Category Archives: Brenda’s Posts

Winter’s Joys (Really).

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Brenda Buchanan

It’s March, and there’s only so much complaining you can do about the sleet, the slush and the potholes, so today I’m going to talk about the joys of winter. The snow’s piling up outside my window as I write … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged Barbara Ross, Cheryl Head, maine clambake mysteries, mittens, Perked Up, soup, spring, Time's Undoing, winter | 8 Comments

How Cold Was It Where You Were?

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Brenda Buchanan

How cold was it at your house last weekend? The short, intense cold snap had everyone comparing notes and reminiscing about their personal histories of facing down bitter temperatures, a can-you-top-this competition of sorts, familiar to those of us raised … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | 19 Comments

My 2022 Stack

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Brenda Buchanan

I didn’t need socks this year. The bottom drawer of my dresser is jammed so full I struggle to close it sometimes, so Smartwools weren’t on my list. Similarly, I’ve got plenty of scarves, hats, gloves. I didn’t need any … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged Christmas books | 7 Comments

Best Reads of 2022

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

As the year rolls toward its close—and with holiday shopping season in high gear—there are many Best Books of 2022 lists being written by book reviewers across the nation. One annual list I find to be particularly well done is … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged Alex Segura, Barbara Ross, BOLO Books, C. Michele Dorsey, Chris Holm, Dervla McTiernan, Edwin Hill, Gerry Boyle, Kate Flora, Kelly J. Ford, Kellye Garrett, Kent Krueger, Kristopher Zgorski, Louise Penny, Matt Cost, Paul Doiron, Richard Cass, Robyn Gigl, Sanford Emerson, Val McDermid, Vaughn Hardacker, Wanda Morris | 11 Comments

New England Crime Bake 2022 – History is Mystery

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

I’m just back from the New England Crime Bake, a three-day conference of crime writers from across the region, and have some highlights and photos to share. This year’s Guest of Honor was William Martin, the master of the historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged Alexia Gordon, BJ Magnani, Bracken MacLeod, Bruce Coffin, C. Michele Dorsey, Caitlin Wahrer, Chris Holm, Dana Cameron, Glede Brown Kabongo, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Julie Carrick Dalton, Kate Flora, Leslie Wheeler, Liv Constantine, Matt Cost, Maureen Milliken, New England Crime Bake, Nicole Asselin, Paul Tremblay, Peter Swanson, Richard Cass, Vaughn Hardacker, William Martin | 4 Comments

The Poets Say It Best

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

On these suddenly truncated days when we strive to convince ourselves winter is not rounding the near corner, I’m comforted by poetry that honors this season of transition and all the metaphors it offers. Here are some of my favorites, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged autumn, Maine, Poets | 4 Comments

Writing Alone and Celebrating Community

Posted on September 14, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

I retreated to a lake in York County at the end of August, taking along my computer, comfy clothes and some food. My only job for a couple of days was to write, write some more, and talk about writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged community, MWPA, retreat, writing | 8 Comments

Roger Angell, Triggerman of Sweet Memories

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

In August, when we often spend some time Downeast, one of my traditions is to write about talented writers who have a connection to this beautiful part of Maine. The great Roger Angell, who died in May at the age … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts | Tagged Brooklin. 1975 Red Sox, heros, Red Sox, Roger Angell | 6 Comments

Salmon and Peas

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

I’m writing this on the Fourth of July, a day to think about both the founding and current state of our nation. Dinner will be salmon and peas, a culinary tradition I’ve adopted in adulthood. When I was a child, … Continue reading →

Posted in Brenda's Posts, Uncategorized | Tagged EPA, Fourth of July, Maine Rivers, Presumpscot, salmon fishery | 11 Comments

It’s All In The Name

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Brenda Buchanan

We took a meander up the coast in mid-May hoping to spot warblers, but a weekend of dense fog turned us from birdwatchers to birdlisteners. It was fun all the same. Hiking through a coastal woodland with nature’s music as … Continue reading →