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We are thrilled to report that on March 22, 2023 for the first time since November 2019, Pages in the Pub was held in person. This time we crossed the river into New Hampshire and held an incredible event at Still North Books & Bar. The presenters were fabulous, the books they recommended diverse and enticing, the setting inviting, and the money benefitted the Howe Public Library. As a fun bonus, the Book Jam briefly discussed the presenters books as part of the evening and wrote six word reviews for today's post. Thus, you all can see some of the presenters' unique talent at work, even if you could not join us in person. Our incredible presenters: Andy Borowitz was born in Shaker Heights, where he wrote made-up news for his high school newspaper. He moved to New York City in 2005, where he started writing made-up news for The New Yorker. His career demonstrates either a commitment to a genre or arrested development. You can find his New Yorker work here. KJ Dell’Antonia is a novelist and former journalist and editor at the New York Times whose writing always inevitably ends up being about why the things we think will make us happy and solve our problems (Reality TV! Fame! Witchcraft! Genius athletic children!) never, ever do. She is possibly a witch and definitely has a book in her bag, and Shirley Jackson is her literary idol forevermore. You can subscribe to her newsletter by clicking here. Peter Orner once ran for student council vice president under the slogan "Peter Orner Eats Salad." You see there was a new salad bar and the salad bar was popular, and so he thought...Anyway, he didn't prevail. You can find his personal writings here. Sarah Stewart Taylor writes books and reads books and has way too many books. She is the author of the Maggie D'arcy mystery series, about an American police detective in Ireland, and also of a forthcoming series set in Vermont. Her new Maggie D'arcy mystery, A Stolen Child, will be out in June. She and her family raise sheep on their Hartland farm and she spends as much time in Ireland as she can. When she isn't reading, writing, or shepherding, you can find her moving her books around and coming up with excuses for her family about why she needs so many books. You can find her at www.SarahStewartTaylor.com. And now, the books they believe we should all read, divided into categories to make it easier to figure out what you are in the mood to read right now, add to your to-be-read stack, or give as a gift. Books for young readers (think ages 8-12) – For those not yet ready for teen topics Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin (2015). Poignant novel about friendship & jellyfish behavior. ~ Selected by Peter. The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill (1964). Best kids book about politics ever. ~ Selected by Peter. Books for foodies and foodie aspirationals - cookbooks and beyond My Vermont Table by Gesine Bullock-Prado (2023). Vermont vibes. Local Ingredients. Fabulous Dishes. ~ Selected by Sarah Romance -- Because we could all use a bit more Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan (2022). People run hard from their happy endings. ~ Selected by KJ Memoirs & Biographies - When living vicariously through other people’s memories helps Shy by Mary Rodgers & Jesse Green (2022). Hilarious, profane life of Broadway princess. ~ Selected by Andy Non-fiction, reference, or huge history books for sitting out mud season Up in the Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell (1992). No Better book about life in a city, any city. ~ Selected by Peter Watergate by Garrett Graff (2022). Unfolds like thriller. Essential historical context. ~ Selected by Sarah Mysteries & Thrillers - Because sometimes you need a reminder life could be scarier Missing Presumed by Susie Steiner (2016). Lovable police detective. Real Life. Gorgeous writing. ~ Selected by Sarah Murder Your Employer: The McMasters guide to homicide by Rupert Holmes (2023). Knives Out in book form. ~ Selected by KJ Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison (2022). Surprisingly un-glam life of reluctant werewolf. ~ Selected by KJ Anywhere you Run by Wanda Morris (2022). Sisters navigating secrets danger. Jim Crow. ~ Selected by Sarah Adult fiction for anyone who just needs an engrossing novel Writers and Lovers by Lily King (2020). Against the odds, waitress becomes writer. ~ Selected by Andy Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher (2015). Screamingly funny, told entirely in letters. ~ Selected by Andy Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (2022). Twisty family secrets with lasting impact. ~ Selected by KJ The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel (2023). Revenge misfires, backfires, makes everything better. ~ Selected by KJ Small Things Like These (2021) and Foster (2022) by Claire Keegan. Irish. Lovely writing. Heartbreaking characters. Timely issues. ~ Selected by Sarah Fifth Business by Robertson Davies (2001). Canadian, small town pettiness, occasional wonder. ~ Selected by Peter Poetry - because everyone can use more in their life Forest Primeval by Vievee Francis (2015). Intense, moving, among America's best. ~ Selected by Peter The Shared World by Vievee Francis (coming in April 2023). No 6-words. Added at event. Lucky us. ~ Selected by Peter Creativity, inspiration, and/or humor - for those who could use a dose of positive thoughts On Writing by Stephen King (2000). Priceless advice from our greatest storyteller. ~ Selected by Andy Books by the presenters Andrew Borowitz Profiles in Ignorance (2022). Laugh cry over USA’s anti-intellectualism. ~ Selected by Lisa The Borowitz Report (2004). Big book of socking news stories. ~ Selected by Lisa KJ Dell-Antonia The Chicken Sisters (2020). Fried chicken feud attracts reality tv. ~ Selected by Lisa In Her Boots (2022). Imploding daughter returns. Prank goes awry. ~ Selected by Lisa Playing Witch Card (coming in September 2023). She gave up on magic. Right? ~ Selected by Lisa Peter Orner Still No Word From You (2022). Peter discusses writing he has loved. ~ Selected by Lisa Maggie Brown & Others (2019). Novellas. Short stories. Magnificent one-pagers. ~ Selected by Lisa Am I Alone here? (2016). Living to read. Reading to live. ~ Selected by Lisa Sarah Stewart Taylor The Mountains Wild: Maggie D’Arcy #1 (2020). Maggie D'Arcy debut. Cousin Erin missing. ~ Selected by Lisa A Distant Grave: Maggie D’Arcy #2 (2021). Combines Long Island, Ireland, and Love? ~ Selected by Lisa The Drowning Sea: Maggie D’Arcy #3 (2022). West Cork vacation home equals mystery. ~ Selected by Lisa A Stolen Child: Maggie D’Arcy #4 (coming in June 2023). Maggie relocates for love, Garda, mysteries. ~ Selected by Lisa
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