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

The Classics Crowd meets every other month to discuss books voted on by concensus. Join in for lively chats on your treasured favorites, or discover a new gem! Interested members are always welcome.

May 17: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Dennis Michael Burke co-authored Granny D's American Century with Doris "Granny D" Haddock. Their book tells the story of Doris Haddock as a young woman whose bedrock New England values were tested during the Great Depression, and as a no-nonsense nonagenarian putting those values to work in the causes of voters' rights, women's rights, and campaign finance reform.

Dennis Michael Burke will be joined on Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 by actresses Alice Hale and Kathy Manfre highlighting events recounted in Doris "Granny D" Haddock's memoir.

Please join us for this special event featuring readings by actresses Alice Hale and Kathy Manfre highlighting events recounted in Doris "Granny D" Haddock's memoir.

Doris Haddock was a lifelong resident of New Hampshire. She died in 2010 at the age of 100, having walked across the entire country at the age of 89 in an effort to promote campaign finance reform. In her last decade she became a galvanizing figure in populist politics.

Dennis Michael Burke is a writer living in Arizona. He was the former director of Arizona Coomon Cause. 

With her walk across America at the age of 90, New Hampshire native Doris Haddock entered the national consciousness as "Granny D", a candid and feisty champion of commonsense politics.

Granny D's American Century is the story of Doris both before and after the walk: as a young woman whose bedrock New England values were tested during the Great Depression, and as a no-nonsense nonagenarian putting those values to work in the cause of voter's rights and campaign finance reform. Written in clear, unsparing prose by Dennis Burke, Granny D's American Century is a warm reflection on a life well lived, and a spirited call for virtue today.

Joining Dennis for his presentation will be a pair of actors: one in-character speaking as Granny in her early years; the second as the Granny we meet in her 90s.

Together, Doris and Dennis wrote Walking Across America in My 90th Year, the subject of the documentary film Run, Granny, Run! Dennis is the former director of Arizona Common Cause, and is currently a writer living in Phoenix, AZ.

(Univ. of NH Press, $27.95)

We'll be on-hand to sell books at the Open Studio in Groton, MA, where MARY JOHNSON will read from, chat about, and sign her wonderful memoir, An Unquenchable Thirst: Following Mother Teresa in Search of Love, Service, and an Authentic Life.

At seventeen, Mary saw Mother Teresa's face on the cover of Time and experienced her calling. Eighteen months later she entered a convent in the south Bronx to begin her religious training. Not without difficulty, this Texas teen eventually adapted to the sisters' life of poverty and devotion, and in time became close to Mother Teresa herself.

Still, beneath the white and blue sari beat the heart of an ordinary young woman facing the struggles we all share - the desire for love, connection, and identity. Sister Donata, as she became known, grappled with the politics of the order, and her faith for twenty years. Eventually Mary left the church to find her own path - one that led to love and herself.

(Spiegel & Grau, $27)

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

Meetings in MAY: 9 & 23, JUNE: 13 & 27

Open to older teens and adults. Snacks and a bonus.

*Please note: the books displayed here are not necessarily going to be discussed. Rather, they are brand new titles in the genre for those interested. Please browse!

Get on the bus - the Stupid Smelly Bus! We are jumping for joy. The Amato Center and Boys & Girls Club of Milford has once again joined with us in hosting the one-and-only JUNIE B. JONES for a live performance and book signing.

*Please note: THIS FREE EVENT will take place at the AMATO CENTER, not the Milford Toadstool. Visit their website - www.amatocenter.org for directions, or give us a call.

Don't forget! Junie and Mr. Woo will be available in the lobby to 'sign' (stamp) books brought to, or purchased at the show. A percentage of the day's sales will go to the Amato Center. We can't wait to see you!

Area authors of all genres meet each Friday evening here at the store to share, critique, and explore their craft of writing.

The groups' host is Tammy McCracken. Please give her a call for more details as space is limited, or email her: tammyattoadstool@aol.com

Meetings the month of MAY: 4, 11, 18, 25.

*A note: The book(s) displayed here will not necessarily be discussed or used, they're simply examples of new and interesting titles in our writing section. Please browse!

David Warfield Brown says the government is neither the problem nor the solution. He is back in town to talk about his new book which argues that it is everyday Americans who are the real changemakers and calls on citizens to renew their social attention.

Beatriz visits us from Connecticut and will discuss "Overseas" in a conversation\interview with Bradford Bates, headmaster of Dublin School. In a sleight of time travel the romantic novel jumps between the present day financial world of New York City and that of a World War 1 soldier poet. The poets of the period and the history of that era, long an interest of Beatriz, will be the topic of the conversation. Join us this Memorial Day weekend for a historical salute to the soldiers, an immersion in high finance,--- with a lot of romance thrown in for spice.

Come join the celebration when local author KASEY MATHEWS visits on the National sale day of her debut book, PREEMIE: Lessons in Love, Life, and Motherhood.

In this riveting, honest, and often humorous memoir, Preemie chronicles the journey of one tiny baby's tenacious struggle to hold on to life and the mother who ultimately grew with her.

*Please note: by the time this event happens, we will (may?) have moved our new location to the upper building here at Lorden Plaza. Kasey's event will take place in the original, or lower building, next to Dollar Tree. Every effort will be made to get you to the right place! Thanks, and see you here!

(Hatherleigh, $16.95 pbk)

Our Socrates Cafe, hosted by Cliff Anderson & Jim Cerna, meets on the first Wednesday each month for philosophic discussion.

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

Please note: the book(s) displayed will not necessarily be discussed. Rather, we present them to let you know about new titles in that section. Please browse our stores!

Bring your knitting and join hostess Patty Poisson for an informal evening of knitting, chatting and tea on the 2nd Monday evening each month.

Please note that this group is for experienced knitters.

Exquisite tea is generously provided by Danielle Beaudette of The Cozy Tea Cart in Brookline, NH. Look for her new series "Second Tuesdays with the Author" featuring an evening at the CTC sampling delicious teas and chatting with a local writer. All this and more at www.thecozyteacart.com

The books displayed here are examples of what's new or interesting in our Crafts section. Please browse while you're here! There's a bonus*

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 or Sarah. Meetings are usually on the second Thursday each month. Did we mention snacks?