Summer is speeding on by and there is still so much to do! Are you aware of the literary adventures you can have in the State of Maine?
Naturally, your first literary adventures are right here in Topsham. Maine Fiberarts at 13 Main Street has a current exhibit running through September 30, 2015 titled Handmade Artists’ Books: One of a Kind that you will want to check out. Of course, here at the Topsham Public Library we have summer reading for all ages, a variety of programs, and a lovely garden where you can sit, contemplate and breathe deeply.
Each library has its own personality and you may want to consider visiting a few others. Head on up the coast and visit the Camden Public Library and Amphitheater as it was added to the National Historic Landmark registry in 2013. The Waterville Public Library is one of eighteen Carnegie public libraries in Maine or you could visit the Maine State Library in Augusta. Once you have finished there you could keep on traveling to Brewer, the birthplace and childhood home of Joshua Chamberlain who not only served during the Civil War but also wrote an account titled Through Blood and Fire at Gettysburg as well as others.
If you have a few days in which you can play, you might think of traveling to Gotts Island which is off of Mount Desert Island. This was once the home of Ruth Moore whose book Spoonhandle, published in 1946, spent fourteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was made into a movie titled Deep Waters. Or, you could drive to the northern most part of Maine to the little town of Allagash, home of author Cathie Pelletier, and have a little lunch at Two Rivers Restaurant.
There are some literary adventures that are great for children, too! The Children’s Museum of Maine has an exhibit featuring the children’s book Down to the Sea by Chris Van Dusen or you could enjoy a Shakespeare play adapted for children on August 1 or August 2. Or you could read Andre: the Famous Harbor Seal by Fran Hodgkins (for a more adult telling of Andre’s story read A Seal Called Andre by Harry Goodridge) and travel to Rockport where it all happened.
This is just a small sampling of the numerous literary adventures waiting for you in our great state. If you need more ideas, the Maine Sunday Telegram, in conjunction with various humanities groups, have an online literary map of Maine that will provide you with many more options for enjoying a literary Maine.