Historical novels abound this fall for those of you who enjoy a compelling tale with crisp details that enliven the story and make the characters seem real whether they are based on fact or completely fictional.

“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is all the rage right now for readers of historical novels. As London is emerging from the shadow of World War II, writer Juliet Ashton discovers her next subject in a book club on Guernsey (in Great Britain. The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946 and what makes this novel so appealing is its delightful wit, quirky characters that truly care about one another, and its celebration of the written word as a means of bringing people together. If this interests you, give us a call (781-246-6334, x102) to place your name on this popular request list.
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It’s harvest time in New England. Peaches, apples, raspberries, corn and pumpkins are all waiting for you. To get the freshest possible, you can either pick your own or go to a farmers’ market. But before that, come to the library and check out some cookbooks with recipes for those great fall dishes, succotash and apple pie.

The New England cookbook: 350 recipes from town and country, land and sea, hearth and home, by Brooke Dojny, is a good place to start.
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Beebe Library’s fall programming for adults got underway on September 11 with author Xujun Eberlein (pictured, left, with Beebe Library Assistant Director Laura Zalewski). The upcoming schedule features a varied lineup of programs.
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After a summer hiatus, all of Beebe Library’s book discussion groups are set to get back into full swing starting this month.

The next gathering of Books by the Lake is on September 17, 2008 when the group will discuss “Mrs. Kimble” and “Baker Towers” by Jennifer Haigh. “Mrs. Kimble” follows twenty-five years in the life of charismatic opportunist Ken Kimble as seen through the eyes of his three wives: Birdie, who struggles with his abandonment; heiress Joan, who is recovering from a personal loss; and Dinah, who suffers from an unhappy past.
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