The Toadstool Bookshops of Keene, Milford, and Peterborough, NH

Local author K Spirito returns (with oatmeal scotchies I hope!) to sign and discuss her new installment in the La Rosa Chronicles.

"Summer and August: A Cape Cod Murder Mystery" follows Dr. Curt Shirlington filling in as temporary medical examiner/coroner in Chatham.

"If you want a peek behind the idyllic setting of summer on Cape Cod to a place filled with secrets, deception, and a dead body or two, read "S&A", a saga of genealogical consequence and intrigue." - Debra Horan, owner of Booklover's Gourmet, Webster, MA

(Snowy Day, $16.95 pap) 

Please help us welcome author Michaeline Della Fera, here to sign and chat about her new book Thirteen Women: Inside New Hampshire's Female Majority Senate.

Michaeline makes her home right here in the area. She has written several books for adults and children. Please join us in supporting our local writers and artists.

(L&L Dreamspell, $13.95, pap)

K Spirito's La Rosa Chronicles are set in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Come by to meet K and discover this exciting series! Here are a few of her books in no particular order:

Please join us in welcoming back local artist JILL WEBER. She's here to sign and discuss her gorgeously illustrated version of award-winning children's author Eric Kimmel's THE STORY OF ESTHER: A PURIM TALE.

The Purim story is full of drama. In it, you'll meet a mighty king, a scoundrel, and a wise uncle. But is is the Morning Star - Queen Esther - whose cunning and courage outwits evil and saves many lives. This thrilling tale has been told for thousands of years and is still an inspiration. (Holiday House, $16.95)

Jill lives on FrajilFarms(.com) right here in NH. She is also the illustrator of Even Higher: A Rosh Hashanah Story, Maple Syrup Season, Smart About the Presidents, and Smart About the First Ladies as well as many others. We look forward to seeing you!

Kevin O'Hara, author of Last of the Donkey Pilgrims about his true travels around Ireland with his beloved donkey, Missie, will join us to regale us with more stories from his new memoir Lucky Irish Lad.

Kevin vividly recreates his boyhood of growing up in the 50s and 60s in small-town Massachusetts. His family often struggled to make their way in the new world by never giving up. Set in a time when people believed anything was possible as long as you dared to dream and have faith in yourself, Kevin shows us that a little Irish luck doesn't hurt either.

(Forge, $14.99, pap) www.kevin-ohara.com

We have International Thriller Writer of the Year LISA GARDNER stopping in for a 'drive-by' signing. She'll be visiting on her way home from the southern leg of her national tour in support of LOVE YOU MORE.

Brian Darby lies dead on the floor. His wife, a state trooper, claims to have shot him in self defense, and bears the bruises to back up her story. For veteran detective D.D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is the couples' six-year-old daughter?

Lisa is the author of thirteen best-selling novels including Live To Tell, Hide, Alone, and The Neighbor. She makes her home right here in New England. You can learn more about Lisa and her books at: www.lisagardner.com

*PLEASE NOTE: Because of the nature of this event we cannot guarantee when Lisa will make it to the store. Seven-ish is our estimate from Boston. You are most welcome to stay and wait to say hello, or if you'd like you can leave your book(s) for her to sign. Call us if you have any questions.

Everybody has a memory of visiting Benson's over in Hudson, NH. Bob, in conjunction with the 'Images of America' series, has created a lasting tribute to the farm/park with Benson's Wild Animal Farm.

From its creation in the 1920s to the eventual closing in the late 80s, Benson's was a destination for young and old. Mr. Goldsack's thorough documentation of the park is rich with photos of the animals, rides, and memorabilia we still hold dear.

Please join us for a wonderful afternoon sharing stories of one of New England's treasured attractions.

(Arcadia, $21.99) pap.

Sharpen your pencil. Real sharp. Sharper still.

Learn how writers plot, construct and populate the mystery short story, from the light-hearted to the noir. Four local authors who contributed to Thin Ice: Crime Stories by New England Writers talk about writing in a lively format that will interest readers and writers of mystery shorts. (Level Best Books, $15)

Panelists will be: Mark Ammons, Sharon Daynard, Kathy Fast, and Leslie Wheeler.

Give Tammy a call here, or stop in for more information and let us know if you'll be attending.

This is a great show for multiple reasons.  MMoss returns to Peterborough with their huge psychedelic sound mixing electric guitar / bass / drums / rhodes piano / flute / and vocal harmonies.  They will make you feel  like you are in a Bill Graham happening, lights in your eyes, and the heavy sound of a band that knows what it wants and how to get it.

        Megafauna returns to the bookshop with a full band, and creates layered indie & dance masterpieces.  

        Black Norse plays their last show in the area for some time, mixing garage rock with black sabbath and a deep dark groove.

Doors 6:30 PM  - $5.00 all ages

http://www.myspace.com/themmoss

http://soundcloud.com/megafauna-1

http://www.myspace.com/blacknorse

Local artist RAHEL will be here to perform a live, acoustic set of ethnic music here as the VINTAGE GOLDEN MUSE.

VGM plays a repertoire of beautiful music from across the globe, weaving a tapestry of ancient wisdom, dreams and visions through story and song.

You can visit her website: vintagegoldenmuse.com for more information. CDs will be available for purchase and signing! See you in the aisles!

Whether building new, adding onto, or remodeling your existing building, come learn about the many different options in environmentally friendly building products and construction techniques. The discussion will be hosted by Christina O'Brien, AIA and Doug Stewart, AIA, LEED AP.

This month we will be discussing alternavite building methods. Chet Pasho from Preferred Building Systems in Claremont, NH will talk about modular homes. Zack Leroy from Panel Pros in Keene, NH will discuss structural insulated panels (SIPs). And Christina O'Brien and Doug Stewart from SISR will talk about their earth berm and straw bale projects.

Storytime returns to The Toadstool! Join us as Keene resident John Hathaway reads selections suitable for preschoolers of all ages. We look forward to seeing you!

The next Storytime is scheduled for 10:00 on Thurs., April 7.

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

Please join us in welcoming WMUR TV personality Jennifer Vaughn - signing her debut novel of intrigue and espionage.

LAST FLIGHT OUT is the story of being true to yourself, facing regrets, and making the opportunity to set things right before its too late.

Ella Sheridan has spent her life disappointing her family. When she's diagnosed with cancer, instead of telling her family, Ella runs off to LA and her most trusted friend. While enroute she meets Dezi, a chance encounter that proves the most deep and intense they've ever felt. Enter Ahmed, a man set on vengenance for perceived wrongs against his family.

(SciArt Media, $19.95)

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

David will be here to sign his new picture book for children, I CAN HELP.

When a duck gets lost and a monkey joins him to help find his way, it startsa chain reaction where all the young animals help each other solve their problems.

The author/illustrator makes his home in Amherst, MA. His next book, due this summer, is LITTLE PIG JOINS THE BAND.

We'll be hosting Michaela, here with her new book entitled HEARTFELT MEDITATIONS: A Collection of Poetry Inspired by Cherished Scriptures.

The poetry collection is drawn from both the Old and New Testaments, covering a wide range of biblical and spiritual subjects related to the Christian faith. Michaela hopes to express her gratitude through the book, and offer insight and guidance to anyone who may need it.

(IUniverse, $21.97 pap.)

APRIL is Poetry Month! Every year we celebrate with our contest for children in grades 1-12, including homeschoolers.

HOW to enter: Write your poem and its title on one page. DO NOT put your name on the same page as the poem. On a second page, include your name, grade, address, phone, and category.

CATEGORIES are: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Teens, Haiku.

ONE entry per person. Mail or bring your poem to The Toadstool Bookshop, 586 Nashua St., Milford, NH 03055. Entries are due by the end of business (5pm) Sunday, April 17, 2011. Winners will be called by May 1st and invited to a party on Sunday, May 15th to share their poems and receive prizes. Good luck!

It's truly a thrill when Julia comes to visit. Her award-winning series featuring Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne of Millers Kill, NY are highly sought-out staff recommendations here.

ONE WAS A SOLDIER is the eagerly awaited new installment.

Coming home is harder than it looks. On a warm September evening, a group of Iraq veterans gather in the towns' community center to make sense of their war experience. One will struggle. One will lose. One will die.

Since their first meeting, Russ and Clare's bond has been tried, torn, and forged by adversity. They will uncover a trail of deceit that runs from their tiny town to the upper ranks of the U.S. Army.

Please join us for wonderful afternoon.

Local author and illustrator of books for children MARYANN COCCA-LEFFLER will be here to sign and talk about her two brand new titles, PRINCESS KIM AND TOO MUCH TRUTH, and RAIN BRINGS FROGS: A LITTLE BOOK OF HOPE.

After the events of PRINCESS KIM AND THE LIE THAT GREW, our heroine Kim realizes that lying leads to trouble. This time Kim decides, "From now on I'm only going to tell the truth!" At home she tells dad his pancakes are rubbery, and that Grandma's necklace looks like slimy rocks at the bottom of the fish tank. At school she's just as honest - until she learns what too much truth can do. A funny and wise story aboout honesty and kindness.

In RAIN BRINGS FROGS, Nate always sees the bright side of life. While others complain about the rain, Nate is happy about the frogs that it brings. Instead of wanting more, Nate is grateful for what he's got. The perfect little book for difficult times.

During the first half of 2008, Gallagher enlightened, amused, and horrified a large following of dedicated readers via his blog "Kaboom," relaying his experiences supporting the counterinsurgency efforts in Iraq. His musings ranged from the constancy of danger, to his daily missions and duties, to his thoughts about immortality, to stories about Bon Jovi cassettes being mistaken for IEDs. But what began as a soldier's lifeline to family and friends soon became a focal point of controversy. When the Army forced him to shut down his blog - and though some high-ranking Pentagon officials were rumored to have been disappointed that it would no longer be updated - there were reportedly several congressional inquiries regarding the matter.

Now in Kaboom: Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War, Gallagher is able to freely share his journey through the Iraq war with his scouting platoon, the "Gravediggers," and later as an infantry officer in the "Wolfhounds." Whether coping with the ever-present threat of snipers and roadside bombs, debating the effectiveness of the overall military strategy, or struggling to discern candy-seeking local children from martyrs sent to kill, Gallagher's insights, anecdotes, and imagery offer a window into a war that we're only beginning to understand.

Matt Gallagher joined the Army in 2005 and received a commission in the armored cavalry. After a fifteen-month deployment, he left the Army in 2009. He now lives in New York City.

Ms. Manning will be with us to sign and talk about her new book, ARCTIC CIRCLES. Her doctoral thesis of the Inupiat gives her insight into these remarkable people of the high arctic.

Nik wants to become a great hunter like his father and older brother. After an attack from a polar bear, Nik struggles to find food for a group of people. This historical adventure novel for middle schoolers delves into the lives of a people carrying on 5000 year old traditions.

(Electric Forest, $15.99, pap)

John DiBernardo will sing Irish folksongs. Stop by, enjoy some lovely music, and your Irish eyes will be smiling!

Vacation Week Fun!!!

Make cool, colorful papertoy monsters based on the hit book (and staff favorite) and enjoy monsterific refreshments.

Best for ages 9+, call or drop in to sign your child up for the event.

You can see more when you visit the author's website: www.nicepapertoys.com 

World-renowned psychic medium ASRIANNA DAMERON will bring her unique skills of self-hypnosis instruction coupled with a mini gallery reading to connect audience members with loved ones while bringing through their messages of peace, love, and guidance.

"You are never separated from the ones you love - even death cannot keep your loved ones from being a deeply comforting part of your life. I look forward to guiding audience members to places of reunion and joy with lost loved ones."

Of Cherokee descent, Asrianna blends Native traditions with Shamanic healing with nearly three decades of study in Tarot, psychology, and complimentary healing methods. She is a certified Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, and Past Life Regression Therapist. She'll be signing her CDs which will be available for sale after the presentation: Connecting with Loved Ones on the Other Side, Connecting with Spirit Guides, and Achieving Life Success.

Please join us for what should be a most interesting day! To learn more, visit asrianna.com

John T. Hitchner will read from and sign his book, Seasons and Shadows. His poetry and fiction have appeared in many journals. He has been a Featured Poet in The Aurorean and received the Robert Penn Warren Free Verse Award from The Anthology of New England Writers. His short story "Memorial Day" was recently recognized as Highly Commended by the John H. Reid / Tom Howard Winning Writers Contest.

John T. "Jack" Hitchner was born and raised in New Jersey, graduated from Glassboro State College and Dartmouth College, and attended the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. For over 36 years he taught English in public schools in New Jersey and in Keene, New Hampshire. He now teaches Creative Writing and Coming of Age in War and Peace at Keene State College.

From a pretend husband at age 3, Hilde has lived a life of dreams. As the daughter of a Methodist minister, she grew up in small Vermont towns. Later she worked in urban slums as a social worker and teacher. She moved to Provincetown on the Cape after the death of her husband, and from that grief emerged a new life as a poet.

DREAMS REWARD is her first published collection. Please join us for a reading and signing.

Isabeau will be here to speak about, and sign her memoir of becoming psychic in, CRACKING OPEN: ADVENTURES OF A RELUCTANT MEDIUM.

The roller coaster ride started on the day her grandmother died. In a moment, she transformed from a materialistic, business-driven agnostic to someone who doubted reality itself. Talking to the dead isn't a joy ride. It's a big responsibility, a task Isabeau now holds dear to her heart. The book is raw, uncensored, and details the ups and downs of spending your days amongst the dead. This is a true story.

(Walking Elk Publications, $15.95, pap)

Since the first edition appeared in 2003, virtually all the conditions that create stress in the classroom and at home still exist, and new ones have arrived. This book is intended to assist you - the community of teaching professionals, parents, and students - deal with the increasing complexity of life and create calm and useful energy within yourself and your environment.

Sandy will talk about her revised book CREATING THE PEACEABLE CLASSROOM: A 21st Century Wellness Guide for Teachers, Students, and Parents, demonstrate techniques, answer your questions, and sign copies. (Hobblebush, $29.95)

The author has an MA in education and over twenty years teaching experience. She is also a certified yoga instructor and Reiki master with a private practice dealing in energy medicine with adults and children. Sandy and her husband make their home right here in the Souhegan valley.

The Milford High School History Club participates in the annual National History Day competition at the state and national levels. Team members participate in extensive research projects connected to a yearly theme. This year's theme is "Diplomacy & Debate in History". Students present their projects to college professors hoping to be judged worthy enough to advance to the national finals.

The Toadstool Bookshop is an integral part of their success by sponsoring an evening where the Club displays and discusses their projects (ie: they're here to meet and thank you!) and in return we donate a percentage of all the sales that night to help them offset their travel expenses.

MHS History Club will be sending 8 students and 4 projects to compete at the national finals. This is the 8th year in a row the MHS students have made the finals. Show your support by coming out and meeting the kids, check out their projects and with anything you buy this night - book, journal, CD, DVD, etc, you help get the kids down to Washington, DC. Thank you!

LIVE, LAUGH AND FART LIKE A FIVE YEAR OLD contains short, light-hearted exercises on how to access and release your inner child - by experiencing the wonder and joy of the kids who surround you!

Now, start your adventure. Peel away the stress of adulthood and challenge yourself to live, laugh, and fart like a five year old.

Nicole Spaulding lives in New Hampshire where she enjoys cooking, ice cream, snowmobiling, and spending time with her family. After 15 years working in the finance industry, Nicole decided to take a break from the workforce to spend time with her kids, who are the inspiration for this book.

(CreateSpace, $7.95)

On Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., Jeannie Brett will be autographing her latest children’s book, My Cat, Coon Cat. In the book, written by Sandy Ferguson Fuller and illustrated by Jeannie Brett, a young girl who has moved into a new house slowly wins the affection of a shy Maine coon cat.

Jeannie Brett, a freelance artist and illustrator of children's books, lives on the coast of Maine with her family, their horse Bailey, their Newfoundland Cali, and two wonderful cats: Tortellini and Trout.

On Sat., May 14 at 2:00 p.m., Kathryn Loconte will sign and talk about her first published work of fiction, Searching for Saffron.

In this story, 23-year-old Anna Collins is unhappy with her life. In a gutsy effort to make a change, Anna embarks on a worldwide journey. As she wanders from country to country and meets person after person, Anna comes to understand what it is she wants from life.

Please join us in welcoming JEANNIE BRETT to our store! She'll be signing and talking about her brand new picture book for children, MY CAT, COON CAT.

When a young girl moves into a new home, she slowly wins the affection of a shy Maine coon cat. Beautiful illustrations by Jeannie enhance the gentle rhyming verses by Sandy Ferguson Fuller, creating a delightful book for children, cat lovers, and anyone who has felt the joy of making a new friend.

Jeannie lives in Maine with her family. Some of her other gorgeous books include, L is for Lobster, M is for Mayflower, and Little Maine. Make the trip and purchase an autographed book your child will treasure forever.

(Islandport Press, $17.95, isbn# 9781934031322)

Dog trainer Kevin Behan will be by to sign and talk about his new book, Your Dog is Your Mirror. Behan proposes a radical new model for understanding canine behavior: a dog's behavior and emotion - indeed, its very cognition - are driven by our emotions. Because of this, dogs can actually put people back in touch with their own emotions.

Former resident VICKI STIEFEL visits all the way from L.A. to sign and talk about her new book, 10 SECRETS OF THE LAIDBACK KNITTERS: A Guide To Holistic Knitting, Yarn, And Life.

10 Secrets talks to all levels of knitters who want to enhance and expand their knitting experience in joyful and substantive ways. With humor and insight, the authors illustrate how to become a laidback knitter - one who enjoys the process as much as the product. Additionally, an amazing collection of 27 patterns - complete with instructions and charts, fills the book in beautiful color illustrations.

Bring your current project and join us for a 'crafty' evening of fun, freebies, and sharing the joy of knitting!

Vicki is also the author of an award-winning mystery featuring homicide counselor Tally Whyte, THE BONE MAN. 

Former Amherst resident Jim Beard visits to speak about and sign copies of his new book WHITE MOCS ON THE RED ROAD: Walking Spirit in a Native Way.

Never in a million years would Jim have said this is his chosen path. Family, a business, Rotary meetings - he was "a three piece suit" - that was his life. But something vital was missing from his American dream. Traveling and living throughout the Great Lakes region allowed him to seek out and explore the teachings of the Ojibwe people and find peace in their traditions. He now lives seasonally in the Monadnock State Park region as an attendent and storyteller, dedicated to telling anyone who is interested about his Native brothers.

(Lulu, $16.95)

Batter up and crack the case! Join us in welcoming New England author (and Red Sox fan) DAVID KELLY, here to sign and talk about his books for young readers (ages 6-9, RL:2.6), THE FENWAY FOUL-UP and THE PINSTRIPE GHOST.

In 'Fenway', cousins Mike and Kate have tickets to the Sox game and all-access passes to the Park. But during batting practice Big D's lucky bat is stolen and without it, D can't hit a thing. Can the kids find the star slugger's missing bat before the Sox chalk up a loss?

'Pinstripe' finds the cousins visiting the most famous ballpark in America - Yankee Stadium! Rumor has it the ghost of Babe Ruth is wandering the hallways, thumping and bumping in search of his locker. Is it really The Babe?

David is a former Little League right fielder. These days he can be found watching his own kids play ball or enjoying a MLB park. He lives near Fenway Park with his family and dog.

Visit ballparkmysteries.com for the latest news.

On Sat., May 21 at 2:00 p.m., Michelle McCorkle will sign and talk about her new book, Angel of Mercy, a young adult novel. This one’s a heart-warming story of Abbey, a teenager who survived a tragic car accident back when she was just three. Remembering only that she lost her mother, Abbey struggles through childhood with her single father, yearning for answers that her father is not ready to divulge.

Michelle McCorkle is the mother of four young
daughters, a business owner, an 8th grade English Teacher, and has published three young adult novels. She has been teaching for over 17 years and recently completed her Master's of Education in Literacy/Language Arts. Michelle lives in New Hampshire.

We are very excited that award-winning Science Fiction/Fantasy author CHINA MIEVILLE will be appearing here to read from and discuss his new novel Embassytown.

On a distant planet in the far future, humans coexist with an alien race in a nonviolent but nonetheless uncomfortable arrangement; sharing the city of Embassytown. When a new group of humans arrive, one current citizen - a young woman - begins to realize that things are about to change for the worse.

This tightly plotted novel is sure to draw comparisons to his well-received The City & The City as well as Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow.

(Del Rey, $25)

Join us for Local Authors Night as we feature some of the area's best writers sharing their latest books. Scheduled to appear are Nancy Kilgore, author of Sea Level, and Paul Brogan, author of Was That a Name I Dropped? They will read from and discuss their books and take questions from the audience. Come support local authors and find out about great new books written in our region.

The Green Building Discussion Group, hosted by Christina O'Brien, AIA, and Doug Stewart, AIA, LEED AP, is meeting on Thursday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Whether building new, adding onto, or remodeling your existing building, come learn about the many different options in environmentally friendly building products and construction techniques.

Specific subject to be announced.

On Sat., May 28 at 2:00 p.m., Jim Beard (a.k.a. Noodin) will sign and discuss his book White Mocs on the Red Road: Walking Spirit in a Native Way.

A student of native teachings from Ojibwe Elders living throughout the Great Lakes Region of the U.S. and Canada, Jim Beard has written an account of his extraordinary path to understanding: White Mocs on the Red Road.

Since 2005 Jim has resided at Monadnock State Park in Jaffrey, New Hampshire on Mt. Monadnock. When not traveling to do programs and ceremonies throughout the U.S. and Canada, he works in the park as a ranger, emergency responder, interpreter and park camping host.

The MA author visits to discuss and sign copies of his new mystery PURGATORY CHASM. Set partially in the Greenville, Mason, and New Ipswich area, this is a fast paced thriller that nails our familiar landscape and its people. Expect a wild ride, the author is also a racecar builder and driver!

Tander Phigg was an ass and a Barnburner - a unique Alcoholics Anonymous group. When a member calls for help, Conrad Sax takes care of it. Rescued by the Barnburners himself, the no-nonsense auto mechanic has a knack for solving difficult problems. And a promise is a promise. But when Tander turns up dead, and ex-con Conway the last person to see him alive, his criminal record makes him a suspect. Now he's got to catch the real killer to clear his name.

For fans of Dennis Lehane and Robert B. Parker, Ulfelder is a gritty, razor-sharp new voice in crime fiction. A staff favorite!

Michelle joins us to sign copies and talk about her new novel for Young Adult readers, ANGEL OF MERCY.

This is a heart-warming story of a teenager who survived a tragic car accident when she was just three. Remembering only that she lost her mother, Abbey struggles through childhood with her single father. She wants answers he is not prepared to give. Everything changes on her 13th birthday when a ghost visits her during a severe storm. Abbey is determined to find out what is going on, even if it means facing her worst fears.

Michelle has been a middle school English teacher for over 17 years. She has written two previous YA novels, LIFE IN THE FAST LANE, and ANOTHER LIFE IN THE FAST LANE.

(Snowy Day, $14.95)

Kids in early elementary school (gr. 2-4) are invited to meet Holley and learn about her new book, The Adventures of Murray the Mouse: Murray Makes a Friend.

Murray is a young mouse who lives in a small house at the base of a weeping willow tree in the middle of an orchard. He has twin sisters who get him in trouble whenever they can. Join him on his quest for summer fun!

Holley is passionate about writing, baking, gardening and photography. She lives in the NH countryside with her family.

(ppk, $8.99)

Join us for a book discussion and signing with KATHRYN LoCONTE. SEARCHING FOR SAFFRON is the story of Anna Collins; unhappy with the 23 years she has lived. In one swift move, she embarks on a 'round the world journey. As she wanders from country to country, we see pieces of Anna's past, and with the new places, people and experiences bombarding her senses, Anna comprehends what she wants from life.

Kathryn was born in Haverhill, MA and moved to New Hampshire in 2004 to work and write for Yankee Magazine and the Nashua Telegraph, and has lived in the Granite State ever since. Though she has traveled to six continents, including many of the locations found in this novel, she has always called New England home. She holds a BA in Journalism, a BFA concentrating in photography, and an MA in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College.

Whether she's writing for teens or middle schoolers, the themes of Angie Frazier's stories usually revolve around difficult choices, family drama, and love. Angie's latest novels are The Eternal Sea and The Midnight Tunnel. Stop by and get yours autographed!

Angie's debut young adult novel, Everlasting, set in 1855 Australia, took over six years to research and write. The Eternal Sea is the sequel.

Her first middle grade novel, The Midnight Tunnel: A Suzanna Snow Mystery, gave Angie the chance to remember what it was like to be an eleven-year-old with big dreams and a kick-butt detective gadget kit (compliments of Mom and Dad).

Angie lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three daughters, their big black lab, and a pair of highly destructive cats.

On Sunday, June 12 at 2:00 p.m., Joe Smiga will sign and talk about his books. He has Tova, the true story of a dog whose life was cut short by an undetected disease; Behind the Lies, a novel about Iran's plan to convert land-based missiles into weapons capable of carrying nuclear-armed warheads; and A Cowboy's Vengeance, which is about a ranch hand in 1887 Nevada who decides to make the long journey to visit his aunt and uncle in Utah, only to find his life changing for the worst.

Western adventure writer James Griffin will give a demonstration of a Wild West Shootout, and he will talk about and sign his books.

James Griffin is the author of the Texas Ranger Jim Blawcyzk series of western novels. Griffin is a lifelong horseman, Western enthusiast, and amateur historian of the Texas Rangers. He has contributed an extensive collection of Texas Ranger artifacts to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas. A member of the Connecticut Volunteer Horse Patrol, Griffin makes his home in New England.

Ayuh, that's right. PAUL DOIRON, editor in chief of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, visits to talk about and sign his brand new mystery featuring Maine game warden Mike Bowditch, TRESPASSER.

We first meet the newly minted officer in the Edgar nominated (Best 1st Mystery) The Poacher's Son - a case where Mike's own father stands accused of killing a beloved policeman. Alienated from his girlfriend and shunned by colleagues, Mike must come to terms with his haunted past as he tracks his runaway father (guilty or scared?) deep into the Maine wilderness.

In TRESPASSER, Mike returns with a puzzler. He's called out one night to investigate a deer/car collision on a lonely stretch of road. Not uncommon as we know. When he rolls up, the car is there - keys in the ignition, no sign of foul play - but the woman who called 911 is gone. And what's even more interesting is that there's plenty of blood on the road, but the deer is missing too.

Paul is a native of Maine, attended Yale where he graduated with a degree in English, and holds an MFA from Emerson College. He's a registered Maine Guide and lives on a trout stream with his wife. Visit his website at www.pauldoiron.com.

PS, Brian's read both of these and they are excellent! Big staff picks.

Please join us in welcoming Nancy and Pat - two fifty-something ladies that took on the enormous challenge of climbing the 67 highest mountains in New England. These non-hikers discover inner reserves of strength, and take their friendship to new heights as they summit peaks and journey into the depths of themselves.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE HIKE: Two Ordinary Women on an Extraordinary Journey is the collection of Nancy's hike reports, showing readers how to move beyond comfort zones and "ride the grace" toward their dreams. Each hike is described in detail along with gorgeous photographs making you feel like you're there. (I enjoyed the authors rating system - especially the "holy sh*t factor"!!).

If you're a hiker or armchair traveler, come on out and meet the ladies, get a signed copy and start your own journey!

(Bauhan Publishing, $34.95)

THE FRIENDLY BEASTS: Stories of Jesus is a charming collection of short stories about the Nativity including modern versions of traditional legends and completely new tales - all told through the eyes of the animals.

As they discover their part in God's plan, the friendly beasts enable us to understand the miracle of God's love.

(Tate Publishing, $8.99)

Please visit and say hello to local author Sara Belanger. She'll be here to sign and chat about her new novel, IMAGINARY DEMONS.

Sometimes when we are very young and need a playmate, we make up imaginary friends. This is true for Leigh, with one exception: she kept hers until she was seventeen. Believed to be the onset of mental illness, her family and friends stepped in to help her. A doctor even prescribed mdeication - all to no avail.

It wasn't until her friend Jordan believed in her 'friends', and with his help Leigh was able to make them disappear. But now Jordan is also missing. When his murdered body is found, Leigh realizes her imaginary friends have returned, and they are more real than anyone thought.

(Black Rose Writing, $16.95, paperback)

The Hollis, NH author visits to sign her new novel NINE STORIES and chat about its creation.

The ZZaimix family live in a 9 story house - each family member living on their own floor. When an intruder breaks into the house one night and runs away, they discover in their individual accounts nine different stories. When the intruder breaks in a second time, the ZZaimixs investigate and uncover clues to the culprit's identity and a hidden family secret.

(Tate Publishing, $9.99)

Vermonter Deborah Lee Luskin will sign and talk about her novel, Into the Wilderness, a story set in the 60s.

Rose Mayer buries her second husband and wonders what she is going to do with the rest of her life. She's sixty-four and homeless, but she's clear about two things: She's never going to marry again, and she's never going to visit her son in Vermont. But Rose does go to Vermont - likes it - and stays.

Deborah Lee Luskin teaches writing and literature-based humanities classes to inmates, healthcare workers, children, adults, and elders. She writes for a variety of publications and is a regular commentator on Vermont Public Radio. She lives with her husband, three children, two cats, and a dog in southern Vermont.

Please join us in welcoming local poet Rae Marie Bruce when she visits to sign and discuss her new book of poems titled, This Glorious Disorder.

The work teems with New England energy, seasons and characters. In this book, the quiet moments, the triumphs, and the visiccitudes of human life tumble together, revealing life's glorious disorder.

(XLibris, $15.99, pap.)

Hello! We have been promoting THE SHALLOWS: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The responce has been very positive - so much so we have been approached by several folks wishing there were a discussion group for this topic.

If you or someone you know would be interested in leading an evening group discussing the intellectual and cultural consequences of the Internet, please drop by the store, or give Brian a call here in Milford at the number below. Thanks!

Deirdre visits to sign and share insights from her new book, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE: Create the Life You Want.

Our modern life is filled with multi-tasking, competing demands, obligations and stress. In this life affirming book, award-winning Life Coach Deirdre McEachern reveals a powerful transformation process that will help you enjoy life more, access and trust your inner guidance, and design your life so that you can have what you really want.

Deirdre, who lives in Kittery, ME, received her master's degree in mediation and conflict resolution from Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland. She is a graduate of Coach University and was adjunct professor of sociology at Emerson College in Boston. For the past en years she has been the director of VIP Coaching, helping thousands of people around the globe connect their desires to reality and create exciting new lives for themselves.

(Love Your Life Pub. $19.95 pap)