Center for the Book at the New Hampshire Book Notes State Library Spring 2007 Vol. 3 , Issue 1 Book Discussions: Something for everyone?

By Katie Doherty try and the world. It seems that own reading discussions, some like Director of Learning Resources, people yearn to slow down a bit and the Wonderland Bookstore in New Hampshire Community talk about books. Gorham, are host to others’ groups. Technical College - Berlin In addition to their own book dis- Book groups have a long history. cussions, Wonderland also hosts the Mickey Pearlman in What to Read local AAUW (American Association These days I seem to hear about a tells that a group of women in of University Women) chapter’s different book discussion group Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1813 book discussions twice a year. wherever I turn in New Hampshire. formed a book club and in 1831 the There are groups for whole cities Female and Literary Society was The N.H. Community Technical Col- (Concord, et al.), regions such as the started by a group of African Ameri- lege-Berlin Fortier Library and the Mountain Washington Valley, and for can women in Philadelphia. Starting Berlin Public Library have a 25-year specific groups (kids, teens, in the 1870s and reaching their peak history of co-sponsoring book dis- homeschoolers, seniors), although in 1914 with 500,000 members cussions in the evening for the com- adults make up the bulk of book across the country, the Chautauqua munity, primarily with New Hamp- groups both in New Hampshire and Literary and Scientific Circles met to shire Humanities Council support and across the country. And they are discuss books. Robert Maynard funding. The Humanities Council has happening in an amazing range of Hutchins and Mortimer Adler of the a large number of book discussion venues: television (Oprah, etc.), ra- University of Chicago came up with series which groups such as libraries dio (NHPR’s recent Granite State an idea to encourage people to read can apply to for funding to help de- Stories have been very popular), the the classics and in 1947 the Great fray the cost of a discussion leader Internet, people’s homes, book- Books Foundation was formed. The and other expenses and there are gen- stores, and in scores of libraries foundation publishes inexpensive edi- erally copies of the books in these across New Hampshire. tions of works by Shakespeare and series available for loan from the others and encourages groups to State Library. Having a “trained” dis- What accounts for their popularity? form to discuss the Great Books and Sherry Evans, Head of Public Ser- even runs training sessions for dis- continues on page 10 vices at the Portsmouth Public Li- cussion group leaders. In 1962, the brary who has written an article on foundation added Junior Great Books for children. There are thou- INSIDE THIS ISSUE the subject for Public Libraries NH Books Column 2 (“But I Only Want to Read Books sands of Great Books groups around Celia Thaxter 3 with Happy Endings,” November/ the country including seven here in Children’s Poetry in Libraries 4 December 2003, p. 347-349), de- New Hampshire. Letters About Literature 5 scribed a book group at her library: Speculative Fiction 6 “People love to talk about books Bookstores around the state, from Portrait of a NH Book Seller 7 and have someone else lead the way. the very small to the very large, have One Book Projects 8 They love hearing different points of book groups. While many are open The Poetry Place 12 view and seeing a book from another to the general public such as the one Children’s Literacy Foundation 13 angle. Often I hear, ‘I would not have at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, IMPAC Dublin Award 13 finished this book except for the book there are specialized ones as well. Ladybug Picture Book Award 14 group, but I’m so glad I did’.” Book The Toadstool Bookshop in Milford Award Notes 14 groups help people connect with col- has a reading group for Reader Recommendations 15 leagues, friends, and neighbors as homeschoolers in grades four through Book Notes - The Blog 16 well as people from around the coun- six. While some bookstores run their

Spring 2007 - 1 Center for the Book New Hampshire Books at the By Donna Gilbreth New Hampshire Authors Howard Mansfield and Sy State Library Montgomery of Hancock are a married couple who write very dis- Mary A. Russell, Director similar books from their shared home. Mansfield’s works concentrate 603-271-2866 on New England’s history and its changing culture. Montgomery, a natu- [email protected] ralist, travels the world studying and writing about exotic animals and habitats. They have recently published vastly different books written 2007 Advisory Board during the same general time period about their small corner of New Hampshire. In 2004 Mansfield’s The Bones of the Earth was published Chair and it was followed in 2006 by Montgomery’s The Good Good Pig. Deborah Watrous They are both enjoyable reading. NH Humanities Council The Good Good Pig is the humorous and sometimes poignant story of Vice-Chair the family’s pet pig Christopher Hogwood. He was given to them as a Becky Albert severely undernourished runt on the verge of death. Yet he survived and NH Educational Media Association as he grew ever larger over the next fourteen years he became a pam- pered member of the family and a local celebrity. Christopher was an expert at escaping the confines of the old barn, named Pig Palace. Mont- Andrea Thorpe gomery speculated that “…perhaps, we mused, Christopher broke out NH Library Association for the same reason as do many young males. Maybe he was looking for Van McLeod beer.” Christopher loved beer, and he loved Pig Spa, when his doting NH Dept. of Cultural Resources human admirers would groom him for hours. Christopher’s animal com- panions included eight black hens called “the Ladies” and an obsessive/ Dr. Lyonel B. Tracy compulsive border collie named Tess. Montgomery’s descriptions of feed- NH Dept. of Education ing Christopher, who weighed several hundred pounds as an adult, are vivid and quite funny: “Christopher surged out of his pen, bucking and Michael York snorting. Any chickens in the way burst like grouse from cover and flew New Hampshire State Library off in all directions. I ran ahead like a madwoman, struggling with the main slops bucket….” Food is definitely a central theme in this story. The Barbara Yoder book is also about how Christopher’s popularity helped Montgomery New Hampshire Writers Project overcome shyness and make many human friends. Interwoven with the Patricia Fargnoli story of Christopher’s life and death is also the story of Montgomery’s Poet Laureate of New Hampshire rocky relationship with her parents and their eventual deaths. This is a book for young and old alike. Carrie Thomas Colby-Sawyer College Mansfield’s book The Bones of the Earth also discusses the environs of Hancock. But the result is very different. This is a collection of essays Jackie Gardner, CHILIS exploring changes, not necessarily for the better, to this small corner of the world. Essays on the Boston Post Cane (given to a town’s oldest Sally Jones resident) and the evolving trends in decorating gravesites illustrate our NH Library Trustees Association changing approach to death. We are distancing ourselves from the reality of death. Modern cemeteries will not allow mourners to decorate and Pat Frisella Poetry Society of New Hampshire personalize the graves of their loved ones. Perhaps that is why roadside shrines at the site of fatal accidents have become more prevalent. Mansfield Eleanor Strang states “You have kept the dead nearby, just as we used to, and as some Urban Public Library Consortium cultures still do.” Other essays explore physical changes that reflect soci- etal changes, such as the beautiful old stone arch bridges once built with Willard Williams skill and care in New England and the small city once covered by a vast Toadstool Bookshops ancient lake. Another essay discusses Peterborough’s evolution from a working class mill town to a wealthier version of a quaint New England Katie McDonough village. These are all thought-provoking essays on our past and our cur- Kimball Public Library, Atkinson rent societal direction. New Hampshire’s Literary Treasures Revisiting Celia Thaxter

By Alice Nye umn, As I Please: “As much as any jor prose works (Among the Isles rock star, Celia and her publishers of Shoals, An Island Garden, and Ten miles or so over the water east crafted that island image. In the most A Memorable Murder) as well as from Portsmouth Harbor are the popular photographs we see her samples of her poetry, letters to Isles of Shoals, the group of nine alone, often at her writing desk, or friends and family, and children’s sto- small islands that entered the national posing in her famous Appledore Is- ries. Here you can decide for your- literary consciousness through Celia land garden for American Impres- self whether Thaxter’s writings have Thaxter’s verse and prose. sionist Childe Hassam. In one popu- withstood the test of time or whether lar painting, she stands, not puttering they are dated and overdone as some When a child of five, Thaxter was on her knees in horse manure among literary critics suggest. Unsurprisingly, brought to those stark islands from the flowers, but erect and indepen- Older disagrees, suggesting that Portsmouth, where she was born in dent in a white gown like—well, like Thaxter’s poetry “demonstrate(s) a 1835. She grew up there and is bur- a lighthouse. It is Celia’s mythic remarkable craft with a variety of ied in the family graveyard on equivalent of George Washington forms and subject matter from bal- Appledore. She also spent much of Crossing the Delaware.” lads about shipwrecks and verses in her adulthood on Appledore, where dialogue to love sonnets and odes.” she helped operate her family’s re- Robinson admits that while he, too, To Older, Celia Thaxter was “an ex- sort hotel while presiding over an loves the “charming stereotype” of traordinary woman writer ahead of artistic and literary salon in the sum- the “Island Celia,” he wants the her time who…contributed an endur- mer months that included some of the record set straight: “Call me a her- ing legacy of writings to future gen- best-known writers, composers and etic, but I think we should stop wor- erations.” artists of the day, including authors James Russell Lowell, John Greenleaf Whittier, Harriet Beecher “It is Celia’s mythic equivalent of George Stowe and Sarah Orne Jewett; art- Washington Crossing the Delaware.” ists Childe Hassam, William Morris Hunt and John Appleton Brown; and musicians William Mason and Julius shipping the island gardener and get Eichberg. to know the landed Celia—for her Nineteenth century literary scholar good as well as our own. . . . I pre- Jane Vallier also addresses the liter- Celia Thaxter was one of the most fer the idea of a snow-drenched ary appeal of Thaxter’s verse and popular New England poets of the Celia Thaxter huffing up to her win- prose. Vallier is the author of the late nineteenth century, a highly re- ter apartment at 44 State Street, on 1982 groundbreaking literary biog- spected writer of prose for adults the edge of Portsmouth’s red light dis- raphy Poet on Demand, the first and children, a talented painter and trict near the turn of the century.” scholarly examination of Thaxter’s passionate gardener. It is also fair to works. Vallier attributes to Thaxter say that her image as the enchanting Thankfully, there are a number of a “unique literary voice [that] arose “Island Queen” presiding gracefully important works that one can turn to first in poetry, then in prose,” with and effortlessly over a salon of artis- for a more complete picture of this her prose “the solidification of her tic gentry has persisted for over 100 gifted and complicated woman. New poetic voice.” years, often overshadowing her per- Hampshire author Julia Older of sonal struggles and literary and ar- Hancock imagines a more fully di- Here, as a sample, is an excerpt from tistic accomplishments. mensional Thaxter in her 1994 fic- Thaxter’s final prose work, An Is- tional biography, The Island Queen. land Garden, where she describes J. Dennis Robinson, who has dedi- In 1999 Older also edited a selec- her garden poppies with an artist’s cated a superb website to Celia tion of Thaxter’s writing (Celia eye and poet’s voice: “It is held up- Thaxter on SeacoastNH.com, is Thaxter: Selected Writings) that right upon a straight and polished more than a little annoyed with what serves as an excellent introduction to stem, its petals curving upward and he refers to as Thaxter’s “island im- Celia Thaxter’s literary versatility. age.” He explains in his online col- She includes excerpts from her ma- continues on page 4

Spring 2007 - 3 Children’s Poetry Celia Thaxter in the Libraries Day continued from p. 3 by Kyle Potvin Splash Communications augural event. Visiting poets include outward into the cup of light, pure Marie Harris, former New Hamp- gold with a lustrous satin sheen. A rich During National Poetry Month in shire poet laureate; Pat Frisella, orange is painted on the gold, drawn April 2007, New Hampshire children president of the New Hampshire in infinitely fine lines to a point in the will enjoy a special literary celebra- Poetry Society; Mimi White, the center of the edge of each petal so tion all their own: Children’s Poetry Portsmouth poet laureate, and many that the effect is that of a diamond of in the Libraries Day. On Saturday, more. Hundreds of children are ex- flame in a cup of gold. It is not enough April 14, 2007, poets throughout the pected to participate in the program that the powdery anthers are orange state will join with participating librar- which will give them the opportunity bordered with gold; they are whirled ies to host programs devoted to read- to hear local poets read children’s about the very heart of the flower like ing and writing children’s poetry. The favorites from a variety of contem- a revolving Catherine-wheel of fire.” inaugural program is targeted at sec- porary and classic poets and to craft ond through fifth graders. The pro- their own verses. Each event will be My own interest in Celia Thaxter be- gram was designed by Patricia unique, designed by the volunteer gan in 1978 with an essay, “Celia Fargnoli, the New Hampshire state poet and library. Thaxter as Woman and Writer,” poet laureate. which I wrote for the catalogue ac- U.S. Poet Laureate Donald Hall says: companying the UNH exhibit A “Reading and writing poems helps “The program has my wholesale sup- Stern and Lovely Scene: A Visual develop children’s imagination, their port as U.S. Poet Laureate. I am History of the Isles of Shoals. sense of rhythm and creativity, and particularly pleased to have my own teaches them the pure joy to be found state accomplishing this project.” Celia Thaxter’s staying power as a in language,” says Ms. Fargnoli, a literary figure of note must necessar- retired psychotherapist and social Ms. Fargnoli initiated the program ily remain an open question — to be worker and award-winning poet. “I after being named New Hampshire’s determined by future readers and wanted not only to provide a pro- poet laureate in January 2006. She scholars. She certainly has edged gram during Poetry Month that many is the author of three books and two herself into the 21st century thanks children would enjoy, but also to en- chapbooks of poetry. Her latest to the resurgence of interest demon- courage parents and other adults to book, Duties of the Spirit (Tupelo strated not only by the works of Julia bring more poetry into children’s Press, 2005), is the winner of the Older and Jane Vallier, but even more lives.” prestigious Jane Kenyon Poetry recently with the 2001 release of Book Award and her first book, Sharon Paiva Stephen’s One More than forty libraries from the Necessary Light (Utah State Uni- Woman’s Work: the Visual Art of Massachusetts border to the North versity Press, 1999), won the May Celia Laighton Thaxter; and, three Country are participating in this in- Swenson Book Award. years later, Norma H. Mandel’s com- Participating Libraries prehensive biography Beyond the Garden Gate that includes previ- Baker Free Library, Bow - Barrington Public Library - Brookline Public Library - ously unexamined letters and family Brown Memorial Library, Bradford - Canaan Town Library - Conway Public Li- papers. brary - Dover Public Library - Dunbarton Public Library - Durham Public Library - Gilford Public Library - Goodwin Library, Farmington - Hampstead Public Li- brary - Hancock Town Library - Hopkinton Town Library - Howe Library, Hanover Finally, I would be remiss not to men- - Jaffrey Public Library - Josiah Carpenter Library, Pittsfield - Keene Public Li- tion an astonishing book of poems brary - Laconia Public Library - Leach Library, Londonderry - Lebanon Public by Annie Boutelle published in 2005, Library - Lincoln Public Library - Madbury Library - Miner Memorial Library, Becoming Bone: Poems on the Life Lempster - Nashua Public Library - Nesmith Library, Windham - Tracy Memorial of Celia Thaxter. Boutelle conveys Library, New London - Newbury Public Library - Pelham Public Library - illuminating moments of Thaxter’s life Peterborough Town Library - Philbrook James Library, Deerfield - Philip Read through the imagined inner voice of Memorial Library, Plainfield - Pillsbury Free Library, Warner - Portsmouth Public Celia herself. This is an Library - Rye Public Library - Stephenson Memorial Library, Greenfield - Tucker unsentimentalized version of Celia — Free Library, Henniker - Walpole Town Library - Weare Public Library - West the woman beneath the “Island Manchester Community Library - Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham Queen” persona.

4 - Spring 2007 Letters About Literature 2007

Letters About Literature (LAL) is a level were sent to a panel of New the NH Center for the Book web reading and writing promotion pro- Hampshire judges who will select a site. Competition guidelines, mate- gram of the Center for the Book in state winner at each level. The es- rials for teachers, entry coupons the Library of Congress, presented says of these state winners will be and other details of the 2008 Let- in partnership with Target Stores sent on to Washington, D.C., for ters About Literature competition and the state Centers for the Book. the national competition. will be available on our web site in the fall. Meanwhile, read, be in- To enter, young readers are asked The 2007 New Hampshire winners spired, and get ready to write to write a personal letter to an au- will be announced by early April on back! thor explaining how his or her work changed their view of the world or Congratulations to the 2007 themselves. Readers select authors New Hampshire Semi-Finalists from any genre—fiction or nonfic- tion, contemporary or classic, nov- Austin Albro Warren els or poems or plays. The contest Rachel Arnold Milford theme encourages young readers to Jonathan Bower Hollis explore their personal response to a book and then express that re- Colleen Brady Gilford sponse in a creative, original way. Olivia Brigham Madbury Jamie Burns Chesterfield More than four hundred elemen- Kelly Choate Keene tary, middle school, and high school Laura Coughlin Concord students from New Hampshire sent Tyler Cutler Hollis letters for the 2007 LAL competi- Malcolm DeMaggio Pembroke tion. Two groups of readers work- Katie Dobbins Gilford ing on behalf of the Center for the Kiley Donohue Derry Book in the Library of Congress Lauren Egbert Gilford read over 50,000 letters from stu- Elizabeth Faiella Northwood dents throughout the United States Sarah Feinstein Londonderry and selected semi-finalists for each participating state. There were Tim Garrett Pembroke thirty-five essays selected as New Brenna Gilbert North Haverhill Hampshire’s semi-finalists. The Jonathan Gual Hollis books that inspired the semi-finalist Katherine Harris Derry letters cover a wide range of topics Dagny Hedberg Lyndeborough and genres. The complete list of Brittany Helstrom Pembroke titles that inspired 2007 LAL en- Lizzy Kowalik Brookline tries is available on our web site. Livie Lane Dover Brita Larson Londonderry In recognition of their accomplish- Dylan Mahalingam Derry ment, each New Hampshire stu- Marissa McCoo Pembroke dent who wrote a semi-finalist letter Katelyn McNamara Londonderry received a certificate and a book- Stephanie Riddel Milford mark depicting the 2007 inspira- tional titles at their competition Kelsey Seaver Newport level. There were three competi- Thomas J. Selinka Londonderry tion levels in New Hampshire this Abby Shepherd Keene year: level I included students in Danielle Walczak Lee grades 4-6, level II included 7th Emily Ufnal Milford and 8th graders, and level III in- Gwyneth Welch Hancock cluded students in grades 9-12. Cecille Yang Hollis The semi-finalist essays at each

Spring 2007 - 5 Exploring Speculative Fiction

By Susan Farber, Program Officer faith and science by Brother Guy NH Humanities Council ence fiction is equally split between Consolmagno, S.J., the Vatican’s the genders. In addition, the list in- astronomer, on March 2 at the cludes books such as The Golden The New Hampshire Humanities Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Compass suited for teen and mixed- Council is exploring science fiction, Concord. For announcements of generation groups. As the year fantasy, magical realism and alternate upcoming Speculate events visit the progresses, attendance reports will history – the genre of speculative fic- Humanities Council’s website at show us whether Speculate helped tion – in its 2007 project, Speculate: www.nhhc.org. bring new people – especially men a new past, a different present, an and young adults – to libraries’ dis- out-of-this-world future. The state- Forming the core of Speculate is an cussion circles. wide schedule includes book discus- 11-work booklist representing clas- sions, author visits, and other free sic sci-fi and contemporary Another important goal is to ask the public programs. cyberpunk, fantasy and hard science, Big Questions that speculative fiction and even an audio-drama that trav- raises, and in the unreal setting of Speculate’s headliner for April is els to the mystical corners of Mo- space, the future, and fantastic lands, young-adult fantasy author Tamora rocco. The Humanities Council pur- to understand our own world, cul- Pierce. On Sunday, April 15, at 2:00, chased sets of these titles which are ture and time in sharp perspective. she’ll be talking about “The Reality now circulating around the state For example, Beggars in Spain, a of Fantasy” at the Concord City Au- thanks to the program’s invaluable futuristic novel by Nancy Kress, ditorium. A book signing will follow. partnership with the NH State grapples with the social conse- This event is free of charge and open Library’s Book Bag. So far 44 dis- quences of genetic engineering and to the public; no reservation required. cussions have been scheduled at 15 also raises the age-old conflict be- Some libraries and school groups are different libraries and other public tween the haves and the have-nots. already making plans to carpool to sites. The Council also recruited and The rich variety of topics offered in the event and the Humanities Coun- trained more than 30 facilitators, these book discussions and public cil will reserve blocks of seats for many younger scholars new to the programs will, we hope, bring to- groups. Contact Anne Coughlin at book discussion circuit, to lead these gether preteen girls and their moth- [email protected] or 224-4071 community discussions. Libraries ers, hard scientists and Creationists, x 12, for group reservations. wishing to schedule a Speculate state officials and Libertarians, New book discussion should contact Su- Age mystics and Roman Catholics, The year-long schedule of public pro- san Farber at 224-4071 x 16 or old-school fans of H.G. Wells and grams launched with three appear- [email protected]. cyberpunks. We are very excited ances in January by NH sci-fi author about these opportunities to bring James Patrick Kelly at the public li- One of Speculate’s goals is to at- unlike-minded people together to talk braries in Nashua, Plymouth, and tract a non-traditional audience to about their values, their fears, and Rochester, and continued with a pub- book programs. While women ac- their connection to stories. lic address about the intersections of count for 80% of fiction readers, sci-

Which book would you save from the flames? In his classic novel Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury created a futuristic society that burned books. The main character, Guy Montag, finds a group of men who have formed a loosely organized rebellion to save books. Their plan is to “keep the knowledge we think we will need.” The rebels save books that represented “bits and pieces of history and literature and international law. Each man had a book he wanted to remember, and did.” If you lived in a society that burned books, what is an important book that you would want to save from the fire? We invite your responses as part of New Hampshire Reads Fahrenheit 451, a collaboration of the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library and the New Hampshire Humanities Council. Tell us which book you would remember, which book you would save from the flames, and why. Send your response (in 100 words or less) to the NH Center for the Book, 20 Park St., Concord NH 03301, or submit online at http://bigreadnh.blogspot.com. Please include your name, phone number, and city or town with your submission. Your contact information is for verification purposes and won’t be shared with other organizations. Responses will be posted on the project web page, and some will be published in a booklet that will be released at the New Hampshire Reads Fahrenheit 451 kick-off event in October. The deadline for responses to be included in the printed booklet is June 30.

6 - Spring 2007 A Bookseller’s Education

By Willard Williams, Co-owner, The answer is the wonder of this gland Booksellers Association’s an- The Toadstool Bookshops business. nual convention includes two days of extraordinarily useful seminars taught I’ve got a high school diploma circa I doubt there’s another industry by experienced booksellers. And 1970 and one somewhat botched where this happens - where people once or twice a year they also offer semester at college. And that’s it - who should be honing their profes- intensive seminars on special topics no more formal education, no degree sional skills in secrecy to wipe out such as advertising or staffing or fi- in English Lit, no MBA, no profes- the competition are sharing their nances. Publisher’s sales representa- sional skills training. knowledge and abilities, encourag- tives shared tips from other stores. ing new booksellers, combining their Friendly, frank, and open conversa- So what am I doing here in Portland, resources, and working together to tions with other booksellers and vis- Oregon sitting down with 24 really strengthen the entire bookselling com- its to their stores helped us tremen- brilliant professional booksellers to munity. There are traditionally two dously. And we learned from those advise the American Booksellers types of businesses: for profit and not who bought books. They told us Association’s (ABA) executive for profit, but booksellers seem to about good books and great authors board? All I can offer is something recognize a third - “not just for profit”. to stock and recommend. And most importantly, because they were pa- tient, we learned what they expected There are traditionally two types of businesses: from us. We learned, and as we for profit and not for profit, but booksellers seem learned our store grew better and stronger. to recognize a third - “not just for profit”. So yes, maybe I really can leave the ABA board with some useful advice, now approaching 35 years running a And I know myself and my family- but only because so many others in bookstore in rural New Hampshire owned bookstores, The Toadstool this crazy business have been so will- - make that now 3 stores - but rule Bookshops, have been the beneficia- ing to share their knowledge with us out the first 8 or 10 years when the ries of this attitude since 1972 when over all these years. And their shar- bookstore didn’t really sell enough we began with one tiny bookstore in ing has shaped my passion for to pay much and I spent 3 of my 6 Peterborough. I was 19, just turning bookselling— a passion I only hope working days each week doing car- 20, my siblings not much older. We I can encourage in others. It’s a pas- pentry. Can I really offer some use- knew absolutely nothing about busi- sion and with it a professionalism you ful advice? Maybe I can, but if so it’s ness, let alone the business of will find in independent bookstores because of only one reason- one bookselling. How do you know what all over the country. very crazy reason. books to stock? How do you best get them into your store? And how After our two days advising the ABA are you going to track and control Toadstool Bookshops board, 500 independent booksellers your inventory? How do you write http://www.toadbooks.com from all over the country are going good ads and how much should you to arrive here for the Winter Institute spend on advertising? How do you The Colony Mill Marketplace - two days of seminars with the goal hire good sales people and how Keene, NH of creating profitable bookstores. much can you pay them? How much 603-352-8815 But this is crazy, we are all competi- rent can you afford? A budget, what’s tors, and given today’s circum- that? What’s the best way to catego- stances, this should be a cutthroat rize and display your books? So Lorden Plaza business, each of us trying to get our much to be learned, where can you Milford, NH share of the diminishing book mar- get answers? If you’re a bookseller, 603-673-1734 ket. This is booksellers teaching from your competitors of course! booksellers, sharing expertises. Why 12 Depot Square on earth would anyone teach their The ABA has a bookselling school Peterborough, NH competitors how to do a better job and a very practical 400 page manual 603-924-3543 selling books? and teach for free?! written by booksellers. The New En-

Spring 2007 - 7 Putting Together Concord Reads A Librarian’s Perspective

By Robbin Bailey people read each potential book so Always schedule at least one book Librarian, that there is more than one opinion discussion and then other events that Concord Public Library on each book. These are the titles tie in with the chosen book. Differ- we have chosen in the past: ent types of events will bring more people and different ideas to your Why should a library host a “One 2002 programs. Here are a few examples Book, One Community” program The Bridge of San Luis Rey from our programs: like Concord Reads? The purpose by Thornton Wilder of Concord Reads is to explore a • For The Bridge of San Luis book in depth, and to bring the com- 2003 Rey we had Brother Andrew munity together to discuss it. Every- Empire Falls Thornton from St. Anselm one reading the same book gives by Richard Russo talk about the theological people a chance to make connections aspects of the book. and find new insights. We explore 2004 different aspects of the book and The works of poet • Rebecca Rule led a discussion have done programs on mill towns, and author Donald Hall about humor in Empire Falls. humor, religious themes, and other interesting topics in each book. 2005 • We had a gala celebration with Water Witches Donald Hall on his birthday to Choosing the book – it’s very diffi- by Chris Bohjalian celebrate his work (500 people cult to find the right book. Our title attended). criteria include: 2006 When the Emperor Was Divine • We held a dowsing program at • Theme: Appeals to a wide by Julie Otsuka a local park when we read audience? Contains issues the Water Witches. community can relate to? It’s a good idea to work with com- Contains issues that would munity partners on your “one book” • Another memorable event, spark interesting discussions? program such as your library’s related to When the Emperor Friends or Foundation, local book- Was Divine, was Carl • Recognition: Critical Reviews? stores, the local paper, and support- Watanabe’s program Awards? ers of the arts such as the New “Starting Life Behind Barbed Hampshire Humanities Council. We Wire: Growing Up in an Intern- • Author: Living? Availability? are very grateful for the funding and ment Camp” about his time as Other speaker(s) available? in-kind support we have received a young boy in an internment from our Concord Reads support- camp for Japanese Americans. • Format: Available in ers. paper-back? Available in Community book discussions like spoken word CD? When setting up the programs, try to Concord Reads are a wonderful way Available movie in DVD? do it as far in advance as possible, of bringing people together, bringing and make sure you take into account them to your library to discuss great • Reading level: Accessible to holidays and conflicts with other literature and celebrating the written a wide audience? popular programs in town. word.

• Length of the book Book Notes (ISSN 1554-3609) is published twice per year by the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library, The Concord Reads Committee 20 Park Street, Concord, NH 03301-6314. starts in the beginning of the year to (c) 2007. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in discuss possible Concord Reads part without permission is prohibited. titles. We take two to three months to do this, and try to have several http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter

8 - Spring 2007 Zorro is Hero of Nashua’s One City, One Book Program the Heart of the Sea, The Kite Run- By Carol Luers Eyman thoughtful discussions but accessible ner, Travels With Charley, and Outreach and Community enough to attract wide participation. Empire Falls. Services Coordinator, They prefer titles that lend themselves Nashua Public Library to related programming, such as films, Among the programs offered this lectures, and concerts. Another re- year were book discussions, a lec- quirement is that the title be available Zorro by Isabel Allende was selected ture on Spanish history, a demonstra- in paperback, large print, and audio as the 2007 featured title for the tion by students from Amoskeag editions. Nashua Reads: One City, One Book Fencing Center, a screening of a si- program. lent film version of Zorro with live The library used trust funds to pur- piano accompaniment, and an online chase 50 copies of the book for “All fans of adventure and legend, of blog on the Nashua Public Library cardholders to borrow, in addition to heroes and history, en garde!” said web site (blogs.nashualibrary.org/ large-print, audio, and Spanish cop- the Miami Herald about the book. readers) where readers could discuss ies. As of February 28, the title had “In a match made in heaven, Isabel the book. Library staff post to the circulated 192 times during the cur- Allende takes on the legend of Zorro blog with the hope that readers will rent fiscal year, with more circulation and presents the swashbuckling saga visit it and add their own comments. expected during the height of the pro- of his formative years as only a sto- gram in the spring.The book was ryteller of her caliber could.” Zorro was chosen for the One City, also well-stocked by local book- One Book program by a committee stores, including Borders, Annie’s This is the fifth year of Nashua’s One organized by the Nashua Public Li- Bookstop, and Barnes & Noble. City, One Book project. The goal of brary and including representatives the program is to get as many from local colleges, newspapers, The One City, One Book project is Nashuans as possible to read the bookstores, and other community modeled after Seattle Reads, origi- same book, talk about it with friends, groups. nally known as If All of Seattle Read coworkers, and neighbors, and then the Same Book, a project developed attend programs related to its themes. The committee looks for titles that are by the Washington Center for the Previous selections have included In complex enough to stimulate Book in 1998. Fifth Annual Hopkinton READS! A Success

By Elizabeth Levy, Director, at Cornerstone Family Resources. Jodi’s friend and legal counsel, vol- Hopkinton Town Library Hopkinton residents Karl Lanocha, unteered an evening from their busy MD, Mitchell Simon, JD, and Jean schedules offering an insightful and Tower, RN, helped attendees look humorous look into the way they fine at the book’s ethical issues through tune Jodi’s ideas into such compel- During Hopkinton READS! 2006, the lenses of medicine and law in “Are ling novels. Picoult read an excerpt copies of Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s We Our Sisters’ Keeper?” “Uncle from her new book, 19 Minutes, Keeper circulated over 100 times; George” Radcliffe told “Stories of which was released March 6, signed 120 copies of the book were sold, the Stars” for children who made a lot of autographs, and answered and several hundred people attended cards of the constellations under many questions to the delight of those the programs. Several months later Audrey Gardner’s tutelage. present. Joanna Henderson arranged copies of the book and audiobook Hopkinton High School English and coordinated this special evening. are still on reserve and circulating teacher Kate LaClair led two discus- heavily. sions of the book challenging her au- Contributions from YBP Library Ser- diences to hear the characters’ vices, Teddy’s Tees, Kathy Barnes, Community members read New voices. and The Hopkinton Public Library Hampshire author Jodi Picoult’s My Foundation made this program pos- Sister’s Keeper while exploring A highlight of this year’s program was sible and committee members Elissa “How Families Cope with Trauma” an evening with Jodi Picoult attended Barr, Susan Burns, Audrey Gardner, with Shirley Kirby, Ph.D., and Vicki by an overflow crowd of 152 people. Tom Meehan, and Pat Gruttemeyer Compitello, Ph.D., both counselors Jodi, along with Jennifer Sternick, made the program such a success.

Spring 2007 - 9 We, like many library discussion did your group read that generated Book Discussions groups, depend heavily on the the best discussion?” (See the list continued from p. 1 kindness of librarians across the below.) Classics were mentioned state who lend us copies of the several times as good choices and it cussion facilitator is a huge benefit — books. seems that often books that are uni- we are much more likely to stay on versally loved do not generate much topic and I love to hear the insights When I asked people in our “day” discussion while books that not ev- of such Humanities Council discus- group here at N.H.C.T.C.-Berlin eryone agrees on often do lead to sion leaders as Ingrid Graff, Suzanne about their favorites, many men- lively discussions. Brown, and a host of others. We all tioned the three times we have had seem to come away from a Humani- conference calls with authors – with There seems to be a wide range of ties Council-funded discussion with Chris Bohjalian on his book Before methods used in the state to promote a new sense of the book discussed. You Know Kindness, Ron McLarty book groups. Some, like the Our community is very supportive of on Memory of Running, and Seabrook Library, print up flyers our discussion series and we often Cornelia Read on A Field of Dark- which are distributed, and advertise draw people from as far away as ness. Many authors are open to this upcoming discussions in the local Randolph, Colebrook, and Conway. these days and it’s easy to contact newspapers and on their web site them, either through their web site or while others also list them in their li- Many libraries “go it alone” and their publisher’s. brary newsletters, do direct mailings create their own book discussion and put posters up in the area, or just groups or “enable” ones in private Like many other librarians, we have rely on word of mouth. homes by helping them get copies found in our “day” discussions that of the books. Generally, the it’s best to choose a book under 300 Is it worth all the time and effort to groups seem to run democratically pages so people aren’t over- do book discussions? While re- and people take turns deciding on whelmed, that isn’t too recently pub- sponding to the question “What do a book to read and then leading the lished or hugely in demand (as that you dislike about having book dis- discussion while sometimes the li- would make it tough to borrow from cussion groups in your library,” brarian takes the initiative. Some other libraries), that we can also get Katherine Hillier of the Pease Public groups, such as the one facilitated in audio format, in both cd and cas- Library in Plymouth summed it up by by Sherry Evans when she was at sette formats, for our commuters. writing, “Well, there is the small mat- the Rye Public Library, come up ter of the work involved, but it is such with a long list of books once a Last year, the New Hampshire Cen- a rewarding experience and that is year which are voted on by the ter for the Book surveyed librarians good compensation!” group and then the librarians come around the state, asking “What book up with a list of 12 for the year based on the votes. “Good discussion books”

Groups tend to meet once a month Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner which gives people time to read the Beloved by Toni Morrison books. Most libraries that host Borderliners by Peter Hoeg book groups have only one which Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon tends to be for adults (mostly Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini women) who read a variety of Life of Pi by Yann Martel books, often fiction, while some are like the Tracy Memorial Li- Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder brary in New London which runs My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult three separate groups, a “library Peyton Place by Grace Metalious book group, a mystery book group Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and a Council on Aging group.” The Red Tent by Anita Diamant Here at the NH Community Tech- The Secret History by Donna Tartt nical College-Berlin Fortier Li- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd brary, we started one six years ago Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston that meets once a month at noon, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe primarily for our faculty, staff, and Yellow Raft on Blue Water by Michael Dorris occasionally students and others.

10 - Spring 2007 Book Discussion Groups: A Selected Bibliography

Compiled & Annotated by Mary Russell

Burt, Daniel S. The Novel 100: A Jacobsohn, Rachel W. The Ranking of the Greatest Novels of All Reading Group Handbook: Time. (New York: Facts On File, 2004) Everything You Need to Know This listing is based on one, admittedly to Start Your own Book Club. subjective, reader’s opinion of novels (New York: Hyperion, 1998) and provides very helpful – and brief — Many helpful ideas are included analyses of many classic novels in es- on how to lead a book discussion say form. For each book the author ex- group, including setting rules, plains how it fits into the tradition of the generating discussion, and select- novel as well as the times in which it was ing suitable books. Book lists are in- Moore, Ellen and Kira Stevens. Good written, the themes and issues raised by cluded, including annotated listings of Books Lately: The One-stop Resource the book, and a bit about the author. This books the author has used when leading for Book Groups and Other Greedy book would be very helpful in preparing groups and a very good section on short Readers. (New York: St. Martin’s Grif- to lead a discussion on one of these story collections. Additional book lists fin, 2004) books. Most of the included books are are included but with no details beyond This is a great source of questions for those generally considered to be classics title and author. There is a useful list of various types of books – including ques- and range from the 11th century’s Tale of resources for background research on tions to ask about the book that every- Genji to Beloved by Toni Morrison books and a glossary of literary terms. one in the group hated. There is an ex- (1987). tensive list of resources for book group Laskin, David and Holly Hughes. The information, a glossary of literary terms, Ellington, Elisabeth and Jane Reading Group Book: The Complete and a troubleshooting section included. Freimiller. A Year of Reading: A Guide to Starting and Sustaining a The tone of this book is very chatty and Month-by-Month Guide to Classics Reading Group with Annotated Lists the author’s consulting business and and Crowd-pleasers for You and Your of 250 Titles for Provocative Discus- web site are mentioned often enough to Book Group. (Naperville, Illinois: sion. (New York: Plume/Penguin, be irritating, but overall the book con- Sourcebooks, Inc., 2002) 1995) tains a lot of useful information. This guide, co-written by New Hampshire This book contains lots of helpful nuts resident Elisabeth Ellington, provides a & bolts type information, including lots Pearl, Nancy. Book Lust: Recom- month-by-month plan for selecting books of examples from book groups around the mended Reading for Every Mood, Mo- for your reading group or yourself. For country and a troubleshooting section. ment, and Reason. (Seattle: Sasquatch each month of the year five different titles Sources for selecting books and general Books, 2003) are suggested and for each title discus- questions to generate discussion on any Pearl, Nancy. More Book Lust: Rec- sion questions, brief notes on the author, book are included. Some of the authors’ ommended Reading for Every Mood, and suggestions for further reading are comments about books that do or don’t Moment, and Reason. (Seattle: included. Frequently asked questions lend themselves to the modern era make Sasquatch Books, 2005) and twenty-five ways to build a better this book seem a little dated but the in- Not written specifically for book groups, book group are also included. formation is very useful. these two volumes are nevertheless a treasure trove of great books your group Gardner, Sarah. Read It and Eat: A Major, David C. and John S. Major. 100 might want to read. The included titles Month-by-month Guide to Scintillat- One-night Reads: A Book Lover’s are given brief annotations, sometimes ing Book Club Selections and Guide. (New York: Ballantine Books, very brief, and are organized into themed Mouthwatering Menus. (New York: 2001) lists. Hudson Street Press, 2005) This collection of brief essays on 100 dif- Four titles, along with discussion ques- ferent books, fiction and non-fiction, that Pearlman, Mickey. What to Read: The tions and related menus with recipes, are the authors believe can be read in a single Essential Guide for Reading Group included for each month of the year plus evening (I have my doubts about that) is Members and Other Book Lovers: Re- four bonus months’ worth of additional an excellent resource for groups looking vised & Updated. (New York: titles and recipes. This book does not for a good, short book. The essays tell HarperPerennial, 1994, 1999) offer guidance on organizing or running you enough to know if the book inter- A collection of book lists – arranged by a book discussion group but it does have ests you, but not so much that the story themes like ‘My Family, Myself,’ ‘Mi Vida several interesting book suggestions and is spoiled for the reader. A listing of books Latina,’ and ‘Be a Sport’ – including a some fabulous sounding food to go with by category (history, memoir, fiction, etc.) brief synopsis, a publication date, and a them. The monthly themes are a fun ap- and suggestions for related readings page count for each book is included. The proach to organizing the reading and the within the essays are included. The books introduction provides some suggestions blurbs on each book are just enough info do tend toward classics, and may not for forming your own group and profiles to tell you if a book is for you or not with- appeal to groups with more contempo- out spoiling the story. rary taste. continues on page 14

Spring 2007 - 11 The Poetry Place

Encouraging the Love of Poetry

by Patricia Fargnoli, New Hampshire Poet Laureate

First, let me say thank you to the Center for the Book for giving me this platform to talk about poetry. Far too many times, as I’ve traveled around the state, I’ve heard people say “Oh, I never read poetry.” Problem is, I think, that too often we’ve been turned off to poetry by early experiences struggling with difficult poems. Or by the perception that poetry is necessarily too difficult and has nothing of great value for our lives.

But nothing could be less true! Poetry is at the very center of my own life and has been for over thirty years. It has given me both solace and joy. It’s given me words for things I knew but had no words for. And it’s told me things I didn’t know and that expanded my sense of reality and my world. For those reasons, when I was appointed NH Poet Laureate in December 2005, I knew that I wanted, first of all, to bring more poetry into people’s lives. And I decided to begin this in two ways:

First, I wanted to bring public attention to those many serious poets, the famous, the less famous, and the unknown, who work hard at writing poems every day, for whom poetry has become a guiding force in their lives. And I wanted to introduce people to them and to their wonderful poems.

And secondly, because I so strongly believe that the roots of a love of poetry begin in childhood, and that such a love enhances a child’s imagination, sense of rhythm and enjoyment in language, I wanted to do something to promote the importance of poetry in children’s lives.

As for the first goal: New Hampshire has a long tradition of poets— Robert Frost, of course, but also the current United States Poet Laureate, Donald Hall, and past Consultant in Poetry Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Simic, and the list goes on from there. In fact, there are dozens and dozens of serious working poets in the state today. In order to give them greater exposure in the state, I’ve collaborated with the New Hampshire Arts Council to have a link added to the poet laureate web site for a New Hampshire Poet Showcase.

Every two weeks a different New Hampshire poet is featured, with their photo, a short biography, a poem the poet has chosen to appear and a paragraph about how that poem came to be written. Poets from past weeks are archived so you can catch up with those you’ve missed. I hope you will check out these fine poems and learn about the poets. To get there go to the New Hampshire Arts Council website (http://www.nh.gov/nharts/) and follow the two links to the Poet Showcase.

As for my second goal I’m excited that April 14th will be our first “Children’s Poetry in the Libraries Day.” On that day 40 New Hampshire poets have volunteered to go into almost 40 libraries across the state to put on a program of reading and writing poetry for children (see page 4 for details). The programs are the culmination of a year’s planning and we are hoping that hundreds of children will be involved in these events and that the publicity will raise public consciousness about the value of poetry for children.

My hope is that these two programs will encourage the love of poetry in more children and adults across New Hampshire.

Patricia Fargnoli, New Hampshire Poet Laureate, has graciously agreed to write a regular column in Book Notes where she will share her thoughts and observations about poetry in our state.

12 - Spring 2007 The Children’s Literacy Foundation Support the Center for the Book By Ann Hoey, Youth Services applications from libraries twice a at the NHSL Coordinator,NH State Library year—February 1st and August 1st.

The Children’s Literacy Foundation Most recently, the following NH li- Name: (CLiF) works to nurture a love of braries were awarded CliF grants: reading and writing among children Canaan Public Library, Epsom Pub- Organization: throughout New Hampshire and Ver- lic Library, Dunbar Free Library in mont. CLiF’s programs target chil- Grantham, Haverhill Public Library, Mailing Address: dren in rural communities and chil- Gordon-Nash Library in New dren who are at high risk of growing Hampton, and the Winchester Pub- up functionally illiterate. Founded in lic Library. CLiF will deliver books 1998, the non-profit organization to each of these libraries and make City: believes strongly in the value of lit- a special presentation to the eracy for children and their families. community’s children. State: Zip: E-mail: In one of its most successful pro- CLiF reaches the children of New grams, CLiF provides sponsorships Hampshire and Vermont through Annual Membership for the purchase of books for chil- other means as well. It sponsors Levels dren up to age 12 for public libraries homeless shelters, women’s shelters, in towns with populations under shelters for at-risk children, and Members receive Book Notes, 5,000. Already, 87 public libraries low-income housing. It has brought in NH have received CLiF grants. its programs to the children of prison our semiannual newsletter. The libraries must raise a certain inmates, migrant children and refu- amount of money, and then CLiF gee children. CLiF also sponsors Supporter $5 - $24 provides a match of double the writing workshops and visits by Friend $25 - $99 amount of funds. Because of CLiF’s children’s authors and illustrators. Contributor $100 - $499 purchase discount, each library re- Patron $500 - $999 ceives at least $1,400 worth of new To learn more about CLiF, visit Benefactor $1000 & up children’s books. CLiF accepts grant www.clifonline.org.

Enclosed is my check 2007 International IMPAC for $ ______payable to Dublin Literary Award Park Street Foundation

The titles of 138 novels nominated Those nominated by the New Hamp- † Personal Member for the prestigious 2007 International shire State Library for 2007 are: † Organization Member IMPAC Dublin Literary Award have been announced and are at • Extremely Loud & Incredibly The Park Street Foundation serves www.impacdublinaward.ie/ Close by Jonathan Safron Foer as the fiscal agent of the Center for News.htm. • Kafka on the Shore the Book at the NH State Library and by Haruki Murakami is a tax-exempt 501c(3) organization. The New Hampshire State Library • Never Let Me Go Your contribution is tax-deductible is one of 169 participating libraries by Kazuo Ishiguro. to the extent allowed by law. from around the world that submit- ted nominations for this annual award, A short list of ten novels will be culled Center for the Book the world’s richest literary prize for a from the long list of nominated titles at the New Hampshire single work of fiction, of high literary by an international panel of judges State Library th merit, published in English. Names of and announced on April 4 . Then, 20 Park Street, th all of the nominating libraries and their on June 14 , the 2007 winner will Concord, NH 03301 choices are also posted online. be announced.

Spring 2007 - 13 Ladybug Picture Book Award Award Notes

In November New Hampshire chil- David Catrow, published by New Hampshire is home to sev- dren from preschoolers to those in Harcourt, Inc., was chosen as the eral book awards and details the third grade will be voting for the winner of the 2006 Ladybug Picture about each of them, including 2007 Ladybug Picture Book Award Book Award. At over 120 schools links to their web sites, are winner and they have a great collec- and libraries 17,027 children cast included at www.nh.gov/nhsl/ tion of titles to choose from! Many ballots for their favorite picture book bookcenter/literacyc/awards.html of the nominated titles teach us some- from among the 10 nominated titles thing: what happens when you jump and I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! Great Stone Face Award to conclusions, the value of consid- won with 3,553 votes. ering situations from both sides, how The GSF Committee is currently sandwiches save lives, why rules reading the books on our consider- sometimes need to be broken, the 2007 Nominees ation list. In April, we will choose connection between crucifers and • Red Fox at McCloskey’s Farm the 25 finalists for 2007- 2008. Vot- catastrophe, the dangers of internet by Brian Heinz and Chris Seban ing for this year’s titles will take place shopping for shortcuts, how seren- • Duck & Goose by Tad Hills during the last week of April. The dipity can lead to just the right gift, • Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen & Kevin Hawkes winner and the next year’s list will and the power of presents. Others • Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna be announced at the NH Libraries are adventures like tracking a mys- Pitzer & Larry Day Conference on May 17th during the terious moose and a thrilling barnyard • I Saw an Ant on the Railroad GSF Tea program. chase. The titles were selected by the Track by Joshua Prince & Ladybug Picture Book Award Com- Macky Pamintuan Isinglass Teen mittee, chaired by Ann Hoey. Voting • Pip & Squeak by Ian Schoenherr Read Award materials, including picture ballots and • The Secret Science Project that tally sheets, will be posted on the Almost Ate the School by Judy The Isinglass Teen Read Award (7th Sierra & Stephen Gammell & 8th grade reading list) has closed Ladybug web page in June. Lady- • The Trouble with Cauliflower bug stickers may be ordered year- by Jane Sutton & Jim Harris nominations for the 2007-2008 round using the order form on the • The Remarkable Friendship of cycle; the final list for next year will web site. Mr. Cat and Mr. Rat be posted by May 20th under the by Rick Walton & Lisa McCue Teen Zone at their web site where I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by • Moose Tracks! by Karma Wilson you will also find voting sheets. All Karen Beaumont and illustrated by & Jack E. Davis votes for this year’s winner must be received at [email protected] Bibliography cago: Chicago Review Press, 2000) no later than May 7, 2007. An up- This collection of essays by members of dated order form including book- continued from p. 11 various book groups around the country is interesting to read and includes some marks of the 2007-2008 list (100 of a few book groups around the US, and insights that might be helpful to a group for $6) will also be available on the a very interesting section on ‘How to looking for a new way to do things, but website in May. Read.’ this book is not the place to start for nuts and bolts info on how to start or run a The Flume: NH Teen Saal, Rollene. The New York Public bookgroup. The annotated book lists pro- Readers’ Choice Award Library Guide to Reading Groups. vided by some of the essayists provide a (New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., more detailed look at the various groups Sponsored by the New Hampshire 1995) being profiled. In fewer than 100 pages this book tells Library Association, the Flume you all you need to know to organize a Weiler, Elizabeth and Karisa Greer. Award gives high school students the book discussion group: what administra- Good Books, Good Friends, Good opportunity to choose their favorite tion is needed (not much), what to con- Food: A Successful Recipe for Your title from among 13 fiction and non- sider in choosing books, and how to suc- Own Book Club. (Woods Cross, Utah: fiction books. Last year, teens voted cessfully guide a book discussion. An Good Books Good Friends, 2002) extensive annotated list of suggested Based on their own experience a group to give the first Flume Award to Dan books is also included. of women compiled this beautiful book Brown for The Da Vinci Code. Vot- which lists books and a recipe for each ing for this year’s award will take Slezak, Ellen. The Book Group Book: A month of the year. A few discussion ques- place in public and school libraries in Thoughtful Guide to Forming and En- tions and author facts are included for April. Ballots and other information joying a Stimulating Book each book. The books tend toward clas- Discussion Group, 3rd edition. (Chi- sics and the recipes toward desserts. can be found on the website.

14 - Spring 2007 Granite State Readers Recommend We invite readers from around the state to tell us about a book that they would recommend to others. Here is a selection of the recommendations that we received recently. Please check out the complete list of Granite State readers’ recommendations and tell us about a book that you would recommend by visiting our web site at www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter/programs.

Atkinson Concord Portsmouth

Katie McDonough Alice Nye Sherry Evans Director, Kimball Public Library Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Head of Public Services, Timothy; or, Notes of an Abject Reptile Ngozi Adichie. This book has it Portsmouth Public Library by Verlyn Klinkenborg. This is a remark- all: memorable characters, a gripping plot Eat the Document by Dana Spiotta. I love able book, a book that meets my criteria and writing that can stop you in your this book for its creative writing style, of wanting to run up to people on the tracks. The backdrop is Nigeria during flow between the 70’s and the 90’s, and street and say you’ve GOT to read this the Biafran secession and civil war, but the way the story unfolds in flashbacks book! This is a vignette of life in an 18th the themes are sadly still with us: the eth- and time shifts. Surprising action occurs century English village as seen through nic, religious and class prejudices that even on the last page. Two lovers who the eyes of a tortoise. It is profound, foster man’s inhumanities. This is a spe- radically oppose the Vietnam poignant, and poetic. cial writer and special book. War execute a bombing that goes terri- bly wrong. Each goes underground and Concord Durham must stay there or face arrest and a prob- able prison sentence. As the novel un- Amber Cushing Michael Horton folds and the years go by, we learn his- Librarian, NH State Library The book Journey Toward Justice by torical facts about the protests and anar- Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb. I Dennis Fritz is a memoir and John Grisham chism of the 70’s and in the Seattle area of couldn’t put this book down. It’s an ex- calls it “compelling and fascinating.” the late 90’s. Compassion, fervor, integ- cellent work truly displaying the hope, Dennis Fritz is the real character in John rity, survival, sadness and humor all sadness and longing of Lilly, the main Grisham’s book The Innocent Man. The abound in a steady pace. This book will character. Lilly’s hippie ex-pat British par- Innocent Man mostly is about his co- leave you questioning your own values ents wander around Europe with her in defendant Ronnie Williamson who was and beliefs. Also, The Echo Maker by tow until they are killed in Morocco when sentenced to death. Dennis Fritz, who Richard Powers. About a young man who she is 8. She is then raised in an Islamic was sentenced to life behind bars, and sustains a serious head injury in an auto shrine by a Quran scholar. At age 16 she Ronnie Williamson were exonerated in accident (no witnesses, slightly mysteri- ends up in the Ethiopian city of Harar, 1999 after 12 desperate and tortuous ous). He is near death when rescued. His where most of the story takes place, but years in prison. Ronnie Williamson only relative, his sister, returns to their later she is in London as a refugee. The passed away a few years later. home town to care for him. As he recov- story moves back and forth between ers, however, he regains language and 1980’s London and 1970’s Ethiopia, but Durham memories but refuses to recognize her as still flows nicely and is not jumpy like his sister, claiming she is an imposter. some novels written in this form. There Zelda Moore Then his dog is an imposter; then his is much attention to detail of place, per- Terrorist by John Updike. I thought he house is not really his house, his mailbox haps due to Gibb’s PhD research in Ethio- did a splendid job and I was particularly is not where it used to be. He is diag- pia. Overall, it is the story of trying to engaged with the ending chapter. A mas- nosed with Capgras, result after brain find one’s place in the world. terful piece of writing — an illuminating trauma. Seamlessly woven with this examination of what it’s like to be human main narrative are musings on the cranes and be living in today’s world. who return to the Dakotas annually and the writings of a famous brain scientist Manchester who visits the brother as a medical con- sultant. It’s a great story which kept me Mary Russell riveted. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice. I loved this book! It was funny, the Tilton characters were very memorable, and it was full of clever turns of phrase. Becky Albert Publisher’s Weekly said (and I agree) : The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. “With élan and insight into human foibles It is beautifully written and mysterious . . . Rice, daughter of lyricist Tim Rice, enough to keep you turning the pages. I ties the Wallace and Delancy families to- thoroughly enjoyed it. Reminded me of a gether with a surprising, bittersweet plot gothic novel, with dark family secrets, an twist. Rice’s remarkable gift for creating old haunted house, a “spinster” type singular characters in this memorable who spends all of her time reading old story underscores her presence as a fresh books… Just the ticket for crisp, dark fall new voice in fiction.” nights.

Spring 2007 - 15 Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library 20 Park Street Concord, NH 03301

The mission of the Center for the Book at the NH State Library is to celebrate and promote reading, books, literacy, and the literary heritage of New Hampshire and to highlight the role that reading and libraries play in enriching the lives of the people of the Granite State.

Book Notes New Hampshire (The Blog)

By Mary Russell, Director a blog is “a user-generated website Like many blogs, Book Notes New NH Center for the Book where entries are made in journal Hampshire is a work in progress. It style and displayed in a reverse chro- will evolve and change as technol- Social media – wikis, podcasts, nological order. Blogs often provide ogy and the NH Center for the Book blogs, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, commentary or news on a particular do. It currently includes news about etc. – are a hot topic lately, but they subject, such as food, politics, or lo- Center activities, notes on things hap- are really a new face on the very old cal news; some function as more per- pening in local libraries and book- idea that people have things to say sonal online diaries. A typical blog stores, occasional news items from to one another. In November 2006, combines text, images, and links to the larger book world, and as of I decided that the New Hampshire other blogs, web pages, and other January 2007 a “book of the week” Center for the Book should have a media related to its topic.” They also which features a book with a Gran- blog because as the Director of the allow for communication by allow- ite State connection that grabbed my NH Center for the Book people tell ing the people reading them to add attention. I hope you will check out me all kinds of interesting things and comments if the blog author chooses our blog and that you will take a I wanted to share those things with to allow it. Our blog is open for com- moment to leave a comment and let the N.H. book community. I brought ments from anyone, although they are me know what you think of this lat- the idea to the Center’s Advisory moderated to avoid spam and such. est experiment in communication. Board. They were supportive, some One of the great things about social were even enthusiastic, and so I media is that much of it is built using started putting together Book Notes tools that are available for free to (the blog). anyone who wants to use them and can therefore be created without Visit our blog at According to Wikipedia (the ency- spending a lot (or in our case, with- http://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com clopedia of the social media world), out spending anything but time).

16 - Spring 2007