The Second Sleep
The Second Sleep By Robert Harris (297 pages, thriller/historical fiction, 2019) Editor’s note: This review contains spoilers. The Second Sleep opens in the year 1468. A young English priest, Christopher Fairfax, hastens to reach a remote village in the kingdom of Wessex before curfew. Fairfax has been sent to officiate a funeral for the local priest, Father Lacey, who recently died and left behind no other clergy to look after his...
Spotted at National Night Out on Aug. 3
The City of Concord was among many that celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 3. The Concord Police Department was joined by several other city departments, law enforcement agencies, NH National Guard, and community organizations. This event is for all ages and is held across the country to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood and community police relationships and to send a message to criminals that...
Vanessa Yu’sMagical Paris Tea Shop
Vanessa Yu’sMagical Paris Tea Shop By Roselle Lim (305 pages, fiction, 2020) Vanessa is cursed with being able to tell people’s fortunes. You might think that it would be a wonderful thing, but Vanessa can’t control it. If she drinks tea, or is even near a cup of tea, the fortunes explode from her mouth, good or bad, for family or strangers. It caused a disaster at her cousin’s wedding. This fortune-telling ability runs in Vanessa’s...
The Anthropocene Reviewed
The Anthropocene Reviewed By John Green (290 pages, nonfiction/essay, 2021) Right from the outset, I’d like to make two points regarding this beautiful collection of essays by John Green. First: consider giving this book a try, even if you’re not usually a fan of nonfiction. I know that some people are averse to nonfiction because it feels more like learning than entertainment – but I think you may be pleasantly surprised by this...
This week in Concord history
Aug. 12, 1861: Their three-month enlistment up, the 1st New Hampshire Volunteers are mustered out of the army. They have returned home without seeing battle. Aug. 12, 1952: State officials announce that Concord will be the northern terminus for the new Central New Hampshire Turnpike, a four-lane, $26 million expressway. The road will extend 40 miles from the Massachusetts state line at Tyngsboro to Concord. It will end in a huge...
City news: New art installed on Main Street
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: City meetings City meetings will be held in person in Council Chambers at 37 Green Street (unless otherwise specified on the City’s calendar). Upcoming meetings include: Planning Board, Aug. 18, 7 p.m. Visit...
Kindness Column: Rethinking the definition of family
When my younger sister was in kindergarten she was obsessed with the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. She dressed up as Stitch for Halloween, she had a Stitch themed birthday party at Red River Theatres where we all watched Lilo & Stitch and the DVD of the movie was permanently in our home DVD player. I remember this quote from the movie because we watched it so often that it was hard to forget it: “Ohana means family, family means...
Live music in the capital area Aug. 5 to 15
August 5Bad Medicine at Eagle Square at 7 p.m.Craig Fahey at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.August 6Paul Driscoll at SHARA Vineyards, 82 Currier Road, Concord, from 6 to 8 p.m.Blind Owl Band at Bank of NH Stage at 8 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.) $18 plus processingAugust 7Eric Lindberg Duo at Contoocook Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noonJoel Begin at Concord Craft Brewing from 4 to 6 p.m.Josh Foster at Contoocook Cider Co. from 5 to 7...
City News: Beware of road work across the city
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Road work Birchdale Road bridge replacement: E.D. Swett has completed half of the bridge abutments and decking. Over the next two weeks, private utilities will be working to transfer the overhead lines to the opposite side of the road so...
The Hiding Place
By Paula Munier (323 pages, mystery, 2021) Mercy and Elvis return with another exciting mystery. Many years ago, Mercy’s grandfather, Grandpa Red, a sheriff, was shot in the line of duty. Mercy’s grandmother Patience never forgave his deputy, August Pitts, for coming to work late that day. Now Pitts calls Mercy to his deathbed. He asks Mercy to find Beth Kilgore, an abused woman who has been missing for 20 years. Mercy also hears that...
This week in Concord history
Aug. 5, 2003: The Rev. Canon Gene Robinson, 56, of Weare, makes history when the country’s Episcopal bishops vote 63-42 to make him the country’s first openly gay bishop. Aug. 5, 1855: On a visit home in Chester, N.H., Benjamin Brown French worries that the nation is headed toward civil war because of the Southern movement to add new slave territory. “To this movement I am sorry to see a Northern President lending his aid!” he writes...
Bulletin board: Aug. 5, 2021
Meeting Maynard Joyce Maynard joins Gibson’s Booksore on Aug. 5 at the Phenix Theatre (38 N. Main St.) in a rare New Hampshire event, to present her new novel, Count the Ways. This is a ticketed event. Phenix Hall doors will open at 6 p.m., with a performance by the Cold River Ranters. It’s a party, so BYOB! Joyce Maynard will read from Count the Ways, take questions from the audience, and sign books. Tickets with the new book...
The Postscript Murders
By Elly Griffiths (315 pages, mystery, 2020) An unlikely trio set out on the trail of a murderer, following clues that lead them to a literary festival in Scotland. Peggy Smith is an older woman who lives in assisted living housing, Seaview Court, in England. Her “carer,” Natalka, finds her sitting by the window one morning. Peggy has passed away. She is pronounced dead from natural causes. But Natalka thinks that it was murder. Peggy...
Poem: Days of summer
Days of summer, thoughts from the past, sometimes bittersweet, but we still want them to last. A picnic near the lake, ice cooler sandwiches made, the very best memories, will never ever fade. I ride to the mountains, wading in the ice-cold brook, the old photographs, ones your parents took. There was a time, when the clock ran slow, with the innocence of youth, we now only know. Each year in the past, now passing perhaps a little too...
New albums from Concord residents
Old Rail Car New Hampshire musician Tim Kierstead has just released his first album of all-original music, Old Rail Car. A singer/songwriter and well known guitarist across New England, Kierstead has opened for huge acts like Willie Nelson and Keith Urban, and has recorded at the legendary Sound Stage Studios in Nashville. Now he takes the next step in his musical journey by sharing an album of nine original songs, completely...
City News: North Pembroke Road Bridge closed for repairs
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Upcoming meetings City meetings will be held in person in Council Chambers at 37 Green Street (unless otherwise specified on the City’s calendar). Upcoming meetings include: Zoning Board of Adjustment: Aug. 4, 7 p.m. City Council: Aug....
This week in Concord history
July 29, 1927: Police Chief A.S. Kimball orders the Lapp carnival on the Bridge Street fairgrounds to close “forthwith.” The shutdown follows the arrest of two men who work for the carnival on gambling charges. Both are convicted and fined $50. The chief investigated after receiving reports of gambling and indecent shows at the fair, including one show to which only men were admitted. The sponsoring Elks Club will argue in vain for a...
Transient Desires: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery
Transient Desires: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery By Donna Leon (272 pages, mystery, 2021) Two young American women are badly injured and left on the loading dock of a hospital in Venice. Luckily, a hospital worker finds them fairly quickly. But one of them is seriously injured and in a coma. The women had been joyriding on a fast boat with two young Italian fellows, men that they met that night. What happened to the girls, and...
Entertainment listings: July 15-22
Live music July 15 Michael Walsh at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Kid Pinky at Eagle Square at 7 p.m. Bass Drop with DJ Lance at Area 23 at 7 p.m. July 16 Scott Solsky Album Release at Bank of N.H. Stage at 8 p.m. Tickets $15; $10 livestream (plus fees) Veggie Burger with Bacon at Area 23 at 8 p.m. River Sister at SHARA Vineyards from 6 to 8 p.m. July 17 Ken Clark at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Seth Glier at Fletcher-Murphy Park...
Clear your schedule for homemade ice cream
If you’re in the mood for ice cream now, stop reading this and go look at capital area ice cream stands (page 8). If you want ice cream and are willing to invest a fair bit of time into making it yourself, carry on. Aside from the time component, making ice cream isn’t too challenging. Over the weekend I tried two recipes: a traditional Vanilla Ice Cream from the Betty Crocker cookbook and a vegan Vanilla ice cream recipe by...
City news: Drought conditions continue despite rain
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Use water wisely As of July 8, drought conditions have not changed much from last week despite receiving heavy amounts of rain. Currently, 3.93% of the state is in a severe drought, 53.14% is in a moderate drought, 32.54% (including...
This week in Concord history
July 15, 1605: Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer, sails into Piscataqua Bay. July 15, 1822: The hail that falls in Concord today is “of a sufficient size to break glass and cut down the corn,” according to a local history. July 15, 1832: Six convicts escape from the state prison in Concord by splitting a stone in the roofing of their cell and letting themselves down the wall by their blankets. Four are captured in...
Book: The Rough Patch
By Brian Lies (Children’s picture book, fiction, 2018 ) Lush illustrations and tender storytelling make this children’s book about loss, grief, and healing one of the more beautiful picture books I’ve read recently. Evan is a fox who does everything with his pet dog, who is his best friend and trusted companion. Their favorite activity is tending Evan’s garden. Then “one day, the unthinkable happened.” The dog dies, apparently...
Scoop spots you won’t want to miss
Sunday is the day for sundaes this week. July 18 is recognized as National Ice Cream Day. Luckily for those in the Concord area, there are plenty of places that serve up scoops of creamy deliciousness. We at the Insider know that making a decision of this caliber can be a challenge, so we called around to see what ice cream flavors are worth a try. Here are the responses. Arnie’s Place 164 Loudon Road, Concord (603) 228-3225,...
Live music and entertainment
July 8 John Franzosa at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9 p.m. N.H. Fiddle Ensemble at Eagle Square at 7 p.m. April Cushman at Cheers from 6 to 9 p.m. July 9 Swappin Set with Lucas Gallo and Dave Emeny at Area 23 at 7 p.m. Ariel Strasser at SHARA Vineyards from 6 to 8 p.m. July 10 Scott Solsky at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Brian Booth at Concord Craft Brewing from 4 to 6 p.m. Concord Chorale presents Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” online in a...
City news: Ward 4 special election info
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: City meetings City meetings will be held in person in Council Chambers at 37 Green Street (unless otherwise specified on the City’s calendar). Upcoming meetings include: City Council: Monday, July 12, 7 p.m. Planning Board: Monday,...
Sportswriter to share stories
A clash of NBA titans. Seven riveting games. One young reporter. Welcome to the 1969 NBA Finals. Sports journalist Leigh Montville visits Gibson’s Bookstore virtually on July 15 at 7 p.m. to present Tall Men, Short Shorts: The 1969 NBA Finals: Wilt, Russ, Lakers, Celtics, and a Very Young Sports Reporter, a masterpiece of sports journalism with a charming touch of personal memoir. Montville has crafted his most entertaining book...
Actors make it look effortless
Monitor staffNext up on the Hatbox Theatre stage is Seminar, created by Pulitzer Prize nominee and creator of hit TV show Smash Theresa Rebeck. The show is presented by RGC Theatrical and will run from July 9 to 18.Seminar, a provocative dramedy that will have you laughing with the cast and feeling their tension.Four aspiring young novelists sign up for private writing classes with Leonard, an international literary figure. Under his...
Book: Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained
Chambers Dictionary of the Unexplained By Una McGovern (760 pages, nonfiction, 2007) How unusual. How preposterous. How scandalous. Can it be true? Maybe fiction isn’t so made up. This book reports thousands of weird occurrences and paranormal phenomena. Everything from aliens to superstition and folklore to people reportedly having powers. There’s bound to be something that piques your curiosity. I intended to just skim this big...
This week in Concord history
July 8, 1967: Monitor reporters set out in the streets of Concord to test a Harris poll’s findings that President Lyndon B. Johnson’s popularity is rising and that the Vietnam War will be a decisive factor in the 1968 presidential election. Interviews with 115 people in Concord turn up these results: 28.7 percent like Johnson more than they did in 1964, 58 percent like him less. Most of those who criticize Johnson cite his handling of...
