The Toadstool Bookshops of Keene, Milford, and Peterborough, NH

The SF&F group meets the 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month to talk about the books they have read recently.

Open to older teens and adults.

Just for kids! Join fellow readers and take home free (yes, free!) books to review for the following meeting. Many of these titles are compliments of the publishers, in advance of the official 'on sale' date.

Sign up is required; please ask for Sue. Meetings are usually on the second Thursday each month. Did we mention snacks?

Clifford Garstang will autograph and read from his collection of short stories, In An Uncharted Country. Stop by to hear some of the award-winning stories! The related stories showcase ordinary men and women in and around Rugglesville, Virginia as they struggle to find places and identities in their families and in their communities.

"This collection delivers on its title: each story takes us into an area - emotional and geographic - that we may not have been before. There is an impressive variety here, and Garstang's ability as a storyteller is on display each time. These characters are real, vulnerable, and always, in unique ways, brave."

-Elizabeth Strout, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Amy and Isabelle and Olive Kitteridge

What do these three women have in common? Octavia Butler, Marge Piercy and James Tiptree, Jr (hey!)??

Join local members of the Broad Universe writers' group for an introduction to some of the greatest female authors of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. They'll pay tribute to their literary inspirations with a series of short presentations and rapid-fire readings.

Attending writers (so far): Elaine Isaak, Trisha J. Woodridge, Phoebe Wray, and Nebula-nominee Jennifer Pelland! Learn more at www.broaduniverse.org

Among the Elms Keene Writers' Group meets here the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (For a limited time, the group will meet on the third Wednesday too). Among the Elms is a writers' group for those with a love for the written word. Come to share and create work. Come for feedback, fellowship, support, inspiration, and information.

The Classics Crowd meets bi-monthly on the third Thursday to discuss titles voted on by concensus. New readers of timeless works are encouraged to join. Snacking is welcome!

Month and selection (so far)...

January - "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier

March - "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

May - "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

The former Poet Laureate of the United States and New Hampshire resident will be in to sign and discuss her new picture book for children.

Caesar is a large white dog with a great many black spots. Or is he a large black dog with even more white spots? That’s the trouble: he doesn’t know which, and though nobody in the family seems to care, he won’t rest until he uncovers the truth. So off he traipses, beseeching one animal after another to find out what color he is, basically. From celebrated poet Maxine Kumin comes a doggedly quizzical hero, brought comically to life by Alison Friend’s expressive watercolors — a lovable picture-book character who ultimately learns that it’s not
what's on the outside that counts.

Maxine Kumin is the author of many books of poetry including a forthcoming collection "Where I Live: New And Selected Poems 1990-2010" due in April.

Mary J. Booras will talk about the life of Jonathan Daniels and sign copies of her book, Hero for Civil Rights: The Story of Jonathan Daniels.

Senator Molly Kelly will read a Proclamation from the Governor's office declaring March 20th Jonathan Daniels Day. June Donegan from the Mayor's office will read a Proclamation as well.

Proceeds from the sale of Hero for Civil Rights will benefit the Haiti relief effort of St. George's Greek Orthodox Church. 

Birthday cake and soda will be provided by Price Chopper of Keene.

Please join us in welcoming Walt to our store. He'll be signing his new mystery set in NH featuring Brian Barrett, a man intent on saving his marriage and escaping his romance with the bottle.

When he intervenes in an altercation, he realizes that the quaint town of Barlow has it's own secrets - some worth killing to keep.

(Surrey Cottage Bks, $14.99, ppk) 

Join us for an evening with Jon Turk, who will talk about his experiences and sign his book, The Raven's Gift: A Scientist, a Shaman, and Their Remarkable Journey Through the Siberian Wilderness. Framed by high adventure across the vast and forbidding Siberian landscape, The Raven's Gift is a life-altering vision of the ties between the natural and spiritual realms, informed by one man's awakening and guided by the ancient Spirit Bird with wide black wings and the power to heal.

Justine Magazine says, "If you grabbed Stephen King and Stephenie Meyer and asked them to co-author a book, they would come up with 'Need'".

Zara White thinks a freaky guy is stalking her, leaving an eerie trail of gold dust. Things have been a bit weird since moving to Maine after her stepfather died. Something is not right in town, and the signs are beginning to point in her direction...

Carrie grew up in Bedford, NH and now lives in Maine. She is an award-winning author ("Girl, Hero", "Love and Other Uses for Duct Tape") loves Great Pyrenees dogs, never drinks coffee, and occasionally wears mismatched socks. Find out for yourself; meet the author and grab a signed copy of her books.

Spring is here! Come join us in celebrating the release of Jan Brett's new picture book for children, "The Easter Egg".

This year Hoppi is old enough to decorate eggs, and the one making the prettiest egg gets to help the Easter Rabbit on Easter morning.

Jan's wonderfully illustrated book will enchant readers young and old!

At our party, children 6+ will decorate their own eggs and hunt for hidden ones in our store! There will be refreshments and more. Please call and sign up to ensure your spot in the forest!

Sidesaddle riders include participants in virtually all modern equestrian disciplines, as well as those with an interest in the history of horsemanship, historical costume, and re-enacting.

Rhonda is a director of the American Sidesaddle Association - whose mission is to preserve the art of riding aside; foster community & exchange of information; support local sidesaddle groups; and serve as a resource for enthusiasts nationwide.

Please join us for a fun day of horse talk and get a signed copy of "The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of the Sidesaddle" for you or your rider. ($19.97, ppk)

Our Socrates Cafe, hosted by Rick Branch, meets on the first Wednesday each month for philosophic discussion.

New members or curious thinkers are always welcome. Come join the forum!

Among the Elms Keene Writers' Group meets here the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (For a limited time, the group will meet on the third Wednesday too). Among the Elms is a writers' group for those with a love for the written word. Come to share and create work. Come for feedback, fellowship, support, inspiration, and information.

Among the Elms Keene Writers' Group meets here the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (For a limited time, the group will meet on the third Wednesday too). Among the Elms is a writers' group for those with a love for the written word. Come to share and create work. Come for feedback, fellowship, support, inspiration, and information.