Spring is packed with great authors and books!
Winter is always a toss-up here in New England, as I write from a sunny window before a clear blue sky. Days like today are a treat, when I can read with natural light or take a walk outside with my audiobook on. I hope you are also finding some time for reading, whether the weather is cooperating or not.
Currently in my earbuds and in hand is Half American, by Matthew F. Delmont. Winner of the 2023 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in Nonfiction and a TIME Best Book of the Year, this definitive history of WWII from the African American perspective is riveting. Clint Smith, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How the Word is Passed, said “Half American belongs firmly within the canon of indispensable World War II books.” We are honored to host Dr. Delmont during Black History Month, on Wed.,February 28 in the Lounge. Assistant Mayor of Portsmouth, Jo Kelley will moderate what will surely be an important conversation. I hope to see you there.
If you saw a familiar name in our weekly newsletter, it wasn’t déjà vu—Andre Dubus III will return to the Lounge with Ghost Dogs on Wed., March 13! This collection of personal essays reflects on a life of challenges, contradictions, and fulfillment as Andre leads us through childhood summers in Louisiana, tracking down drug lords in Mexico, or living in New York City. With a subtitle of “On Killers and Kin,” it will be hard to put down this book!
Make a literary week of it and join us on Thu., March 14 for our next Writers on a New England Stage with Barbara McQuade. She’ll be talking about her new book, Attack from Within with NHPR’s Casey McDermott. This is a great one for fans of Heather Cox Richardson. (Don’t forget to check out the Writers on a New England Stage podcast, where you can listen to the HCR episode and so, so many more!)
In the Lounge, we’re hosting two fiction writers who I’m very excited about: Owen King on Fri., March 22 and Don Winslow on Wed., April 3! Owen is Stephen King’s son (and Joe Hill’s brother), and The Curator has been described as a “Dickensian fantasy of illusion and charm.” Don Winslow’s new book is also his last; he’s retiring after City in Ruins and I know most of my family will miss his thrillers.
Local historian and writer, J. Dennis Robinson will help close out the spring literary season with 1623: Pilgrims, Pipe Dreams, Politics, & the Founding of New Hampshire—although I just confirmed an author event on Thu., April 25, so block off your calendar accordingly!
On that note, keep an eye on our weekly enews for just announced shows. There are two going on sale soon!
Happy reading!
P.S. If you’re a Music Hall member, come see me in May for book club. We’ll be discussing Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin!