Staff Picks - 2015 Adult Holiday

An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home by Ellen Stimson. Overflowing with food, family, and traditions, this is a winter season memoir/cookbook that gives us permission to do what makes us happy. Bubbling with butter, cream, wine, and fresh New England goodness as well as Ellen's quirky humor, you will never feel like a holiday underachiever again. ~ Karen Frank

A Revels Christmas in Wales by Christmas Revels. A truly delightful addition to any holiday music collection. Soaring choral selections with heart wrenching beautiful harmonies.You will hear lovely unfamiliar Christmas traditional songs in Welsh and English as well as folk tunes with harp, fiddle and brass band. The Revels are a treasure. Listen to them and make the holidays truly memorable. ~ Karen Frank

The Christmas Colouring Book by Elaine Hamer. The adult coloring rage continues. Take a moment for yourself to slow down and do some contemplative coloring in this holiday-themed book. Over 80 holiday themed designs guaranteed to unleash Christmas spirit in everyone! There are so many new coloring books on so many subjects we've listed a few more on the other side under Gift Books. ~ Sarah Knight

Vive Le Color! Serenity: Color Therapy Kit. One title in a series of coloring book kits which include 8 color pencils, a sharpener and 94 wonderful images.. As a customer said to me, "All-in-one, terrific. One stop gift shopping!" ~ Sarah Knight

Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford. Discover a delightful underwater world of exotic fish, seahorses, coral reefs and much more to color and embellish. A new book by the queen of adult coloring books that is fun for all ages. ~ Sarah Knight

The Official A Game of Thrones Coloring Book by George R. R. Martin & Yvonne Gilbert. For that special interest person who read the books and watched the TV series, here's the coloring book! ~ Sarah Knight

The Annotated Alice: 150th Anniversary Deluxe Edition by Lewis Carroll. Originally published in 1980, this expanded edition will delight die-hard and novice fans alike. Among the many compelling features are rarely seen illustrations, new annotations, and a filmography of every Alice-related film. This is the perfect celebration of Lewis Carroll's legacy. ~ Reviewed by Jessica Wood

Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story by DK Publishing. A lavishly illustrated history of a uniquely American art form. The history of the musical -- in both its theater and Hollywood incarnations-- is traced from humble vaudeville origins to its major prominence today. This elegant book includes capsule biographies and interviews with some of the people whose names have become synonymous with the word musical. ~ Reviewed by Alden Graves

Thunder & Lightning: Weather Past, Present, Future by Lauren Redniss. This is the book for the meteorologist in your life, but you might just fall in love with it too. Entertaining anecdotes and legends abound, as well as some factual essays about the weather. It is totally unique - an illuminated and illuminating book that succeeds both as a stunning work of art and and a fascinating treatise on the climate. ~ Erik Barnum

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places National Geographic has selected 225 of the most amazing places on earth to feature in this sumptuous book. Each destination is illustrated with breathtaking photographs and detailed with informative histories. The perfect gift for travelers and for those who want to experience the world from the comfort of home. ~ Reviewed by Alden Graves

We Were Brothers by Barry Moser. A "southern" memoir - reminiscent of other stellar writers such as Pat Conroy and Rick Bragg - of Moser’s difficult relationship with his brother, and the racist environment in which they were raised that came between them. The story moves to a dramatic and redemptive climax and we are led to realize that it is never too late to heal a wounded relationship. ~ Reviewed by Barbara Morrow

One Man Against the World: The Tragedy of Richard Nixon by Tim Weiner. The Pulitzer Prize and National Book award winning author serves up a riveting book about the ruinous presidency of Richard Milhouse Nixon. With new information available, Weiner’s meticulous research skills, insight, and accessible writing style make this book the one to read if you really want to know the whole story of the calamity that was the Nixon presidency. ~ Erik Barnum

They All Love Jack: Busting the Ripper by Bruce Robinson. If you only read one book in your life about London’s Autumn of Terror in 1888, this is it! Not so much a history of Jack the Ripper as an indictment of the rigidly structured, profoundly corrupted society in which he practiced his butchery. Astonishingly well-researched and written with a pen dipped in the deepest black. ~ Alden Graves

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell. Once again, Vowell has created a rich blend of history, humor, and politics and turned a well-known story into a book that you won’t want to put down.The American Revolution is told from the perspective of the Marquis de Lafayette’s involvement. Detailed, insightful, and very funny - this is a book you will enjoy as you read it and will remember long after you’ve turned the last page. ~ Rachel Person

Magna Carta: The Birth of Liberty by Dan Jones. This is a succinct, action packed history of the tumultuous year 1215. King John (Lackland), a whole host of good and bad guys, and lots of battles and events are all contributing factors in the creation of the Magna Carta. Jones examines why this single document is so important and has such an enduring legacy. ~ Reviewed by Maeve Noonan

Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker. The actress has written an extremely accessible and candid memoir. Taking the form of letters sent to the men who have played pivotal roles in her life, Dear Mr You is a far cry from your typical Hollywood tell-all. Parker has the talent of a good novelist and a gift for telling her stories with heart and clarity. ~ Chris Linendoll

A Strangeness in My Mind. by Orhan Pamuk. An extraordinary love letter to Istanbul! Spanning nearly a half-century, Pamuk uses the life of a street vendor to chronicle the upheaval, change, and growth of this fabled city. A touching and brilliantly written story about place and what it means to belong. ~ Cheryl Cornwell

The Lake House by Kate Morton. Another wonderfully absorbing novel to curl up with. No other author does the combination of atmosphere, character, and mysterious story better than Kate Morton. We are back in Cornwall with a deliciously complex group of relationships intricately crafted into a terrific tale. ~ Karen Frank

100 Years of the Best American Short Stories by Lorrie Moore & Heidi Pitlor. Lorrie Moore, author of Bark, edited this compilation of the best works drawn from past editions of the popular annual collection of short stories. The selections include stories by a number of America’s finest writers, including William Faulkner, Katherine Anne Porter, George Saunders, and Richard Ford. The perfect gift for those who love this precise form of literary art. ~ Alden Graves

The Mountain Shadow by Gregory David Roberts. A rousing sequel to the author’s best selling epic, Shantaram. Full of great characters and adventure set in the Bombay underworld. A story to immerse yourself into. Highly recommended ~ Chris Morrow

Slade House by David Mitchell. A wonderfully imaginative take on the haunted house story that is set in a universe similar to the one in Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks. Every nine years a peculiar brother and sister invite a different guest to their home. The guest begins a macabre journey from which there is no return. I was so entranced I read it in one sitting! ~ Sarah Knight

The Mare by Mary Gaitskill. A heartwrenching story of an inner-city girl in the Fresh Air Fund program who travels to a host family in upstate New York, where she befriends a frightened and abused racehorse at a nearby stable. Gaitskill navigates the ugly realities of both human and equine abuse. Readers will be reminded of how our real-life connections with animals can both guide and heal. ~ Nancy Scheemaker

The Golden Age by Jane Smiley. The final volume in the author's century-spanning trilogy about an American family. Members of the Langdon clan have traveled a long distance from their patriarchal roots on a farm in Iowa, a place that has fallen victim to the voracious corporate greed typical of the times. Ms. Smiley's characters serve as a microcosm of American society during one of the most traumatic periods in the nation's history. ~ Alden Graves

City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg. Don't let the 900+ pages scare you. Hallberg paints an incredibly vivid world with extremely relatable yet diverse characters. Every page reveals more about their complex and engaging relationships, yet Hallberg still manages to make a statement about humanity as a whole. Absolutely unforgettable. ~ Misha D'Andrea

The Vermont Country Store Cookbook: Recipes, History, and Lore from the Classic American General Store by Ellen Ecker Ogden. Vermont is not only a state, but also a lifestyle. The authors wonderfully capture this in their telling of the family history of the Country Store owners, their updated recipes, sidebars, and old photos. This book is a terrific holiday gift for friends, family and oneself. ~ Sarah Knight

Farmhouse Rules: Simple, Seasonal Meals for the Whole Family by Nancy Fuller. Open this to any page and the recipe will inspire you to start cooking immediately. Dishes featuring fresh ingredients, photos that make your mouth water and your stomach grumble, along with fun cooking tidbits sprinkled here and there guarantee that this is one cookbook that won't just sit on your shelf. ~ Jennifer Canfield

Frankie Avalon's Italian Family Cookbook: From Mom's Kitchen to Mine and Yours by Frankie Avalon. Simple and flavorful recipes that are a snap to make. My two favorites so far: red wine marinara sauce and fettuccine with shrimp and creamy lemon sauce. Perfect for a novice or the skillful chef. ~ Sarah Donner

Happy Cooking: Make Every Meal Count... Without Stressing Out by Giada de Laurentiis. This book is filled with great tidbits and ideas for making "every meal count". Year round fresh ideas that help make your day-to-day routine a little less stressful. There is a wonderful instructional section on pasta including an amazing recipe for short rib lasagna! Great holiday gift! ~ Tracy Davies

Felicity: Poems by Mary Oliver.Meditations on love and nature, these poems celebrate connection and the mysteries of the human heart with warmth and gentle humor. ~ Amy Palmer

From Fishs Eddy come this bowl & matching coin purse which will beguile the most discerning collectors of all things feline.

Nectar of the Bees Perfume Oil by S Formulators. Nectar of the Bees is a lovely perfume oil inspired by the scent of spring & contained in a lovely one-of-a-kind handblown amber bottle, both made in New Hampshire in small batches.

Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham. Sebastian Rudd is not your typical three-piece suit lawyer. He is driven around in an armored van, lives in a penthouse designed for safety, and defends the outcasts of society using methods that don't always comply with the law. This is a great example of Grisham's peerless ability to draw his readers into a compelling story. ~ Alden Graves

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith. A serial killer stalks gritty London streets. Private detective Cormoran Strike has worked grim cases, but when his secretary opens a delivery to find a human leg, he knows this is different. Something from his past coming back to haunt him. Chapters told though the killer's eyes give the mystery a different, disturbing flare. ~ Leah Moore

The Company She Kept by Archer Mayor. Mayor's 26th police procedural featuring Joe Gunther and his quirky staff. The body of a woman is found hanging from a retaining wall on the interstate highway. Joe and his staff investigate what seems like a hate crime and uncover something more sinister. Mayor knows how to tell an entertaining story with interesting characters and he has a faultless sense of the spirit of Vermont. ~ Sarah Knight

Updraft by Fran Wilde. This extremely readable fantasy novel showcases a meticulously researched and beautifully built world wherein human flight, cities of living bone, and a sky full of dangerous skymouths anchor a young woman's reality. Shaped by laws of physics (not magic), Wilde's gripping tale examines how breaking just one law can cause one to suffer serious, life-altering consequences. ~ Aubrey Restifo

Carter & Lovecraft by Jonathan L. Howard. Private investigator Carter inherits a bookstore - but he's never met the owner. Emily Lovecraft (granddaughter of eerie writer H.P. Lovecraft) has books in her blood and she will fight to keep the store. When someone is murdered, Carter realizes Lovecraft's stories are involved - and his monsters are not so fictional. Hard-boiled meets weird horror! ~ Leah Moore