Elise Noga of Bedford is the owner of The Beaded Sheep (thebeadedsheep.com), a blog, podcast and online shop selling handmade eco-friendly home and beauty products.
Explain your job and what it entails.
Mostly, I’m making my products, which currently consist of cloth napkins, dish towels, paperless towels, cotton rounds, no-drip cuffs, tote bags and drawstring bags. … There’s a lot of creativity [involved] in picking out patterns, designing new products and putting the products out into the world via my online shop and a few retail locations. I also host a podcast … The most important part of my job is that I get to do it with my daughters. That’s truly my favorite part.
How long have you had this job?
I started The Beaded Sheep officially in the spring of 2019, and it became an online shop in the fall of 2020, where I sold only cloth napkins through Etsy.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
In 2019, I left my full-time job in tech support to be home full-time with my first daughter, since she had just turned 1. I started The Beaded Sheep originally to do blogging, then dabbled for a small time period in family photography, and finally landed on selling cloth napkins.
What kind of education or training did you need?
I didn’t need a lot of training for this job, but my mom taught me how to sew. … In college I studied Communication Arts with concentrations in Creative Writing and Global Missions, and that education has helped me with marketing, writing, communicating what my business is about, hosting my podcast — also called The Beaded Sheep — and having my business strive to help others be more eco-friendly.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Since I work from home … my work attire is whatever is comfortable and kid-friendly.
How has your job changed over the course of the pandemic?
I started this job during the pandemic, and it was difficult at first since I wasn’t comfortable doing business in person and had to rely heavily on online orders. Now that more things are open, I’ve been able to do more fairs, which has been more helpful for my business.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
I wish other people knew how much work goes into having a business like this. Not only do I make things, but I’m the accountant, the marketer, the salesperson, the writer, the creative director — everything.
What was the first job you ever had?
My first job was being a babysitter for some of my neighbors.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
My husband recently gave me the sweetest advice, and that was to follow my heart with this business and not let anyone else dictate what I should be doing. I also think it’s so important to be willing to pivot and change what direction you’re going in since making a change can bring so much good.
Five favorites Favorite book: Harry Potter series. Favorite movie:I don’t have a favorite movie, but my favorite show is Schitt’s Creek. Favorite music: My favorite genres are indie, folk, alternative and hardcore. Favorite food: Pretty much anything chocolate. Favorite thing about NH: There’s so much to do, and most of my immediate family lives here.
The Plastics Working Group, one of the specialized action groups in the New Hampshire Environment, Energy and Climate Network, has challenged New Hampshire to take part in the international Plastic Free July initiative this month. Cindy Heath, the original convener of the Plastics Working Group, talked about how people can take the pledge and why it’s so important.
What is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July was an international campaign founded in Australia. It is a pledge format where individuals and businesses and organizations can pledge to strive for a plastic-free July. The intention is to raise awareness and help discover alternatives to using plastic in our everyday lives … and we also want to help build momentum for future legislation that supports plastic waste reduction. … You can join us as an individual or as part of an organization, business or community, and you can take one action or more than one.
What are some actions that communities can take to engage with the initiative?
They should start by going to the Plastic Free July website, plasticfreejuly.org, which has many, many pages of resources. A proclamation with their town select board is a possibility, just declaring the importance of plastic waste reduction and the commitment to try to have a plastic-free July. There are opportunities to do things like picnics, library displays … showing what alternatives there are to using plastics in your everyday life. I already know that the communities in Hopkinton and Dover are going to be doing some library displays with education around plastic waste, and we’re going to be hosting a plastic-free picnic in Cornish on July 16, so communities are engaging in different ways.
What are some things that individuals can do to go plastic-free in their day-to-day lives?
Individuals can take the pledge and learn about how to do things like bring a cloth bag to the grocery store instead of using the plastic bags that are provided; refuse to purchase vegetables that are being sold packaged in plastic clamshell containers; refuse to buy beverages in plastic bottles; refuse plastic [utensils] and Styrofoam takeout containers when they go out to eat, or request alternatives. … Before plastic was invented, we all found ways to have a picnic, order takeout food from a restaurant and not use plastic bags.
In what ways are plastics harmful?
The concern that we’re trying to raise awareness about is not only the environmental impacts of plastic production; it’s also the human health and animal health impacts of plastic waste. The Plastic Free July website has a number of facts around the volume of plastics that goes into our oceans and how microplastics end up in our food through the food chain, because marine animals eat plastic thinking it’s food, and then the food chain progresses and it ends up in our food. Plastic particles have even been discovered in human placenta. It’s a human health concern as well as an environmental concern, and we’re just hoping that people will understand the health and environmental impacts of plastic.
What kinds of progress has New Hampshire made with reducing plastics so far?
We’ve had several communities host a screening of a film called Microplastic Madness, which is about fifth-graders in New York who are able to, over a two-year period, help New York City, and then New York State, ban Styrofoam use in schools and in restaurants for takeout. We have community members who are working with local restaurants to try to develop an ocean-friendly designation through Surfrider, which is another organization … working specifically on helping restaurants choose alternatives to plastic and styrofoam takeout [materials]. Then, in the infrastructure realm, there are changes that a number of our communities have initiated, things like recycling systems and doing waste audits at schools. In Bristol, they held a sustainability fair in May to raise awareness about plastic film recycling. In Claremont, they’re working on collecting styrofoam for recycling. In Gilford, they’ve just taken delivery of the first Styrofoam densifier in New Hampshire and will begin accepting Styrofoam for recycling shortly.
How can individuals get their cities and towns to commit to more plastic-free practices?
They can go to our Ten Towns Actions Toolkit website, 10towns.org. On the homepage, there’s a box at the top that says “Join Us and Take Action,” which will lead people to a form to complete. Then, one of our members will get in touch with them to help them get started.
Andrew Budrick is the owner of Budrick’s Mobile Upholstery Repair, an automobile interior and furniture upholstery repair service based in Manchester.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I own a mobile upholstery repair business that specializes in auto interiors and furniture. I typically repair burn holes, rips and tears in leather, worn out and faded seats, or seams that are coming undone. I sometimes get calls for boat repairs or even restaurant furniture. I mix my own colors to match the upholstery, hand-sew seams back together and have a specialized process of repair for each individual job. Almost all jobs are different, but when it comes to automobiles, certain vehicles have the same defective areas of wear.
How long have you had this job?
I have been doing this for 16 years, but started working for myself nine years ago.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I had moved to Florida from New Hampshire at the age of 21 with three years of college and no degree and no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I happened to meet a guy who offered me a job which I knew nothing about. He hired me as his helper and taught me everything I know about this specialized line of work. I worked for him for about seven years before moving back to New Hampshire in 2012. Now that I had the knowledge, I started going from car lot to car lot, passing out business cards.
What kind of education or training did you need?
I had on-the-job training for the seven years I was in Florida. The hands-on experience was the best kind of training I could have gotten. I had a really good teacher who gave me one-on-one training six days a week for seven years or so.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
I don’t have any type of uniform. I dress according to the weather, and nothing too nice, because the dyes and paints I use get on my clothes.
How has your job changed over the course of the pandemic?
During Covid, just like most people, I was out of work. When things started opening up again, I started getting calls again from my old accounts. At the end of Covid, my girlfriend pushed to help me advertise more by helping me build a website and posting my business on Google and Facebook. She does all the advertising, which helps me focus on just doing my job. I’m busier now than before Covid because of this.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
I wish I knew more about running a business, but I’ve learned along the way.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
I wish they knew how much patience and attention to detail goes into what I do. It took me about four years to get really good at all aspects of my work. It’s not something you can learn overnight.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a stock boy at Market Basket.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
If you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Five favorites Favorite book: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice Favorite movie: Gladiator Favorite music: Depends on my mood, but classic rock is always good. Favorite food: Pizza and coffee Oreo milkshakes. Favorite thing about NH: That we get to experience all four seasons.
Put action, fantasy, science fiction and more on your summer reading list
Need some books to take on vacation or to give you a little getaway on your lunch hour? We asked local book sellers and librarians for their suggestions on what to put on your summer reading list.
Contemporary fiction
The Hospice Singer by Larry Duberstein, published May 2022 The little-known practice of hospice singing brings two unlikely characters together. Recommended by: Willard and Holly Williams of The Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough. “Full of surprising turns, this is an enjoyable read leavened by Larry’s humorous takes on life.”
Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding, published December 2021 Sonya, a single mother, struggles to make a good life for her son Tommy while her unrelenting alcohol addiction causes heartbreaking moments of darkness. Recommended by: Brittany Overton, adult services librarian at Hooksett Library. “Readers are brought into the mind of a young woman whose alcohol addiction is spiraling out of control, providing a perspective on addiction rarely known to the depths described in this book.”
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, published May 2022 Tova, still grieving from the loss of her 18-year-old son, Erik, many years ago, and more recently her husband, is getting ready to retire from her night-shift job cleaning the local aquarium, where she has befriended the intelligent and wily giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus. Recommended by: Maria Schroeter, adult collection development and adult programming librarian at Nesmith Library in Windham. “This heartwarming book, with a bit of mystery on the side, is ultimately about relationships. … This is perfect for anyone looking for an uplifting, but not too sweet, lovely story.”
Still the Night Call by Joshua Senter, December 2021 This story is a debut novel that takes place over 24 hours centering on the life of a Missouri dairy farmer. It dives into the plight of Midwestern farmers as they fight to hold on to their livelihoods. Recommended by: Susan Schatvet, Director at Seabrook Library. “It’s one of those books where, from the very first page, you’re compelled to go on. It gives you a fantastic perspective of the impact on this group of people. It’s a tragic novel, but it is just so compelling and it takes place over just 24 hours.”
This Time Tomorrow, by Emma Straub, published May 2022 Alice is supposed to be turning 40, but when she wakes up on her birthday somehow back in 1996, it isn’t her 16-year-old body that is the biggest shock, or the possibility of romance with her adolescent crush. It’s the 49-year-old version of her father with whom she is reunited, giving her a new perspective on her own life and his. Recommended by: Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “It’s a time travel tale reminiscent of Jack Finney’s Time and Again, with just a touch of Narnia.”
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult, published November 2021 Diana O’Toole’s well-ordered life is sent off course when the Covid-19 pandemic hits during her vacation to the Galapagos, closing borders, landing her in quarantine and giving her time for self-reflection. Recommended by: Amy Lapointe, library director at Amherst Town Library. “The characters are compelling, making for a page-turner; the time period is relevant; and the Galapagos setting is the perfect backdrop for themes of resilience and evolution.”
What we’re reading: Tracy Flick Can’t Win By Tom Perrotta (Scribner, 2022) Perrotta revisits the central character of his 1998 Election in this story that catches up with Tracy, the one-time ambitious high school student with presidential aspirations. Now she is on the cusp of getting picked as principal at the high school where she has long served as assistant principal. She’s a lock, a shoo-in — so naturally, things start to go wrong. It’s a delight to revisit her and see how she and the world have changed (and, sigh, haven’t). The book is a quick fun read, told from multiple points of view. — Amy Diaz
Cookbook
Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty & Simple by Dorie Greenspan, with photographs by Mark Weinberg, published October 2021 A creative collection of recipes that includes everything from breakfast pastries to savory treats. Recommended by: Tammy Gross, library assistant at Goffstown Public Library. “This was a beautiful cookbook, and the cookies I made from it were delicious. I’m looking forward to making the Lemon Meringue Layer Cake next.”
Fantasy
Book of Night by Holly Black, published May 2022 When a former thief who specialized in stealing magical documents is forced back into her old habits, a story of magic, secrets and murder unfolds. Recommended by: Liz Herold, Assistant Director at North Hampton Public Library. “The main character is definitely someone you root for. She’s one of those people who always makes the wrong choice in life. But she’s trying to turn over a new leaf. It’s very fast-paced with a thread of mystery and suspense in it.”
The Change by Kirsten Miller, published May 2022 Three women who have developed supernatural powers while going through midlife changes band together to solve the murder of a teen girl whom the police have written off as a drug addict. Recommended by: Carolyn Tremblay, reference librarian at Dover Public Library, and Chris Savukinas, children’s library assistant at Nesmith Library in Windham. “This oddly charismatic trio will win you over in their fight against powerful men. A suspenseful plot, humor and some sharp commentary about sexism combine to create a novel you won’t want to put down,” Tremblay said. “It’s about menopause, superpowers and revenge; if you’re a woman of a certain age, you’ll love it,” Savukinas said.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas, published February 2022 In the second installment in the Crescent City series, Bryce and Hunt are ready to settle down together and live a quiet life, but as the rebels continue fighting against the Asteri, staying on the sidelines is no longer an option. Recommended by: Alexa Moore, circulation and reader services librarian at Amherst Town Library. “[The book] follows a lot of different threads and works to firmly establish the large cast of characters. While I loved the character-building and intrigue this story provided, it succeeded in its main goal of setting the stage for an incredible third book.”
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, published September 2021 Concubine-pilot Zetian is out for vengeance for the death of her sister, and to stop the practice of sacrificing girls once and for all. Recommended by: Alexa Moore, circulation and reader services librarian at Amherst Town Library. “This book grabbed my attention initially because of the gender roles being challenged and other important representations within the story, but kept me reading because of the giant robot (mech) fights.”
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, published April 2022 Marra, the youngest princess of a very modest kingdom, sets out to rescue her older sisters from an abusive prince. Recommended by: Dianne Hathaway, director at Goffstown Public Library. “It is well-written and clever and very different from what you should expect of traditional fairy tales. … If you enjoy stories of knights, strong damsels-not-in-distress and magic, then this book is for you.”
Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune, published September 2021 The story of Wallace, a curmudgeonly young man who dies without really having lived, and the kind and wise ferryman, who runs a tea shop and holding room for the recently deceased, who helps him cross over. Recommended by: Maria Schroeter, adult collection development and adult programming librarian at Nesmith Library in Windham. “The story … is filled with hope and caution and made my heart break and soar. T.J. Klune draws you in with wonderful characters, an interesting and extraordinary plot and life lessons for us all.”
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, published May 2022 In an alternate version of the world in the 1950s, one quarter of the female population has spontaneously and simultaneously turned into dragons, and despite the chaos that ensues, no one is allowed to talk about it. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “This book is full of righteous, suppressed rage at the patriarchy in a clever, well-mannered wrapper.”
What we’re reading: The Priory of the Orange Tree By Samantha Shannon (Bloomsbury, 2019) Shannon explores what happens when a divided world faces a universal threat: the ancient forces of chaos. The Western Queen, Sabran, must conceive a daughter to continue her family’s thousand-year reign and protect the world. Ead, a Southerner and outsider (and secret practitioner of forbidden magic), must convince the Western court to abate its hostility to the East. Tamé, a dragonrider in the East, needs to find a way to open the borders of her closed-off country. This high-fantasy tome is a must read for lovers of magic, dragons, kings, queens, epic battles, and strong, determined women. – Katelyn Sahagian
Graphic novel
Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia, published November 2021 An aging piano virtuoso must confront many uncomfortable parts of his past when a young journalist pays him an unexpected visit to conduct an interview. Recommended by: Christopher Larochelle, patron services assistant at Hooksett Public Library. “This graphic novel will captivate readers who want to investigate the price that might come along with fame.”
Salt Magic by Hope Larson, published October 2021 This middle-grade graphic novel fairy tale follows a girl’s journey to save her family from an evil witch who has put a curse on their well, turning the town’s water supply into saltwater. Recommended by: Chris Savukinas, children’s library assistant at Nesmith Library in Windham. “Just when I thought I’d read a bit of everything. I liked it. And there’s a twist at the end I didn’t see coming.”
Historical fiction
Horse by Geraldine Brooks, published June 2022 When civil war grips the country, it kicks off a journey between a groom, his horse and a young artist. Recommended by: Lisa Houde, Assistant Director at Rye Public Library. “Anything this woman writes is gold.”
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, published October 2021 In 1950s America, a man recently released from prison heads to California with his brother to start a new life after the death of their father. Recommended by: Dianne Hathaway, director at Goffstown Public Library, and Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at the Derry Public Library. “This is an unforgettable book by a talented, beautiful writer,” Hathaway said. “A sweeping story with heartfelt characters, and a fast-paced plot … and very engaging and vivid scenes,” DeLangie said.
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis, published January 2022 This novel examines the Frick Museum through the eyes of three women: a young artist’s model in the 1920s and her imperious employer and a young model at a fashion shoot in the Frick circa 1966. Recommended by: Carolyn Tremblay, reference librarian at Dover Public Library. “A terrific behind-the-scenes look at an iconic art museum. Fiona Davis excels in bringing history alive.”
Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen: A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship by Annabel Abbs, published November 2021 Two very different women in 19th-century London come together to create a cookbook. Recommended by: Erin Robinson, genealogy and reference librarian at Derry Public Library. “Wonderful characterization, rich prose and close attention to historic cooking make this book a standout.”
Out Front the Following Sea by Leah Angstman, published January 2022 In New England in the late 1600s, 23-year-old Ruth must escape her hometown with no warning and ends up on a ship that takes her to Stonington, Connecticut, where her problems are just beginning. Recommended by: Virginia Hundley, bookseller at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth. “What a fascinating tale of what women had to do to survive in that era. … I loved this book. It is not on any bestseller list, but I came across it somehow and have now hand-sold many copies.”
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, published November 2021 This novella, set in a small town in Ireland in 1985, follows Bill Furlong, who delivers coal in a small Irish town and ruminates about what he uncovers along the way. Recommended by: Dianne Hathaway, director at Goffstown Public Library. “The writing is lyrical and lovely, and while there is no deep character development, the plot is full of messages and visual pictures of a quaint Irish town at Christmas.”
Still Life by Sarah Winman, published June 2021. An English soldier meets a middle-aged art historian in Tuscany in 1944, in the midst of bombed-out villages and advancing Allied troops. Recommended by: Karen Dixon, assistant director at Hopkinton Town Library. “It’s a feel-good story, but in an intelligent, not-saccharine way. And there is the bonus of a parrot who quotes Shakespeare.”
The Sweetness Of Water by Nathan Harris, published June 2021 News of the Emancipation Proclamation has just arrived in a rural Georgia town, and most of the white townspeople are refusing to give freed slaves jobs or food. When two of the former slaves are hired by a local farmer, chaos erupts. Recommended by: Willard and Holly Williams of The Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough. “This is a powerful reminder of the terrors that remained as the war wound down.”
Horror
Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow, published February 2022 Farrah is a calculating, manipulative and possibly psychopathic young Black girl, who schemes her way into the lives of her Black best friend Cherish’s white, wealthy, adoptive family, and things may be even more insidious than they first appear. Recommended by: Ryan Clark, marketing manager at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “For the folks looking for a splash of horror in their beach reads, look no further than Cherish Farrah. A brilliant, chilling, unflinching masterpiece of a novel. This is social horror at its finest, and it left me spinning.”
What we’re reading: The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell (Penguin Books, 2021) In this Victorian gothic tale, silhouette portrait artist Agnes struggles to support herself while recovering from a nervous breakdown and still plagued by the deaths of her lover and her sister. When her clients begin to be murdered after their portrait sittings, Agnes seeks the counsel of a child spirit medium in the hope of finding clues to the killer. Instead she finds that she may be haunted by something much more sinister. Purcell twists all the gothic tropes into her own unique brand of supernatural horror — creepy and deliciously bleak. Here she weaves a story of obsessive loves, secrets, and the dark side of sisterly relationships. —Jennifer Gingras
Mystery and thriller
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager, published June 2022 A cabin on a lake, a hot cop next door, a former model who might be in danger, a drowned husband, a dubious detective, an urban legend and a whole lot of lies converge in this thriller. Recommended by: Ryan Clark, marketing manager at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “This book made me gasp out loud on multiple occasions. This is the summer thriller you’ve been waiting for.”
The Midcoast by Adam White, published June 2022 This story follows a tragic family of lobstermen who quickly rise from poverty to wealth, and the dark secrets surrounding them. Recommended by: Virginia Hundley, bookseller at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth. “Many plots and twists and … a must-read for anyone familiar with the midcoast of Maine.”
Ocean Prey by John Sandford, published April 2021 When the Marshal service and the Minnesota Criminal Investigation Bureau team up to investigate the murder of a Coast Guard team, the result is a gripping adventure to the bottom of the ocean. Recommended by: Cindy Rivers, Customer Service Librarian at Wiggin Memorial Library. “It’s just a great fun mystery read. I love the character development, and Sandford also does some great research for his stories.”
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket, published August 2021 The children’s author, writing as himself, tells the story of an ominous note found under his door, leading him to solve the mystery of his own demise. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “I love everything Lemony Snicket — the witty humor, the macabre plots, the poignant truisms. This newest story does not disappoint. … I feel this story was very appropriate for adults since it deals with accepting your own eventual demise.”
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, published November 2021 A different kind of ghost story, this book follows a small independent bookstore that is being haunted by the ghost of its most annoying customer. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “It’s … about the power of community, connection, and learning to trust not only others, but ourselves. I’m not sure I have ever felt the growth of a character more than I did with this book.”
What we’re reading: In Cold Blood By Truman Capote (Random House, 1969) Capote’s now-classic In Cold Blood is the perfect antidote to the mindless thriller kept stocked in many a summer beach house. Following the true story of a shocking murder, In Cold Blood is the kind of seminal work that is as entertaining as it is important. The first of its kind, In Cold Blood reimagines how we consume true crime and how we view journalism. For those who love a true crime podcast like Serial or devoured Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, In Cold Blood is as good now as it was then — and it was pretty good then. —Hannah Turtle
Nonfiction
52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time by Annabel Streets, published February 2022 An introduction to walking, with 52 ideas for beneficial ways to walk, backed up by scientific research. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “I walked away with many new ideas and some great factoids.”
The Boys by Ron Howard, published October 2021 Director Ron Howard’s memoir recounts a life growing up in Hollywood as a child actor, and the incredible steps his father took to protect Ron and his brother from the pitfalls of success. Recommended by: Anne Powell, Circulation Assistant at Seabrook Library. “I always like memoirs. Their father managed to keep them safe and keep them from getting corrupted or exploited as children and [let them] have a good experience.”
Chasing Eden: A Book Of Seekers by Howard Mansfield, published October 2021 An account of individuals and groups that made attempts to create an Edenic life here on Earth, from the Shaker Community in Canterbury to an early 20th-century Black doctor in Keene who crossed over and back between races. Recommended by: Willard and Holly Williams of The Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough.
Deep Water: Murder, Scandal, and Intrigue in a New England Town by Ken Sheldon, published June 2022 In August 1918, William Dean was murdered in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, his body dumped in a cistern. The case remains unsolved, but Ken Sheldon recounts the mystery that has surrounded the case ever since. Recommended by: Willard and Holly Williams of The Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough. “The book reads like a thriller.”
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach, published September 2021 Mary Roach travels the world to investigate human-wildlife conflicts, from the deadly to the mischievous. Recommended by: John LeDonne, adult book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “As in all her books, Roach combines humor and science to create an entertaining and enlightening read.”
The Hawk’s Way: Encounters With Fierce Beauty by Sy Montgomery, May 2022 Montgomery showcases many fascinating aspects of hawk life, revealing how these amazing animals fit into nature’s “bigger picture.” Recommended by: Christopher Larochelle, patron services assistant at Hooksett Public Library. “A quick and absorbing nonfiction read, featuring the backdrop of a New Hampshire farm.”
Patient Zero: A Curious History of the World’s Worst Diseases by Lydia Kang, published November 2021 A look at the interesting histories of the diseases that have plagued humans throughout time. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “You would think it would be macabre, yet it is fascinating and surprisingly upbeat.”
Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America by Elizabeth Letts, published June 2021 The remarkable story of a woman from Maine in the 1950s who decides to set off across the country to see California, on her horse. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “Her journey seems impossible. Told in a very engaging style, and incredibly researched, I couldn’t put the book down.”
River Man: An American Odyssey by Ben McGrath, published April 2022 Writer Ben McGrath met Dick Conant canoeing the Hudson River, and discovered Contant had crossed the country with his canoe. They exchanged numbers, so when Conant’s canoe was found empty, McGrath got the call from investigators. As he unraveled the mystery of this man’s disappearance, McGrath began to discover the lives that Conant had touched over the years. Recommended by: Andy Richmond, Director at Rye Public Library. “It was really interesting the way this guy touched people’s memories and lives, even with these chance meetings. This was his avenue for adventure, but also his lifestyle. It’s a fascinating story.”
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl, published October 2021 The Grammy-winning rock star recounts stories from his life and career. Recommended by: Virginia Hundley, bookseller at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth. “Well-written, with a unique and inspiring description of his experiences throughout his career. Honest, and a hard book to put down.”
What we’re reading: Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space By Amanda Leduc (2020, Coach House Books) Leduc unpacks the depiction of disabilities in fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm to Disney, examining how disabilities are used as a curse to be lifted or to signal a villainous character. She demonstrates how who gets the ‘happily ever after’ in fairy tales shapes perceptions of what those with disabilities deserve or can hope for, especially when it’s internalized by those with disabilities. Leduc leaves us with suggestions about how we can write new stories with more complex princesses and superheroes. Leduc’s history of European fairy tales, and how she and others in the disabled community relate to them, is engaging without feeling preachy. — Tristan Collins
Picture books
The Blur by Minh Le, published March 2022 One moment she’s taking her first steps and the next she’s ready to take on the world; the years fly by in this little superhero’s origin story. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “Perfect for parents seeing their babies growing quickly or new graduates.”
I’m Not Missing by Kashelle Gourley, published May 2022 Tired of having to follow his human’s rules and be on good behavior, a pup runs away, but doesn’t get far when he notices how much his human misses him. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord.
Viking In Love by Doug Cenko, published December 2021 A tale of love, the high seas, Viking ingenuity and kittens. Recommended by: Chelsea Paige, digital literacy librarian at Nesmith Library in Windham. “Vikings? Kittens? Count me in. I love when a picture book combines multiple layers and themes and makes it look elegantly easy. This was a delightful read for an adult, without losing its appeal for kids.”
Poetry
Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong, published April 2022 The poet reimagines the past as if he is living it once again in the present time. Recommended by: Virginia Hundley, bookseller at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth. “This collection is intimate yet maintains a level of distance. His poetry and verse is as wonderful as ever.”
Romance
Book Lovers by Emily Henry, published May 2022 This romance novel follows Nora, a cutthroat literary agent, and Charlie, a famously difficult book editor, in an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. Recommended by: Ryan Clark, marketing manager at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “At times laugh-out-loud funny, and at other times heart-achingly tender. … A delightful twist on the Hallmark Movie trope.”
Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery, published April 2022 Tom Morgan and Clay Parker are two political consultants working on a California campaign that faces a setback when their candidate is accused of being homophobic. In order to save their image and secure the liberal vote, Parker and Morgan fake a dating life that turns into a little something more. Recommended by: Michelle Sprauge, Adult Services Librarian at Seabrook Library. “There’s a lot of steam and the burgeoning relationship between the two of them propels the story to the end. You really want to see them get their happy ending.”
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, published September 2021 Olive Smith, a Ph.D. student, accidentally lands herself in a fake relationship with a grumpy professor to prove a point to her best friend. Recommended by: Alexa Moore, circulation and reader services librarian at Amherst Town Library. “The fake dating trope can make romances a little predictable, but this story was able to make it relatable [and] funny. … I found it to be an accurate look at balancing graduate school with a relationship, with a little cheesiness mixed in.”
Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley, published May 2021 Between being a bridesmaid for her best friend’s upcoming wedding and trying to finish her next book by the deadline, romance author Kara Sullivan has a lot going on. Things only get more complicated when her estranged first love also happens to be in the wedding party. Recommended by: Amy Lapointe, library director at Amherst Town Library. “The story within a story will appeal to romance readers and book lovers, and the witty dialogue makes this a perfect beach read.”
Science fiction
The Candy House by Jennifer Egan, published April 2022 A tech entrepreneur looks at the long-term consequences of a technology he developed years earlier that allows people to download, access and share their memories. Recommended by: Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “An exploration of character and authenticity that will have you up late rereading and obsessing over dozens of brilliantly written passages.”
How High We Go In the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu, published January 2022 In a post-apocalyptic world plagued by a deadly virus, humans fight to maintain their humanity and take hope wherever they can find it. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “For anyone who likes their post-apocalyptic books to have empathy, imagination and hope. Nagamatsu is an exceptional writer who knows how to pull at the heartstrings as he is weaving an incredible tale.”
A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers, published July 2021 In a future where robots have become sentient and live independently from humans, a robot and a monk embark on a journey to discover what humans need for a better future. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “A unique speculative fiction story — very positive, very inclusive, very environmentally minded. I loved living in this world and can’t wait for the next book in the series, which will be released in July 2022.”
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, published April 2022 A mind-bending tale of time travel and characters who share a connection that transcends time and space. Recommended by: Jessica DeLangie, head of technical services at Derry Public Library. “There are many elements and themes that could be pulled out and discussed, but it can also stand completely on its own as just a fun read.”
The Temps by Andrew DeYoung, published March 2022 Trapped in their airtight office complex after a worldwide disaster strikes outside, a group of temps must work together to survive and discover the truth about what happened. Recommended by: Tammy Gross, library assistant at Goffstown Public Library. “The author really brought to life the young characters and each of their personalities. It’s been recently announced online that the novel will be adapted for TV, and I’m looking forward to that, too.”
Youth
Family of Liars by E. Lockheart, published May 2022 This prequel to Lockheart’s 2014 young adult novel We Were Liars dives deeper into the secrets and lies of the Sinclairs, a wealthy New England family that will do whatever it takes to keep up appearances. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “A great summer mystery. When you think you’ve revealed what they’ve been hiding, you only uncover more mysteries hidden away.”
Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill, published March 2022 In this middle-grade novel, a group of orphans set out to defend a benevolent ogress who becomes the prime suspect in the case of a missing child when the mayor fuels stereotypes and fears held by the townspeople about ogres. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, children’s book buyer at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “A beautiful parable about doing good where you can and creating a loving community instead of isolating out of fear or anger.”
Franco-American Centre names Franco-American of the Year
Meet Timothy Beaulieu, the winner of the Franco-American Centre’s 2022 Franco-American of the Year Award.
When did you first start exploring your Franco-American heritage?
I grew up away from the culture and the language. I grew up like any American kid did; I just happened to have the funny last name. I didn’t really know too much about our Franco-American heritage, where we came from or what our traditions were until I got older, when my grandfather just started kind of unloading on me. … Then, I thought it would be something cool to promote and grow.
What has been your involvement with the Franco-American Centre?
I started volunteering for the Franco-American Centre back in 2014, and I have done a bunch of stuff for them. I ran their program committee for a few years. I created their YouTube channel, and then we created the first French-language YouTube contest that we’d seen in New England, the Euclide Gilbert Foundation French language video contest. I was on the Board of Trustees for six years. My pet project, which I started in 2015, is PoutineFest. I still run PoutineFest today.
How did you start volunteering for them?
I was looking for a nonprofit organization I could get involved with that was tied to my Franco-American heritage. There aren’t a heck of a lot left. Then, I found the Franco-American Centre. They seemed to have to have a presence, so I thought it’d be really cool to get involved. The thing I liked about the Franco-American Centre is that they’re willing to look at things that are new and not just do things that are old.
What is the Franco-American of the Year Award?
The Franco-American Centre picks someone who has done volunteer work and such in the Franco-American community. … I was pleasantly surprised that they picked me; I didn’t expect them to because I didn’t really grow up in the Franco-American community … but [the winner] doesn’t have to be a Franco-American; it can be anyone who has been involved in the Franco-American culture and language … so it’s cool that they picked me, someone who grew up away from the culture and then came back to it.
What are you up to now?
I’m planning the next PoutineFest for October. That is my primary focus. I think PoutineFest can help make some money for the Franco-American Centre and bring the culture back and make people more aware that you can’t throw a rock without hitting someone with a French name in Manchester or Nashua. It would be cool to see New Hampshire really lean into that heritage more and do more with it.
What do you want people to know about Franco-American culture in New Hampshire?
It’s crazy to think that Montreal is only four hours from here — I mean, Quebec is really almost part of the New England region; the border is right there — and New Hampshire has so many Franco-Americans or French-Canadians, and still, we don’t teach the language in many schools. It seems like I am always hearing about another French program getting cut. It would be really cool if we could bring the language and some of the culture back and make those connections with Quebec again. There doesn’t need to be a barrier; it doesn’t need to be shut off.
Featured photo: Timothy Beaulieu and family. Courtesy photo.
Married couple Sara Graziano and David Christopher are the founders and owners of Finder’s Seeker in Goffstown, a shop full of unique collectibles, toys, antiques, artwork and other treasures that they find and curate themselves.
Explain your job and what it entails.
We are resellers on a personal level. We buy collections of unwanted treasures and make them accessible to kids wanting to spend their allowance on something cool, or to adults trying to rebuild something they had when they were young. We put a lot of thought into curating, and hand pick each item that we put into the shop. Our space is small, but it’s a seamless blend of toys, antique treasures, artwork and books. We built Finder’s Seeker to be an experience, something you can interact with and be a part of.
How long have you had this job?
We have been doing this full-time since 2014, and we opened the shop in 2016.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
Ten years ago we were displaced by a fire at our home and started going to the flea markets to replace our furniture, appliances and other items. We bought a couple of small things and resold them for a profit and thought, maybe we can do this on the side for extra money. We decided that after getting married in 2014 we would leave our jobs and try it out full-time.
What kind of education or training did you need?
David had a lot of experience with the flea markets from his childhood. His uncles, father and grandmother had been going for years and selling there as well. His grandmother was known as ‘the toy lady’ in her flea market days, famous for loose action figures and little toys spread out all over her tables for kids to excitedly dig through, which is something we try to recreate at our shop.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Casual.
How has your job changed over the course of the pandemic?
At the start, when everything was shutting down, we had to close our doors for six months. We relied heavily on the internet and online sales. But it also allowed us to slow down a little and spend a lot of time together as a family. We have two little girls, ages 1 and 5, who sometimes come to work at the shop. It really helped us to find better ways to balance work and home life.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
How difficult running every part of a business would be. But it has definitely helped improve our work ethic.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
People always ask us where we get our items from. We are sort of like treasure hunters. We travel around the state, looking for collections to buy from those who are cleaning out their attics and basements. Every penny we make goes directly back into the business or to our daughters. We don’t live extravagant lives, go on international vacations or have a fat savings account. We do what we do because we appreciate the freedom, and to make something wonderful together as a family.
What was the first job you ever had?
David worked at a sandwich shop and Sarabeth was a freelance photographer for her local paper.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
Opportunity is everywhere; keep your eyes and ears open at all times.
Five favorites Favorite book: Anything by Neil Gaiman. Favorite movie: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Favorite music: A little of everything. Favorite food: Popcorn Favorite thing about NH: The camaraderie of its communities, and, of course, the beautiful scenery — orchards, beaches, farms, mountains.
Featured photo: Sara Graziano and David Christopher. Courtesy photo.
