Author Archive for John Hoover
After a 35-year career as a high school social studies teacher, John Hoover and his wife, Sally, retired to Vermont. He lives in Windham where he serves as a Justice of the Peace and Library Trustee. He works part time as a book-seller at Misty Valley Books, is active at St. Luke's Episcopal Church and sings in several choral groups.
For March, a bevy of books rich in Irish tradition
By John Hoover Faith and begorrah! T’is the time for the wearing of the green and we here at Misty Valley Books are all ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Our Good Reads recommendations this month all have something to do with the Emerald Isle either taking place there or dealing with the Irish […]
Snuggle up with a little romance, a lot of love across continents and time
By John Hoover Chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, red roses, candle-lit dinners for two: If it’s February, it must be time for Valentine’s Day and Good Reads’ First Romance Story column. Each month we develop a theme for the Good Reads column, and we can think of no better theme for February than love and […]
Fight the January cold by curling up with a blanket and a novel
By John Hoover January is a great month to get outside and enjoy all the recreational opportunities that Vermont has to offer. But since daylight lasts for well less than half the day what are you doing the rest of the time? You could, of course, sleep for 14 hours but I suspect you […]
For sharing and giving: Christmas traditions, joy abound in holiday books
By John Hoover As Christmas rolls around, we at Misty Valley Books tend to revert to our much younger selves and experience again the excitement of the approaching holiday. This month’s recommendations will not only make great gifts, but they will add to the joys of the season and your holiday traditions. Lynne recommends […]
Turning the leaves of a good book: food, founders, football and fall
By John Hoover November means so many things to so many people that it almost became difficult to come up with a unified theme for this month’s column. But, sit back while we at Misty Valley offer you a cornucopia of Good Reads. If you’re the one preparing the Thanksgiving holiday feast, then Amanda […]
OooOooO! It’s time for some spooky, scary good reads
By John Hoover You’re sitting alone in your living room late one night, the only illumination the pool of light produced by your reading lamp. You’re engrossed in the thriller you’re reading when you hear a creaking sound as if someone is walking on the floor above you. But no. It’s just your imagination, so […]
Dust off those school reading lists for some marvelous classics
By John Hoover When I was in high school, we were required to read a list of books each year in English class. Somehow I managed to get by without reading most of them (I was not a very good high school student). Since those days so long ago, I’ve gone back to that abandoned […]
Nonfiction works will enlighten, intrigue and entertain
By John Hoover H ave you ever had a burning question or wanted to know something about a particular subject? While reading a work of fiction is a lot of fun, it often doesn’t answer questions we might have. We at Misty Valley Books we often head for the nonfiction sections of the bookstore where […]
Vacation reading spans the globe and sends us to the Moon
By John Hoover It’s a beautiful summer day and you’re on vacation. Perhaps you’re at the beach or the lake or camping in the woods. Maybe you’ve taken a “staycation” this year and find yourself at home. Wherever you are, the pace of your busy life has slowed and you find yourself able to relax […]
Hey kids! Add these books to your summer reading list
By John Hoover School’s out (or almost), so what are you going to do with all your free time this summer? You could sit inside and play video games – nothing wrong with that – but may we at Misty Valley Books make a suggestion? Find yourself a Good Read, one that you can take […]
May books usher in rich, colorful and rewarding worlds
By John Hoover For the rest of the world, spring began in the month of March with the arrival of the Vernal Equinox. But in Chester, May is the month when spring finally arrives and we put away our winter coats and gloves and boots. May also is Mother’s Day, getting out in the garden […]
