Books: Three Novels and a Memoir

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day. The evening before was dubbed All Hallows Eve which later became Halloween. Whether you honor saints or celebrate with pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts and candy corn, have a wonderful day! FLIGHT AND SO MUCH MORE Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead I’ll start right off by …

Maine Writers: Yesterday & Today

Addendum to Part 1: Contemporary Authors Richard Ford The author of short stories, novels, and nonfiction, Richard Ford is probably best known for his four novels featuring Frank Bascombe.  Bascombe first appears in The Sportswriter (1986) and next in Ford’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, Independence Day, published in 1995, then in two later novels.  I read and very much enjoyed Independence Day.  Richard …

Tidy Tidbits: Of Roosevelts & Cookbooks

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! On this year’s Independence Day, there is much to celebrate. With the waning of the pandemic, we can be out and about and gather safely with friends and family.  Particularly if we are fully vaccinated.  We have been through a bruising few years.  It is heartening to now have a president who is compassionate, committed, …

Tidy Tidbits: Historical Figures in Fiction

NEW NATIONAL HOLIDAY Today, June 19, is Juneteenth.  It is now a federal holiday and yesterday, government workers had the day off.  It commemorates the date in 1865 when Texas got the word that American slaves were emancipated.  Many states already have Juneteenth celebrations, but this bill, passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law on …