Maine Books

Monica Wood's story is set in a small town which is affected by the closure of a local paper mill. Wood follows several characters, each with a unique and touching perspective. I cherished this book and often give it as a gift to other readers.

I loved this Maine author! Our book club found many issues to discuss. Monica Wood has a deep understanding of Maine communities. This collection of stories weaves a fantastic tale about a mill community torn apart by a strike and the healing process that ensues. Her characters are appealing and her sense of humor is awesome.

I enjoy this book very much. It is not one that I have read once never to pick up again. I have highlighted may portions of this book as I have found them to be very insightful for my own life as a woman and as a writer. I enjoy her candor and observations. I appreciate her ability to express herself, even during her sadness. It is real. True authenticity seems to be what contemporary women are searching for, and this author has certainly been able to convey that through her words.

This is the second, longest, and most far-reaching of Grumbach's memoirs (I've read them all; this one is a favorite). It delves into Grumbach's past more than the others, detailing various memories of childhood and youth, thereby giving a vivid sense of the rich and unusual life she has led. Reflections on the aftermath of her first memoir (Coming Into the End Zone) are particularly interesting, as are her reflections on the similarities between fiction and autobiography. It's a helpful link for Grumbach fans between the long and often grumpy memoir that came before it and the slim, much more peaceful memoirs that followed it. This may be testimony to the unforeseen benefits that a life change can bring -- at the end of the last memoir Grumbach unexpectedly relocated from D.C. to rural Maine. Very inspiring.

This book is superb. Packed with spectacular photography and interesting essays regarding Mount Desert Island's history, geography, and ecology. The print quality is first rate; kudos to the publisher. A very inspiring volume which reminds us how important it is to have places like Mount Desert Island and Acadia. Highly recommended from a resident of Maine.

I took this book with me last month when our camera club went on a January trip to Acadia National Park. The photography is outstanding and inspirational to say the least! We visited many of the places shown in this book and were able to take wonderful pictures ourselves. This book inspires one to visit Acadia at any time of the year and I highly recommend it to any photographer or persons who are planning a visit to Mount Dessert Island.

This is definitely a mystery meant for someone in just the right mood, or a particular kind of reader. That is to say, it has a slow, meandering pace that reminds one of the very sort of rambling conversation one might have when talking to a relaxed person from a small town in rural Maine. It includes a great deal of detail about how each fishing- and boat-related task is done, and walks its way stoically through each part of every day, whether detailing a near-fatal accident at sea or a thought-filled drive down a country road. Most of the story consists simply of Jane's internal monologue as she observes her new home and surroundings and tries to unravel the events going on around her.

The peek into life among Maine's fishing communities is fascinating. The details regarding lobster fishermen, their families, and the ways in which 'outside' concerns such as drugs begin to encroach upon the countryside are very real. Unfortunately, the law enforcement end of the story doesn't hold up as well. Jane is supposed to be a big-city cop, but she comes off as naive and amateur. She keeps believing the best of everyone even when you want to shake her and point out what seem like obvious inconsistencies, suspicious coincidences, ridiculous scenarios, and so on. Then, both the author and Jane cheat: when she does figure stuff out she 'hides' it from the reader, despite the fact that we're supposedly experiencing an interior monologue of her thoughts as she has them. I found myself being frustrated with her for not noticing or figuring something out, only to find out later that she had, but simply hadn't let the reader in on it. In addition, well, without giving too much away, let's just say the bad guy did a couple of all-too-convenient things in the finale that were straight out of Cartoon Villainy 101.

The material on the local community and the very unusual voice in which the story is told are absolutely fantastic. They give it a highly unusual feel and it's really nice to read something new. It's just too bad that the law & order parts don't match it for quality.

Linda Greenlaw's newest book is a great addition to the Jane Bunker series. I've loved all of Linda Greenlaw's books so far - both fiction and nonfiction - and I'll look forward to the next one!

In Green Haven, Maine Marine Safety Consultants hire Florida transplant Jane Bunker to investigate accidents and vandalism reported on the research vessel Quest authorized to explore the floor bed of Cobscook Bay. The Knox County Assistant Sheriff and her sexagenarian friend Cal visit the vessel to evaluate the damaged equipment.

After finishing her assessment, the pair head back to shore only to see a floating unmanned lobster boat, the Eva B. They search for survivors as they assume anyone alive needs assistance; instead they find a corpse in the nets, who is a Guatemalan crewmember and wonder where Captain Parker is. Jane keeps searching not realizing the danger she is in until the mishaps begin or the other illegal work Parker performed.

The second Jane Bunker Maine mystery (see SLIPKNOT - not read by me) is a fabulous police procedural especially when the heroine is at sea; as readers will feel they are with her to guide the audience with little nautical things like climbing in and out of a moving lobster boat. The story line is fast-paced and the battle between environmentalists and competing economic interests over the use of the sea make for a wonderful whodunit as many people have strong green motives. Maritime mystery fans will appreciate this well written regional cozy especially when Jane takes us on the water.

Harriet Klausner

This indispensable and comprehensive reference work is offered in a convenient one-volume form. It contains extensive biographical and genealogical data on every family established in Maine and New Hampshire before 1699. Listed are the births, marriages, and deaths of the settlers through the third generation, and sometimes into the fourth. Also included are data on places of origin, residences, wills and deeds, court cases, and highlights of lives and careers.

This dictionary is a thorough introduction to the complete genealogies of the ME./N.H. regions because of the detailed lists provided and totally researched. This will save you a lot of time and give you an excellent working knowledge of the area. The topo is historically accurate. This book is well researched and easy to understand. Colonial Families are well represented and many family names, links, and historical synopsis are provided. It's brief and to the point as any good dictionary should be!

Yes, this book has nothing to do with Italy, but that's how we first came to know Joan O'Neill and her wacky story. Only three things to say: 1. If you are offered this book from a wandering backpacker, DO NOT refuse it. This is a sacred trust (this person will explain what to do). 2. I don't know if the book brings good luck or bad, but we had a terrific time in Rome while in possession of Perfectly Impossible. 3. Respect Guy Macintosh. He's classy, sentimental, wealthy and a lady killer. But do not get on his bad side or he will do awful things to you.

Be wary...

We received our copy of this book in Venice during the summer of 2006 from a friend staying in our hostel. He told us that it had been bestowed upon him by a crazy Frenchman somewhere in Europe. The Frenchman demanded that he pass the book on to someone else as soon as he experienced some unusually good luck. Fortunately, this occured in our presence, and so he passed the book on to us. We continued the chain by passing it on to a couple that we met in Rome after a series of fortunate events. Chances are, if you've ever even heard of this book, it's because some random person gave it to you while you were backpacking across Europe. If this is the case, YOU MUST NOT BREAK THE CHAIN. Sign your name in the book and pass it on when appropriate. You may also want to post an additional review on Amazon.com and clue the rest of us in on the book's current location and condition. And, oh yeah, by the way....the book totally sucks...

These are graceful, searching, finely detailed poems, poems that dare to look into the face of death and find life staring right back at them.

This is a moving book of poems, particularly so for anyone who has ever cared for an ill or aging parent. Judy Kronenfeld's carefully crafted poetry goes beyond chronicling a parent's descent into alzheimer's, delving into the coffer of memory to give us poignant vignettes that illuminate the complexity of the self. I highly recommend this book.

I don't usually go in for this sort of book, but this one caught my eye because the author takes off with a few nuggets and writes whole, full-blown stories that quite often really do make the hair on your arms stand on end. Lots of good murder and madness stories instead of a bunch of filler.

Sheryl Monks' Ghostly Lighthouses From Maine To Florida, a gathering of fifteen folktales about lighthouses from the East coast. While the stories read like fiction, they are derived from reports and followed by directions for the would-be lighthouse visitor not scared off by spooks.

My 6-year old (also a Molly) fell in love with this book, which we picked up when visiting the Marshall Point Lighthouse. (Unfortunately, we had just missed meeting Miss Molly herself, but we have since corresponded with the Ensors, and they are really very lovely people.) The pictures are wonderful, and the story is very sweet. We have since bought the two Nellie books, too, and they are equally treasured by my daughter. For any fan of coastal Maine, wire-haired fox terriers, or just fun stories, these books are a real find.

While visiting Port Clyde in Maine last week I met the charming Robert Ensor and adorable Miss Molly herself. I purchased the book for my 16 month old grandchild and myself as she is a little young yet. The book has delightful and lovely illustrations with an interesting story for young children. I am a volunteer reader for early elementary school children so I will include this book as well as the other books about Nellie the Lighthouse dog and Miss Molly. Miss Molly has replaced Miss Nellie as Nellie is deceased.

A great read from a great new author. Well researched information-Margaret really brings the story to life!

This book is beautifully written. There has obviously been a significant of research done by the author. The book carefully chronicles the contribtions this extraordinary woman made for society. A pleasent read.