We Were Back in Person: Pages in the Pub

Once again, Norwich, Vermont ushered Pages in the Pub into our holiday plans. For the first time since the pandemic, we met in person in the Norwich Inn. And once again, the presenters - Vermont librarian Lucinda Walker, bookseller Emma Nichols Kass, audiobook narrator Danielle Cohen, novelist Katie Crouch, and YA author Ken Cadow did an incredible job of selling a lot of books for the amazing Norwich Bookstore, raising a lot of money for our beloved Norwich Public Library (thanks to the generosity of the Norwich Bookstore and the people attending), confining their reviews to 90 seconds and their written reviews to six words (harder than it sounds), helping many finish (or at least start) their holiday shopping, and giving all of us a GREAT list of books to give and get (and maybe start reading today). 

​We hope you enjoy this list as much as we enjoyed seeing everyone in person again and hearing these amazing presenters.

COFFEE TABLE BOOKS OR LITERARY GIFTS THAT FIT YOUR GIFT LIST ​

​The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay (2019). Bite-sized delights to soothe the soul. ~ Selected by Lucinda

A Handmade Life by William Copperthwaite (2002). Vermont's Chelsea Green. Absolutely lovely book. ~ Selected by Ken ​

BOOKS FOR YOUR FAVORITE YOUNG READERS (THINK AGES 8-12)

Watership Down: The Graphic Novel by James Sturm (2023). Beautifully illustrated classic. Bridges generation gap. ~ Selected by Ken ​

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln (2023). Treasure hunt triggers maelstrom of murder ~ Selected by Emma

BOOKS FOR YOUR FAVORITE TWEEN: FOR READERS THINKING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL BUT NOT YET READY TO BE A HIGH SCHOOLER  ​

West of the Sea by Stephanie Willing (2023). Texas. Dinosaurs. Cryptids. Acceptance. Mental Health. ~ Selected by Danielle

BOOKS FOR YOUR FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOLER ​

Gather by Ken Cadow (2023). Ken’s skilled words = National Book Finalist. ~ Selected by Lisa ​

Looking for Alaska by John Green (2005). Unrequited love breaks hearts. Yours included. ~ Selected by Katie

PICTURE BOOKS FOR KIDS: FOR GREAT READ ALOUDS, SNUGGLING OR QUIET CONTEMPLATION

Don't Worry Wuddles by Lita Judge (2023). Helpful' duck knits barnyard chaos. ~ Selected by Emma

BOOKS FOR COOKS (AND WANNA BE COOKS): COOKBOOKS, MEMOIRS, AND ESSAY COLLECTIONS

Snacking Bakes by Yossy Arefi (2023). Super easy, super yummy, a winner!. ~ Selected by Lucinda

I Dream of Dinner by Ali Slagle (2022). Easy, accessible, delicious: dinner is served ~ Selected by Emma

ROMANCE: BECAUSE … LOVE ​

Hello, Stranger by Katherine Center (2023). Temporary face-blindness causes romantic conundrum ~ Selected by Emma

MEMOIRS: WHEN LIVING VICARIOUSLY HELPS ​

Thinking Again by Jan Morris (2020). Daily Reminiscences. Wry Humor. Trans Pioneer. ~ Selected by Danielle

The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks (2016). Pairs with cheese & A Farmer's Wife. ~ Selected by Ken ​

A Farmer's Wife by Helen Rebanks (2023). Pairs with cheese & The Shepherd's Life ~ Selected by Ken ​

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah (2016).  Incredible story. Funniest man on earth. ~ Selected by Katie. (Also a great audiobook.) ​

​ADULT FICTION FOR EVERYONE WHO CRAVES AN ENGROSSING NOVEL

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (2003). Mathematics. Poetic Prose. Eighty Minute Memory.~ Selected by Danielle

Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan (2023). Love is complicated at any age! ~ Selected by Lucinda

On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (2019). Short novel. Prose poem. It’s stunning. ~ Selected by Katie

A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2010). Circular novel will blow your mind. ~ Selected by Katie

Embassy Wife by Katie Crouch (2021). Clever satirical travelog. Applies to you?.  ~ Selected by Lisa ​

The Bright Side Running Club by Josie Lloyd, audiobook narrated by Danielle Cohen (2022). Jogging for your life with friends. ~ Selected by Lisa

SCIFI & FANTASY: BECAUSE EVERYONE CAN USE AN ESCAPE, EVEN A DYSTOPIAN ONE

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree (2022). Cozy Fantasy. Coffee. Cinnamon Rolls. Orcs. ~ Selected by Danielle

MYSTERIES: BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU NEED FOR THERE TO BE A SOLUTION AT THE END

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby (2023). Mystery storytelling at its best – riveting! ~ Selected by Lucinda

Chateau Under Siege by Martin Walker (2023).  Latest Bruno mystery. Amazing series too. ~ Selected by Ken ​