Do you remember your Grammy’s favorite rose? If you do, you probably remember how fragrant it was. One of my grandmother’s favorite plants was the peony named ‘Festiva Maxima.’ It is a double white with a drop of red in the middle. It’s in bloom now, with a fragrance so pleasant it almost makes me swoon. And even though she passed away in 1953, her peony has been divided and shared, and I have a piece of it, which I treasure.
My friend Nelia Sargent of Claremont, New Hampshire, is an excellent gardener, growing trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. She specializes in plants with fragrant flowers because she has been blind since she lost her sight while in college decades ago. I called her recently to see what flowers please her the most in spring, summer and fall. Let’s take a look.
Spring: Early each spring one of Nelia’s first bloomers is a witch hazel named ‘Arnold’s Promise.’ Even though it is a Zone 5 plant (hardy to minus 20 degrees) and we are in a Zone 4 area, her home is within a mile of the Connecticut River, which tempers winters a bit. Arnold’s Promise blooms for her in April and, she said, one stem will fill a room with fragrance for up to two weeks in a vase.
Another favorite of hers is February daphne (Daphne mezereum), which blooms here in late March into April. It is a small shrub that is relatively slow-growing and short-lived. She says they are good for 10 years, but I’ve had one for 20. It is very fragrant and has lovely lavender flowers. All daphnes are fragrant and she also likes Daphne burkwoodii, which blooms in May.
Viburnums are also fragrant shrubs grown by Nelia. She particularly likes Viburnum judii and V. carlessii. The first, also called Judd’s viburnum, has semi-snowball bloom clusters that are pink in bud and white when open. It grows in full sun or part shade, as does Korean spice viburnum (V. carlessii). Both prefer well-drained rich soil in sun and stay a tidy 6- to 8-foot height and width. I grow the second and have had mixed luck with it: It is not always very generous with its blossoms, and does develop dead branches at maturity.
Summer: This is the season that has the most kinds of fragrant blossoms. Nelia has developed such a keen sense of smell that she was once invited to “smell test” and rate the lilacs at the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard.
Nelia told me that there are about 20 different fragrances from lilacs, each distinct. Her favorite lilacs are called ‘Sister Justina,’ ‘Gertrude Lesley’ and ‘Miss Kim.’ Miss Kim is often sold as a miniature, but it is really just slow-growing. Mine, now 25 years old, is about 12 feet tall and wide. The fragrance is lovely — I can smell it from 20 feet away, and on a sunny day it is loaded with butterflies and bees.
Then there are peonies. Properly planted, peonies last forever. And, as Nelia said, ”You can plant peonies for your heirs, but they yield immediately.” Purchase your peonies now, while in bloom at the garden center so you can see if they are fragrant — not all are — and see what they look like. Just don’t plant them so deep that their nibs or growing points are covered with more than an inch of soil, or they will not bloom in the future.
Nelia’s favorite peonies are Dawn Glow, Madame Deveronvale, Edulalis Superba (a very early deep pink), Festiva Maxima, Duchesse De Nemours and Carnation Bouquet (spicy, with a “carnation appearance”).
Mock orange (Philadelphus spp.) is a group of shrubs composed of about 20 species that are very fragrant. But they are a bit unruly and not suited for prime real estate in the garden. Nelia suggests planting them a bit away from the house and letting them naturalize. I’ve never grown it myself due to its spreading behavior.
Late summer and fall: Many fall flowers are big, tall, bright — but not very fragrant. Here are a few she likes.
Clethra: A nice shrub that likes moist places. She particularly likes ‘Ruby Spice,’ which is a reddish one.
Cohosh (formerly Cimicifuga spp., now included in the genus Actea): This plant has tall flower spikes that display drooping bottlebrush flowers. Bees absolutely love it. There is a black-leafed species that is quite distinctive called Hillside Black Beauty.
Seven Sons-Flower Tree (Heptacodium miconioides) starts blooming in September and may continue into October unless there is a bad frost. The blossoms are small and white and delicately fragrant. I grow it for the bark as well, which is exfoliating and interesting all winter.
So, if you like fragrant flowers, try some of Nelia Sargent’s favorites. All are wonderful.
Henry is the author of four gardening books and is a gardening consultant. He lives and gardens in Cornish Flat, N.H. Reach him at [email protected].
Featured photo:Close-up of February Daphne taken in late March. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
Whether it’s a cookout, parade or celebration, towns and cities across New Hampshire want to make sure their residents have their Fourth of July go out with a bang.
• Amherst Fourth of July celebration Two days’ worth of celebration and entertainment, featuring fireworks, a festival on the town green, and a parade with classic cars competing for awards. When: Monday, July 3, festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks. A second day of festivities, including the parade and festival, begins Tuesday, July 4, at 9 a.m. Where: July 3 events at Souhegan High School, 412 Boston Post Road. July 4 parade leaves opposite the Wilkins School, 80 Boston Post Road. Visit: amherstnh4th.org
• Brookline fireworks uesday, July 4, around 9 p.m. Where: The fireworks will be over Lake Potanipo, Max Cohen Memorial Grove, 3 Mason Road. Visit: brookline.nh.us
• Canobie Lake Park fireworks Stick around after a day at the amusement park for fireworks over the lake. The fireworks show is timed to patriotic music and the amusement park recommends viewers watch them by the daVinci’s Dream ride.When: Friday, June 30, through Tuesday, July 4, 9:15 p.m. Where: Canobie Lake Park, 85 N. Policy St., Salem Visit: canobie.com
• Derry fireworks Tuesday, July 4, approximately 8:45 p.m. Where: Best viewing areas are Hood Commons, Crystal Avenue and Tsienneto Road Visit: derry-nh.org
• Hopkinton Fourth of July Family Fun Day Featuring a kiddie and main parade, family games, live music and a cookie bake-off When: Tuesday, July 4, cookie competition dropoff is from 9 to 11 a.m., kiddie parade begins at 11:30 a.m., main parade begins at noon and competition results are at 2 p.m. Where: Parades begin at Hopkinton High School (297 Park Ave., Contoocook), then proceed through Fountain Square toward Contoocook Village Cemetery. Other festivities held at Houston Park, 41 Houston Drive, Hopkinton. Visit: hopkintonrec.com
• Laconia celebration and fireworks Laconia will be holding a parade and a festival full of vendors and live music on top of the spectacular fireworks show. When: Sunday, July 2. The parade will start at 4:30 p.m., the band will start playing after, and fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. Where: The parade will start at the Laconia High School, 345 Union Ave., and end at Opechee Park, 915 Main St. Visit: laconianh.gov
• Manchester Independence Day celebration Enjoy fireworks, live music and food vendors. When: Monday, July 3. Live music starts at 7 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Where: Arms Park, 10 Arms St. Visit: manchesternh.gov
• Merrimack Fourth of July festivities A weekend-long celebration featuring fireworks, live music, a road race, a pancake breakfast and much more. When: The Merrimack Concert Association’s annual Patriotic Concert in the Park will be held Monday, July 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The annual Merrimack Sparkler 5K Road Race will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The Merrimack Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. A parade will begin at 1 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Where: Holiday concert at Abbie Griffin Park. Road race begins and ends at Merrimack High School, 38 McElwain St. Pancake breakfast and fireworks are also at Merrimack High School. The parade will start at the Commons Shopping Plaza, 515 Daniel Webster Hwy. Visit: merrimackparksandrec.org
• Milford Star Spangled 5K Deck out in red, white and blue to show your patriotism at this race. There’s also a free fun run for kids ages 12 and younger. When: Saturday, July 1. Race starts at 8:30 a.m., check-in at 7:30 a.m. Where: Keyes Memorial Park, Elm Street Price: registration costs $30 for those 13 and older, $10 for 12 and youngerVisit: milford.nh.gov
• Nashua Fourth of July celebration Fireworks, live music and hall of fame inductions. When: Tuesday, July 4, children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., concert at 6 p.m. featuring The Slakas. Fireworks begin at dusk. Where: Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St. Visit: nashuanh.gov
• New Boston Fourth of July celebration Featuring a parade, live music, a barbecue, ax throwing and the firing of the historic Molly Stark cannon. When: Tuesday, July 4, parade begins at 10 a.m., fairgrounds will open at 4 p.m., opening ceremonies are at 5 p.m., and the fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Where: Parade begins at the top of High Street and will end at the grounds of the Hillsborough County Youth Center Foundation, off River Road. Visit: newboston4thofjuly.org
• Raymond Fourth of July celebration 21th annual Fourth of July parade will have floats, horses, antique cars, clowns and more. When: Tuesday, July 4, parade at 9:30 a.m. Where: Parade proceeds from Route 27 (Epping Street) to the Raymond Town Common, onto Old Manchester Road and to Wight Street. Visit: raymondareanews.com
• Salem Independence Day celebration Featuring live music, food trucks, face painting, fireworks, a beer garden and more.When: Monday, July 3. Kids’ activities and food trucks will be open from noon to 9 p.m., fireworks will start at dusk. Where: The event this year is taking place at Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana. Visit: townofsalemnh.org
• Weare patriotic celebration fireworks Enjoy fair food, live music, and carnival rides before the fireworks start. When: Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Where: Center Park, North Stark Highway, Weare Visit: fb.me/e/2VVetdx9S
• Windham fireworks The Windham High School band will play a patriotic concert and there will be a selection of vendors selling all kinds of wares before the fireworks light up the sky. When: The parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m., the band starts at 7:15 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Where: Windham High School, 64 London Bridges Road. Visit: windhamnh.gov
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• Sew with friends: The Sewing Circle with the Currier Museum of Art’s (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org) artist-in-residence Calder Kamin continues the next two Saturdays, July 1 and July 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will help create a “Dream Feather” that will be sewn into the large community quilt to be unveiled at the Currier’s annual Summer Block Party on Saturday, July 15, from 4 to 9 p.m., according to a Currier newsletter. The project is also taking donations of clean fabric, preferably purple or violent, the newsletter said. No experience necessary.
• Singing in summer: The Nashua Choral Society will hold two Summer Sing events where participants can learn and sing a piece of classical music, according to a press release. Singers will practice the piece during the first hour and then do a complete run-through during the second hour, the press release said. Admission to the events costs $10; bring a water bottle and a music score if you have it, the release said. The first Sing will be Sunday, July 16, at 2 p.m. and will focus on “Rutter Requiem”; the second sing will be Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. and will feature the Brahms “requiem,” the release said. Both events take place at the Pavilion at Bethany Covenant Church (1 Covenant Way in Bedford), the release said. Email [email protected] with questions.
(Ir)Reverent Two Villages Art Society (846 Main St. in Contoocook; twovillagesart.org) will feature the work of Andrew Heath, a Concord-based artist focused on printmaking, photography, sculpture and found media, in an exhibit called “(Ir)Reverent,” which will open Saturday, July 1, and run through Saturday, July 29, according to a press release. The gallery will host an opening reception for Heath on Saturday, July 1, from noon to 2 p.m. The show will feature “several large cyanotype photo prints, as well as smaller works including sculptural pieces,” the release said. The Two Villages Art Society gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
• Art at the New Hampshire Boat Museum: The New Hampshire Boat Museum (399 Center St. in Wolfeboro Falls; nhbm.org) will host an artist reception for Lauren Hammond on Friday, July 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Hammond’s work includes painting featuring forests, mountains, gardens and flowers, according to a press release that said she draws inspiration from the nature around her. The work will be on display through the end of July. Through Labor Day, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
• New from Seacoast Artist Association: The Seacoast Artist Association (130 Water St. in Exeter; seacoastartist.org) has two exhibits opening in July, both of them “Body of Work” shows that focus on a single artists. Sculptor Natasha Dikareva’s works will appear in the exhibit “Wishing You Blue Sky” and are “an homage to the incredible resilience of my fellow Ukrainians,” Dikareva said in a press release. Dikareva was originally from Ukraine and now lives in Newmarket. Windham artist Janice Leahy will have her works displayed in “In Somnis Veritas — In Dreams is Truth.” Meet both artists at a reception on Friday, July 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., when music will be provided by Cheryl Sager and Peg Chaffee, the release said. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Life is a Cabaret The Actors Cooperative Theatre will present Cabaret at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) Friday, July 7, through Sunday, July 16, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., according to a press release. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students. The musical Cabaret, which takes place in Berlin near the end of the Weimar Republic, features adult language and situations, the press release said.
When Marielle Thompson was diagnosed with a dissociative disorder in 2021, she instantly wanted to find literature that she could see herself in. When she wasn’t able to find any that felt true to her own experience, she decided to write some of her own. Two years later, that story is complete. On Friday, June 30, Thompson, who currently lives in Switzerland, will be at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord to present her debut gothic novel, Where Ivy Dares to Grow.
Ever since her childhood in Exeter, Thompson knew she wanted to be a writer.
“I was just constantly bombarding my family with outrageous stories,” she said.
An avid reader, she spent lots of her time at the Exeter Public Library. She went on to study in Scotland, earning two master’s degrees, first in Romantic and Victorian literature and then in creative writing.
“My first master’s degree in Romantic and Victoran literature [was in] 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century literature, but I really focused in on the 19th century,” Thompson said. “I love those classic gothic tales and I really wanted to focus my degree on the private letters and the journaling a lot of those authors did. … I think that gothic literature generally is sort of like a peek into [the] psyche of the characters and I’ve always found that really fascinating.”
Thompson said that her studies in creative writing and 19th-century literature, citing the Bronte sisters and Mary Shelley as particular influences, gave her a foundation from which to draw inspiration for her novel. Historical events also inspire her writing, like the Moberly-Jourdain incident that happened in France in 1901, when two women who were walking on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles claimed to have slipped back centuries in time before returning back to the present hours later. The story is also infused with her own personal experiences, which Thompson says coincide with the gothic genre.
“The story is very much about mental health and specifically about [the] dissociative disorder that I and [the] main character have,” she said. “I’ve sort of explained it to people by saying it feels like being in a gothic novel, [as if] the ghosts are in your own mind and your body feels like this haunted house you’re trapped in. When I knew I wanted to write a story that was about mental health, and with my degrees, [it] felt like the perfect fit to go for gothic.”
Where Ivy Dares to Grow follows protagonist Saoirse Read who is spending the winter with her fiance and his less-than-accepting parents at their isolated, haunted familial home. One day while walking in the garden, Saoirse slips back in time to 1818 and meets one her fiance’s ancestors, with whom she forms a relationship. Readers embark on this journey with Saoirse, as she slips back and forth from 1818 to the present, navigating the complicated relationships in her life while trying to cope with her mental health.
While categorized as gothic, the novel is a mashup of genres, with elements of historical fiction, romance and psychological mystery with some magical flair. Above all, it was important to Thompson the mental health aspect of the story not be overshadowed.
“There’s tons of heavy topics but it really is a story of hope and … self-love and self-acceptance so I hope that that is something that readers can see in this story and take away from it,” Thompson said. “Especially those that have struggled with mental health … [I hope they] feel like the book is a little bit of a friend and can help give a positive outlook that it’s not always so dark.”
At Gibson’s Bookstore, Thompson will talk about her book as well as engage in a Q&A session and book signing.
“I’m so excited!” Thompson said about returning to the Granite State for this event. “It feels very full circle, as so much of my original love of reading in childhood is connected to memories of New Hampshire, so it feels right to celebrate my debut there.”
Where Ivy Dares to Grow: A Gothic Time Travel Love Story – With Marielle Thompson When: Friday, June 30, 6:30 p.m. Where: Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., Concord Visit: gibsonsbookstore.com
As the sun shines brighter, summer in New Hampshire provides the perfect backdrop for getting lost in the pages of a good book.
The Hippo’s summer reading guide brings you a diverse collection of recommendations of recently published books from local bookstore and library staff, who shared how these books resonated with them and captured their hearts and minds.
Dive deeper into the stories behind the stories with our series of Q&As with local authors, who discussed the inspirations and writing processes behind their latest works.
Whether you crave thrilling adventures, heartwarming tales or captivating journeys through time and space, our guide has something for you.
Grab a book, find a cozy spot and let your imagination soar.
Contemporary fiction
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, published March 2023. Recommended by: Diane Hathaway, director of Goffstown Public Library. Sylvie marries tragic William, and the book travels through time to describe the challenges of their relationship as a result of their backgrounds and personalities. A beautiful book with unique characters, despite the parallels to Little Women in the four sister characters. “All readers look for certain features that are common in their favorite books. Mine is that I need to like the characters, and Hello Beautiful fits that requirement,” Hathaway said.
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore, published March 2023. Recommended by: Elisabeth Jewell, events coordinator at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord.An “uplit” (uplifting literature) about a collection of lonely strangers who accidentally form a book club, and about the truths we avoid telling ourselves. “Our bookstore devoted a podcast to the idea of uplit earlier this year — these are non-romance happy-ever-after stories — the classic example is A Man Called Ove,” Jewell said.
Maame by Jessica George, published January 2023. Recommended by: Tricia Ryden, adult services librarian at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham. In this tender, quiet coming of age novel, 25-year-old Maddie George’s life seems to be permanently on hold. The daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, Maddie is a self-described people-pleaser — the dependable person in all aspects of her life. The book traces Maddie’s struggle to claim her place in the world as she deals with grief and depression, microaggressions, dating and roommate issues. “Maddie is a lovely character, big-hearted and funny and kind, and I really found myself rooting for her. Maame is a compassionate, intimate debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author,” Ryden said.
Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas, published March 2023. Recommended by: Diane Hathaway, director of Goffstown Public Library. “Sharkbait” is the only name by which we know the narrator. Jude, her nearly 20 years older lover, gives her the nickname, and the book is the memory of their relationship from when Sharkbait is a decade older. We relive the heady days of love with the narrator, as well as the deterioration of the relationship. “This may be my favorite book so far in 2023. This is an eloquent, rich book with lyrical writing, full of feeling. A must read!,” Hathaway said.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, published May 2023. Recommended by: Alexa Moore, circulation and reader services librarian at Amherst Town Library. June Hayward steals and publishes her “best-friend’s” literary masterpiece after her tragic death. June will stop at nothing to keep the fame she believes she deserves. “This darkly humorous satire is a departure from fantasy for Kuang, but still has her strong voice throughout. I loved it. It expertly shines a light on the faults within the publishing industry, and is extremely readable and hilarious. I can’t wait to see what Kuang writes next,” Moore said.
Cookbook
Blueberries for Sal Cookbook: Sweet Recipes Inspired by the Beloved Children’s Classic by Robert McClosky, published June 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner. Celebrate blueberries all year with 30 wonderful recipes of muffins, pies, smoothies and more. “Includes the glorious illustrations from the children’s classic throughout. Fun for all!,” Nevins said.
Fantasy
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean, published August 2022. Recommended by: Tricia Ryden, adult services librarian at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham. A kind of a twist on vampire stories, The Book Eaters is a dark, gritty, contemporary fantasy that tells the story of Devon Fairweather, a Book Eater. Secluded from human society, Book Eaters survive by consuming books, and to maintain their social order, Book Eater girls are fed a strict diet of fairy tales. Devon, however, finds herself increasingly unable to accept what turns out to be the nightmarish reality of life as a Book Eater princess. “At times harrowing, the book is written with an enormous amount of compassion for the impossible choices that Devon has to make. It’s a book about power, knowledge, survival, social norms, morality and love,” Ryden said.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, published April 2023. Recommended by: Alexa Moore, circulation and reader services librarian at Amherst Town Library. Two writers, Iris Winnow & Roman Kitt, compete for the top spot at a local paper, the Oath Gazette. Iris loses her family, and finds connection through a magical exchange of letters with a mystery person. The ongoing war between the gods finds both Iris and Roman, and causes them to reevaluate their lives. “This historical fiction meets fantasy romance novel focuses on the relationships of its characters, with the backdrop of the gods at war. It has an enemies to lovers romance, incredible worldbuilding with a sprinkling of magic, and some mystery as the reader discovers all the elements to this world,” Moore said.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, published May 2023. Recommended by: Alexa Moore, circulation and reader services librarian at Amherst Town Library. Violent Sorrengail is forced to enter the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College. Will she survive long enough to become a dragon rider, or is she too “fragile” to make it? “This fantasy romance lives up to the hype, and it sucked me in from the first moment! Yarros perfectly executes the enemies to lovers element of the story without taking away from the fantasy worldbuilding. (Plus I am a sucker for a competition novel.) Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas,” Moore said.
Graphic novel
Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Club — Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag, illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, published November 2022. Recommended by: Sean Sherwood, patron assistant at Hooksett Public Library. Jess has always only needed her best friend Olivia by her side through their lives, and their love of fantasy role-playing games has been their special thing forever. But when Olivia starts a new Dungeons & Dragons club in middle school, can Jess cope with sharing her Dungeon Master with other players? “This is a graphic novel that explores the trials of starting middle school and the challenges that come from trying to expand your social circles. I enjoy all of Molly Knox Ostertag’s previous works, such as The Witch Boy, so this was more of the same excellent writing from a stellar author!” Sherwood said.
Sunshine by Jarrett Krosoczka, published April 2023. Recommended by: Christopher Larochelle, patron services librarian at Hooksett Public Library. The author reflects back on a summer he spent as a high school camp counselor at a camp for children with severe illnesses. “Krosoczka’s honesty is a strength. Though the story tackles some very tough subject matter, there is a focus on the positives and a hopeful tone weaves through this moving graphic novel,” Larochelle said.
Historical fiction
All the Broken Places by John Boyne, published November 2022. Recommended by: Dianne Hathaway, director of Goffstown Public Library. Gretel is the protagonist in this book by Boyne, and it is kind of a sequel to his bestseller The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This book is full of sadness and guilt, as Gretel travels between World War II memories and the present day. When we meet her, Gretel is in her later years and as the book progresses we hear her full story until the conclusion that we see coming. “This is a poignant, unforgettable book about the horrors of war and what is left behind,” Hathaway said.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, published October 2022 Recommended by: Tricia Ryden, the adult services librarian at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham. A modern-day adaptation of David Copperfield set in Appalachia during the early days of the opioid crisis. Damon Fields, known by the nickname Demon Copperhead, is a young orphan navigating the foster care system after his mother overdoses. He is a smart, funny, angry, hurting kid with a talent for drawing and a powerful survival instinct. “It is such a smart idea to transplant the Dickens story to this particular time and place. While it is specific to the struggles of this community that Kingsolver comes from, it also drives home the universal toll of poverty and inequity. A beautiful, heartbreaking book,” Ryden said.
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Haron, published April 2023. Recommended by: Jamie Litalien, patron services and technical services assistant at Hooksett Public Library. This novel, set during the American Revolution, follows the real life story of Deborah Samson., a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the war for American Independence. This book addresses the challenges of war and one woman’s fight for personal liberty. “If you are looking to be transported back in time, this is the story for you!” Litalien said.
Go as a River by Shelley Read, published February 2023. Recommended by: Paula Frank, a bookseller at Balin Books in Nashua. Against the harsh realities of life in the 1940s a teenage girl finds forbidden love in a small provincial town in Colorado, where loss, prejudice and rage prevail. “As beautiful as it is devastating. The words never felt wasted. Fiercely independent Victoria (Torie) follows her own path. She leaves her broken family behind and deals with many hardships on her own, building a life worthy of the legacy of her past,” Read said.
Homecoming by Kate Morton, published April 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet Bookends of Warner. Full of suspense, this is an epic story that spans generations, asking what we would do for those we love, how we protect the lies we tell, and what it means to come home. “Mix up historical fiction with a woman sleuth, and that spells great summer reading,” Nevins said.
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane, published April 2023. Recommended by: Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. Set in the same universe as Mystic River — Boston in the 1970s — Small Mercies is a story of the impact of integration and busing on traditional Irish communities, with mysterious disappearances and the constant threat of violence. “Lehane has a great ear for dialogue and is one of our best writers in creating truly memorable scenes. This was the world Lehane grew up in, so this is a very personal story for him,” Herrmann said.
Weyward by Emilia Hart, published March 2023. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, manager and buyer of the children’s section at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. Weyward is a multi-generational story following a line of witches and their daughters. “It is a feminist POV that touches on the historical importance for a woman’s right to choose safety in remaining independent. For fans of Kate Morton, Diane Setterfield and Sarah Perry,” Roy said.
Horror
Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca, published June 2023. Recommended by: Ryan Clark, social media manager at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “If you like your horror to leave you battered and raw, buckle up, I have your next read. Everything the Darkness Eats is bursting with malevolence, desperation, trauma and love. At times you will feel utterly consumed by the darkness, and at other times you will catch a glimpse of the light. This novel may be small, but it is a beast in its own right. Do not underestimate it. Eric LaRocca’s writing is gorgeous and addictive,” Clark said.
Mystery
All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay, published March 2023. Recommended by: Jan Locke, a buyer at Balin Books in Nashua. Has the perfect murder been committed, or not? How does a family, ripped apart by doubt, take sides against one of its own? This is a companion volume but not a sequel to previous bestseller Finding Jacob by the same author “This story really gets under your skin!” Locke said.
Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor, published August 2022. Recommended by: Jan Locke, a buyer at Balin Books in Nashua. Small-town secrets are easily buried in this close-knit community representative of the new mystery genre, rural Australian noir. “Heart-wrenching, evocative and beautifully written, this still manages to be a very good police procedural,” Locke said.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson, published January 2023. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, manager and buyer of the children’s section at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. This is a cheeky Australian murder mystery that breaks the fourth wall to address the reader frequently. “Narrated by the author of several ‘how to write a mystery’ books, but not a novelist himself, in this book we get a play-by-play account of one family’s disastrous family reunion weekend and a dirty laundry list of how each member has, as the title suggests, killed someone,” Roy said.
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai, published February 2023. Recommended by: Beth Nerbonne, patron service assistant at Hooksett Public Library. A successful film professor and podcaster returns to the New Hampshire boarding school she attended where her former roommate was murdered [during] the spring of their senior year. While she’s teaching a class as an adjunct there, interest in the case resurfaces and forces our protagonist to reconsider what she and everyone else has presumed was the truth. “After reading Makkai’s Pulitzer Prize finalist, The Great Believers, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Filled with twists and turns and of course its connection to New Hampshire boarding schools, this title is one heck of a ride,” Nerbonne said.
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes, published February 2023. Recommended by: Ryan Clark, social media manager at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. After unsuccessfully trying to murder his boss, instead of being arrested, Cliff Iverson is recruited to the McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, the very fancy, well-rounded school for learning the art of homicide. “Darkly funny, a bit like if A Series of Unfortunate Events was written for adults. This is by the same man who wrote ‘The Pina Colada Song’ way back when!” Holmes said.
Nonfiction
Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska by Warren Zanes, published May 2023. Recommended by: Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. Warren Zanes writes about what this album meant to musicians at the time (he, with his brother Dan, were core members of The Del Fuegos), where it lands in the personal journey of Springsteen as an artist, and its enduring legacy. “This is an in-depth and fascinating study of Bruce Springsteen’s album Nebraska, which took the world by surprise with its darkness and ragged simplicity in 1982,” Herrmann said.
Monster: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer, published April 2023. Recommended by: Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. This book had its beginnings as an essay in the Paris Review that went viral — “What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?,” a question that also goes to the heart of professional bookselling. “Claire Dederer, author of the memoirs Poser and Loveand Trouble, has expanded her essay into a broad and fascinating study of the issue, and also a radical self-examination that is highly valuable. You’ll read about Picasso, Woody Allen, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson and many other well-known figures whose work endures even as their reputations are re-evaluated,” Herrmann said.
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs by Jamie Loftus, published May 2023. Recommended by: Jo Swenson, lead bookseller at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. Part travelog, part culinary history, part quirky memoir. “Raw Dog is the horny socialist hot dog book you didn’t know you needed. If that alone doesn’t immediately sell you on this book, I’m not sure I can help you,” Swenson said.
Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People by Tracy Kidder, published January 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner. From the streets of Boston, this wonderful writer of Mountains Beyond Mountains now brings us the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell, who invented ways to create a community of care for a city’s unhoused population, including those who sleep on the streets — the “rough sleepers.”
Woman, Captain, Rebel: the Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain by Margaret Wilson, published January 2023. Recommended by: Mark Glisson, assistant director at Hooksett Public Library. The title of the book tells it all: depicting Iceland’s famous female sea captain who not only succeeds against all odds in a sea-faring world dominated by men, but also solves one of the country’s most notorious robberies. “This engaging story provided an eye-opening glimpse into a very unforgiving world of climate and culture faced by women,” Glisson said.
Picture books
The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery and illustrated by Matt Patterson, published May 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner. “The Book of Turtles has amazing illustrations, is emotionally engaging with fact-filled text, and speaks to the wisdom these long-lived animals can lend. … From Soul of an Octopus to The Good Good Pig, this best selling Hancock author has now produced another treasure in children’s books,” Nevins said.
Once Upon a Fairy Tale House: The True Story of Four Sisters and the Magic They Built by Mary Lyn Ray and illustrated by Giselle Potter, published May 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner. “This beloved children’s author from Wilmot has just released another glorious picture book, based on the true story from the 1930’s of four talented sisters who combined their efforts to create fairy tale cottages for themselves and others. … Childhood dreams can become adult realities,” Nevins said.
Romance
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood, published June 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner. “If you loved Lessons in Chemistry (by Bonnie Garmus), check out the latest STEM-based romcom, this time about rival physicists, academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans. This follows the earlier Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain. Guilty pleasure beach reads all around,” Nevins said.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, published April 2023. Recommended by: Tricia Ryden, the adult services librarian at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham. Sally Milz is a writer for The Night Owls, a late night Saturday Night Live-type sketch comedy show. When she falls for that week’s guest host, a handsome and slightly aging pop star, she approaches the relationship with the same ironic detachment she brings to her sketches. “There are fun Saturday Night Live insider references, and plenty of romantic comedy tropes to enjoy in the novel. However, the relationship develops in 2020 in the shadow of the pandemic, which underscores that there are bigger and more important things going on, even in the world of this book, than this relationship. It also highlights the importance of embracing a chance at happiness when it comes your way. … A funny, smart, enjoyable read.” Ryden said.
Science fiction
The Measure by Nikki Erlick, published June 2022. Recommended by: Paula Frank, a bookseller at Balin Books in Nashua. This is a thought-provoking story that follows the lives of eight individuals navigating a new reality when every adult on Earth learns how long they will live. “I like to refer to this book as a philosophical thriller; as it unspools how individuals, governments and society wrestle with having this knowledge. The eight protagonists each have a different perspective and the way Erlick weaves the story and connects the characters is brilliant,” Frank said.
Youth and young adult
Live Your Best Lie by Jessie Weaver, published January 2023. Recommended by: Heather Weirich Roy, manager and buyer of the children’s section at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. When a famous teen Instagram influencer winds up dead at her own Halloween party, it becomes a locked room mystery for her friends to find the enemy in plain sight. Everyone is hiding something, and all were being blackmailed by the not so perfect off-camera Instagram darling.
Opinions and Opossums by Ann Braden, published May 2023. Recommended by: Katharine Nevins, owner and manager of MainStreet BookEnds of Warner. The latest Opinions and Opossums is about how women are portrayed in religion. “I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy the books from this Vermont middle-grade writer. She writes about kids trying to stand up for themselves even when things are tough, starting with The Benefits of Being an Octopus, and then Flight of the Puffin,” Nevins said.
The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, published May 2023. Recommended by: Amy Lemelin, teen librarian at Rochester Public Library. Nico and his boyfriend, Will, go on a quest to Tartarus to save a reformed Titan named Bob. The quest takes them on many adventures, where they meet interesting characters that change both kids in profound ways. “Fans of the Percy Jackson books will appreciate the referencing to previous but not overdone plotlines. The book contains stories of friendship, growth, understanding, and trust, while also taking the reader on a thrilling adventure,” Lemelin said.
Conversations with Authors
Margaret Porter, author of The Myrtle Wand
Published in October 2022, the historical fiction novel is Porter’s latest release.
What is The Myrtle Wand about?
The Myrtle Wand is a retelling and a reimagining of the classical ballet Giselle and it was inspired by seeing a production a few years ago. … Taking in information about the way the ballet had been originally written, [I decided to explore characters.] I’d also wanted to set a book in 17th-century France so I decided to transfer this version of the background and history and future of the characters from the ballet to 17th-century France, to the period of Louis XIV at an early part of his reign. It was a mashup of ballet lore and French history and it includes some real historical characters and then the characters who were fictional from the ballet.
What inspired you to write a retelling?
There’s been a lot of retellings in novel form … and it was a form that I’ve never tried before. … You’re using an established storyline to some extent but there’s a lot of freedom to interpret it the way you want and to develop the characters in a way that’s based on imagination. … I was able to rely on imagination a great deal and just sprinkled in the history where it served my story.
What is Giselle about?
Giselle is … in love with the stranger who has arrived in the village. What she doesn’t know is that he is a duke in disguise who’s … already engaged to a princess. … When she discovers this, her grief is so great that she goes mad and … then she abruptly dies. The second act … takes place in the forest … where the ghosts of girls who’ve been betrayed by their lovers rise from their graves … and hunt down men and make them dance until they die. Giselle, having just died, is raised up from the dead by the queen of these girls’ spirits. The duke comes into the woods … and Giselle’s ghost has to figure out a way to save him from certain death.
Why did you decide to move back the time period of the setting? What interests you in the time period and the setting?
I have an interest in King Louis XIV of France but particularly his earlier years when he was a young king. [The] novel’s main character is the princess, [who] I decided to make … a friend of his. The whole aspect of arranged marriages for the nobility and the royalty of that time is very much explored in the story.
How did the research and writing process look for this novel?
I wrote this novel I think faster than any other novel I’ve written, and I think partly because there wasn’t quite as much research required. I did a lot of research into Louis XIV … and then I did research into convent life … and agricultural life. The daily life aspect was very heavily researched.
What about this story do you think will resonate with readers today?
It shows how women of today have so many more choices, agency and control of their lives. It gives a view of women of the past; what they couldn’t do but what they managed to do and how they could be successful. It’s also the glamorization of the past.
What do you hope readers take away from this story?
To hold on to hope. That when things seem at their worst … there’s always a brighter day ahead, and that companionship and friendship are crucial.
Anita Oswald, author of Brother Where Art Thou
Oswald, a California native and longtime New Hampshire resident, published her latest release in July 2022.
What is this book about?
Brother Where Art Thou is a psychological thriller. It’s kind of a whodunit. Is it the rich heiress? Is it the brother who hasn’t been around? Is it the estranged sister? It is a tale of revenge and why they’re seeking their revenge. Someone is killing women who resemble a certain kind of likeness. It takes you along those adventures with the main characters. It’s kind of a mystery as to who the actual murderer is until you get to the end of the book and figure it out.
What inspired you to write this story? How did you come up with the concept?
I came up with the concept of the book during a family reunion in Kentucky. It has nothing to do with my family, but we were in rural Kentucky and … came across this kind of abandoned location and it just seemed kind of fitting for something like this. If you’re looking at this location it would be one of those that you say, ‘Wow, this could be a crazy place for a thriller suspense movie of some sort.’ Then I took a lot of concepts from the Kentucky area, so there’s a bourbon heiress, there’s horse racing and it takes place during the Kentucky Derby season.
What was the writing and publication process like for this book?
This was my fourth book [to be] published but it was my first being published from a traditional publisher and not [being] self-published. … It’s very different from the self-publication methods because with that you have to do everything yourself. I decided not to go that route with this book because I felt it was time to put it out there [and] give it a greater audience. Psychological thrillers have become such a big part of people’s viewing history [and] the fascination that people have with serial killers, so I thought this was the best opportunity to get it out there and maybe have it become something bigger.
What about this story do you think will resonate with readers and what do you hope that they take away from this story?
Well, it’s a work of fiction so I hope they take away an enjoyment for what I’ve written and a genuine curiosity to read the second book because it does conclude in a second installment. … I really hope that the right person picks it up and it just explodes everywhere. It was a fun book to write [and] it was definitely a labor of love. I put a lot of work [and] research into it. Pulling out a psychological thriller isn’t the easiest thing to do.
What did the research process look like?
Well, I’m probably on an FBI watchlist for everything that I’ve Googled. I Googled everything from non-extradition countries to how you can hide your assets and get away with it. I got probably as close to the dark web as you can go without actually going onto the dark web to find information. I had to Google ways to get rid of a body untraditionally [to] as far as how much lye would it take to dissolve a body, how many hours [it takes and] what the right conditions [are]. That kind of stuff. It seems very grotesque but in order to give the character life that’s kind of what you have to do.
Do you have any idea of when we might hear more about the second installment?
I am hoping within the next year that book will be finished. It is going a little bit slower right now. I am hoping that once I am at a point where I can pitch it to my editor that they will also want to publish the second installment as well. But I am hoping within the next year I can start that process. I’ve already got about five chapters done so it’s definitely on its way.
Linda Kulig Magoon, author of Live Free and Hike: Finding Grace on 48 Summits
Magoon, an environmentalist living in Warner with her two cats, published her debut in June 2023.
What is this book about?
In my mid 50s after I recently divorced my husband, I rediscovered my love for hiking. I had time to myself to focus on my own healing, so I took to hiking Mount Moosilauke on a whim on a sunny Saturday afternoon and just absolutely loved it. There’s something magical about being above tree line, and Mount Moosilauke has an extensive trail system above tree line. You just feel like you’re on top of the world. When I came down from the mountain I discovered that there’s a list of 48 4,000-footers … so I set a goal to hike all 48. I didn’t have a lot of hiking or high summit experience, so I wrote the book because I thought it would be good to share something like that, and spoiler alert: I didn’t die.
Where does your interest in hiking and the outdoors come from?
I grew up in rural Massachusetts and my interest for the outdoors was from my mom and dad. My dad liked to hike, hunt and fish and my mom liked to garden. She was also the queen of house work, so to avoid getting sucked into house work we would all run outside and hide.
Why did you decide to share your story?
I originally set out to write a book about my exploits fumbling across the summits, and my original theme was ‘If an old lady in her mid 50s can do it you can too.’ But about a third of the way through the hikes I got some terrible news that my ex-husband had been arrested for child molestation. So the next three years during the criminal process was probably the most difficult of my life. … Suddenly I had mountains much bigger to climb than any 4,000-footer. So it’s a little bit about that and how at the time I was engaged with a life coach and a therapist and how they became my support system along with my friends and my family. It’s a book that I think anyone who has had some traumatic experience in their life that they can relate to would be able to find some inspiration and some examples of resilience from it.
What was the writing process like?
It really came from journaling. Journaling was a way to help me cope with the events that were going on. Plus I enjoyed journaling and writing anyway so it was very easy for me to go on a particular hike and then come home and write some notes about it very quickly and a lot of the book came from my journals.
What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
Well, I hope that they can find some inspiration. That you can achieve a goal that you set out to do, no matter what the obstacles. Help is available if you need it. Action is rewarded. … I’d like people to understand that it’s never too late to start over. It’s never too late to say, ‘You know what? I’m not happy, I’m better off with a new life.” It’s for people who maybe are struggling in unhealthy relationships and not sure how to get unstuck from that, or people who maybe want something and just don’t feel worthy or know how to take that first step.
What about this story will resonate with readers?
I think everyone’s had some cross to bear at some moment in their lives where things didn’t quite go as planned. That takeaway I want readers to have is that you can come out the other side a different person, maybe stronger, more resilient, or maybe you discover that you are stronger than you think you are.
Brinda Charry, author of The East Indian
Charry, an India native and New Hampshire resident, published the novel — her first U.S. release — in May 2023.
What brought you to the United States, and more specifically, New Hampshire?
I came as a graduate student and then I finished my Ph.D. at Syracuse and I got a teaching job at Keene State College in Keene. I’ve lived in Keene almost 18 years now.
How did your journey begin as a novelist?
I’ve always written fiction on the side and I did publish some books in India and in the U.K. … but The East Indian is really the first novel that was published in the United States. I came across a reference to the first person of Indian descent to come to colonial America. I was very moved and inspired … and decided to write a novel based on that.
What is The East Indian about?
It’s a fictionalized account of this person. The historical record indicates that [he] came to Virginia in 1635 and seems to have been brought over by an English settler. The Indian’s name is listed as Toni Easton. Really nothing much beyond that is known about him. What I do in the novel is I sort of imagine what his journey might have been like. What I try to do is talk about the struggles and the triumphs that this young man might have been through. I wanted to write a coming of age story, but it’s not just any coming of age story because … [it] happens in the context of this huge movement that he’s made across the world. I also wanted to write an adventure story because surely this must have been an adventurous life, so it’s a little bit of both is how I approached the novel.
What was the writing and the research process like?
The research process really took up a lot of time because I do take that part of it very seriously. I got my doctorate in Shakespeare so I know quite a bit about the 1600s in England … but I didn’t really know much about Virginia in the 1600s, so I really had to do a lot of research, and of course I had to make sure there really was an East Indian. Once I had all that it really inspired me to sit down and I wrote the novel. And of course when you’re writing a novel you’re not being a historian even if you’re writing historical fiction … but you let the research form your characters and the plot.
Where did you draw inspiration from to create this character and his life experiences?
I don’t know if I drew from anything in particular. It’s not quite clear whether the Indians who came here in the 1600s were slaves or indentured workers. For the novel I decided to make him an indentured laborer. Some of the inspiration came from reading about the experience of these young people. As a writer, what you try to do is put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and I tried to imagine what life must have been like in what is such a completely new scenario.
What about this story do you think will resonate with readers today?
It is a story of a lot of loss because this is someone who has left a lot behind and it’s not like he was voluntarily brought over, but I hope in addition to the loss and the tragedy of this person’s life, I want people to take away the sense of hope and survival … because I think in even the darkest of places people do find hope, and ultimately I did want to write a story of someone who survives and makes it.
Today is the last walk in the woods hosted by New Boston’s Recreation Department. The walk will be on one of the town’s scenic trails. Meet at 8:50 a.m. at Town Hall (5 Meetinghouse Road), where hikers will either carpool or walk to the trail. For more information visit newbostonnh.gov.
Thursday, June 29
Head to the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) for a lecture by Paul Houle on his book The Crash of Delta Flight 723 today at 7 p.m. The book looks at the crash of Delta Flight 723, known as the deadliest plane crash in New England history. The program costs $10 per person, free for members. Visit aviationmuseumofnh.org for more information.
Saturday, July 1
The Hampton Falls Liberty Craft Festival is today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, July 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hampton Falls Town Common (4 Lincoln Ave.). This event is free to the public. More than 75 juried artisans will feature their work. Discover pottery, pillow quilts, wind chimes and more. Visit castleberryfairs.com for more information.
Saturday, July 1
See the legendary classic rock band Chicago at Bank of NH Pavilion (27 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford) today at 8 p.m. General admission to the lawn costs $25, with discounted four-pack tickets available as well, starting at $18.75. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit banknhpavilion.com.
Sunday, July 2
Celebrate with folk rock singer-songwriter Andrea Paquin at her pre-release album concert tonight at The Cantin Room at Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord). The concert will have songs from her soon-to-be released album along with some of her fans’ favorites. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.
Wednesday, July 5
Today is the first day to pick your own lavender at Pumpkin Blossom Farm (393 Pumpkin Hill Road, Warner) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can have a picnic on the lawn, visit the baby chicks, and enjoy the shaded trails. Discount bundles are $15 during the weekdays and $20 on weekends. Visit pumpkinblossomfarm.com for more information.
Save the Date! The Hillsborough Summer Festival is back this year at Grimes Field (29 Preston St., Hillsborough) from Thursday, July 13, to Sunday, July 16, with live entertainment, carnival rides, a firework show on Saturday night, a 5K road race on Friday, a parade on Sunday and more. Festival hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Visit hillsborosummerfest.com.
