All Over Albany

New books from local authors

A handful of new books from Capital Region authors have floated by recently, so let's have a quick scan, shall we...

Bell Weather by Dennis Mahoney

published July 7 by Henry Holt and Co.

Blurbage:

A thrilling adventure set in a peculiar world, a fantastical 18th century, where a young woman must uncover the secrets of her past while confronting the present dangers of a magical wilderness.

Here's a recent TU profiles of Dennis Mahoney, who lives in Troy. He'll be at Northshire Saratoga this Saturday, July 11 for a reading and discussion. (He was at the Book House earlier this week.)

The New Bread Basket by Amy Halloran

published July 27 by Chelsea Green Publishing (it looks like the ebook version is available now)

Blurbage:

For more than 10,000 years, grains have been the staples of Western civilization. The stored energy of grain allowed our ancestors to shift from nomadic hunting and gathering and build settled communities--even great cities. Though most bread now comes from factory bakeries, the symbolism of wheat and bread--amber waves of grain, the staff of life--still carries great meaning.

Today, bread and beer are once again building community as a new band of farmers, bakers, millers, and maltsters work to reinvent local grain systems. The New Bread Basket tells their stories and reveals the village that stands behind every loaf and every pint.

Amy Halloran is from Troy, and she's written a lot of about food issues. She also teaches classes (including one about making pancakes).

Saratoga Stories: Magic and Loss by Thomas Dimopoulos

published June 16 by Shires Press

Blurbage:

Fifteen Stories, dozens of images and an exclusive timeline of Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center are woven together to tell the story of an extraordinary American city.

"Saratoga Stories: Magic and Loss," published in June 2015 by Shires Press, takes readers on a lyrical journey through Saratoga Springs as seen through the eyes of longtime residents and newcomers alike, in a collection of short stories and photographs by award-winning journalist Thomas Dimopoulos.

As mentioned in the blurb, Dimopoulos is a longtime local journalist who currently writes for Grid Saratoga. He'll be appearing at Northshire Saratoga July 25.

Great Dogs of Albany and Beyond by Paul Grondahl

published June 9 by the Times Union

Blurbage:

The Times Union's most honored writer and dozens of dog lovers from across the Capital Region take you inside their dog-centric households. In stories both touching and humorous, they reveal the deep bonds that link humans and their four-pawed friends throughout our community. Profits from book sales benefit the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and the Times Union Hope Fund.

Paul Grondahl is, of course, Paul Grondahl. The book was prompted by the reaction to his TU column about the death of his family's Labrador retriever, Daisy.

Sigmund Shaw: A Steampunk Adventure by Mark C. King

published July 6 for Kindle

Blurbage:

Turn of the century London, a gritty world of steam and clockwork. Sigmund Shaw wants nothing more than to care for his sister and his niece, even if it means occasionally exceeding the law. Although reluctant, his penchant for gadgets and creativity makes him a successful thief - until he is accused of a crime he actually didn't commit. With the threat of war looming from within the Empire, Sigmund needs to find allies to prove his innocence and prevent the unthinkable.

(Thanks, Naomi)
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Dennis Mahoney photo via his website