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CTMQ > Connecticut Books

Book Review: Wicked Hartford

January 15, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Dude. Wicked Good. Wicked Hartford, Steve Thornton Borrowed from the library I tend to approach most books on Connecticut travel and culture quite cynically. At least the travel bit. Sorry, but if I can be honest for a moment, I’ve been to all those places and have also written about them. It’s that “been to all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut History Books, Hartford

Book Review: The Brittle Thread of Life

June 8, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

The Brittle Thread of Life: Backcountry People Make a Place for Themselves in Early America By Mark Williams Many years after reading this book, I had the chance to meet the author Williams at the then newly opened Wilcox House and Barn Museum. When I began putting together the CTMQ Town Guides in late 2016, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: books, Connecticut Books, Connecticut History Books, Granby

Book Review: The Legend of Hobbomock

March 9, 2018 by Steve Leave a Comment

The Legend of Hobbomock: The Sleeping Giant by Jason J. Marchi (2011) Library As a Giant Master – no, really, I AM A GIANT MASTER – I felt compelled to learn about the legend of Hobbomock. In all my hikes across the Giant’s body, I never really knew how he came to rest in Hamden. Now I know, thanks to The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Calvin, Connecticut Books, Connecticut children's books, Hamden

Book Review: Connecticut Lore & More Connecticut Lore

February 13, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

This page contains the rare double book review. Tales to Tell Connecticut Lore By Zachary Lamothe 2013 I have this weird habit of reading lots of books about stuff in Connecticut. Sure, this makes sense on the surface. Heck, when I started out with this website, these types of guides and books were invaluable … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut History Books, Connecticut Travel Guides & Cookbooks, Dubious Claims

Book Review: Lost in Place

October 9, 2017 by Steve 1 Comment

Among the Tribes of Fairfield County Lost in Place By Mark Salzman In late 2016, as this website turned 10 years old, I made the transformational decision to buckle down and begin “completing” towns. A year into the slight strategy pivot, I think it’s working pretty well. Working well for me, anyway. It allows … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut Fiction books, Ridgefield

Book Review: Good Night Connecticut

October 6, 2017 by Steve Leave a Comment

Good Night Connecticut by Christina Vrba (2009) Gifted at Some Point Good Night Connecticut is a board book from a series of a billion “Good Night” board books about states, regions, cities, etc. These books aren’t literature and simply highlight Connecticut’s tourist attractions in language little kids can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut children's books

Book Review: Boxcar Children Books

July 11, 2017 by Steve Leave a Comment

Rock 'n Roll Mystery and Surprise Island The Boxcar Children Series , originally by Gertrude Chandler Warner West Hartford Library Apparently I missed the Boxcar boat as a child, as I'd never heard of them until I found out about the little museum in Putnam dedicated to their author. I'd never read a word of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut children's books, Connecticut Fiction books

Book Review: Smoke, Fire, and Angels

May 24, 2016 by Steve 1 Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Avon, Connecticut Books, Connecticut History Books

Book Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond

May 24, 2016 by Steve Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut children's books, Connecticut Fiction books, Wethersfield

Book Review: The Wordy Shipmates

May 24, 2016 by Steve Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Books, Movies, People, & Stories, Everything Else Tagged With: Connecticut Books, Connecticut History Books

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