Unique Title:

Snook Alone, by Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering

Snook Alone is the tale of a beloved rat terrier, the companion of a gentle monk living in a faraway sea, who has been asked to catalog the plant and animal species of their small part of the Indian Ocean. Snook, marooned by rough weather, must wait out the storm alone. The warmth of affection, the beauty of the Indian Ocean, the wonder of exploration, the tension of waiting, are all captured superbly in this marvel of a picture book for all ages.

Coffee Table Book:

Dogs By Tim Flach

When a book declares itself to be too amazing to be stuck on a shelf it had better have the jaw-dropping photos to back up that attitude. Dogs is more than up to the task as Tim Flach’s incredible photographs seem to just expand as the pages are flipped. This is a book to warm any dog lover’s heart.

Fiction:

Layover in Dubai By Dan Fesperman

Dan Fesperman is a writer who delivers thrillers with a plus. His book are thrilling, so that’s covered, but his careful research, his eye for historical detail and interesting social and cultural divisions, have always left his readers with a richer understanding of the settings of his books. All of Fesperman’s strengths are on display in his latest novel, Layover in Dubai.

Non Fiction:

The Wave By Susan Casey

Not only are the oceans rising, but so are the size and frequency of giant, rogue, and freakish waves. This riveting account of the scientists who seek to understand them, the salvage specialists who deal with its larger victims, and the big wave surfers who travel the globe to attempt to ride them, has something for everyone. Fascinating science, fascinating sociology, and larger than life exploits under outsized conditions.

Maine Interest:

For Adults: Poacher’s Son, by Paul Doiron

This is a terrific thriller about a young Maine game warden whose woodsman father becomes a murder suspect on the run. The warden, at risk of his career, helps track down his father deep in the north woods. Poacher’s Son captures a Maine rarely seen in popular fiction, and, for a first-time novel, garnered a rare number of rave reviews from some of America’s most prominent writers: John Lescroat, Andre Dubus III, Nelson De Mille, Tess Gerritsen, and C.J. Box, to name a few.

For Children: Learning to Ski With Mr. Magee, by Chris Van Dusen

Mr. Magee is back! The beloved character has gone camping, has been down to the sea, and now, at long last, he learns to ski. This delightful book of warmth and humor from Maine author and illustrator, Chris Van Dusen, will be worn threadbare by Mr. Magee fans on couches and at bedtimes across Maine.

Interactive Book:

My Little Pink Princess Purse, By Stephen Johnson

The maker of last year’s hit interactive book, My Little Red Fire Truck, has struck out in a bold new direction, delivering something no Princess-minded youngster could be unmoved by. Hours of creative play await the recipient of this book.

Picture Books:

The Quiet Book By Debra Underwood, Illustrated by Renata Liwska

The Quiet Book is a wonderfully simple exploration of one complex idea, all the different kinds of quiet, such as “Hide-N-Seek quiet, Right before you yell SURPRISE Quiet, First snowfall quiet, and Lollypop quiet.” Each page is a world unto itself. Gentle and evocative drawings convey the emotional range of being quiet in a manner which will make for a truly thoughtful, read-aloud experience for reader and child.

Holiday:

Christmas in the Time of Billy Lee By Jerdine Nolen, Illustrated by Barry Moser

This is a truly moving story of a young girl whose grandmother encourages her to feel that “there is magic in believing in something good with all your heart.” Ellie makes a Christmas tree outdoors in the woods at the highest point in the town and wishes for something wonderful to come and bring happiness to her troubled family and troubled town. The ending is a lovely affirmation of the power of small gestures and thoughtfulness to grant a simple, but important wish.

Young Adult and Middle Grade:

Crunch By Leslie Connor

Crunch is a wonder of an old-fashioned read-aloud story for the whole family. As our own Amy Graham writes of it, “All my favorite elements are here: siblings who stick together, a strong sense of community and place, innovative problem solving, and an appreciation for the good things in life (a bike ride, dinner with friends, satisfaction taken in an honest day’s work, self-expression through art). And that’s not to mention the deftly imagined gasoline shortage that has turned highways into bike paths.”

Whatever gifts you choose to share with your loved ones, make sure to purchase them from the stores in your community.

Kenny Brechner is the owner of Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, in downtown Farmington. He can be reached at kenny@ddgbooks.com or online at www.ddgbooks.com

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