Off the shelf – Spring Reading List

Spring has arrived, bringing new blooms to the earth and new books to shelves. Here are some titles to look out for. These authors have visited or plan to visit Concord through Gibson’s Bookstore with their missives so you can learn more about them there.

Sarah Pearson

“The Red Lotus” By Chris Bohjalian

Mystery abounds in bestselling Vermont author Chris Bohjalian’s newest release, The Red Lotus. An American man named Austin disappears during a vacation in Vietnam with his girlfriend, Alexis. They’d planned to do some cycling and honor Austin’s father’s and uncle’s war service. As she searches for her vanished boyfriend and deals with the FBI, Alexis begins to question Austin’s motives for the trip and whether she is in danger.

The book was released in March by Doubleday Press. Bohjalian visted Concord in March.

“The Splendid and the Vile” By Erik Larson

Larson’s latest work, The Splendid and the Vile, is a portrait of Winston Churchill during the second World War. Larson delves into diaries, documents and declassified intelligence reports, and looks at the prime minister’s political maneuvering and domestic life while inspiring his country, and the allied forces, during the darkest days of the war. 

The book was released in February from Random House.  Larson will be at the Concord City Auditorium March 27 at 7 p.m.

“Rage Baking” By Katherine Alford and Kathy Gunst

Some cope with today’s political climate with protests, marches, petitions and letters to senators. But for Katherine Alford and Kathy Gunst, they express their feelings in cookies and pies. Rage Baking: The Transformative Power of Flour, Fury and Women’s Voices includes more than 50 recipes as well as short essays and quotes from well-known women bakers and activists. Timely, fun, and creative, Rage Baking unites like-minded women who are passionate about baking and change.

The book was released in February from Tiller Press. The authors will visit Gibson’s Bookstore on May 6 at 6 p.m.

“Barker House” By David Moloney

Nine N.H. correctional officers’ lives are intertwined in David Moloney’s new novel. Moloney, who worked in the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections  before getting degrees in writing, reveals the precarious world of jailers. Characters include veteran guards who get by through power-mongering, rookies, and the only female officer on the shift. They are brought together when death comes for one in their ranks.

The book will be released by Bloomsbury Publishing on April 7. Moloney will visit Gibson’s on April 16 at 6 p.m. 

“What’s It’s Like to Be a Bird” By David Allen Sibley

David Allen Sibley has a new book with (mostly) life-size illustrations and lots of information. This large format book will answer all those  questions about birds you have chirping in your mind, whether you’re an avian enthusiast or a casual observer.

The book will be released April 14 by Knopf.  Sibley will visit Gibson’s on April 17 at 6 p.m.