including her years living in France (where she met her French husband). It reminds me also of the book that several of us at Evergreen United Methodist Church studied last year: Taste and See: Discovering God among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers by Margaret Feinberg. At each session we brought food to share, based on food in the Bible, such as figs, salt, bread, and dates, and culminated with lunch at Tiqa. 

 

These books are just the tip of the iceberg. Hopefully this list will whet your appetite to read some food memoirs, and enjoy food in general!

 

 

Books, Libraries

Island reading in the time of Coronavirus

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If you’re a book lover  this is the prime time to be living on an island. Although our library is closed, there are still a myriad of opportunities for folks who love the written word. First of all, most of us have a “Tsundoko” – it’s a Japanese term, which refers to the stack of books on a bedside table waiting to be read. When that runs out, we can delve into our libraries to reread old favorites. Then, we borrow books from friends (social distancing, of course).

For those who don’t mind reading books on a device, you can download books through a variety of sources, including the Long Island Community Library e-books and audiobooks – see Long Island Community Library website for more information.

Beyond reading books, for those who have access to a computer, there is a whole world out there for literary experiences, as businesses and organizations in the business of the written word are expanding their offerings to the online community.

For example, here in Maine, you can attend poetry readings online such as this one at Longfellow Books’ website, which offers a poetry reading by Scott Withiam. Longfellow Books is also willing to mail books.

For the writers in our midst, there are online classes available through the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance

Maine Women Writers Collection offers a fun Instagram as well as a Quarantine Book List by Maine women writers.  Greater Portland Landmarks also offers their suggested book list

That’s just the tip of the iceberg – there are many more out there. (Anyone have any favorites?)

So, there’s no excuse, in these days of quarantine, to not be able to expand your universe beyond the walls of your home – especially through books!

Books

Noteworthy books read in 2019

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It’s that time of year again, to reflect on the books that I read in 2019.  According to my GoodReads information, I read 59 books (wow!). The shortest book was “Hallelujah anyway” by Anne Lamott, at 176 pages. The longest book was Annie Proulx’s “Barkskins” at 717 pages (way too long for me). The most popular book was “Educated” by Tara Westover, and the least popular book was by my friend Sid Berger, “The Book of Death” (“least popular” is really a mismomer – it’s just least read on Goodreads – and actually a really good yarn)

This year, instead of making of a list of my “favorite” 10 reads of 2019, I’d like to say this is a list of “notable” books, that I would like to bring to light. For example, I really enjoyed “Educated” and “Becoming” (by Michelle Obama), but so did everyone else, so I won’t be redundant in mentioning them here. So, without any further ado, here are 10 books that I would like to make note of as “good reads” – divided equally into fiction and non-fiction.

 

Becoming Mrs. Lewis: a novel: the improbably love story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis, by Patti Callahan. This recent novel made me fall in love with C.S. Lewis, alongside Joy Davidman, as well as rekindle my love affair with England. I knew a little of the story, but this book really emotionally plunged me into Joy’s story, and made me want to read more of C. S. Lewis.

 

Birth, death, and a tractor: connecting an old farm to a new family, by Kelly Payson-Roopchand. This enchanting tale brings to life several generations of a family on a bit of land in Somerville, Maine. Although the land and farm sadly went out of the family, it ended up in the hands of Kelly and her husband Anil, who not only are keeping it going as “Pumpkin Vine Family Farm” but eloquently write about it, and pay tribute to the families who lived there.

Beautiful ruins: a novel, by Jess Walter. This book came out in 2012, and although I had been intrigued by the cover for the past 7 years, I finally plucked it off the library shelf to indulge in. In this case, you really can judge a book by its cover, as I was entranced throughout the book by the wonderful story, interesting characters, and good writing.

 

Tired of apologizing for a church I don’t belong to: spirituality without stereotypes, religion without ranting, by Lillian Daniel. This book introduced me to the writings of Lillian Daniel, senior minister at the First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa, whose take on today’s climate of Christianity were so refreshing and humorous that I found myself taking notes. Here’s one of her wonderful quotes: “Anyone can find God alone on a mountaintop. The miracle is that we can find God in the company of other people as annoying as we are.”

The Alice network, by Kate Quinn. This book, along with “Lilac Girls” by Martha Hall Kelly, were fascinating books written about women during the world wars, based on true stories, which makes them even more wonderful (once again, the power of fiction to educate us). Although grim tales are not my usual choice of fiction, I was glad I read these two amazing books. The Alice Network made me stay up late one evening, as I couldn’t put it down until I finished it

 

 

 

Killers of the Flower Moon: the Osage murders and the birth of the FBI, by David Grann. Once again, a period of history I had no idea about – fascinating on all levels, including the wealth of this Native American tribe, due to the scrappy land in Oklahoma that they settled on which became oil rich in the early 20th century, the Osage women who fell in love with white men (for better or worse), and the research done by the author to uncover more of the story, which haunts these families into the present day.

Sensible shoes: a story about a spiritual journey, by Sharon Garlough Brown. This series of four novels, beginning with this first title, follows the story of four women: Hannah, Meg, Charissa, and Mara, who meet at a retreat center. Well written and paced, I found the journeys of the women to be breathtaking and heartbreaking at the same time, as they struggle deeply with old patterns of living, and try to break free to be the best they can be.

A winter apprentice, by John Holt Willey. This small quiet book is lyrical in Willey’s remembrances of a time of his life, in the 1970s, when he worked at the Paul E. Luke Boatyard in Boothbay Harbor. Cast in a somewhat golden glow, Willey writes with humor and wisdom, about his being an older apprentice, and the Maine characters that populated the scene, teaching him along the way about life.

Little French Bistro : a novel, by Nina George. This book, along with Marcia Willett’s The Songbird, were a nice balance to the World War novels mentioned earlier. Although they grapple with serious issues, they offer wonderful escapism into small French and English villages, where people escape to from their lives, and find community (reminiscent of Long Island?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northland: a 4,000 mile journey along America’s forgotten border, by Porter Fox. While not the most gripping read, this is a classic travel tale – juxtaposing historical information with the author’s journey, by canoe, freighter, and automobile, across the Canadian border. It starts in our familiar territory of Maine, and ends in the area where my family lives, in Washington State. A great read in today’s political climate.

 

 

Books

“Creative cooking with cottage cheese” : cookbooks from the collections of Mary Justice

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Most of us who remember Mary Justice probably picture her on the dock of the ferry landing, with her taxi behind her, awaiting the lucky passengers who will get to ride in her taxi, and absorb some local island flavor. Most of us don’t know about her home life, though, and that she was an avid collector of cookbooks, most of which she probably sent away for by mail, given that she rarely left the island.

This lovely exhibit, curated by her daughter Marie Harmon, with assistance from Nancy Noble, of her cookbooks showcases the kind of cookbooks that are indicative of the cooking that was done in the mid-20th century, by most “modern” women. There are also books kept by other members of Marie’s family, such as the 1947 edition of Joy of Cooking. This well-loved cookbook shows great signs of being used and loved. The inscription to Marie’s great-aunt Marie reads, “December 25, 1947, To Marie, with loads of love from Jenny and “Muffie” and “it better be good eating from here on in.”

A touch of the Christmas spirit can also be seen in the holiday entertaining accoutrements, such as coasters, napkins, and cups, most still encased in their original plastic packaging. (Antiques Roadshow would approve!). A Santa mug that belonged to either Marie or her sister Ann, as well as a sugar scoop, bring a flavor to what Christmas and baking was like in the Justice household.

There are even a few Maine titles in the collection:
-Maine Rebekah Cookbook (1939)
-Maine Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars (Mary was a member)
-121 tested recipes made famous with State of Maine canned foods
-Bake shop : prize-winning recipes from Pyrofax Gas : teenage baking contest (Marie’s father sold Pyrofax – the Pyrofax Gas Corporation was located at 917 Main Street in Westbrook).
There are 7 cookbooks from the Culinary Arts Institute about sandwiches, candy, eggs, poultry/game birds, vegetables, cake, and leftovers. There is a wonderful World War II era cookbook about “How to bake by the ration books.”

Many of the books were sponsored and created by various food organizations:
-Creative cooking with cottage cheese (American Dairy Association)
-Recipes from Raisinland (California Raisin Advisory Board)
-All out for a Chick-n-que : cook out recipes (The National Broiler Council)
-Cranberry dishes that children love (National Cranberry Council)
Then there are the companies that encouraged their customers to cook or bake with ingredients that they produced, including Bisquick (Betty Crocker), Domino Sugar, Knox Gelatine Co. (“Gel-cooking recipe book”), Borden (including a label from a can of sweetened condensed milk with recipes on the verso), and Calumet Baking Powder.

Come see these colorful and nostalgic cookbooks, as we enter the holiday season of entertaining for family and friends, and spending more time indoors cooking and baking.

Located in the small exhibit case between the small meeting room and the library. Open during library hours.