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

Please join us in welcoming our first author of the year, Kathleen Ferrari. She'll be here to sign her new novel, MacCullough's Women.

"How well do I really know my husband?" When Drew MacCullough dies suddenly in a place he's not supposed to be, it's a question his widow, Franny, wants answered. As the story unfolds against the background of an Irish bar, Franny is transformed from a girl living in her husband's shadow to a woman ready to embrace her life.

MacCullough's Women is the first novel set in the fictional town of Lynton, New Hampshire exploring the friendships between a group of women whose lives are linked by family and the randomness of life.

Kathleen's essays have appeared in the Boston Globe and the Northern Review. She lives in NH with her husband and collection of pets. Visit her website www.KathleenFerrari.com to learn more.

Join local author, artist, and poet, Nancy Paquin on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11:00 a.m., for a fun and engaging selection of stories for children ages 4 and up, who are accompanied by an adult.

The theme for this Storytime will be heroes.

Things are heating up at Lucia's Tavola in Brookline, NH, where Chef Mark is whipping up a feast based on recipes from local author Regina Sullivan's cookbook, Who Has Nana's Recipe?

A brief overview: Six course meal with recipes taken from the book, Featured wine pairings, Meet the author, Celebrate family, food and Italian tradition! All this for $35 per person.

The book is available for purchase here now and at the event ($18.95, pap). Regina will be signing and sharing stories about her family and their delicious meals together. It'll be like having your own Italian grandmother standing next to you in the kitchen.

Reservations are requested. Please call Lucia's at 603-249-9134 and visit their website www.luciastavola.com for more information on the event as well as the many other wonderful things they offer. Ciao!

Our Socrates Cafe, hosted by Rick Branch, 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!

Join us in welcoming Katherine to our store. She'll be signing and discussing her new memoir dealing with her triumph over five decades of emotional abuse.

The Box of DAUGHTER exposes the dark truths hidden behind a family's facade - the bullying and abuse that can occur behind closed doors.

As a young girl, the author found love and affection through relationships with cats, neighbors, and extended family. Entering therapy in her 30s, Katherine began to unravel the threads of dysfunction in the family. In 2008, she initiated an inspiring journey to wholeness - discovering self esteem and her true self - creating a life that is truly her own.

The Box of DAUGHTER offers a message of hope that we can achieve emotional victory over the past and learn to love who we are.

Katherine is the author of two books on the acting business and an award-winning short story called The Last Visit. She pursued a professional acting career, performing Off-Broadway, in the film The Unbelievable Truth, and on the daytime drama Guiding Light. She currently teaches writing in Maine.

(Maine Authors Publishing, $17.95 pap)

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?

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*

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.

March 15: The Flight of the Falcon by Daphne du Maurier

May 17: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte