American Heart Association to host 2nd annual Little Heart Hero Day, Oct. 16th in Lewiston

When I was born in 1990 with two congenital heart defects (Transposition of the Great Arteries, as well as a ventricular septal defect), it wasn’t clear whether I would survive long enough to be writing this today. Though VSD was a common enough occurrence, TGA was a relatively unknown condition at the time, affecting only […]

The importance of independent bookstores

In a recent interview with PBS, Ann Patchett, bestselling author of books like Bel Canto, State of Wonder and the just-released novel Commonwealth, discussed her involvement with Parnassus Books, an independent bookstore in Nashville. (The entire interview is great, but skip ahead to about 5:18 to hear specifically about the store.) When asked why independent bookstores […]

Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult

Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult, published by Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books, publication date Oct. 11, 2016 *Disclaimer: I received a free, digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review* Known for her unwavering insights into controversial topics such as the death penalty, gay rights, mercy killing, and stem-cell […]

The right one at the right time: the beauty of bookish fate

Certain books come to you only when they are meant to, when you are ready to receive whichever message they carry within their pages. However these books appear, they show up at a time when you need them most. That’s one of the most magical things about books. It’s as if they possess intuitive powers, […]

Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers, by Sally Allen

Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers, by Sally Allen  *Disclaimer: I received a free, digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*  If you’re like me, you’re a sucker for books about books. Any volume that will serve to point me in the direction of more good reads is one […]

Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family, by Amy Ellis Nutt

‘Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family’ is a great book to read right now, at a time when our country is under a constant barrage of negativity, prejudice, and intolerance.

3 more bookstores to visit in Maine this summer

Summer in Maine is perfect for hitting the road and discovering new shops, ice cream stands, drive-in theaters, restaurants… and, of course, bookstores. Because what is summer without good reads?