Maine Books

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is a well-written piece of historical fiction based on Abbie Burgess' own accounts and other historical sources. This information is provided in the note by the authors at the beginning of the book. All incidences appear to be very representative of the life of the time depicted. Abbie's character is developed well. The reader is able to see that Abbie is a strong young girl who does not want to let her family, especially her father, down. She faces the conflict of person vs. self and also person vs. nature is evident in the book. The theme evident in the book is bravery and strength. Abbie had to be brave to keep the lights lit. She needed the strength to overcome her fears and to live up to her father's expectations. The illustrations were beautiful watercolors that set the mood of the story.

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Great Books for Girls: More Than 600 Books to Inspire Today's Girls and Tomorrow's Women

This story is about a real girl who rises to meet a challenge that would frighten any adult. My kindergartner now holds this book near/dear as she sees it as a model of courage/bravery to aspire to. Even more exciting is that this story is based upon a real event in a real girl's life.

This book gives you an idea of what it was like to operate a lighthouse in the mid 1800's. Sure doesn't sound fun. In that sense the book is very educational, and it give hero status to a deserving individual that most people have never heard of. The only real flaw it has is in the format of its printing. I can't tell where one paragraph starts and another ends, so if I were trying to narrate this thing I would have a hard time knowing where to stop and start as far as the vocal intonation goes. I also think the introduction gives away the whole story on the first page, so it should really be put at the end of the book.

I remember watching this book on Reading Rainbow when I was little and I had to have it. I got the Audio casatte and Loved it I recommmed this book to anyone! Highy!!

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is a well-written piece of historical fiction based on Abbie Burgess' own accounts and other historical sources. This information is provided in the note by the authors at the beginning of the book. All incidences appear to be very representative of the life of the time depicted. Abbie's character is developed well. The reader is able to see that Abbie is a strong young girl who does not want to let her family, especially her father, down. She faces the conflict of person vs. self and also person vs. nature is evident in the book. The theme evident in the book is bravery and strength. Abbie had to be brave to keep the lights lit. She needed the strength to overcome her fears and to live up to her father's expectations. The illustrations were beautiful watercolors that set the mood of the story.

Boyle's career as a journalist is evident in his novels. The Jack McMorrow tales are as gripping as any crime thrillers out there and Boyle's work on the streets ensures that his books are authentic and gritty. Read one, you'll want to read them all.
-- Mark LaFlamme, author of "The Pink Room."

Disaffected journalist Jack McMorrow, formerly of The New York Times, takes a job as court reporter for the Maine Kennebec Observer. But, unwilling to report the docket as supplied by the local district attorney, McMorrow runs a story about Donna Marchant, an abused woman, and the boyfriend the system seems unwilling to protect her from.

Threatened by the drunken boyfriend and the angry D.A. and warned off by the paper's staid editor, McMorrow finds himself getting more personally involved with Donna Marchant than his longtime girlfriend Roxanne appreciates. When Marchant is murdered, her thuggish boyfriend is the natural suspect but McMorrow isn't satisfied. And soon, he too is a suspect - and the focus of some dangerous thugs.

Boyle supplies plenty of action and a view of the seamy as well as the serene side of rural Maine life.

Once again I was drawn into the world of Jack McMorrow, journalist-turned-detective. And once again, I was struck by how I could so much come to care about a character enmired in a plot for which I cared so little. In this latest whodunnit, McMorrow again has us trudging around Maine in search of justice in a sea of lowlifes at times so two-dimensional as to be almost laughable. One cannot help but like the McMorrow character, though, whose love for nature, plain truth, good beer, dependable friends, and the written word is exceeded only, perhaps, by his taste for confrontation. The plot, however, is like a joke with a long-winded set-up and a punchline that does not pay off. It was a page-turner and I was going nuts in my attempt to solve the mystery as I read. But all of the chapters that precede the last are but a distraction and in no way drive the story. It was like searching all over the house for your keys and then realizing you had them in your hand. It doesn't all come together the way, I think, mysteries of more calibur do. Our author sets us up in the beginning and releases us in the end but uses all the intervening pages to follow his stream of thought on the subject of birds, romantic relationships, and rednecks. Maybe he thinks we won't mind because he's thrown in a house-fire and a kidnapping here and there. And by the way, I'm pretty sure this is the 3rd time our hero is abducted in as many novels. It's enough already with the abductions. Plus, the end had me, at least, a little disappointed with McMorrow's zeal for the truth because he basically winds up perpetuating a lie at the expense of another man's freedom. And even though this was done with the intention to protect another, I found it morally questionable and disagree that it was necessary. Lastly, as our author ages, too, the McMorrow character seems increasingly conservative and dull. At the end of the first book we were left expecting an end to his relationship with the redoubtable Roxanne. I was hoping for a new woman per story a la Mike Hammer. Would I read another McMorrow mystery? Will my girlfriend once again mock me for my loyalty to the series that so often disappoints me? 'Maybe' to the former question and an undeniably 'yes' to the latter.

I think that this is a great book. I am from a big city and am used to sarcasm. McMorrow takes sarcasm to its limit. Sometimes I can't stop laughing at the things he says. The action in this books just does not stop, either. I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going t happen next.

Boyle's evocative writing style draws the reader into the desperate lives of the denizens of small town Maine. In this, his third Jack McMorrow mystery, the dispirited former NY Times reporter, becomes intrigued by a domestic abuse victim after she shocks the district court by baring her scars before the judge. McMorrow's search for the woman behind the news story brings him in conflict with a powerful and manipulative district attorney. The intriguing young victim is found dead and McMorrow is tormented by the fear that his attention led to her death. As in his earlier novels, Jack McMorrow tangles with local thugs, who torch his house and beat him mercilessly. His faithful girlfriend, Roxanne, returns but is shaken by McMorrow's apparent attraction to the hapless people of the Maine the tourists never see. Gerry Boyle's masterful prose and insightful depiction of his characters make this Jack McMorrow series a must read for mystery fans

Am very disturbed not to have received this book as yet. Please, I don't understand what the delay iis. This author was on television in June describing her life. Can you hurry so I can have it soon? Thanks

If you live on an island, the coast or anywhere near a lighthouse you can really appreciate this book. Connie writes with a charm that warms our soul, enlightens our spirit and gives us inspiration
in a day and age where we need to slow down...HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

Although I have had this book since 1986 when it was first published, I recently read it for the first time. I met Connie Small when she was living in Foxwell Senior Citizens complex in Kittery, Maine. She was a neighbor to my grandmother and I enjoyed meeting her. I enjoyed reading about her first hand accounts of her many experiences in lighthouse keeping. I would very much like to know if she is still alive. It would seem unlikely since she would be 100, but I do know she was still living in 1998. If anyone has information about her, please email me, I would love to write her a note.

An autobiographical account of life keeping lights on the Maine coast, the author born in 1901 grew up in Lubec, Maine, married a man who went into the Lighthouse service, together they served at several light stations for decades: At Channel Light in Lubec Channel, at Avery Rock in Machias Bay, at Sequin Island at the mouth of the Kennebec River, at Dochet Island in the St. Croix River, and at the light in New Castle, N.H. Retired and later widowed, she wrote her experiences and is now known as an authority on lightkeeping on the Maine Coast. She currently lives in Portsmouth, N.H.

This is a thoroughly delightful book about a way of life that has almost become extinct, but which the memories and lessons are preserved to our great edification. -DMM

This book is loaded with charm. Highly recommend it.

"Limerock" is a very good collection of short stories. Most of the stories are set in Maine. One ("Ride") is set in Philadelphia.

The stories show the conflict between locals and "summer people"; between wealthy people and poor; between black people and white; between old and young; between gay and straight. Some show the difficulties of aging or illness.

I agree with the previous reviewer that praised "Detour". It's a great story about a sterile man (?) who tries to protect a little girl from her unstable family members.

"Uncle Cub at Paradise Fair" is very funny at times. The behavior of some of the characters is so appalling that it's also darkly funny.

"The Tip" is an effecting story showing the same event from two points of view. It probably should seem corny or preachy, but the author manages to avoid those pitfalls.

You might be surprised how much tension there can be in a story set in Maine (particulary since they lack supernatural elements). "The Best in the World", "Detour", "A Clock in San Diego", and "Holly Point" stand out in my mind as tense stories.

I enjoyed the book. Hopefully it will be followed by an anthology of fantasy and suspense stories. I'd also like to read another of the author's suspense novels.

"Limerock" is a very good collection of short stories. Most of the stories are set in Maine. One ("Ride") is set in Philadelphia.

The stories show the conflict between locals and "summer people"; between wealthy people and poor; between black people and white; between old and young; between gay and straight. Some stories show the difficulties of aging or illness.

I agree with the previous reviewer who praised "Detour". It's a great story about a childless man who tries to protect a little girl from her unstable family members.

"Uncle Cub at Paradise Fair" is very funny at times. The behavior of some of the characters is so appalling that it's also darkly funny.

"The Tip" is an affecting story showing the same event from two different points of view. It probably should seem corny or preachy, but the author manages to avoid those pitfalls.

You might be surprised how much tension there can be in a story set in Maine (particulary since they lack supernatural elements). "The Best in the World", "Detour", "A Clock in San Diego", and "Holly Point" stand out in my mind as tense stories.

The book is a nicely-designed trade paperback. My first copy was missing four pages. My next copy was fine, though.

I enjoyed the book. Hopefully it will be followed by an anthology of fantasy and suspense stories. I'd also like to read another of the author's suspense novels.

Rarely does a collection of short stories come along in which each one of them is a gem! Fahy has captured the essence of ordinary life in Maine with extraordinarily brilliant glimpses into places and personalities. "Detour" is a masterpiece. "Limerock" should be in the collection of everyone who appreciates great literature.

A welcome departure from Fahy's usual scary tales, Limerock explores a Maine many don't know exists. Carefully and clearly drawn, the characters, (and I do mean "characters") portray the struggle, tension and distrust between the Maine natives and the "out-a-staters". An eye opening and enjoyable read.

Reading Limerock is like taking a vacation to Maine, but instead of eating lobster dinners and walking on the beaches, this time you get invited into people's home. No, more like this: You marry into the family and move in. You start spending Friday nights at the Grange Hall dance, Saturday at BEANO. You drink coffee sombraroes with the cousins, drink tea with a good aunt, put up with the Connecticut people next door, watch the old barn on the hill slowly collapsing . . . and can't seem to get enough of it. Want to know what Maine is like? Read this wonderful book.

The photography exhibited here is quite good - several vibrant images of the landscape of coastal Maine in each of its seasons. What I didn't like is, as another reviewer pointed out, it is limited in that it only explores a few areas of Maine (namely Stonington, Acadia National Park, and Deer Isle). What about Western Maine and Portland area? Not covered. Overall not a bad concept (the writing is average) but could have been a lot better.

On the recommendation of a friend, my wife and I stumbled into a photo gallery in Deer Isle, Maine, last week during our vacation (we are from New York) to see the work of Terrell Lester, not even aware Knopf had recently published this book. We were, in short, completely blown away by his photos, all of which, and more, are collected in this remarkable book, along with four essays of varying interest. Lester's photos are like fine art, to be specific, like the best of the Hudson River School of painters back in the 1800s who created such vivid landscapes, saturated with reds and blues and yellow (and that's just in the sky). His photos of islands, mountains, rocks, lakes, surf, trees and spectacular blueberry fields blazing red in autumn are rich with emotion. They deserve to be, and in fact are, on museum walls. For the most part, they are reproduced well in "Maine: The Seasons," but in this case, you can't tell a book by its cover-- a wonderful (but rather too typical for a Maine book) photo of a father and a son heading off to work in their lobster boat. You won't be disappointed.

I recently purchased this book as I am about to move to New England and I am a working photographer. I must say, Mr. Lester's photographs are wonderful and the writing accompanies the images very well, making this a very nice book indeed. I am continually amazed at the quality (and variety) of light in Mr. Lester's photographs - I think I'm going to like this place. I like this book and would recommend it to others who are interested in travel/photo books related to the Pine Tree State. If I had any criticism at all regarding this book, it might be with the title itself. There seems to be a heavy emphasis on images from Deer Island and Stonington and surrounding environs. The title of the book , "Maine: The Seasons" might suggest a broader area of coverage. Maine is a big state - and it's great to see a photographer working in his own backyard, so to speak, but a more specific title reference may have been appropriate as many areas of Maine do not make appearances here. But this point is minor, and I digress.... overall I found this to be a fine book and a solid purchase. Cheers!

Stunning photographs and poetic/romantic writing. Makes me wish I had gone to Maine (during the summer of course!) while I was in college in New Jersey. This is a special book and it left me wanting more.

While the photography is great, it was limited to only a couple areas of Maine. I was hoping for more small town, quaint images. The only town featured was one that's not even on the map.

Book has loads of information and beautiful pictures. I plan on using the suggestions during my trip to Maine.

My wife and I are planning our vacation to Maine for late Summer '06. We enjoyed the book, pictures, and suggestions for "great pictures."
We'll see how it goes!

David Middleton and Bruce Morrison have created a very insightful guide to coastal Maine photographic "hot spots". I am a professional photographer based in Maine, and while I am quite familiar with most of the places mentioned in this book I was pleasantly surprised to find out about others I had overlooked or was not aware of. (I also have a few secret spots of my own that did not crop up in the book..thankfully... but that's what makes this fun - a guidebook is best put to use as a springboard for further exploration.)

Photographers who live in Maine or are planning to visit coastal Maine will find much to enjoy here. You couldn't ask for a better resource. Even non-photographer types would do well to mine the gems of this book for general sightseeing and hiking tips.
Middleton and Morrison put you smack dab in the middle of great photo opportunities. A bit of a warning here: after you get a copy of this book you will feel a sudden and intense urge to be out on the Maine coast with your camera.

PS - Middleton's guide to Vermont photo sites is excellent as well.

We followed his book to the letter and a great book with valuable infomation. Would recommend this book for anyone traveling to Maine and who likes Lighthouses. Wonderful and helpful tips.

This is a good guidebook. It has enough detail/description to allow one to rationally select "likely sites" without being overpowering. However, there are an number of annoying editing errors present. (For example, every time the text reads "this place is 0.05 mile beyond that place", what's really meant is "0.5 mile". This is wrong in every place it's mentioned!)

Nice photos. Navigation info is duplicated in most cruising guides. Still, pictures are worth ... words.

Will be a great nav aid... look forward to publications covering other areas...

I recall chartering in the British Virgin Islands over 20 years ago and being handed a spiral-bound book that showed all the anchorages viewed from a couple hundred feet above the water, looking in. Wouldn't it be great if there were something like that for the far-trickier Maine coast? Well, now there is, and it's extremely well done.

Most two-page spreads in the book comprise an excellent harbor photo, the related section from the current NOAA chart, and a description of the harbor area. Superimposed on the chart is an arrow indicating the location from and direction in which the photo was shot. Some charts also include additional arrows that are overlayed on the photo as well so that you can see, for example, how the safest route for entry as seen on the chart actually looks on the water. That is really nice.

By my rough count, there are 110 harbors covered, from Isles of Shoals (OK, they're not quite in Maine) to Buck's Harbor on the west shore of Machias Bay. Unfortunately, anchorages around Eastport have been omitted. Maybe Mr. Bildner can get to them in a future edition.

Everyone cruising the Maine coast will want to have this supurb visual guide aboard to supplement the three standard guides. I only hope that the availability of this fine work won't bring TOO many folks and boats "from away" up to crowd our beautiful coast.

An excellent publication and valuable reference manual for any 'cruiser' transiting the waters of Maine. The photos taken by Jim Bildner provide a very welcome aspect of unfamilar destinations.

This outstanding book provides substantial assistance for trip planning and cruising the coast of Maine.
Having cruised Maine's beautiful coast for several decades, planning for my next cruise this summer has already been made easier by having this fine book. Of course, one must do the usual "paper chart navigation" planning before hand, but the additional help of this book is invaluable.
This book has a permanent place both shoreside and onboard while cruising.
It also makes a fabulous gift for my like-minded cruising friends.
Captain Ken Wright
[...]

Reviewed by Avery Largent (age 9) for Reader Views (7/08)

"Angus and Sadie" by Cynthia Voigt was a good book about two dogs who are very different, but being raised together on the same farm. Angus is black and handsome, easy to train, and sure of himself. Sadie is reddish, hard to train, and very unsure of herself. This book plunges into the details of Angus and Sadie's life together and how things can work out. The characters are very easy to relate to, and the adventures they have are realistic, and I found myself getting very attached to these dogs.

The biggest struggle that Angus and Sadie go through with each other is who is "better" and more heroic. When they are in the midst of this fighting, the dogs seem to think the same way humans would if they were in this struggle. Angus always expects himself to always be better and more heroic than Sadie. Sadie thinks she is not as good as Angus, but she believes she could be almost as heroic. When Angus is the hero, Sadie has no problem with that. Not a tad of jealousy or anger, she just goes with the flow and she expects Angus to be smarter and better than her. However, when Sadie is the hero of the moment, Angus is jealous, surprised, and angry. He ignores her. I believe this constant struggle is a lot like conflict you would find with any a human sister and brother.

Angus and Sadie's struggles are always interesting and written in a realistic style. Author Cynthia Voight sticks to the traits and behaviors of Border Collies. Their adventures include herding sheep and protecting the farm animals from predators. Their adventures are told in a quick-paced, exciting style. Their interesting adventures keep you engrossed and turning the pages.

This book does, certainly, get you attached to these characters. Scattered throughout the book, there are little things like your dog might do -- funny things, gross things and surprising things. At the same time, it shows just how smart dogs are and are not just little brainless, hairy, strange creatures compared to us. The things Angus and Sadie say and think are so human like, you begin to feel as these dogs are friends of yours. I admit, a little while after I read it, while I playing with my dog, I accidentally said "Angus" instead of his correct name.

This book is a great tale for kids any age. With such relatable characters and human-like struggles, this book keeps you turning the pages. I would recommend "Angus and Sadie" by Cynthia Voigt to my friends with a grin. I hope to reread this book again sometime soon, and hope that everyone who reads it enjoys it just as much as I did.

this book i purchase for my 9 year old grandaughter. she loves it and was so excited when i gave it to her for valentines. it is a great book and amazon shipped it to me in a very timely manner.

sandy

This book is about 2 very differant border collies, Angus, the black one,and Sadie, the brown one. Angus is tougher and stronger, and goes with Mister to work in the forest, while Sadie is kind of the runt, and is small and looks up to Angus. The moral of the story is that though these 2 dogs are NOT like eachother, they are still very best friends. Opposites attract. I recomend this book.

Angus and Sadie by Cynthia Voigt is about a couple who adopt two puppies. The male puppy's name is Angus. Angus is more brave and clever than Sadie. Sadie the female puppy is shy, and slow at learning tricks. Angus and Sadie go on a lot of adventures. Sadie almost gets lost in the woods with a sheep. They live on a farm with animals and mean barn cats, who try to jump on Sadie, but she runs away.

This book is teaching you that even though you may not be the same you can still be friends. Like even though Sadie and Angus are different, they are still friends. It is also like that in the world because everyone in the world is different.

Angus and Sadie is a very good book to read if you like dogs. It reminds me of my dog. You might also like to read it because it has good pictures. Angus and Sadie get into a lot of mischief on the farm. You should read Angus and Sadie.

I'm not quite finished with Fiddler's Green, but I've read enough to know that I like it. I've found the whole Moosepath League series to be charming. The other day I was watching a Monty Python clip--Upperclass Twit of the Year--and I couldn't help wondering if this sketch may have provided a tiny bit of inspiration for the characters of Ephram, Eagleton & Thump. Not that they would ever "kick the beggar" or "insult the waiter" but the haplessness of these three men never fails to entertain. Fiddler's Green is a departure from the other books in the series because much of it focuses on Sundry Moss and an adventure he has on his own. It's a bit of a creepy adventure, too, although each of the books in the Moosepath League series flirts with the dark side just a bit. As with the other books, Van Reid inserts tantalizing bits of old New England folklore that make me want to do my own research.

nobody has written a review of this book yet! Here it is, Halloween, and still no personal review. If you are reading this it means you have some interest in possibly owning this book. Let me put your doubts to rest... buy it, you won't regret it. This is a kind, compassionate, humorous, and literate story that could be read by your saintly aunt. I've enjoyed the adventures of the Moosepath league since their debut and they just keep getting better. Thank you Mr. Reid!
P.S. I'm not saintly and I'm an uncle so don't be put off by comparisons.

I was recently enlightening by finding the series involving the Moosepath League, and enjoyed Fiddlers green as a wonderful summer read. The characters and story developed by Mr. Reid are rare in most of the books I have read recently, and I sincerely hope he plans to continue the series with its charming characters and stories that I would describe as good, clean, fun!

While this book is just as good as any of the others in Van Reid's clever series, it seems as though the bottom has fallen out of the series and that people just aren't clamoring for these books any more. Some bookstores aren't even carrying this latest volume, and that's a shame. Maybe it's time for a boxed set. If Van Reid had any thought of continuing for a sixth volume, the lack of attention to FIDDLERS GREEN might be giving him second or third thoughts. One the public has had enough of a series, there's a law of diminishing returns. Even the best series (like Maxo De La Roche's JALNA or the Charlie Chan movies) peter off in the face of public indifference.

It's s shame too, because this story is one of Reid's better ones. Even if Chairman Toby and Sundry Moss were not in it at all, and indeed they contribute to the hilarity in big ways, such as Toby's long-awaited wedding, it would still be a page turner due to the mystery of Robin Oig, the sailor who dreams of finding an earthly paradise at Fiddlers Green.

Robin should have a series of his own, for he is a thoughtful, dreamy romantic figure who would fit in nicely with the famous Aubrey and Maturin novels of the late Patrick O'Brian. If you liked Cornelia Underwood or Mollie Peer (by Reid) or THE PICKWICK PAPERS or MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT (by Dickens), you might like FIDDLERS GREEN.

Finding Fiona is a delightful combination: contemporary love story, historical fiction, detective story, time-travel, mystery, and suspense. All topped-off by embedded French and Irish phrases and Maine accents. Schoenecker has crafted a well-written and well-researched novel that entices one to keep reading! Her characters are believable and likable ...well, most of them! Their lives are woven together by incidents beyond their control. Anyone who lives in, has visited, or loves the state of Maine will recognize many of the place names. A clever and captivating tale with heart!

Finding Fiona includes elements of love, desire, angst & a bit of mystery beautifully. This book was truly captivating from the first page to the last. I loved that there were pieces of history from that area of Maine - I didn't want it to end!

In 2005 in her hometown of Biddleford Pool, Maine, Maddy Fontaine obtains an eighth grade teaching position. With her widower father remarried, Maddy moves out of the only home she has known to share an apartment with her best friend Clare Chamberlain. She has also found herself attracted to artisan Patrick Donovan, the older brother of her student Rosemary and believes he reciprocates her feelings.

However, though she has problems with accepting her new stepmother Kathleen and has ended a relationship with a local lawyer, Maddy hopes to begin one with Patrick. He makes it obvious he desires her, but keeps a distance as his family is full. His father recently died and his other sibling is unmarried and pregnant and Fiona is missing having left home following a dispute with her dad. When Clare's Tante Margaret informs Maddy that an accident occurred at Patrick's workshop during a hurricane, she rushes over there. Falling debris hits her in the head; when she awakens she is in 1905 and quickly helps the town's ancestors, but vows to return to her time to persuade Patrick they belong together, to accept Kathleen as part of her family, and to especially find Fiona.

Although the time travel and a to a degree the paranormal feel unnecessary as there is plenty of angst and anguish for each of the lead couple to cope with starting with FINDING FIONA, fans will enjoy this fine Maine Shore Chronicles. The story line is predominantly driven by Maddy who finds 2005 a year of major change for her; even more than 1905. Fans will enjoy the romance as her dad sums up love and this fine tale with a quote from Jeremiah "More torturous than all else is the human heart".

Harriet Klausner

FINDING FIONA IS AN EXCELLENT READ. GRABS YOU IMMEDIATELY & DOESN'T LET YOU PUT IT DOWN. SCHONECKER'S SKILLS AS A WORDSMITH BETWEEN TWO SEPARATE TIME PERIODS DODGES IN & OUT SEAMLESSLY. ENTERTAINING, WELL RESEARCHED & SLIPS A LITTLE HISTORY IN YOUR BACK POCKET.
........ED KIMMEL, CAPE HAZE, FL.