A Semi-Monthly Look at New Releases
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Welcome to the Mid-July edition of MWPA's Ex Libris Maine.

This edition offers new books by Maine authors in the categories of Fiction, Crime Fiction, Memoir, Poetry, Children's, and Young Adult/Young Readers.

For more information on any title below, simply click on the book's cover.

Happy Reading!

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Inland

Kate Risse

12 Willows Press

 

Set in the year 2026, Inland transports readers into the near future, where the forces of climate change irrevocably alter the Earth’s landscape. It is not just a journey across the flooded ruins of America but a deep dive into the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Inland challenges readers to consider the future we are creating, emphasizing not just the environmental impact of our actions but the human cost of inaction. Through Juliet, Martin, and Billy’s intertwined stories, Kate Risse explores themes of survival, technology’s double-edged sword, and the indomitable nature of human relationships in this gripping debut novel.

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Mortal Radiance

Kathryn Lasky

Severn House

 

Taos, New Mexico, 1935. The setting is at the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan. Georgia O'Keeffe has been commissioned to design the stained-glass windows for the small memorial chapel in honor of D.H. Lawrence. But when she checks to see how the light comes through the glass, another much more horrible sight awaits her: Beloved Navajo potter Flora Namingha is dead, her face smashed in with a stone . . . With Flora's fiancé locked up as the obvious suspect and the local police negligent in its investigation, it seems like no one other than Georgia is capable of solving the murder and making sure justice is done. When Georgia's lover, Sheriff Ryan McCaffrey, comes to town unannounced, things get more complicated, and Georgia suddenly finds herself in a complex tangle of revenge, international espionage, Nazis, and thugs that will require all her artistic sensibilities and amateur sleuthing skills to unravel!

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Reaching For Gold

Rick Battistini

Independently Published

 

Currently #1 in Amazons Sports Humor Category. After the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott led by President Carter, US Athletes faced the prospect of spending 4 more years of grueling workouts and disciplined training, setting their sights on 1984. Retired Hall of Fame swimmer and coach Rick Battistini relives the story of enduring this journey while balancing jobs of lifeguarding and car parking in wild southern Florida. Reaching for Gold is an inside look at the rigors of exhaustive training for another shot at the Olympic trials backlit by eccentric and comical everyday interactions among madcap friends, acquaintances, and mobsters (and a variety of odd job occupations necessary to make ends meet).

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How Far Is Heaven?

Patricia Heitmann

Independently Published

 

Lost someone? Yes. For a bit. Found someone? Yes, yes, yes! Forever. Andy left by his own design. And by his own design, Andy insists he be heard. Through birds and toys, insects and electricity, he convinces his mother to lift pen to paper, allowing him to write. The tragic loss of her son by suicide brings this mother through many paces, many insistent memories, as she redefines her world and her being. Love is not only the answer, it is the solution. Through the fear of her new life without her son, and the fog of grief, she is determined to find the answer to her question, “Where is my son?” Little does she know that Andy himself and many others will help her find the answers to all of her questions and recognize the continuity of life.

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Artist in the Allagash

Kim Yesis

Independently Published

 

Paintbrush meets wilderness…from the author of Side by Side Tales from Behind the Canvas, Artist in the Allagash is a candid account of Maine artist and 2023 Allagash Wilderness Waterway Visiting Artist, Peter Yesis, as he goes off-grid to capture the wonders of Maine’s north woods on canvas. Artwork by Peter Yesis included.

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Life-in-Form: A Life in Poems

Richard Westley

Leder Press

 

"These 55 poems, written between 1975 and 2024, push the boundaries of what compelling poems look and feel like. Included here are dramatic monologues in which the speaker often flails, fails and falls short but nevertheless connects to startling moments of transcendence revealed in daily life. Other lyrics take up nature, love, writers and other public figures, and just plain whimsy. Several poems are experimental forms that contain cubist, surreal or impressionist elements. What emerges for the dedicated reader is Westley's luminous creativity as well as his profound awareness of the poetic tradition he is heir to" Paula A. Norbert, Leder Press.

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Full Circle: Creation, Migration, And Coming Home

Elisa Boxer

Illustrated by Vivian Mineker

Sleeping Bear Press

 

This is a story about coming home. And about all the journeys we take that somehow lead us back to where we truly belong. Set against the backdrop of a human couple experiencing a pregnancy, birth and growth of their child into adulthood and beyond, the book explores the phenomenon of natal homing. That's where animals travel thousands of miles away, and then return to the same spot where they were born when it's time to start their own families. These life cycles are further explored through a salmon, puffin, bluefin tuna, and sea turtle. An author's note expands on the idea of natal homing, and back matter features fascinating facts about the animals in the book.

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Following Sasquatch

Molly Leach

12 Willows Press

 

Following Sasquatch takes readers on an enchanting exploration with an elusive gentle giant. Crafted by Molly Leach, this story delves into a day of discovery in the wilderness, highlighting Sasquatch’s commitment to leaving no trace behind. With adventures from climbing trees to encountering diverse wildlife, Sasquatch’s journey is one of mindfulness and respect for nature. Emphasizing conservation, kindness, and the beauty of the natural world, the book educates and entertains, fostering a deep appreciation for the outdoors. It encourages readers to explore with care, love the earth, and cherish its wonders. Ultimately, this book invites readers to a journey of discovery, stewardship, and wonder, proving that sometimes, the simplest of adventures can preserve our planet’s stories for generations to come.

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Chickens Are Animals, Too: Fannie Goes to Washington

Tracey Winter Glover

Illustrated by Mariella Travis

12 Willows Press

 

Join Fannie, a spirited chicken with big dreams, in Chickens Are Animals, Too! An adventure of a lifetime, for sure. After being rescued, Fannie finds love in Abbie’s home. Learning her fellow chickens aren’t recognized as animals, she leads a march on Washington to fight for their rights. This heartwarming tale for middle-grade readers is a journey of friendship, courage, and the power of speaking out, showing that even the smallest voices can bring change. Will Fannie succeed in her mission? There’s only one way to find out!

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FOUND IN A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU
To shop for these and many other unique local titles, please check out our list of independent book sellers in Maine.

 

SUBMISSIONS
If you are a current Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance member, and you would like to announce your new book in Ex Libris Maine, click HERE. If you are not a member, click HERE to learn more about our member benefits.
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