"Science writing is often just about 'the facts.' Skloot's book, her first, is far deeper, braver, and more wonderful."

- New York Times Book Review

"A well-paced, vibrant narrative ... equal parts intimate biography and brutal clinical reportage, Skloot's graceful narrative adeptly navigates the wrenching Lacks family recollections and the sobering, overarching realities of poverty and pre-civil rights racism. The author's style is matched by a methodical scientific rigor and manifest expertise in the field."

- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Concord resident Elisabeth Townsend will be at the Concord Bookshop on Sunday, May 1 at 3:00pm, to discuss Lobster: A Global History.

Part of the Edible Series from the University of Chicago Press, Lobster explores the use and consumption of the lobster from poor man's staple to cultural icon. From coastal fishing in the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution and modern times, Townsend describes the social history of the consumption of lobsters around the world.

The book includes beautiful images of rarely seen lobsters and both old and contemporary lobster recipes.

Whether you want to liberate lobsters from their supermarket tanks or crack open their claws, this is an essential read, describing the human connection to the lobster from his ocean home to the dinner table.

Elisabeth Townsend is a culinary sleuth who specializes in food, wine and travel. Townsend reviews restaurants for The Boston Globe and The Boston Phoenix. She is a member of the Culinary Historians of Boston.  In 2008, Townsend received a scholarship to Harvard's Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism.

Diana Spechler reads from and discusses Skinny at the Boston-area launch of the novel on Thursday, May 5 at 7pm.

A few years ago, Spechler set out to write a novel about body image problems - inspired by her own life-long struggles with her weight. Like any intrepid author would do, she decided to go "under-cover," and spent ten weeks working at a North Carolina weight-loss camp, teaching water aerobics to overweight girls.

In the novel Skinny, the main character, a 27-year-old woman, becomes a counselor at a "fat camp" to outrun the pain of her estranged father's death, she comes face to face with both her own eating disorder and a dark family secret.

Visceral, poignant, and funny, Skinny illuminates a young woman's struggle to make sense of the inextricable link between hunger and emotion, and to make peace with her demons, her body, and herself.

The novel is a hot pick for book groups, with discussable points about self-esteem, body image, the American obesity epidemic, family secrets, love, and substitutes for love.

Spechler is also the author of Who By Fire. She has written for The New York Times, GQ, O Magazine, Esquire, Details.com, Nerve, Glimmer Train Stories, Moment, Lilith, and elsewhere. She received her MFA degree from the University of Montana and was a Steinbeck Fellow at San Jose State University. Born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts, she now teaches writing in New York City.

With The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking, it's possible and even convenient to create an inviting space for living and entertaining on a budget. From unique decor ideas to growing strawberries on your porch or front stoop, Kate Payne shares fun, low-cost (and often free!) creative solutions that will make anyone feel more accomplished in minutes. 

The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking is a fun and savvy guide for both new and established "domestic engineers."  With a tongue-in-cheek tone, Kate has something for everyone - from the recent college grad and those getting their first apartments, to more experienced homemakers newlyweds, and your best friend. 

• Are you drawn to your cat when she's idling in a sunny spot, then find yourself relaxing as you absently stroke her fur?
• Do you talk to your dog when you're out for a walk, commenting on your appreciation for the signs of spring bursting out around you?
• Does the routine of caring for a pet give you a sense of order when the nightly news seems to be all doom and gloom?

If so, you've already learned some important life lessons from the animal members of your family. Join us for a one-hour workshop in which Leslie Ackles shares other secrets your pets may be communicating, and learn how to be more aware of - and open to accepting - these truths.

This workshop is inspired by the novel The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. While reading the book is not a prerequisite to the workshop, references may be made to the lessons Denny learned from Enzo, the golden retriever who lives with him. The Art of Racing in the Rain and other curated books about pets their people will be on display at the Concord Bookshop.

Seats are limited, and pre-registration is required. The $10 registration fee will be returned to you as a Concord Bookshop gift certificate on the day of the workshop. Minimum workshop size is six. Please stop in the bookshop or call 978-369-2405 to register.

The mission of the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest is: To meet the evolving needs of our communities and our donors by raising funds and giving responsibly to a broad range of human service and other organizations that strengthen Concord and Carlisle.

Since 1947, the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest has strengthened our community by fundraising and allocating money to these local groups. When you give where you live, you can see your donation at work. 

Funds are raised through our annual community campaign, through bequests and also through special events such as our auction and triathlon race.

Registration is now open for the 9th annual Community Chest Challenge relay race. We will be working with the Maynard Community Chest and Acton Boxborough United Way to benefit local human service organizations. Teams of 6 will have fun pedaling, running and paddling throughout historic Concord and Carlisle while raising funds for local need. 

Visit the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest website or call 978-369-5250 for more information.