Community Calendar

Helen St. Pierre (No Monkey Business Dog Training, and Old Dogs Go to Helen) is a familiar staple of Concord, and now she visits Gibson's Bookstore as an author as she shares a concise guide to caring for a beloved senior dog and skillfully introducing a puppy to the household in a way that allows both dogs to flourish, with Old Dog, New Dog: Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One.

Sue Halpern (Summer Hours at the Robbers Library) visits Gibson's Bookstore to share her new novel, What We Leave Behind, a tenderhearted story of two very different women grappling with the messy emotional legacies passed down by their parents—for fans of Dani Shapiro, Ann Napolitano, and Jody Picoult.

Join us for SATURDAY STORYTIME!

Up to three different stories being read - unless one of them is considerably longer. If you can’t get there right for the start, that’s okay!

The event is geared primarily to toddlers/Pre-K to 2nd/3rd depending on their desire to having a story read to them.

We are located in the Maple Valley Plaza (245 Maple Street #12 in Manchester) in the prior Double Midnight Comics location). There is a parking lot with numerous spaces.

In July the Gibson's Book Club reads All Fours: A Novel, by Miranda July.

A semi-famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country, from LA to NY. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, checks into a nondescript motel, and immerses herself in an entirely different journey.

Our book club is free and open to the public. We welcome newcomers and one-timers with open arms! Our eclectic and ambitious book club selections are chosen democratically by the members each year. Join us for our next meeting!

Are you a writer looking for feedback, critique, and support? We are the Manchester Writers' Night Out, a branch of the state-wide program offered by the New Hampshire Writers' Project.

Every attendee has the opportunity to read up to about 5 pages (about 8-10 minutes spoken out loud) of their work for critique and feedback from the group. Depending on the number of people reading, we may have a prompt at the end if time allows.

We meet on the first Monday of each month from 7:00 – 9:00pm at Murphy’s Taproom and Carriage House in the Cork Private Room (on the left when you walk into the dining room). Murphy’s is located at 393 State Rte 101 in Bedford, NH.

We also offer an optional social hour starting at 6 before the meeting officially begins at 7.

Polly Merritt Ingraham, a Hopkinton local, shares her new memoir, Unconverted: Memoir of a Marriage, at Gibson's Bookstore! She is joined in-conversation by her friend, fellow author Ian M. Rogers.

As soon as Polly and Rob meet, there is electricity between them, despite the fact that Rob is a devout Divinity student and Polly does not practice a religion. When they fall in love, she begins to wonder if their union can survive their theological differences. Over time, they build a multilayered life of family and community, and Polly manages to create a comfortable space as a clergy wife.

In lyrical prose that is reflective, candid, and warm, this is the story of how an extroverted agnostic remained true to herself through three decades of marriage, three children, and four relocations. As Polly's husband rose through the ranks to become an Episcopal bishop, she stayed steadfast in her love of literature, sports, nature, friends, and her family, while deepening her understanding of herself, her husband, and marriage.

Can't make this event? Order this book through the Gibson's Bookstore website and we'll have it signed at the event for you!

Join Gibson's Bookstore as we celebrate the literary launch of a local teen writing under the pen-name of Valerius! Her first novel is Theft Among Thieves: Book One of the Pro of Cons Duology.

The southern half of Rineguard is teeming with thieves. Leander, a baron’s quick-witted son, is the underboss of a small gang of thieves. When his gang is threatened by a criminal businessman who seeks to make the thieves his puppets, Leander must drop his current heist and find a way to stop him before he succeeds.

Leander and his gang must infiltrate and stop the businessman before he reaches them, weaving around the business’s cruel ways and trying to keep himself and his friends alive. Leander and his gang must think quickly if they hope to keep all they worked for afloat.

But then, new information comes to light, and a larger threat arises. The consequences get higher, and the danger only rises as they navigate their way through betrayal, peril, and hopelessness.

About the author: Currently a high school student in New England, Valerius has been writing since middle school and started out writing a lot of short stories. When not reading fantasy or historical fiction books, she enjoys archery.

Can't make this event? Order this book through the Gibson's Bookstore website and we'll have it signed at the event!

Peter Rabbit's adventure comes to life, with an in-the-garden reading of this classic, featuring Beatrix Potter, grouchy old Mr. McGregor, and imaginary rabbits! “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” a story about an encounter between a watchful gardener and a hungry disobedient bunny, features the unfortunate day when a very mischievous Peter becomes lost in Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden (the “Peter Rabbit Garden” at Petals in the Pines). The chase is on!

After each performance, families can participate in some hands-on seed starting, learn to sketch like Beatrix Potter, play in Petals in the Pines’ award-winning Arbor Day-certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, walk through the “Peace” children’s labyrinth, and pose with the characters for a photo.

Kids can make mullein-leaf "bunny ears" to wear; guests are encouraged to dress up to fit the theme and era of the Peter Rabbit story. Performances will be held rain or shine (except if a thunderstorm or tornado threatens!), so you may want to pack a parasol--we will also have our post-and-beam pavilion and pop-up for shelter.

Light refreshments are included: decaf sun tea, blackberry mini-muffins, and Swedish Almond Cake (also available for sale).

NO PETS, please.

Tickets are limited, and performances begin promptly at 1:30. Refunds are available only if reservations are cancelled more than 48 hours in advance.

Details: https://petalsinthepines.com/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit

The Arts Council of Tamworth and the Cook Memorial Library invite readers, writers, and lovers of the written word to the inaugural Tamworth Author Fest, which will take place on Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cook Memorial Library. The festival’s keynote speaker will be New Hampshire Poet Laureate Jennifer Militello.

Attendees will be able to meet and talk with twelve local authors, hear them read from their work, buy a book or two, enter a raffle to win a stack of books by the participating authors, and learn how several of the authors approach research at a panel discussion. At 11:00 a.m., New Hampshire Poet Laureate Jennifer Militello will give the keynote address.

A number of literary genres will be represented at the Tamworth Author Fest. There should be something for almost every reader. Participating authors are Susan Barba (Poetry and Nonfiction), Elizabeth Chatsworth (Science Fiction & Fantasy), Rick Davidson (Thriller Fiction, Historical Storytelling), J.H. Diehl (Picture Book, Middle Grade/Young Adult, Realistic Fiction for adult audiences), Terry Farish (Young Adult Fiction, Picture Books), Fiona Howell (Gothic Historical Fiction), Olga R. Morrill (Historical Fiction), Walden S. "Denney" Morton (Poetry and Short Fiction), John Olszewski (True Crime), Mj Pettengill (Historical Fiction & Non-fiction, Nature Writing, Poetry), Mark Eddy Smith (Young Adult/Speculative Fiction), and Louise Taylor (Poetry, Memoir, Fiction).

This event is cosponsored by the Arts Council of Tamworth and the Cook Memorial Library, who have been working with a committee of local authors for several months to plan this inaugural event. The Arts Council of Tamworth has facilitated creative and artistic opportunities for the people of Tamworth, New Hampshire and the surrounding area since 1966. The Cook Memorial Library promotes reading in a number of ways, from storytime for young children, reading clubs for older kids, book groups for adults, monthly reading challenges for all ages, and book and author events.

This event is free and open to the public. Register ahead of time to receive reminders at https://shorturl.at/LeMVB. Cook Memorial Library is fully accessible and located at 93 Main Street in Tamworth Village. For more information, visit artstamworth.org or tamworthlibrary.org, or call 603-323-8510.

Peter Rabbit's adventure comes to life, with an in-the-garden reading of this classic, featuring Beatrix Potter, grouchy old Mr. McGregor, and imaginary rabbits! “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” a story about an encounter between a watchful gardener and a hungry disobedient bunny, features the unfortunate day when a very mischievous Peter becomes lost in Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden (the “Peter Rabbit Garden” at Petals in the Pines). The chase is on!

After each performance, families can participate in some hands-on seed starting, learn to sketch like Beatrix Potter, play in Petals in the Pines’ award-winning Arbor Day-certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, walk through the “Peace” children’s labyrinth, and pose with the characters for a photo.

Kids can make mullein-leaf "bunny ears" to wear; guests are encouraged to dress up to fit the theme and era of the Peter Rabbit story. Performances will be held rain or shine (except if a thunderstorm or tornado threatens!), so you may want to pack a parasol--we will also have our post-and-beam pavilion and pop-up for shelter.

Light refreshments are included: decaf sun tea, blackberry mini-muffins, and Swedish Almond Cake (also available for sale).

NO PETS, please.

Tickets are limited, and performances begin promptly at 1:30. Refunds are available only if reservations are cancelled more than 48 hours in advance.

Details: https://petalsinthepines.com/the-tale-of-peter-rabbit