Avon Mountain is No Joke Smoke, Fire and Angels by Mark Robinson (2009) After three years of writing this blog, it's time for a blatant advertisement. [2016 Update: I now have unobtrusive ads.] Please, visit this website and buy the book. And here's the thing: The author, Mark Robinson, won't get a dime of … [Read more...]
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Book Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Burn the Witch The Witch of Blackbird Pond Elizabeth George Speare (1958) Sure this is a book for early teens, but the Washington Post screams, "Irresistible!" I was somehow able to resist it for 36 and a half years of my life, but that's not the point. It is a pretty good book and tackles some heady 17th … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Wordy Shipmates
The Only Puritanical Hooker I Know The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell (2008) West Hartford Library I love Sarah Vowell and while her "Assassination Vacation" is a little bit more entertaining, it has nothing to do with Connecticut. The Wordy Shipmates, however, has much for CTMQ fans to devour. Vowell dissects … [Read more...]
Book Review: Last Night at the Lobster
Paradise by the Live Tank Light Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan (2007) West Hartford Library True story: Stewart O’Nan’s Last Night at the Lobster is the first book in my life that I sought out, procured, read one page, and thought, “Hey, I’ve read this before!” And I had, back in 2007 when it was … [Read more...]
Book Review: N is for Nutmeg
N is for Nutmeg, A Connecticut Alphabet ("Discover Americam, State by State series) by Elissa D. Grodin (2003) West Hartford Library I feel kind of badly for slagging the last children's book I reviewed. But hey, facts are as important for kids as they are for adults. At least they should be. N is … [Read more...]
Book Review: Connecticut
Connecticut (From Sea to Shining Sea series) by Nancy Furstinger (2004) West Hartford Library This book made me sad. When I reviewed my first kids' book about Connecticut, I remarked how I was impressed by the lack of errors therein. I cannot say the same for this 70+ page book. It's full of 'em. The book's … [Read more...]
Book Review: It’s My State! Connecticut
Connecticut (It's My State! series) by Michael Burgan, 2003 West Hartford Library I was pretty impressed with this little book. The author actually lives here (Windsor) and does a good job of capturing the breadth and depth of Connecticut's history, geography, people, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I'd … [Read more...]
CTMQ&A: Rohan Freeman
Rohan Freeman A True Pioneer May 2013 Note: This is formatted a little differently from the usual CTMQ&A, but that's because it predated that more structured idea. Regardless, enjoy! I read a lot of magazines (and newspapers and online stuff and you get the point). And I actually read the UCONN Alumni magazine … [Read more...]
Brush With Fame: Jim Calhoun
Jim Calhoun announced his retirement two days ago. 1:22 PM, I tweeted that I have a Calhoun story 1:23 PM, Rep-Am sportswriter Ed Daigneault tells me to write it down. I just did. 2:22 PM, I publish it for your enjoyment August 1990 I toured UConn’s Storrs campus in the late summer before my senior year of … [Read more...]
Christmas Town: Bethlehem
O (My) Little Town of Bethlehem A visit to Christmas Town December 2009 Crazy. Plum crazy I says. I had heard about Bethlehem from a trusted source who used to write for a local paper out this way that Bethlehem was a “very conservative, very unique” place. I had read that they celebrate their name through … [Read more...]