BANGOR READING RING

Get Ready for Maine Festival of the Book

2012-01-23T16:31:00.004-05:00

The Maine Festival of the Book 2012 will be held March 29-April 1 in Portland, with a full day of free literary programming for all ages at the Abromson Center at the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, March 31. More than 75 authors, artists and performers with programs designed for all ages and interests. With the exception of Opening Night, events are free and unticketed.

Festival 2011 was a great success with more than 2000 attendees. In its five years of existence, the Maine Festival of the Book has featured more than 200 authors, including five Pulitzer Prize winners and two National Book Award winners.

The Maine Festival of the Book is held annually in April in Portland. If you would like to see what Festivals 2007-2011 were about go to Past Festivals or hear recordings of selected festival programs on the Web site of Maine Public Broadcasting Network and Maine Humanities Council. Past presenters include David McCullough, Richard Ford, David Baldacci, Tess Gerritsen, Crystal Zevon, Wes McNair, Brian Wood, Jane Brox, Maxine Kumin, Anita Shreve, Stewart O'Nan, Julia Glass, Paul Harding, and Elizabeth Strout.

Learn more about the Maine Reads Community Literacy project, a grants initiative offering funding to libraries for community and literacy building.

Learn more about Read With ME., a state-wide literacy outreach program that brings books to every kindergartener in Maine. This year's featured Read With ME. book is The Very Best Bed written and illustrated by Rebekah Raye of Blue Hill, Maine.

We are grateful for the support of our sponsors.

Sponsors

Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation

(Grant Recipient)

FairPoint Communications * Law Offices of Joe Bornstein

Casella Waste * MaineHealth * Portland Magazine * Camden National Bank * UNUM

Maine Arts Commission * Pine State Trading

T-Mobile USA * TD Bank * First Wind * National Semiconductor

Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems * Bangor Hydro Electric Company

Fairchild Semiconductor * AT&T * Plum Creek * U.S. Cellular

Martin’s Point Health Care * L.L. Bean * Maine Credit Union League * Portland Harbor Hotel

Orchard Foundation * Maine Humanities Council * Bernstein Shur * Barber Foods

Bangor Savings Bank * Delta Dental * Isamax Snacks * Shipyard Brewing Company

Maine Office of Tourism

Media Sponsors

Maine Public Broadcasting Network * Portland Magazine * MaineToday Media Inc.

The Forecaster * Bangor Daily News

***

Maine Festival of the Book 2011 Opening Night Host Committee

Former Governor of Maine John E. Baldacci

and First Lady of Maine Karen M. Baldacci

Justin and Rachael Alfond

Tom and Diana Allen

Susan Austin

Jim and Kathy Case

Sarah Cecil

Tom and Kate Chappell

Richard and Deborah Connor

Madeleine G. Corson

Beth Edmonds

Jacob and Tess Gerritsen

Leon and Lisa Gorman

Cyrus and Patty Hagge

Stephanie Hart

Shirley Helfrich

Nathanial Hull

Pam Joy

Jim Mitchell

Amos and Lola Orcutt

Michael Reed

Neil and Carla Rolde

Lanelle Roussel

Richard and Barbara Russo

Colin Sargent and Dr. Nancy Sargent

Lizz Sinclair

Pat Smus

Celeste Viger

(As of March 20, 2011)

* * *

click here to go to the Festival Website

For tickets to Opening Night 2012 (program to be announced), use our secure online service or by check, mail in a ticket order form.

Join Us for "Bangor Reads Bangor"

2012-01-11T16:09:00.002-05:00

Bangor Reads Bangor 2012
JANUARY MARKS TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF “BANGOR READS” at BANGOR PUBLIC LIBRARY

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Bangor Reads, a celebration of literature. This year’s theme is Bangor Reads Bangor. It is easy to get involved - just read a book connected to our fair city and join the discussions at the Bangor Public Library or in your local book group. Library Director, Barbara McDade, loves how Bangor Reads brings people and books together. She says, “people on the street can talk to each other about books when they are in line at the grocery store, while waiting for an elevator, or when taking a break from shoveling snow. This year books show that Bangor is a city worth reading and talking about.”

Spaced throughout the month, programs each week target a different age and interest.

Think you know the history of Bangor? Bill Cook will lead a panel with Richard Shaw and Wayne Riley on The History of Bangor on Friday, January 13, from 3-5 pm.

Fiction aficionados will enjoy the Bangor Fiction discussion, facilitated by Margery Irvine from 6:30 – 8:00 on Tuesday, January 17th.

Teens will discuss the best of Stephen King’s works with a teen panel on Wednesday, January 25th, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.

The Goody Gang will read Bangor Books for Kids (Kindergarten to second grade) on January 30th from 3:30-4:15 pm, followed by a goody, Maine’s famous whoopie pie.

With sessions covering all age ranges and a variety of available time slots, Bangor Reads Bangor celebrates books and people from our city. Over seventy works involve the city, either as a setting, subject or as the author’s hometown. A complete list of books can be found at the Library

Bangor Books
Children’s Books
The Last Boy on Earth by Thomas Burby JUVMEB88507.l YA 2011
Happy Hollow Stories by Judge Tortoise by Bea Goodrich JUVME G585.h 1989
Tartabull’s Throw by Henry Garfield JUVMEG18488.t YA 2001
The Fun Farm by Mary Ann Hatch JUVH2815.f 1968
From Bangor to Bull Run by Anita Kurth JUVME K967.f 1979
The Lightkeeper’s Key by Angeli Perrow JUVMEP4177.l 2009
Lost in Bangor by Angela Webber JUVME 398.8.W3852.l
Glory at Gettysburg: the Story of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain by Anita Kurth JUVME B.C354.Kg 1979
The Day the White Whales Came to Bangor by Gerald Hausman JUVME974.131.B224.d 1979
Down East to Bangor by Julia Eaton JUVME 1973 974.131.E14.d

Adult Fiction (check for other titles by these authors)
Secrets of the Undead by Camara Bragdon B7339.s 2011
Mystical Warrior by Janet Chapman C36646.my 2011
Wicked Good by Amy Faircloth F1617.w 2011
Bangor by Gardner Patterson P2765.b 2002
Abbott’s Reach by Ardeana Hamlin H18101.a 2011
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill H55142.h 2007
It by Stephen King K5876.i 1986
Caretakers by Tabitha King K5878.c 1984
Desire Lines: a novel by Christine Baker Kline K68615.d 1999
Insanity, Inc. by Carolyn McKinnon M19962.i 1996
Of Men and Their Mothers by Mameve Medwed M46853.o 2008
Healing Love by Helen Nichols N5166.h 1994
Pirate Shirt Dot Com by Shannon Risk R4896.p 2007
The Ideal, Genuine Man by Don Robertson (foreward by Stephen King) R54393.i 1987
Fifth Avenue (1st in Fifth Avenue Series) by Christopher Smith Digital and Kindle/Amazon
Lulu’s Back in Town by Perley Thibodeau T3444.l 2010
The Strange Woman by Ben Ames Williams W667.st 1941

Bangor History – Businesses and Organizations
Seven Books in a Footlocker: a Commemorative History of the Bangor Public Library 027.4741.S497.s 1998
Here for Generations: the Story of a Maine Bank and Its City by Dean Lawrence Lunt 332.21.L9737.h 2002
N. H. Bragg & Sons: 150 Years of Service to the Maine Community and Economy 1854-2004
by Trudy Irene Scee 338..642.S289.n 2005
The Eastern Maine Medical Center: a History; the First One Hundred Years by Maynard Beach 362.11.B353.e 1996
The Inmates and the Asylum: the Bangor Children’s Home, 1835-2002 by Trudy Irene Scee 362.73.S289.i 2002 DNC
75 Years: the Bangor and Aroostook by B and A Railroad Company 385.B224 1966 folio shelf
Old Veazie Railroad, 1836; one of America’s very first Railroads, a vignette of local history…
by Bob Cardin JUVME 385.09741.C1795.o
Bangor’s Street Railway by Charles Heseltine 621.33.H455.b 1974
Mount Hope Cemetery: a Twentieth-Century History
by Trudy Irene Scee 719.S289.m 1999
A Twentieth Century History, WBRC Architects, Engineers 1902-2002 720.922.T9184.t 2001

Bangor History
City on the Penobscot: a Comprehensive History of Bangor, ME by Trudy Irene Scee 974.131.2 2010
Bangor Volume II, the Twentieth Century by Comp. Richard Shaw JUV974.131.B224.l 1997
An Illustrated History of the City of Bangor, ME
by James Vickery 974.131.B224.i 1969
The Story of Bangor; a Brief History 974.131.B224.s 1999
Remembering Bangor:The Queen City Before the Great Fire by Wayne Reilly 974.131.R2734.r 2009
Bangor in Vintage Postcards by Richard Shaw 974.131.S535.b 2004
Woodsmen and Whigs: Historic Images of Bangor, Maine by Abigail Ewing Zelz F974.131.Z398.w 1991
History of Penobscot County; The Annals of Bangor by John E. Godfrey 974.131.1 p. 515-916
The Lower Penobscot River Region by Richard R. Shaw 974.104.S535.l 1996

Bangor Memoirs and Journals
Bangor, Maine: a Memoir 1953-1969 by Jordan Steven Alpert 974.131.A546.b 1996
The Journals of John Edwards Godfrey ed. James Vickery 974.131.B224.j
3 vols.
If the Walls Could Talk by Margo Cobb 974.131.C634.i 1999

Bangor Architecture
Bangor, Maine 1769-1914: An Architectural History F974.131.T372.b
by Deborah Thompson 1988

Literature
Soul of Hepatica Hill: Creativity at BMHI 810.8.S722 2001
Entering Earthquake Country by Kathleen Ellis 811.54.E4704.e 2001
Lion in the Heather by Ralph Lowe 811.59.L9507.l 1972
Diary: Based on a True Story by Shane Layman 813.54.L4542.d 2005
A Baker’s Nichel by William S. Cohen 811.54.C6608.b 1986

Bangor Biographies
My Bangor Years: a Reminiscence by Lois Griffin Barnes B.B26265.Bm 2005
Simply the Best: the Cindy Blodgett Story, the Making of a High School Phenom by Ron Brown B.B6218.Bs 1994
Allie Cole: a Maine Pioneer by Galen Cole B.C674.Ca 1980
As a Practical Matter: Galen Cole a Biography by Lowell Kjenstad B.C6744.Ka 1996
The Minister’s Daughter: a Time-Exposure Photograph of the Years of 1903-4 by Frances Knickerbocker B.K741.km 1974
Rev. Seth Noble: a Revolutionary War Soldier’s Promise of America and the Founding of Bangor, Maine by Carol Fisher Smith B.N6687.sr 2010
Cracked Marbles: Life’s Lessons for a Maine Surgeon by Tom Palmer B.P18287.Pc 2008
The Potter’s Wheel: the Life Sstory of Lillian F. Wall
by Betsy Alexander B.W1547.Ap 1979

Bangor and War
Second to None: the Story of the 2d Maine Volunteer Infantry: “the Bangor Regiment” by James H. Mundy 973.7441.M923.s 1992
Fanny and Joshua: the Enigmatic Lives of Frances Caroline Adams and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
by Diane Monroe Smith B.C3545.Sf 1999
The 22nd Maine Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War: a History and Roster by Ned Smith 973.7441.S6555.t
An American Homecoming by Brian Swartz 956.7044.S973.a 1996
Quiet Courage: Stories of the Unselfish Dedication of Maine Veterans by Don Colson 974.1.C7197.q 2007

Other Subjects-Art, Jews, African Americans, Sports, Teaching
Optimize Your Life!: The One-Page Strategic Planner
by Bernhoff A. Dahl (2008 ed. with workbook) 158.1.D1374.o 2003
My Life Between the Cross and the Bars by George R. Castillo 285.8.C278.m 1996
Crossing Lines: Histories of Jews and Gentiles in Three Communities by Judith S. Goldstein 305.8.G578.c 1992
Black Bangor: African Americans in a Maine Community, 1880-1950 by Maureen Lee Elgersman 305.896.L5142.b 2005
Canoeing by Zip Kellogg 974.108.K291.c 1983 v.1,2,3
Penitence: a True Story by Edward Armstrong 364.1.A735.p 1994
The Three-Legged Woman & Other Excursions in Teaching by Robert Klose 378.125.K696.t 2010
History of the Maine Woods by Philip Tripp Coolidge 634.9.C778.h 1963
Back to the Drawing Board: Bangor Women
Artists 1880-1915 709.741.B126.b 1993
The Logbook of the Captain’s Clerk: Adventures in the China Seas by John S. Sewall 915.2.S5121.l 1905
Ktaadn Trails: Lucius Merrill and the Paths to Katahdin by Richard W. Judd, captions by Edward Zip Kellogg 917.41.J885.k 2005
A History of Lumbering in Maine, 1861-1960 by David C. Smith 674.S645.h 1972
The Cliff Walk: A Memoir of a Job Lost and a Life Found by Don Snyder 331.13.S675.c 1997
Aroostook: A Century of Logging in Northern Maine by Richard W. Judd 338.1J885.a 1989

Best Books of 2011

2011-12-14T09:44:00.004-05:00

Now is the time "BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR" lists start coming out, a great place to find your next book club read.

Try starting with the New York Times list here.

Booksigning at Bangor High School Library for Prelude to Courage

2011-11-28T13:23:00.004-05:00

Prelude to Courage, An Air Warrior's Journey of Faith - David H. Bergquist. During World War II the United States mobilized over sixteen million men and women to fight Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Nearly one-half million of those patriots, including Lieutenant Austin Rodney Keith, did not return. This is his story; the story of a young theater-loving Maine man caught up on the stage of history. Austin trained as an air warrior with the Army Air Forces. War service took him to places far from his Bangor, Maine, home, but he never let go of his dream for a future in theater. Wartime letters to his theater professor and mentor detail his passion. As months of war became years, though, Austin became keenly aware of his own mortality. Death lingered nearby with every dangerous mission. In a remarkable letter to his parents, Austin foresaw his own demise, admitted his fear, but reassured his folks with his faith. Austin’s faith gave him the courage and strength to bravely lead his men into each combat mission. Austin and his crew landed in Saipan in early January, 1945. He was a pilot of the nation’s most sophisticated mass weapon yet developed, the B-29 Superfortress. Soon, he and his men joined other crews as they made harrowing journeys across hundreds of miles of open ocean to bomb Japan. Austin was killed in action on February 25, 1945, when the B-29 (Superfortress) bomber of which he was a crew member, collided with another aircraft while assembling to participate in a combat mission to Tokyo, Japan. Both aircraft crashed into the sea, and there were no survivors from either plane. Austin was one of more than 15,000 young airmen who were lost either in collisions or other tragic accidents. Several photos, a bibliography, and an index to full names and places augment this work. 2011, 5½x8½, paper, . B5356 ISBN: 0788453564

Wednesday, December 14th from 3-5:30 at Bangor High School Library
Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Field's Pond Nature Center Book Discussion

2011-11-09T16:51:00.003-05:00

"The Other End of the Driveway is a collection of excursions into the natural history, flora, fauna, weather and weirdness of the central Maine woods. These essays short and long follow in the tracks of writers like Henry David Thoreau and Annie Dillard to bring Maine's natural quirks and curiosities into fresh and fascinating focus." (from publisher's website http://www.dwildepress.net/thedriveway/)

Join Dana Wilde for discussion on nature icons Thoreau and Dillard. His book, The Other End of the Driveway, will be available for purchase and signing.

Thursday, November 17, 7 p.m. Field's Pond Nature Center, Holden, ME

http://habitat.maineaudubon.org/activities/Book-reading-The-Other-End-of-the-Driveway-by-Dana-Wilde/1117/

October Is National Reading Group Month

2011-10-08T11:22:00.005-04:00

http://www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org

Book Groups Join GetBetterMaine in Reading The Healing of America

2011-09-26T19:27:00.004-04:00

GetBetterMaine is the website of The Maine Healthcare Management Coalition Foundation, a charitable organization whose mission is to "bring the people who get care, pay for care, and provide care together in order to measure and improve the quality of health care service in Maine."

This year their book club is reading Healing of America by T. R. Reid. Bangor's Dr. Erik Steele says:

"[The Healing of America is] the Rosetta Stone for understanding how America can afford health insurance for all of our people."
-Dr. Erik Steele, EMHS, Bangor Daily News

On Tues, Nov. 8 at 5:30 T. R. Reid will talk about his book at the Portland Public Library.
Bangor Public Library and other libraries in Maine will be joining this talk via video/conferencing. We invite your book group to participate in this program.

For more information go to GetBetterMaine

The Bangor Book Festival Is Almost Here

2011-09-20T10:13:00.012-04:00

Plan an outing with your book group to the Bangor Book Festival!

Colin Woodard, author of the Lobster Coast: rebels, rusticators, and the struggle for a forgotten frontier, begins the festivities as keynote speaker September 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm, at the Opera House. Reception is at 5:30.

For a list of participating authors click here.
For a schedule of events click here.

Not Your Ordinary Book Group and Lit Chicks Book Group Begin Fall Startup

2011-09-08T14:25:00.012-04:00

At the Bangor Public Library.

Click here to learn about Lit Chicks.
Meets the first Tues in the month at 2:00.

Click here to learn about Not Your Ordinary Book Group.
Meets once a month on Thursday nights at 6:00 pm.

Gardner Public Libary Recommends: Household by Deborah Gould

2011-08-16T10:30:00.005-04:00

May I be so bold as to suggest a title for book groups? For full disclosure, I should tell you that the author did much of her research at the Gardiner Public Library and the library appears in the book. The title is Household and the author is Deborah Gould. It is a wonderfully written novel that integrates local history into some very contemporary issues. It is a unique style of writing.

See Reckhouse Press for more about the book:

http://www.reckhousepress.com/bkhhd.php

Author Talk by Editor of Down East Magazine

2011-08-09T15:29:00.002-04:00

The Newport Cultural Center is pleased to announce that Paul Doiron, Maine's bestselling author, will be discussing, signing and selling his books "The Poacher's Son, and his newest best seller, "The Trespasser" on Thursday, September 8, from 5:30-7:30.Come joing us as we welcome this "HOT" author (and he IS "hot" looking, too!) as he visits the area his main character stalks killers in.

Light refreshments will be served...

Newport Cultural Center

154 Main St.

Newport, Me. 04953

207-368-5074

Spring 2011 Reading Choices of Maine Book Groups

2011-07-12T11:26:00.003-04:00

Just posted - new booklist of Maine Book Selections. Click on link
under "What Maine Libraries are Reading."

Everest the Hard Way with Ed Webster

2011-07-05T09:14:00.006-04:00

Thursday, July 7, at a special time, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

In 1988, New England mountaineer Ed Webster and three companions attempted the unthinkable: to scale a new route up Mount Everest in Tibet, with a team of only four climbers – and no Sherpa partners for support, bottled oxygen to breathe, or radios. Together they reached the mountain’s South Summit – at 28,700 feet, just 300 feet shy of the main summit. Then Webster led his team down a storm-bound, avalanche plagued, four day descent off the mountain.

Ed Webster will give a special presentation of his historic adventure. This is a family friendly presentation that emphasizes setting goals, the importance of teamwork, and developing good writing skills as well as being the first-hand tale of this adventure presented with lively stories and stunning photos.

A resident of Orr’s Island, Maine Ed Webster is 55 years old. He has lectured worldwide and his articles and photographs have been published in dozens of magazines, and by Sierra Club Books and National Geographic.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information contact the Bangor Public Library at 947-8336

The Seventh Annual Books In Boothbay - Maine's Summer Book Fair

2011-06-15T16:41:00.000-04:00

The seventh annual Books in Boothbay: Maine's Summer Book Fair will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Boothbay Railway Village in scenic Boothbay, Maine. Forty authors from around the state will attend to sign their books, discuss their writing, and meet their fans.

The event runs from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, with an authors reception to follow.

Admission is free to this year's event from noon until the end of the afternoon. (There is an extra fee for anyone who wishes to ride the trains at Boothbay Railway Village.)

Book Fair Blog

Local Author Introduces Her New Book at the Bangor Public Library

2011-06-13T17:41:00.008-04:00

Meet Ardeana Hamlin, Thursday, June 16, at 6:30PM.

Ardeana Hamlin’s latest book, Abbott’s Reach, is a sequel to her first book, Pink Chimneys, first published 24 years ago and now a Maine classic. The new book takes up where the first book left off, allowing readers to discover what became of Maude, Fanny, and Elizabeth. The heroine of Abbott’s Reach is Elizabeth’s daughter, Mercy Maude, always called M, who marries a Searsport sea captain and goes to sea with him on a honeymoon voyage. Both books take the reader to 19th century Bangor where great prosperity and grim poverty coexist.

Hamlin writes the “By Hand” column that appears Tuesdays in the Bangor Daily News. She is an assistant editor for “The Weekly” and “Midcoast Beacon” newspapers at the BDN. She lives and writes in Hampden.

2011-06-01T15:03:00.001-04:00

Book Discussion Group: Animal Architects: Building and the Evolution of Intelligence

Topics: Fields Pond | Penobscot Valley

Animal Architects examines animal architecture across a range of species, from spiders and their webs to bowerbirds’ nests and beavers’ dams. They reflect on what animal building tells us about the nature of human intelligence-showing why humans, unlike many animals, need to build

castles in the air.

Activity Details

Date:
Thursday, June 9, 2011

Time:
7 pm

Location:
Orono

Fee:
Free

Learn More About

Fields Pond Audubon Center

Maine's Favorite Book Group Title of 2010

2011-04-27T09:04:00.010-04:00

The Help by Kathryn Stockett listed as one of the most popular reads of 2010 as determined by book group reports. As I keep records, turns out it also topped as the most read choice for library book groups in Maine.

Three southern women, a recent college graduate, a maid and the maid's friend come together in a clandestine move to cross society's barriers in a time on the brink of the civil rights era. Three ordinary women make an extraordinary difference.

Kathryn Stockett's website is here

Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds

2011-04-20T14:51:00.002-04:00

Book Discussion: Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds, by Miyoko Chu

Each spring, millions of orioles, tanagers, thrushes, warblers and other songbirds travel thousands of miles from the tropics to their summer breeding grounds as far north as the boreal forests of Canada and in the fall return south. Navigating by the stars, magnetic fields and polarized light patterns, the birds make amazing journeys at night, flying in huge flocks that most of us never see.

Location: Dirigo Pines in Orono, call 207-866-3400 for directions.

Activity Details

Date:
Thursday, May 14, 2009

Time:
7 p.m.

Location:
Dirigo Pines--Orono, Maine

Fee:
Free

Led By:
Joyce Rumery

Learn More About

Fields Pond Audubon Center

Join us for an afternoon of poetry and music celebrating The Penobscot Watershed!

2011-04-02T10:05:00.004-04:00

Front Porch Books

Saturday, April 9, 2011
3:00-4:30 p.m. -

Kathleen Ellis, poet, teacher, and author of the recently published Narrow River to the North: Poems and Prose of the Penobscot Watershed, will read from her work. Local poets Steve Morin, Lisa Panepinto, Lisa Desrochers, Anthony Gray, Sarah Lingo, Steve Martin, Davis McCarthy, and Aya Mares will read their poetic tributes to our beloved neighborhood river.

Lisa Nielson will fill the book shop with the soaring music of her cello!

Book signing and refreshments.

67 Pine Street
Orono, Maine
207-866-3889

frontporchbooks@myfairpoint.net

"The Tin Ticket: "The Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women"

2011-03-28T19:08:00.001-04:00

Deborah Swiss, author of "The Tin Ticket: The Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women" will speak and sign her book at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1st at York Public Library. "The Tin Ticket" reveals the heartbreaking, horrifying, and ultimately triumphant story of 25,000 women exiled from the British Isles, pressed into servitude and then unchained to forge the most liberated society of its time. Deborah Swiss writes and speaks on women's history, gender equity, and work/life balance. For more information about Deborah Swiss and her book: http://www.deborahswiss.com/

New York Times Bestselling Author to Speak at Bangor Public Library

2011-03-19T10:27:00.000-04:00

New York Times bestselling author, Janet Chapman
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 6:00 pm in the Story Room

We are excited to announce that Janet Chapman has once again agreed to be a guest speaker at the Bangor Public Library. This author appearance is in collaboration with our Not Your Ordinary Book Group, however you do not need to be a member of our book group to attend this event!

Janet has requested that everyone think about questions to ask her, either about her books or her writing. Her full interview will be posted on our blog afterward.

Complete list of Janet's books with links to our catalog
For more information you can email Jan at janl@bpl.lib.me.us
Janet Chapman's official website

"Stories of Knitting" featuring Kathy Goldner of Stockton Springs

2011-03-15T12:01:00.005-04:00

Thurs, March 31 at 6:00pm- Golden Harvest Grange Rt. 2, Carmel. Come enjoy an evening out featuring Kathy Goldner of Stockton Springs as she presents "Stories of Knitting," an hour-long program of the world of knitting past and present through stories, photos, knitted items and more. The program is free, light refreshments following the event.

For Information about Kathy Goldner, founder of Outloud Audiobooks:
OutloudAudiobooks

Maine Festival of the Book

2011-03-04T08:05:00.002-05:00

The Maine Festival of the Book returns to Portland April 1-3, 2011!

With the exception of Opening Night, events are free.

Three days, more than 75 authors, artists, and performers!

Presenters include Paul Harding, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Sarah Braunstein, a winner of the 2010 National Book Award 5 under 35, Julia Glass, winner of the 2002 National Book Award for Fiction, bestselling novelist Stewart O'Nan, Lily King, winner of the 2010 New England Book Award for Fiction, Tom Allen, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers, Margaret Roach, AWaytoGarden blogger and former editorial director for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and many others. Programs for ages 3 to 100!

for the schedule and more info click here

Maine Festival of the Book

2011-03-04T08:05:00.001-05:00

The Maine Festival of the Book returns to Portland April 1-3, 2011!

With the exception of Opening Night, events are free.

Three days, more than 75 authors, artists, and performers!

Bangor Peace and Justice Center Book Discussion

2011-02-19T15:36:00.001-05:00

HOPE Reading & Discussion Group

Every Tuesday thru April 26, from 12 noon to 1:30 PM

Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, 96 Harlow Street, Suite 100, Bangor

The catalysts for the discussion group are essays from the book “The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear” edited by Paul Rogat Loeb.

The 49 short essays in this inspiring book feature writings by Desmond Tutu, Bill McKibben, Martin Luther King Jr, Jim Wallis, Marian Wright Edleman, Howard Zinn, and many others.

Loeb, the editor of the book, in the preface urges readers to ‘Think of the essays as a conversation in which some of the most eloquent, visionary and provocative people of our age explore the historical, political and spiritual frameworks that have shaped their lives.”

The Bangor Public Library is co-sponsoring the discussion groups and will provide extra copies of the book which people can check out at the front desk. The Center will provide coffee and tea, and participants are invited to bring their own lunch, if they wish.

To preregister or for more information about the free, open to the public discussions please call 942-9343.

Reading Group Choices 2011; Selections for Lively Book Discussions

2011-02-15T10:45:00.004-05:00

Every year when it comes out (and this is the 17th annual publication), I like to mention this little book of Reading Group Choices. I don't work for them, I just think they do a great job on the selections -65 of them with conversation starters!

Their website is filled with suggestions as well.
http://www.readinggroupchoices.com

You can buy a copy for $6.95
http://www.readinggroupchoices.com/store/index.cfm

Local Book Groups to Host Discussions of To Kill A Mockingbird

2011-02-05T12:59:00.002-05:00

CHOOSE YOUR NIGHT!

Join a discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird with your neighbors hosted by local book groups.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 6 pm in the Lecture Hall.
or
Monday, March 21, 2011 at 6 pm in the Lecture Hall.

Bangor Public Library

Bangor Reads 2011 ~ Book Discussion with Margery Irvine

2011-01-19T15:35:00.001-05:00

Bangor Reads 2011 ~ Book Discussion with Margery Irvine

January 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Any idea that touches on social beliefs, family life and personal relationships is likely to evoke controversy. The Bangor Public Library hosts Margery Irvine as she presents “Fifty Years of Controversy”, discussing the issues and ideas in and around the teaching of Harper Lee’s seminal work. Since its publication in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird has been challenged, and sometimes banned, in schools across the country for its language and subject matter.

Ms. Irvine will share her views on the issues surrounding this year’s choice for Bangor Reads. Margery Irvine teaches English at the University of Maine and has facilitated book groups for the Maine Humanities Council for many years. Voted the best book by Bangor Public Library patrons in the spring of 1999, this year’s Bangor Reads will culminate in a March production of the work at Penobscot Theatre and a showing of the movie by River City Cinema.

More programs and discussions will be held in January, February and March will be announced soon.
All events at the Library are free and everyone is invited to participate.

Join Us at the Bangor Public Library for the Camden Conference Asia Series

2011-01-10T12:20:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 6:30 pm
In the Library's Lecture Hall
With guest speaker, Dr. Paul Holman

Dr. Paul Holman, Visiting Professor of International Relations for the University of Maine, Orono, and Adjunct Professor at the Naval War College, will present the opening lecture of a series at the Bangor Public Library. In his presentation, “The Kremlin in Asia,” Dr. Holman will address such questions as “Is Moscow trying to build a new empire or is it moving toward cooperation and interdependence with the West?”

Dr. Holman will take a close look at how the world has changed since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This lecture will explore and explain the strategic choices facing the Kremlin, stressing the implications for Asia. Dr. Holman has co-edited a number of books including the multi-volume series Fundamentals of Force Planning, and Ethnic Nationalism and Regional Conflict. His many articles on national security have appeared in Naval War College Review, Strategic Review, and the U.S. Marine Corps Gazette. From 1996 - 2003, Dr. Holman served as Professor, Department of Security Studies, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He now resides in Camden and serves on the Camden Conference Board of Directors.

Thursday, January 27, at 6:30 pm
In the Library's Lecture Hall
With guest speaker, Peter Gelman

Chef Peter Gelman, of Cappy’s Restaurant in Camden, will present his lecture, “Food and Culture of Vietnam” at the Bangor Public Library. Spicing his presentation with fascinating trivia concerning the evolution of Vietnamese food and cooking, Chef Gelman will show how the history and culinary traditions of Vietnam have influenced one another to create a culture of richness and beauty. Join us in the Bangor Public Library’s Lecture Hall as we enjoy a treat of authentic Vietnamese dishes prepared by Chef Peter Gelman.

The Camden Conference Asia Lectures are free and open to the public.

Best Books of the Year

2010-12-08T08:19:00.009-05:00

Best Books of the Year lists are starting to appear in different publications and are a great place to find books for your group discussions.

Here are a few to check out:

New York Times 10 Best of Year

Publisher's Weekly Best of 2010

Amazon's Best Books of the Year.... So Far

Library Journal Top Ten

The Millions Great 2010 Preview

New Yorker Reviewer's Favorites

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

2010-11-29T18:01:00.001-05:00

A reminder- "Bangor Reads" will be celebrating To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee this winter. Time to get a head start reading this book. I just finished re-reading this book for the first time since high school, and was so glad to revisit this true classic.

New Program at Witherle Memorial Library in Support of the Camden Conference

2010-11-19T14:44:00.010-05:00

Witherle Memorial Library in Castine, ME announces new book discussion group.

Mondays at 7 pm: Book Discussion Series
"The Rise of Asia"

November 29: The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and
What It Means For All of of Us by Robyn Meredith

-how the new global commerce-buying from China, outsourcing to India-is impacting businesses and consumers
-examined by a seasoned foreign correspondent

December 13: Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China by James Fallows

-12 essays written by correspondent for the Atlantic monthly
-what economic, soical, and political changes in China mean for the West

Jan3: to be announced
Jan 17: to be announced
Discussion Leaders: Michael Morrison, John C. Parish, Jr., Par Kettis

December Selection of Bangor Reading Group

2010-11-09T10:09:00.003-05:00

An area bookgroup has just chosen How To Make An American Quilt by Whitney Otto for their December discussion. A young woman about to be married learns much about the direction her life is headed from a quilting circle of eight women joined in the sewing of her wedding quilt.

READING GROUP CHOICES WEBSITE

2010-10-21T10:59:00.006-04:00

As a librarian, every year I get a very nice little printed guide called Reading Group Choices, Selections for Lively Book Discussions. It is well put together and I like their choices. (You may even be able to get a copy from this company for your book group-checkout their website.)
Reading Group Choices is listed as a merchant wholesaler company out of Maryland. However, their Advisory Board members have impressive backgrounds in the book world.

This year they included a little leaflet called: Top Ten Favorite Discussible Books for 2009.
You can view it on their website at:

www.ReadingGroupChoices.com

I'm not selling anything for them, but their website is a wealth of information for bookgroups if you are looking for ideas.

An Impressive Fall Selection by Old Town Public Library

2010-09-30T16:03:00.029-04:00

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
-psychiatrist's own life is disturbed while treating a genius artist

The Girls of Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow
-11 childhood friends from Ames, Iowa and the bond they formed

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
-a concierge of a Paris apartment house and her young friend connect with new tenant

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
-chilling ghost story set in post-war Britain, Dr. Faraday is called to Hundreds Hall to treat a patient

The Private Life by Jane Smiley
-marriage to a naval officer astronomer in pre-WWII tests expectations of Missouri girl

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
-coming of age story of twin orphaned brothers growing up in an Ethiopia on the brink of revolution

Still Alice by Lisa Genova
-early onset Alzheimer challenges life of Harvard psychologist

Evangeline by Ben Farmer
-novel inspired by Longfellow's poem about the Explusion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia

for info. on this bookgroup click here

Coming Oct. 1 & 2, 2010 -Bangor Book Festival

2010-09-17T12:08:00.005-04:00

When: Friday and Saturday, October 1 & 2, 2010
Where: On Sat. Oct. 2 at the Bangor Public Library, 9am-5pm

Why attend?
Come listen as authors, poets, and illustrators talk about their passion for books and writing.
The line-up for the 2010 Bangor Book Festival is an impressive one, with featured guests who all have roots right here in Maine. They will share their enthusiasm and love of their craft. This
is an event not to be missed!

for more information on participating authors and events click here

Featured Guests
Maureen Heffernan
Chris Van Dusen
Scott Nash
Alison Kuller Book Arts
Angeli Perrow
Cynthia Lord
Dwight Kuhn
Sarah Smiley
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Jane Brox
Judy Paolini
Lily King
Nancy Griffin
Kate Gooding
Andy Vietz
Betsy Sholl
Bill Carpenter
Jan Owen
Paul Janeczko
Wesley McNair
John McDonald
Randy Spenser
Josh Christie (Brews and Books blog)

A Heads Up for "Bangor Reads"

2010-09-15T16:04:00.007-04:00

We wanted to let area book groups know early our selection for this winter's "Bangor Reads" is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Join us in reading this Pulitzer Prize winning classic, a book celebrating 50 years of publication with community reads programs around the country.

Read the book, see the play:

*****Penobscot Theatre to do production of To Kill a Mockingbird starting in March 2010.

New Lit Chicks Book Group at the Bangor Public Library

2010-09-08T16:39:00.008-04:00

meets the first Tues. of the month at 2:00 in the Lecture Hall at the Bangor Public Library

Join us for the first meeting on Tues, Oct. 5, 2010 to discuss:

Quartet in Autumn

by Barbara Pym

To sign up contact: mfrazier@bpl.lib.me.us 947-8336 ext 126

click here for complete information

Author Gerry Boyle Talk at the Bangor Public Library

2010-09-02T17:58:00.004-04:00

Maine author Gerry Boyle will talk about his book Damaged Goods at 11 am, Sat., Sept. 18 at the Bangor Public Library.

*This is a change in schedule from what was previously posted on this blog. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Author's website: http://www.gerryboyle.com/

Merrill Memorial Library Posts New Multiple Copy List

2010-07-21T17:24:00.005-04:00

Check out new titles available for loan by checking their link
under the Multiple Copies Column on the righthand side of this webpage.

Groups Get Ready for Our New Meet the Author Series

2010-07-13T11:19:00.022-04:00

Bangor Public Library's new Meet the Author Series to begin in August. Now is a great time for your group to get a head start reading one of these Maine titles. More info. about books available at our website by clicking link above.

Noah's Wife by T. K. Thorne
Mon. Aug 2, 2010 at 2:oo pm.

Damaged Goods by Gerry Boyle
Sat. Sept 4, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

100 Classic Hikes in New England by Jeff Romano
Tues. Sept 14, 2010 at 6:30 pm.

How To Be a Writer: building Your Creative Skills Through Practice and Play by Barbara Baig
Wed. Sept 15, 2010 at 12:00 noon.

Real Deal: Making Big Changes with Small Change by Marion Syversen
Sat. Sept 18, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
Sat. Sept 25, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

Maine Author to Preach at Hampden Methodist Church

2010-06-25T14:43:00.009-04:00

Those who have read and enjoyed Kate Braestrup's books, Here If You Need Me and Marriage and Other Acts of Charity might enjoy hearing her preach this
Sunday, June 27 at 9am at the Hampden Methodist Church.

Chaplain for the Maine Warden Service talks about modern day marriage in her new book.

Kate takes up the dream of her late husband to become a minister for the Maine Warden Service.

New Gloucester Public Library Book Group Chooses New Title

2010-06-17T16:22:00.005-04:00

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy is a popular modern day Irish author. This is her 1990 novel of a couple of young friends who grow up together in a rural Irish town in the 1950's and eventually go off to University in Dublin. There the two girls' relationships become entangled in the life of another girl from their town.

Book Groups Set Your Calendars for the Books in Boothbay Festival

2010-06-04T15:14:00.003-04:00

Books in Boothbay Festival: Maine's Summer Book Fair
click the link for info. on authors attending

Sat. July 10, 2010 from 12:30-3:30 with an author's reception to follow.
at the Boothbay Railroad Village, 586 Wiscasset Road, Rt. 27, Boothbay, ME

the 6th annual festival with 40 authors from around the state will attend to sign their books, discuss their writing and meet their fans.

Blue Hill Co-op & Public Library Chose June Book Club Selection

2010-05-28T12:33:00.005-04:00

Their choice is: Carrying Water as a Way of Life by Linda Tatelbaum

-the author and her husband experience a "back to the land" existence in 1977 only to find it harder than they had ever imagined.

click here for information on book

and the author