Three gravestones catch my eye. Each one has a single word printed across it. Brother. Mother. Father. The stones are simple yet profound, which is why I stop. “When I die, will people sum me up with just one word?” I think to myself. This is a weighty thought for 1 p.m. on a Wednesday. I’m usually thinking about… 0

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand Helen Simonson 2010, 358 pages Setting: Village of Edgecombe St. Mary, present day When he hears of his brother's sudden death, Major Pettigrew is helped by Mrs. Ali, the Pakistani village shopkeeper who happened to come to his door that morning on an errand. Major Pettigrew is a widower,… 0

It was a sticky, humid Thursday evening, but I didn’t mind. I was surrounded by art, velvety chocolate cake, crisp shortbread cookies, music, wine and ice-cold pitchers of lemonade. I was at an Art Concord event. You know, that thing last week you didn’t bother showing up to. Art Concord is an initiative of the… 0

The Long Way Home: An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War David Laskin 2010, 386 pages Setting: Europe and America, 1899 to 1920 David Laskin gives us the story of 12 male immigrants (from Poland/the Pale of Russia, Italy, Norway, Slovakia and Ireland) who arrived in the United States at the turn of… 0

Once upon a time, there was a city with many book clubs. The book clubs met once a month to discuss the previous month’s selected reading. Some book clubs were new, some had been around since the dawn of time (better known as the 1980s); some had rules about actually reading the book, others were more lax and enjoyed… 0

The End of the Road Sue Henry 2009, 214 pages Setting: Homer, Alaska Residents of Homer, Alaska, Maxie and her mini dachshund Stretch usually bump into mysteries when they venture down into the "lower 48." But this year Maxie stays in her hometown, and a mystery finds her. She and Stretch befriend a stranger, John… 0

Book clubs are great. They introduce members to wonderful writing and new ideas, and they rarely end in large fires. I led quite a few book discussions back when I was a librarian, and not a single one ended with panicked readers fleeing a burning building. Sure, they fled, but not because of fire. That said, avoiding… 0

If you're looking for an adventure but don't want to stray too far from home, you've got, like, 15 million options. Lucky for you, we narrowed them down. Here are few out-of-state happenings. Shiver me timbers, matey, there's trouble on the high seas! The pirates of the Dark Rose ship are docking at the Sand & Sea festival to stage beach invasions with cannons and sword fight… 0

If you thought Concord was solely inhabited by a bunch of pasty white guys in suits, think again. There's a diverse mix of refugees and immigrants who call the city home, too. The folks on the Greater Concord Task Force Against Racism and Intolerance created the Concord Multicultural Festival to showcase the community's… 0

Bummed that you can't make Laconia Bike Week this year? No worries, we've got another event that's sure to lift your spirits. Hop on your hog and roar into Colebrook on June 25 for the Annual Great North Woods Ride-In and Blessing of the Motorcycles. The weekend includes helicopter rides, live music, a motorcycle rodeo, pig roast, and group rides through the great North Country.… 0