Maine Books

Offers quite a variety of hikes in Maine. Could use perhaps some more detailed maps. Have not got a chance to use yet as I am planning a trip for September 2007.

I'm a native of Portland, and my friend (who's not originally from Maine) and I found this guide really helpful. Though I know the state well, I don't know all the little things about certain trails, such as whether certain trails allow dogs (important to my friend) or where a good place is to park the car (important to me, since I'm the one driving the two of us to these places). This guide tells you all that, and about all the hidden parking/entrance fees of certain trails. Highly recommended!

The illustrations, maps and photographs alone make it a worthy coffee table book, but the depth and breadth of scientific information will keep one fascinated for months or more.

For those who want to understand the ecosystem of the Gulf of Maine and the interelationships of the sea, tides, gulf stream, the shore, the birds, the fish, whales, and how they have and will change through time...this is for you. Brilliant satellite photographs and clear explanations of "how it all works".

I really enjoyed this tale. The author has a neat sense of humor, even when dealing with lots of difficulties on the job. It made me realize what it was like for a general practice back in those days, and likely for todays' rural doctors.

Great local color, humorous outlook, authentic reminiscences ofrural medicine.

I loved this book. I love Marcia Evanick as a writer and the misty harbor series is wonderful. The setting is calming and allows you to fall in love with the lives of Norah and Joanna Stevens. A great read I have shared with all of my friends.

Twenty-four years old petit Norah Stevens and her mom have relocated to Misty Harbor, Maine where she gets a job writing a weekly column for the Hancock Review that provides Views from the Other Side. Her mom's Pomeranian Zsa Zsa has moved under the next door neighbor's bush where Norah tries to get the canine diva. Ned Porter sees her and introduces himself. However, Norah fears his size as he seems even bigger than her father who beat her up last year.

As Norah adjusts to living amongst the Redwoods with even the females extended Porter family easily topping six feet, she finds herself attracted to Ned though remains afraid of him. Ned reciprocates, but believes the beautiful runt is wrong for him as he needs females like his outdoor hefty but beautiful sister-in-laws. Still as love connects them, their relationship cannot grow until she overcomes her phobia that giant males equate to abuse.

HARBOR NIGHTS is a fine contemporary romance that focuses on how abuse can potentially devastate a person's psyche and ultimately even relationships with a caring soulmate. The story line is character driven as neither Norah nor Ned is comfortable with the size gap, but their reasons greatly differ. He because he assumes a big outdoor guy needs a big woman; she because of her father's recent physical abuse. Though the resolution seems abrupt as love conquers all (this reviewer believes it would need time to heal the wounded), fans will enjoy the return to Misty Harbor (see BERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS and BLUEBERRY HILL).

Harriet Klausner

I have been waiting for a comprehensive book like this to guide me from area to area. I do some traveling and also am in contact with others that travel and this book really helps to get you to the nearest health food store. I also found the book and illustrations to be professionally well done. I found this book to be a must for all travelers who desire to eat healthy food and who wants to find the same products he/she can get at home.

I found this book to be an intresting guide to health food stores in the United States. It is a great refrence to anybody who is intrested in healthy food, also wishes to know such things as, if they sell in bulk before they get to such and such a store. I recomend it for the travaler who is looking for a health food store wherever they go.

As a person of Irish descent, I was very happy to see "The Irish in America". This book is full of colorful illustrations showing what the Irish have accomplished in this country. I am referencing the book in my MA, History Thesis, this Autumn.

On page 57, however, the editors have made an understandable error. They attribute the founding of Manhattan College (1853), De La Salle University (1863) and St. Mary's (Moraga, California, (1863) to the Irish Christian Brothers. As a 1965 graduate of Manhattan College, I can tell you that these three colleges were founded by the French Christian Brothers, also know as the De La Salle Brothers. This teaching order was founded in Paris by St. John Baptist de la Salle, and predates the Irish Christian Brothers by almost two hundred years. To my knowledge, the only college founded by the Irish Christian Brothers in the U.S. is Iona College (1940) in New York. Personally, I enjoyed the book, found new facts about the Irish in America, and would recommend it to any Irish or Irish-American person.

Coffey and Golway give a wonderful overview of the experiences of Irish men and women in the United States. Coming to the U.S. as a result of political an religious oppression, as well as a result of the potato blight in the mid-19th century, the Irish worked hard to gain respectablity and political voices as American citizens. In many cases, especially in the early 20th Century, to be Irish was to be a second class citizen in the U.S. Today's attitudes prove that the Irish have come a long way in American society from being judged as such to becoming a very proud and celebrated nationality in our country.

Coffey and Golway use numerous anecdotes, excerpts, and other quotations from famous and not so famous Irish Americans. Included in this book are Denis Leary, Frank McCourt, and a forward by Patrick Kennedy. Reflections of these Irish-American personalities on their grandparents' or parents' lives and hard work, as well as memories of Catholic school, and other aspects of Irish-American life. Glossy photographs accent each passage beautifully and add to the overall attraction of the book. Contributions by all the authors provides a celebration of Irish ethnicity and heritage in the United States that is portrayed as humorous, melancholy, but overall proud. This book accents the PBS Documentary by the same name very nicely. After reading this book, I wished in a sense, that I had some Irish heritage.

This book was very unique and interesting. As a teacher, I use it in the classroom to explain couplets during my poetry unit. I also talk about illustrators and the Caldecot award. I feel strongly that Kelly Paul Briggs will be a Caldecot winner in the future. The one critique that I have is that a map would have been helpful in being able to visualize the many islands off the coast of Maine.

This beautifully illustrated book is a fun read for both parent & child. It is well-researched, and would make an excellent gift.

Liss MacCrimmon is devastated when a knee injury ends her dream job as a Scottish dancer. With her future up in the air, she returns to her hometown, the small Moosetookalook, Maine. Her aunt has asked her to take care of her business while she is gone, a Scottish store. But instead of the relaxing refuge she hoped to find, Liss is caught up in murder. She discovers the body of her elderly neighbor in the storage room of the shop. It is hard to imagine who would want to kill the retired third grade teacher, even if she is by far the nosiest woman in town. Liss is drawn into the investigation to clear her name by finding the real killer.

Ms Dunnett is an experienced, professional author. She weaves the tartan plaid of suspense into a bolt of solid mystery bound by a strong character thread. Her setting is detailed and realistic (as makes sense since she she just has to step outside her door to see matching surroundings.) The small world of rural Maine lends itself well to the cozy genre. This is the first of what should prove to be a long running Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries. Ms Dunnett has created Liss as a character that can develop over time; she lays the foundation for Liss to grow and progress without skimping on her character's strength in this debut. First books in a planned series can often feel like just an advertisement for the future. Ms Dunnett has not done that, she has written a solid mystery that could stand alone if desired. She paces the action with a structured rhythm that draws the reader into the story from the introduction to the truly surprise ending without pause.

The second and third books in the series will be Scone Cold Dead in August, 2008 and A Wee Christmas Homicide in October, 2009. It will be interesting to see what is planned for Liss in the future. The character is clearly enough defined in Kilt Dead that readers will care what happens to her. There is also enough romance left hanging to leave the curious reader dangling and coming back for more.

Kaitlyn Dunnett is best knows as Kathy Lynn Emerson, the author of the successful series of "Face Down in' historical mystery series, and many other works of fiction.

Liss MacCrimmon is one of the few people who are ecstatically happy with her career. She is a professional dancer in the touring how Strathsprey and she knows every Scottish dance and each number in the show to perfection. Tragedy strikes when she injures a leg and the doctor tells her she can never dance again. She is depressed because her leg will work normally only as long she puts no extraordinary stress like dancing on it.

She returns to her child home of Moosetookalook, Maine where her aunt owns a store selling Scottish products. On the day she arrives, her aunt leaves for Scotland and Liss in charge during the Maine Highland Games. When Liss returns home from the fair, she finds the dead body of her third grade teacher, Amanda Norris in the stock room. The autopsy shows she was killed and state police officer LaVerdiere thinks Liss is the only suspect. Refusing to wait around to be arrested, Liss looks for other possible suspects, not knowing her actions could get her killed.

KILT DEAD is a delightful cozy, the first in what this reviewer hopes is a long running series. The heroine is feisty, determined, and strong-willed; when she believes she is right, she obstinately goes her own way and doesn't listen to the advice of others. The setting is a small quaint town in Maine (capital of American cozies) with a support cost of wonderful quaint characters. Mystery readers will welcome Kaitlyn Dunnett as a fresh author whose protagonist provides the audience with a delightful opening act.

Harriet Klausner

This book is a great resource for teachers who deal with high school transition of those with special needs. It provides scenarios and lots of reference information. Even though it is very lengthy and sometimes difficult to follow (side boxes of information on page), it is useful.

Excellent reference for caregivers, service providers and educators on transitioning young persons with disabilities into the work force.

I especially enjoyed Maine Charm String because the story was about going to Maine and trying to make it through the long winter months. The main character started button collecting, which I collect also. That is why the book was so appealing to me. It's a quick, fun read.

Who among us hasn't collected something at some time? I'd venture to guess that most folks have experienced the thrill of the hunt and the delight upon finally having that treasure in hand. From baseball cards to butterflies, there's a story behind each acquisition.
Elinor Graham's delightful (and true) story of how she came to Maine as a young bride, fell into button-collecting, of all things, as a hobby is funny and poignant. Her button stories are a charming account of how an "outsider" became a vital member of her community. Along the way she meets all sorts of characters who are just as entertaining (and button-obsessed) as she.
Forget reading these self-help books! Instead, read Maine Charm String and laugh with Elinor at her self discovery through buttons!