Center for the Book at the New Hampshire Book Notes State Library Fall 2006 Vol. 2 , Issue 2 Reading is for Everyone By John Barrett Regional Librarian, tative Ruth Pratt (H.R. 11365) and program was authorized by Con- Talking Book Services, NHSL Senator Reed Smoot (S. 4030) to gress to collect and maintain a library provide adequate service on a na- of musical scores and instructional Books and reading are important tional scale through an appropriation texts. In 1966, Congress passed because they give people a form to to be expended under the direction Public Law 889-522 authorizing the interpret fact and fiction to make their of the Librarian of Congress. The Library to provide talking-book ser- lives more productive and meaning- Pratt-Smoot Act became law on vices to all persons who could not ful. This is as true for the visually dis- March 3, 1931. For fiscal 1932 there read standard print because of visual abled as it is for the sighted commu- was $100,000 appropriated to carry or physical disability. This brought nity. “Blind and physically handi- out the provisions of the act to pro- about an immediate need for an ex- capped individuals are entitled to high vide books for blind adults. This pro- pansion of program activities. Book quality free public library service with gram would become NLS/BPH. collections in NLS/BPH and those access to all information, books, and Eighteen libraries were selected, in in established regional libraries were materials perceived as useful,” says addition to the Library of Congress, strengthened by building a reserve Frank Kurt Cylke, Director of the to provide adequate service and re- collection of books and increasing the Library of Congress National Library gional coverage of the country. number of copies of recorded and Service for the Blind and Physically Braille titles produced, eventually Handicapped (NLS/BPH). Two significant developments oc- leading to the establishment of addi- curred in 1933: the establishment of tional regional and subregional librar- Library service for the blind in the a uniform system of Braille for all En- ies. In response to serious limitations U.S. began in the late nineteenth cen- glish-speaking countries and the in- on storage space at NLS/BPH in the tury. The Boston Public Library es- vention of the talking book. The first 1970’s, multistate centers, one on tablished a department for the blind talking books were recorded on a each side of the Mississippi River, after receiving eight embossed vol- disc by the voice of a good reader were created. Each multistate center umes – with raised text readable by and reproduced by means of a pho- provides services, including interli- touch – as early as 1868. New York nograph machine. A durable record, brary loan of books in various for- became the first state to create a de- perfected in 1933, recorded at 150 mats, tape duplication, magazines, partment for the blind in a state li- grooves to an inch, so that a book of equipment, supplies, forms, and pub- brary in 1896. The concept of a na- 60,000 words could be contained on lications, for cooperating libraries. tional library for the blind was devel- eight or nine double-faced, twelve- oped in 1897 by John Russell Young, inch records with thirty minutes of Continues on page 11 the Librarian of Congress, when he reading time on each record. The established a reading room for the Library’s appropriation did not at first blind with about 500 books and mu- include funds for playback machines. INSIDE THIS ISSUE sic items in raised characters. Con- These had to be purchased either by NH Books Column 2 gress in 1913 provided that, under the person who desired to borrow government subsidy, one copy of Letters About Literature 3 the recorded books or by philan- Award Notes 4 each book in raised characters made thropic organizations on his or her for educational purposes was to be 50 Years of the Hale Award 5 behalf. Peyton Place Turns 50 6 deposited in the Library of Congress Reader Recommendations 8 by the American Printing House for Several times the Act has been Portrait of a NH Book Seller 9 the Blind (APH) of Louisville, Ken- amended and appropriations in- The NH Writers’ Project 10 tucky. In 1930, identical bills were creased. Service to blind children was LC Names New Poet Laureate 12 introduced in Congress by Represen- initiated in 1952, and in 1962 the

Fall 2006 - 1 Center for the Book New Hampshire Books at the By Donna Gilbreth New Hampshire State Library New Hampshire celebrity Fritz Wetherbee (he even has his Mary A. Russell, Director own bobblehead doll) has 603-271-2866 compiled many of his charm- [email protected] ing New Hampshire stories into a new collection titled Fritz Wetherbee’s New Hampshire. The stories have the humorous and conversational style of Wetherbee’s television essays on WMUR’s New Hampshire 2006 Advisory Board Chronicle program. Indeed, many of the stories were first heard on that program. Wetherbee, an 11th generation New Englander, has gathered a Chair treasure trove of tales about New Hampshire’s towns and residents over Becky Albert NH Educational Media Association the centuries. People both famous and obscure populate the stories and the emphasis is on little-known, and somewhat peculiar, New Hampshire Vice-Chair history. For instance, you might know that the original “Uncle Sam” (Sam Andrea Thorpe Wilson) grew up in Mason, New Hampshire. But did you know that NH Library Association Sam’s wife was originally pursued by John Chapman, who later became known as “Johnny Appleseed”? And did you know that the first man to Van McLeod fire a shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill was an overanxious resident of NH Dept.of Cultural Resources Deerfield (John Simpson)? Mr. Wetherbee cannot help but give his own humorous twist to many historical tales. He tells the story of an eccentric Dr. Lyonel B. Tracy doctor found cradling his dead wife’s body in her tomb. Later, after the NH Dept. of Education death of the doctor’s friend, as Mr. Wetherbee states, “Dr. Sylvanus Brown did not cradle the dead body of his friend, but he did cradle the Michael York New Hampshire State Library live body of his widow.” But there are also tragic stories that expose the harsh reality of life in early New Hampshire. Mr. Wetherbee tells of the Barbara Yoder hanging death of unwed mother Ruth Blay for the death of her stillborn New Hampshire Writers Project child – hanged just five minutes before the governor’s pardon arrived. Mr. Wetherbee ends his book with a few tales of his ancestors and him- Deborah Watrous self. This is a fun and informative read. NH Humanities Council Wetherbee, Fritz. Fritz Wetherbee’s New Hampshire. Concord, Patricia Fargnoli NH: Plaidswede Publishing, 2005. Poet Laureate of New Hampshire Another fun read is a first novel by Hollis resident Michaeline Della Fera. Carrie Thomas Colby-Sawyer College Trading Faces is a charming addition to the ranks of murder mysteries. Protaganist Cecce De Lucca is a 39-year-old, overweight, Italian-Ameri- Jackie Gardner, CHILIS can private detective in suburban Hollis, New Hampshire. De Lucca is also single, although enamored of a married police detective and her horse Sally Jones Eddie. The story begins with De Lucca almost killed while following a NH Library Trustees Association philandering husband. To recuperate from her gunshot wound, Cecce, her mother Sophia, and best friend Ginny take a two-week vacation at a Pat Frisella swank health spa in Arizona, financed by Sophia’s gambling winnings. Poetry Society of New Hampshire Junk food lover Cecce barely tolerates the spa’s healthy cuisine and the hot Arizona climate. She spends the vacation complaining, sweating and Eleanor Strang sneaking in contraband Cheez-Its to survive. Finally, she finds some ex- Urban Public Library Consortium citement when a spa staffer, who had been dating Ginny, is found dead. Willard Williams Cecce launches into action to clear Ginny of suspicion and find the mur- Toadstool Bookshops derer. She is almost killed again, but solves the mystery with the help of Ginny, Sophia, and the local redneck sheriff. Katie McDonough Kimball Public Library, Atkinson Della Fera, Michaeline. Trading Faces. Richmond, KY: Wings ePress, Inc., 2005. Letters About Literature Read. Be Inspired. Write Back. Letters written by Isabel Starr of Hollis, Kylee Drugan-Eppich of Madbury, and Steve Therrien of Thank you to our 2006 NH Exeter were selected as the New Letters About Literature Judges! Hampshire winners in the 2006 Let- ters About Literature (LAL) writing • Ann Hoey, Youth Services Coordinator at the NHSL competition. They each received a • Selma Naccach-Hoff, English Department Coordinator, cash prize and a gift card to Target Manchester High School Central Stores. Additionally, their letters • Amanda Joaqin-Allan, Special Education Teacher, were sent on as entries in the national Auburn Village School LAL competition. Ms. Drugan- • Rob Greene, Editor, Hippo Press Eppich’s letter was selected as a run- • Donna Ciocca, author of Harley & Homer ner-up in the national competition. • John-Michael Albert, poet. Letters About Literature is a reading and writing promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, presented in partner- Upper Elementary School, wrote a independence from my eating disor- ship with Target Stores and coordi- letter to Natalie Babbitt about her der, I have had so many dreams that nated in New Hampshire by the Cen- book The Search for Delicious, I know I wouldn’t be able to achieve ter for the Book at the New Hamp- which was selected as the Granite if Ed was sill in charge of my life.” shire State Library. To enter, young State’s first place winner in the level This letter was the Granite State’s readers are asked to write a personal I competition for students in grades first place winner in the level II com- letter to an author explaining how his 4 through 6. Miss Starr wrote that petition for students in grades 7 and or her work changed their view of before reading the book she “never 8 and was chosen as a runner-up in the world or themselves. Readers would have guessed that the search the national competition. select authors from any genre—fic- for the definition of ‘delicious’ would tion or nonfiction, contemporary or be controversial” and goes on to ex- Steve Therrien, a ninth-grader at classic. There are three competition plain several insights she gained by Exeter High School, wrote his let- levels in the program: upper elemen- reading Ms. Babbitt’s book. She ter, which was selected as New tary, middle school, and high school. concludes: “Now I would still pick Hampshire’s first place winner at The contest theme encourages young chocolate or chicken noodle soup, level III, to Rowland Sill. He begins: readers to explore their personal re- but I am more aware that I should “Your poem ‘Opportunity’ is a great sponse to a book and then express be grateful that I am able to have a poem. It inspired me in many ways. that response in a creative, original choice.” It helped me realize that I must work way. hard in everything I do and to use all Kylee Drugan-Eppich, an eighth that I have to reach my goals.” Mr. In 2006, there were more than grader at Oyster River Middle Therrien goes on to explain how this 47,000 entries nationwide. Twenty- School in Durham, wrote to Jenni poem, which his grandfather knew eight New Hampshire semi-finalists Schaefer about Life Without Ed. by heart, helped him to reconsider a were selected across the three com- Ms. Drugan-Eppich’s letter de- decision to stop playing J.V. foot- petition levels by a panel of judges scribes her own struggles with an ball. working on behalf of the Library of eating disorder and credits Ms. Congress. Our three winners were Schaefer with helping her through a The entry deadline for the 2007 Let- selected from this group of outstand- really hard time in her life: “I am very ters About Literature competition is ing letters. far into recovery, and can’t see go- December 8, 2006. We anticipate ing back to that monster you and I another batch of great letters from Isabel Starr, a sixth grader at Hollis call Ed. . . . Since I’ve declared my the students of the Granite State.

Entry coupons and participation guidelines for LAL 2007 are at http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter/programs/letters.html

Fall 2006 - 3 Before Dan Brown Came Grace Metalious: Peyton Place Turns 50 By Robert B. Perreault In “All About Me and Peyton during Grace’s childhood. She had Teacher & Freelance Writer Place,” published in 1958 in The barely reached adolescence when American Weekly, Grace wrote: her parents divorced and Alfred What New Hampshire novelist wrote “My father and mother are both first- joined the Merchant Marine, from a controversial blockbuster that generation Americans, both born in which he retired in 1980 at age 78. broke all sales records up to its time, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Consequently, Grace and her sparked worldwide discussion, both of French parents. I don’t know younger sister, “Bunny” (Doris), joined lists of banned books, and how much more French I could be grew up among divorced or sepa- spawned a Hollywood movie? To and still have been born in the United rated women, then a rare phenom- anyone under age 40, the obvious States. I have to chuckle when enon among Catholics: their mother, answer is Dan Brown. Nevertheless, people refer to me as a rock-bound their maternal grandmother, as well people over 60 might recall another New Englander. My maternal grand- as their paternal grandmother and her name: Grace Metalious. Although cir- mother, who lived with us all the daughter, “Aunt Georgie,” both of cumstances that involved both writ- ers differ greatly, Peyton Place cre- ated much the same sensation a half- “To a tourist, these towns look as peaceful as a century ago as The Da Vinci Code postcard picture. But if you go beneath that now fuels. Yet, those under 40 might picture, it’s like turning over a rock with your ask “who was Grace Metalious?” foot – all kinds of strange things crawl out.” Marie Grace DeRepentigny, daugh- ter of Alfred and Laurette (Royer) DeRepentigny, was born on Septem- years I was growing up, spoke only whom Grace constantly visited. ber 8, 1924 at l’Hôpital Notre-Dame French, which I learned before I de Lourdes in Manchester’s Little learned English. […] If there was ever In an effort to escape her humble eth- Canada. Since their third-story a New Hampshire household that nic roots, Laurette created as cultural apartment at the corner of Bridge and was un-Yankee, it was ours.” and secular a household ambiance as Ash Streets – their first of seven within possible. While her mother, a decade – lay within the boundaries Despite her working-class back- “Mémère” Royer, did the housework, of L’Église St. Georges, they had ground, Laurette belittled her hus- Laurette read to her daughters, which Grace christened there, where Rev. band Alfred, a skilled pressman who later inspired Grace to devour all the J. Ernest Vaccarest had married them worked in various print shops, in- Nancy Drew mysteries. By age 10, the previous May 12. Coincidentally, cluding that of L’Avenir National, Grace graduated to more sophisti- Rev. Vaccarest was an uncle of New Manchester’s French daily. He cated works by Dickens, Hampshire novelist Ernest Hebert. therefore spent little time at home Maupassant, and others from her

Peyton Place Anniversary Events Slide presentation. “Before Peyton Place: In Search of the Real Grace Metalious” by Robert B. Perreault, Manchester City Library, Carpenter Memorial Building, 405 Pine St., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006, 6:30 p.m. Funded by the N.H. Humanities Council. Information: Cindy O’Neil, 624-6550. Admission free. By focus- ing on Grace’s Québécois ancestry and on her formative years in Manchester, this presentation reveals a side of the author that has remained largely unknown to the general public.

Walking tour. “In the Footsteps of Grace Metalious” by Robert B. Perreault. Sunday, September 24, 2006 (actual day of 50th anniversary). Pre-registration required. Call Millyard Museum, 622-7531. Walk through the neighborhoods of Grace’s youth, where she lived, went to school, and drew inspiration for her fiction. The tour includes readings from Grace’s writings, including No Adam in Eden, set in “Livingstone” (Manchester), as well as Robert Perreault’s interviews with her father, Alfred DeRepentigny, and her aunt, Georgianna “Aunt Georgie” DeRepentigny McConnell.

4 - Fall 2006 mother’s collection. Before long, Works by Grace Metalious Laurette had her reading the New York Times Book Review. Novels Peyton Place. New York: Julian Messner, Inc., 1956. Grace received most of her elemen- Return to Peyton Place. New York: Julian Messner, Inc..1959. tary education at the Ash Street The Tight White Collar. New York: Julian Messner, Inc., 1960. School, across from her earliest No Adam in Eden. New York: Trident Press, 1963. childhood home. Within its walls her imagination produced the seeds that Short Stories would eventually blossom into a lit- [Grace de Repentigny] “Fuller Brush Man,” Oracle, Vol. 48, No. 1, erary career. As a fourth-grader, she November 1942, pp. 27-28. penned her first short story, “My Brother,” for which the teacher rep- “Edna Brown and the Charming Prince,” Glamour, March 1960, rimanded her because she had no pp. 124-125, 188, 190-191, 193-195. brother. In seventh grade, Grace wrote her first “novel” called “Mur- Article der in the Summer Barn Theatre.” In “All About Me and Peyton Place,” The American Weekly (Sunday these early years, she did much of supplement, series in four parts), May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8, her writing in Aunt Georgie’s bath- 1958. room, a refuge from her parents’ domestic quarrels. Works about Grace Metalious

While at Manchester Central High Books School, Grace wrote stories and Delinsky, Barbara. Looking for Peyton Place: A Novel. New York: even plays. Her first encounter with Scribner, 2005. censorship, a foreshadowing of re- action to Peyton Place, occurred Metalious, George, and June O’Shea. The Girl from “Peyton when an avant-garde student theat- Place”: A Biography of Grace Metalious. New York: Dell rical group staged one of her con- Publishing Co., Inc., 1965. troversial creations. During this era, Toth, Emily. Inside Peyton Place: The Life of Grace Metalious. Grace also began adopting some of Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1981. her mother’s social-climbing airs, such as signing her name “de Articles Repentigny.” In fact, “Grace de Perreault, Robert B.“In the Eyes of Her Father: A Portrait of Grace Repentigny” appeared as the byline Metalious,” Historical New Hampshire, Vol. XXXV, No. 3, Fall of her earliest known published 1980, pp. 318-327. work, a short story entitled “Fuller Perreault, Robert B. “Beyond Peyton Place: The Lesser-Known Brush Man,” which appeared in the Side of Grace Metalious,” Manchester Journal, Vol. 8, No. 16, November 1942 Oracle, Central’s Dec. 28, 1983, pp. 8-9, 20. literary magazine, after her gradua- tion. Sorrell, Richard S. “A Novelist and Her Ethnicity: Grace Metalious as a Franco-American,” Historical New Hampshire, Vol. XXXV, On February 27, 1943, Grace mar- No.3, Fall 1980, pp. 284-317. ried her childhood friend, George Metalious, at L’Église St. Georges. literary history. your foot – all kinds of strange things Subsequent circumstances, including crawl out.” George’s studies at UNH and his Prior to the official publication date, military service, saw the newlyweds September 24, 1956, of her Risqué for its time but tame by 21st- living sometimes together, sometimes earthshaking first novel, Grace gave century standards, Peyton Place at- apart. In 1954, after several moves columnist Hal Boyle her view of small- tracted millions of readers, many who within the Lakes Region, where town life. “To a tourist, these towns perused it secretly. It shocked and George taught school, the couple and look as peaceful as a postcard pic- offended certain readers and, curi- their three children settled in ture. But if you go beneath that pic- Gilmanton. There, Grace soon made ture, it’s like turning over a rock with Continues on page 7

Fall 2006 - 5 Award Notes New Hampshire is home to several book awards and details about each of them are included on the Center’s web site at www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter/literacyc/awards.html

The Flume: NH Teen Ladybug Picture Crimi & John Manders; I Ain’t Readers’ Choice Award Book Award Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont & David Catrow; Llama In April 2006, New Hampshire teens New Hampshire children, from Llama Red Pajama by Anna in grades 9-12 chose The Da Vinci preschoolers to third-graders, are in- Dewdney; Mr. Tuggle’s Troubles by Code to win the first Flume: NH vited to vote for the 2006 Ladybug LeeAnn Blankenship & Karen Teen Readers’ Choice Award. Teens Picture Book Award. Voting materi- Dugan; Our Tree Named Steve by voted for their favorite book among als and an order form for stickers Alan Zweibel & David Catrow; 13 titles, which included various are available on our website. Votes Terrific by Jon Agee. works ranging from fantasy to non- must be received by November 30, fiction. More than 850 students cast 2006 to be counted. The 2006 nomi- ballots for New Hampshire’s new- nees are: The Best Pet of All by Sarah Josepha Hale est book award. The 2007 Flume David LaRochelle & Hanako Award Award nominees are listed on our Wakiyama; The Dancing Tiger by web site. Malachy Doyle, Steve Johnson & Renowned journalist Ellen Goodman Lou Fancher; The Dog Who Cried will receive the 2006 Sarah Josepha Wolf by Keiko Kasza; The Great Hale Award for distinction in writing st Great Stone Face Award Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens & by a New Englander on October 21 Susan Stevens Crummel; Henry and at 8:00 p.m. at the Newport Opera The winner of last year’s GSF Book the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn House. Award was The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer. A new list of books for next year’s GSF Book Award can be found on our web site. August 1, 06 Voting will take place in May 2007. Children in grades 4-6 can vote at Dearest Friends of the Ladybug, their school or public library. I love my beautiful award. It sits on a shelf in my studio where I can see it and draw strength from it everyday. It’s not always Isinglass Teen Read easy doing this job (at least for me it’s not) and whenever I might Award have doubts about my abilities (and I do … often) the Ladybug will always be there to encourage me. Thank you from the bot- The 2005-2006 Isinglass Teen Read Award for 7th and 8th graders was tom of my heart for this special gift. Encased in glass is not only awarded to Sonya Sones for her the Ladybug (my favorite insect) but also the Love and good book One of Those Hideous Books wishes for a book that was my pleasure to create for you, the big Where the Mother Dies. Ms. Sones and little readers of New Hampshire. will be visiting Barrington NH in the fall to accept her award in person. The new reading list for 2006-2007 Very Truly Yours is now posted on our web site under (covered in cat fur!) the Teen Zone button; an order form Judy Schachner for printed bookmarks at $6.00 for and Skippyjon Jones 100 is also online. This award is now statewide and supported by CHILIS. The Center for the Book received a big thank you from the winner of the Student recommendations for next 2005 Ladybug Picture Book Award. The sentiments are reproduced here. To year’s list are currently being ac- see the letter as we received it, including a portrait of Skippyjon, please visit cepted at [email protected] . www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter/programs/ladybug.html

6 - Fall 2006 50 Years of the Sarah Josepha Hale Award By Andrea Thorpe Raymond “…knew his authors well Theodore White backed out after Library Director, enough to know that it wouldn’t be accepting the award and no medals Richards Free Library money alone that would bring were given out in those years. them…but a medal will.”2 This year is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Sarah Josepha The Hale Award has also sparked The Friends didn’t have any money Hale Award and this year’s winner, controversy, both times in the pages to cast a medal, but Raymond found Ellen Goodman, continues Sarah of the Union Leader. In 1958, it local money that would serve his pur- Josepha Hale’s legacy as a ground- carried an editorial calling for the pose. Money had been raised to breaking woman journalist. The withdrawal of that year’s awards to erect a statue on Newport’s com- award began as a way to raise Archibald MacLeish and Dorothy mon of Mary and her lamb as a trib- awareness and money for the Canfield Fisher for their association ute to Newport’s own Sarah Josepha Richards Free Library. It was con- with organizations involved in “un- Hale, editor, author and champion of ceived by Raymond P. Holden, a American activities.” In 1966, the Thanksgiving Day. The backers poet, writer, library trustee and with Union Leader reprimanded Robert never raised enough money to afford his wife Barbara founder of the Lowell for his remarks on President the statue, but the amount in the bank Friends of the Richards Library. Johnson. was enough to cast a medal in Sarah’s Raymond asked his old Friend Rob- image. Raymond convinced the re- ert Frost to come to Newport and Since 1956 the people of Newport maining trustee of the project that an give a reading. Barbara Holden have had the privilege of hearing, award to honor writers in Hale’s Yeomans remembers, “It was some meeting and talking to some of the name was a suitable memorial. days or weeks after that reading that premier writers of the last half cen- Raymond Holden was also respon- Raymond Holden had the idea of es- tury including Pulitzer Prize winners, sible for bringing together a national tablishing a literary award for the National Book Award winners and board of judges. And it was Holden benefit of the Richards Library. Frost three Poets Laureate of the United who administered the award for the would be the recipient of the first States. People remember a Hale Friends until his death. award, but he would accept it after Award evening. There are many the fact.” 1 Evan Hill remembers that people who remember Frost’s read- To be nominated the writer must have ing. Maxim Kumin confided to the 1. Yeomans, Barbara Holden. The Richards a connection with New England, and audience that she liked to read to Free Library: Its First Hundred-and-Three be willing to come to Newport to re- people who already knew what a mud Years. Newport, NH: The Friends of the ceive the medal and to give a read- season was. Wes McNair, the only Richards Free Library, 1993. p.63. ing or a talk. This rule has led some Hale Medalist born in Newport, 2. Hill, Evan, “The Literary Scene in authors to decline the award. When made people laugh with familiarity at Newport, New Hampshire.” Boston Globe. this happens, the award is given to his poems depicting life in the Lake August 17, 1975. p.20. someone else. Lillian Hellman and Sunapee area.

Grace Metalious and especially outdrinking some men. “Livingstone” (Manchester), it con- Finally, the townspeople of tains local references, including the Continued from p. 5 Gilmanton, many of whom apparently “Pilgrim Ice Cream Parlor” (The Pu- recognized themselves and their ritan) and the “corner of Bridge and ously, its non-readers, by its media- quaint hamlet in what they considered Ash Streets,” plus some dialogue in manufactured image as a violent and a betrayal of their darkest secrets in French. Conversely, with fame and sexually explicit book. Meanwhile, book form, promptly shunned their fortune came financial mismanage- some critics dismissed it as trash and infamous neighbor. ment, exploitation by others, alcohol- many librarians refused to place it on ism, divorce, depression, all of which their shelves. To make matters For Grace, commercial success led Grace to drink herself into an early worse, the public soon learned that proved a double-edged sword. grave by age 39 on February 25, this tale of murder, suicide, rape, and Peyton Place and its sequel, Return 1964. incest had come from the mind of a to Peyton Place, both inspired Hol- housewife and mother who defied lywood films. Two more novels ap- Grace Metalious rests in a remote feminine conventions of the day by peared, The Tight White Collar and corner of Gilmanton’s Smith Meet- wearing plaid flannel shirts, jeans, and Grace’s autobiographical swan song, ing House Cemetery, ostracized in sneakers, and by smoking, swearing, No Adam in Eden. Set mostly in death as she was in life.

Fall 2006 - 7 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. Barrington Amy Inglis, Derry Director, Barrington Public Library Josef Hodgkins, Parishoner, Grace Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. This Episcopal Church, Manchester young adult novel follows Bella, a 17- Living Simply through the Day (Spiri- year-old girl, who moves to Washington tual Survival in a Complex Age) by state and meets a handsome but mysteri- Tilden Edwards. I am a Christian. I am a ous boy. She soon realizes that he is a parishoner. But those two facts, in my vampire but she falls in love with him any- opinion, are not required in reading this way. It is a gothic romance filled with book. This book, as they say, “tells it tension, passion, and high-voltage chase like it is!” It lets you in on how to live, scenes as she is tracked by another band simply. Life is not simple but I believe of vampires. A wonderful romance for this book will help anyone, if read with- teens with a penchant for vampires. I out the idea that it will “cure all.” What it can’t wait to read the next volume in this may do is heal, some. trilogy! Brentwood Sutton Marilyn Morehead, Librarian Carrie Thomas The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. This I would like to recommend The Other is an amazing, imaginative, and heart- Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It’s a rending book about Nazi Germany with Manchester fast paced historical novel told from the Death as the protagonist. This book was Charles Shipman, view of Mary Boleyn, who was Henry marketed in Zusak’s native country, Aus- Librarian, NH State Library VIII’s mistress for a few years before he tralia, as an adult fiction, but it has been I’d like to recommend Black Swan Green married her sister. The characters are well marketed here as a young adult book. It by David Mitchell. It is the story of a pre- drawn and I was intrigued enough to drag deserves both readers. cocious thirteen-year-old navigating the out my high school English history text- treacherous seas of early adolescence in book to research what happened to Center Barnstead early 1980’s England. The theme isn’t people eventually. I have read that this John Reed new, but the writing is fresh and original, story may be made into a movie with The Fist of God by Fredrick Forsyth. The the characters are vividly drawn, and the Natalie Portman as Anne. background of this espionage thriller is protagonist, Jason Taylor, is one of the eerily prescient, in light of current events. most engaging characters I’ve ever en- countered. Tilton & Northfield It is set in the days before the first Gulf Mary Ahlgren, War, and starts with the bizarre (mostly Director, Hall Memorial Library true) story of Gerald Bull, the artillery Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout. I think genius. Forsyth is an excellent craftsman, Merrimack Janet Angus, Library Director she has New England small town characters are drawn with a deft hand, churches down to a T, and tells a mighty the story is well plotted and fits history The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean. This excellent first novel combines good story of strength, and when it is well. A good read -- makes you wonder the right thing to do to admit needing what some folks was thinkin’.... two aspects of Marina’s life. She was a young Russian woman who survived the help. Siege of Leningrad in 1941 while working Weare at the Hermitage Museum. She is now an Cora Jo Ciampi, elderly woman living in Seattle and in the Northwood Children’s Librarian early stages of Alzheimer’s. The book is Patricia Savage The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. a superb story of the Siege, a lesson in She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Doig uses a variety of characters both art history, and what it’s like to grow old. “Zippy” Kimmel. in the past and present to present a de- The family relationships add greatly to When I read her first memoir, A Girl lightful story about the one-room this wonderful book. Named Zippy, I thought how delightful, schools in Montana. His description of how original. But it wasn’t until I read having been educated in a one-room the sequel, She Got Up Off the Couch, school along with the farming life on Colebrook that I got so I did not want to end my the prairies is rich and delightful. The Cody Hastings visit with Kimmel. She draws you into answer to the huge question through- Cirque Du Freak: Tunnels of Blood by her young world with a tenderness and out the book...to keep or not to keep Darren Shan. I like it because it is action- style so full of vivid images that I force the schools...is met in the dreaming packed and it gets you right in the story myself to put the book down after one way the main character has with answer- so you don’t want to stop reading it until chapter at the end of the evening so I ing all of life’s questions. A great read! you finish. can be with her again tomorrow.

8 - Fall 2006 Self-Portrait of a New Hampshire Bookseller Support the Greg Powers Center for the Book I actually became a bookseller by did offer me a job and so I moved at the NHSL accident. Having moved from Texas back to Boston with a more com- to Boston after graduation in 1986 fortable salary and a job as a rare Name: in expectation of getting an entry- book cataloguer. It was fascinating level job in the publishing world, and work; I catalogued Shakespeare fo- Organization: having subsequently told a Prentice lios, carefully packed and shipped Hall HR manager that I frankly didn’t Nuremberg Chronicles, and once Mailing Address: have a clue how my education and took a credit card from a Kuwaiti background would make me an as- businessman to pay for the only set to the company, I decided to stop known inscribed copy of Isaac in at my favorite local bookshop to Walton’s Compleat Angler (for a find stop-gap work until I could de- cool $15,000). Life was good. City: cide what to do with my life. Here’s how that interview went: I spent the next six years writing tan- State: Zip: talizing descriptions of fabulous E-mail: Owner: “What are you reading right books, travelling to book fairs, ab- now?” sorbing other dealers’ catalogues on Annual Membership Me: “I just finished the Essays of E.B. White, and have been reading some my long bus commute from New Levels James Thurber and Thomas Hardy.” Hampshire, and generally learning the Owner: “Okay, come back at four o’clock business. For a variety of reasons I Members receive Book Notes, and we’ll start you on the evening shift.” grew disenchanted with the job and our semiannual newsletter. thought I should pursue another ca- I showed up at four, stayed on for a reer. So once again, I quit. Supporter $5 - $24 year and became a shift manager, then quit when I realized that in my Friend $25 - $99 I spent a desultory few weeks cast- Contributor $100 - $499 transformation from an hourly ing resumes on the wine-dark sea, worker to a salaried shift manager I Patron $500 - $999 but the longer I tried to get a real job, Benefactor $1000 & up was earning $3.10 an hour. In Bos- the more I realized that I was a book- ton! During my year’s tenure the seller. I truly loved the business—the owner of the shop, Martin Weinkle, search for treasure, lovingly describ- was beginning to add rare and anti- ing your find, and meeting another soul Enclosed is my check quarian books to his mix of inven- who appreciates the book as much for $ ______payable to tory, and I had naturally gravitated as you. There is charm beyond Park Street Foundation to that side of the business. A year words in the whole enterprise. after my departure, when Martin was admitted as a member of the Anti- I couldn’t go back to my former job † Personal Member quarian Booksellers Association of a third time, so I took the plunge and † Organization Member America and became eligible to ex- established Powers Rare Books in hibit at their prestigious New York my living room with some leftover The Park Street Foundation serves Book Fair, he called me in Texas: savings and a few shelves of good as the fiscal agent of the Center for Would I come help him exhibit at the books. Five years later I was—dare the Book at the NH State Library and fair if he paid all my expenses? I say it?—thriving. After another five is a tax-exempt 501c(3) organization. years, another abortive career switch Your contribution is tax-deductible Having been thus far unsuccessful in and an expansion into used books, I to the extent allowed by law. formulating that Life Plan, and sus- still love the business. No matter pecting that if I went he might offer where the vicissitudes of life and ca- Center for the Book me a job, I accepted. At the least I’d reer may lead me, I’ll always be a at the New Hampshire get a free trip to the Big Apple. He bookseller at heart. State Library 20 Park Street, Visit Powers Rare Books at Concord, NH 03301 www.gwpowers.com/powersbks.html

Fall 2006 - 9 New Hampshire’s Literary Community

The New Hampshire Writers’ Project

By Martha Carlson-Bradley Yoder says, “Our board and staff are other vital resources. The Writers’ guided by a firm belief that the liter- Project also publishes Book Sam- Poet Martha Carlson-Brad- ary arts make a vital contribution to pler, an annual catalog of new books ley is the author of two chap- the quality of life in New Hampshire by members. On its Web site, the books and the forthcoming and enrich our cultural landscape.” Writers’ Project publishes informa- Season We Can’t Resist tion of upcoming NHWP events, re- (WordTech Editions, 2007). NHWP members include writers, views of member books, and a cal- A freelance editor, she edits readers, publishers, editors, agents, endar of literary events. NHWP’s publications and is booksellers, librarians, book review- a former NHWP trustee. ers, and teachers. In addition to pro- NHWP’s annual Writers’ Day con- viding beginning and intermediate ference brings together award-win- Since 1988, the New Hampshire writers with an array of workshops, ning authors, publishing profession- Writers’ Project (NHWP) has been the only state-wide organization com- mitted to writing as an occupation and “It is a continuing source of gratification to see as a means of self-expression. NHWP has offered workshops, con- how the struggling organization I once knew ferences, special readings and events, has blossomed into a vibrant force for the advice, referrals, and publications— writers of this state. So much energy! So much to support the development of writ- talent!” -- James Patrick Kelly ers at all stages of their careers and to encourage an audience for litera- ture throughout the state. To former the Writers’ Project supports ad- als, and writers for a day of learning, New Hampshire poet laureate Marie vanced writers by offering them op- sharing, and networking. The confer- Harris, NHWP is “the clearest and portunities to mentor other writers. ence includes a keynote address, best voice in the state, speaking out NHWP also celebrates writers’ suc- craft and business-of-writing work- on behalf of writers and publishers.” cesses by publishing their news in the shops, and panel discussions. In NHWP serves all writers, from be- organization’s newsletter and by pro- 2006, NHWP reintroduced its ginners to accomplished writers such ducing the biennial New Hampshire weekly classes for more intensive as Donald Hall, Maxine Kumin, Literary Awards. study and launched online classes, Donald Murray, and Ernest Hebert. which allow writers in all corners of NHWP Executive Director Barbara NHWP’s publications are among the the state to improve their skills. organization’s major services. The “Workshops! They are the best single One of the goals of the Center acclaimed bimonthly newsletter Ex thing you offer writers, and even the for the Book at the New Hamp- Libris (to be renamed NH Writer in established writers take master class shire State Library is to pro- 2007), features news and interviews, workshops with major writers,” said mote the many organizations articles about craft and process, ad- Donald Murray, Pulitzer Prize-win- throughout the state whose vice about the business of writing, a ning journalist, author, and educator. work supports our mission of calendar of events, and publication celebrating and promoting leads. “The newsletter,” said novel- NHWP special events have included reading, books, literacy, and the ist Ernest Hebert, “is the only mecha- an author reading series featuring literary heritage of New Hamp- nism I have for keeping in touch with such distinguished writers as Donald shire. The New Hampshire what other New Hampshire writers Hall and Robert Bly, Maxine Kumin Writers’ Project is one of these are up to. This gives writers some- and Lucille Clifton, and Cynthia Hun- organizations and this profile is thing they really don’t have, which is tington and Grace Paley. In 2003, part of a continuing series of connections.” Biennially, one issue is poets laureate from around the na- articles on members of New published as the New Hampshire tion gathered in New Hampshire for Hampshire’s literary Writer’s Handbook, a detailed guide Poetry and Politics, a conference on community. to conferences, retreats, publishing the role of poetry in society. Poets advice, agents, copyright law, and representing twenty states, plus

10 - Fall 2006 prominent politicians, educators, Reading added descriptive narration and large theologians, civic leaders, and mem- print books made available to NH bers of the media, came together for is for residents through public libraries. two days of groundbreaking discus- Everyone sions on the role of poetry in our We also offer Unabridged, which communities. In 2004, NHWP’s An Continued from p. 1 launched on November 29, 2004 and Evening with Dan Brown drew an serves to bridge the current demand audience of 900 readers and gener- In 1970, the New Hampshire re- among blind and visually impaired in- ated national media interest. gional library was established as part dividuals for digital audio books, and of the national network of libraries the planned launch in 2008 of a na- More recently, NHWP has offered affiliated with the Library of Con- tional digital audio book service by NH Writers’ Trail programs, giving gress NLS/BPH. Today, Talking NLS/BPH. New Hampshire State the public opportunities to learn about Book Services, as it is now known, Librarian Michael York played an in- our state’s literary history and visit the is a section of the New Hampshire strumental role in creating Un- locations that have inspired writers. State Library serving eligible state abridged. New Hampshire was one On October 7, 2006, NHWP will residents. The service is free to of the original five states (there are present a special NH Writers’ Trail adults and children who cannot read now nine) that teamed up to provide event, the Kearsarge Poetry Festi- regular print because they are legally a web-based library of narrated digi- val, in Wilmot, to celebrate the work blind, visually impaired, unable to tal audio book content and services of Donald Hall, Jane Kenyon, and hold a book or turn pages due to a to eligible library users. The service Maxine Kumin. For details visit permanent or temporary condition, allows self-checkout and facilitates www.nhwritersproject.org. or are unable to read because of a the download of digital audio books reading disability resulting from an which may either be played back on NHWP has collaborated with South- organic dysfunction as certified by PCs with Windows Media Player and ern New Hampshire University, New a medical doctor. We lend books the OverDrive Media Console, or be Hampshire State Library, New and magazines, on cassette or in transferred to WMA-enabled por- Hampshire Center for the Book, Braille, at no cost to the borrower table playback devices, or be burned New Hampshire Young Writers Con- through the U.S. Postal Service. onto CDs. ference, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and many other There are currently over 70,000 As part of a national community organizations since its founding in copies of approximately 43,000 serving the information needs of the 1988. One of its original members, titles in our recorded book collec- blind and physically disabled, the James Patrick Kelly, Hugo Award- tion. Our patrons may subscribe to New Hampshire State Library Talk- winning author and current chair of over sixty popular magazines in cas- ing Book Services brings books and the New Hampshire State Council on sette format or in Braille. The spe- reading to visually disabled adults and the Arts, has said, “It is a continuing cial playback machines used to lis- children in New Hampshire. Active source of gratification to see how the ten to these materials are loaned to users of Talking Book Services in struggling organization I once knew eligible users free of charge along New Hampshire include more than has blossomed into a vibrant force with other accessories for readers 2,100 individuals ranging from 6 to for the writers of this state. So much with limited mobility or hearing im- 100 years of age. We also work with energy! So much talent!” pairments. Publications that list new 176 different institutions including li- titles with brief annotations are also braries, schools, hospitals, and nurs- The New Hampshire Writers’ available in various formats. Our ing homes. The goal of Talking Book Project is dedicated to using this en- other services include a newsletter Services is to develop and conduct ergy and talent to serve writers and in electronic and large print formats, a broader outreach effort to increase the written word in the Granite State. a collection of popular movies with the number of eligible registrants, enhance our web access to relevant Book Notes (ISSN 1554-3609) is published twice per year by electronic documents and online re- the Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library, sources, and continue to evaluate the 20 Park Street, Concord, NH 03301-6314. services we provide to the blind, vi- (c) 2006. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in sually impaired, and physically chal- part without permission is prohibited. lenged residents of New Hampshire to meet their reading interests and http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/bookcenter needs.

Fall 2006 - 11 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.

Librarian of Congress Appoints Donald Hall Poet Laureate Librarian of Congress James H. than 50 years, he has written beauti- National Book Critics Circle Award, Billington has announced the appoint- ful poetry on a wide variety of sub- and the Ruth Lilly Prize for Poetry. ment of Donald Hall to be the jects that are often distinctly Ameri- He has also received two fellowships Library’s 14th Poet Laureate Con- can and conveyed with passion.” from the Guggenheim Foundation. He sultant in Poetry. Hall will take up his is a member of the Academy of Arts duties in the fall, opening the Library Hall has published 15 books of po- and Letters. of Congress’s annual literary series etry, beginning with Exiles and Mar- in October with a reading of his riages in 1955. Earlier this year, he Hall was born in Connecticut in 1928. work. He will also be a featured brought out White Apples and the He was educated at Harvard, Ox- speaker at the Library of Congress Taste of Stone: Selected Poems ford and Stanford universities and National Book Festival poetry pa- 1946-2006 (Houghton Mifflin). In taught at the University of Michigan vilion on Saturday, Sept. 30, on the 2005, he published The Best Day at Ann Arbor. For the past 30 years National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Worst Day, a memoir of his mar- he has lived on his family farm in ru- Hall succeeds Ted Kooser as Poet riage to the poet Jane Kenyon, who ral New Hampshire, in the house Laureate and joins a long line of dis- died in 1995. where his grandmother and his tinguished poets who have served in mother were born. He has two chil- the position, including Robert Frost, Among his children’s books, Ox- dren and five grandchildren. Richard Eberhart, and Maxine Cart Man won the Caldecott Medal. Kumin. Among his many books of prose are Dana Gioia, chairman of the National his essays on poetry, Breakfast Endowment for the Arts, character- On making the appointment, Served Any Time All Day (2003). ized Hall’s selection as “long-over- Billington said, “Donald Hall is one due recognition for one of America’s of America’s most distinctive and re- For his poems he has received the greatest and most-admired men of spected literary figures. For more Lenore Marshall/Nation Award, the letters.”

12 - Fall 2006