Reading ideas: Local lore, family, dogs part of 5 new books by Cape Cod authors

Did you know Amelia Earhart was involved with the founding of the airport in Hyannis? Or that the holes of a local golf course were named for Cape sea captains? Those are just two of the nuggets of information in the two local-history books by Cape authors in the latest group of books that showcase the area's writing talent.

Also worth a look: A novel exploring how siblings handle a crisis every family must face; a children's book about adopting a pet and choosing to give an older one a home; and one woman's experience during the first year of the pandemic, which likely mirrors much of what we all faced. Some ideas for your reading pile:

“Nine Days,” by Judy Lannon
“Nine Days,” by Judy Lannon

“Nine Days,” by Judy Lannon (2022, Atmosphere Press)

This debut work for the Orleans resident is a novel about siblings dealing with the impending death of their mother. After getting a call about her mother’s illness while traveling for work, character Sara Austin leads the reader with sarcasm, humor and a sharing of her insecurities through a life event that Lannon notes “we will all face at some point in our life.” Lannon says she has brought her deep connection to the ocean into the theme of the novel.

More choices: Need a read? Take a look at these 5 new books by Cape Cod authors

“The Hyannis Airport 1928 to 1948,” by Sharon Anderson
“The Hyannis Airport 1928 to 1948,” by Sharon Anderson

“The Hyannis Airport 1928 to 1948,” by Sharon Anderson (2022, Cape Cod Publishing)

Anderson, who has lived on the Cape for more than 40 years, takes a look at Barnstable Airport (now the Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis) from its inception to post-World War II. That includes how a five-room house on a 57-acre farm grew into a thriving airport, created by a few visionaries forming the Hyannis Airport Corporation, with a board of directors and stockholders that included ace aviator Amelia Earhart. It’s a story that’s “rich in history,” Anderson says, noting, “It is amazing how many celebrities graced our sandy shores during those 20 years,” and how aircraft grew from two-seaters to larger crafts carrying 15 to 20 passengers and how military aircraft changed during that period, too. Anderson helped to start the Cape Cod Writers’ Studio, and has published 24 books for the writers involved under the Cape Cod Publishing imprint.

“Foxy Gets Her Forever Home,” by Debra A. Dann
“Foxy Gets Her Forever Home,” by Debra A. Dann

“Foxy Gets Her Forever Home,” by Debra A. Dann (2021, Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.)

This children’s book by Dann, a Bourne resident, is written in poem form and is aimed to show the joy of finding an older dog to bring into your home ... and your heart, getting unconditional love and companionship in return. Dann, a member of the board of directors for the Friends of Bourne Council on Aging and an avid crocheter, says she has always had a love for dogs — to the point of running a pet-sitting service at one point for all types of animals. The book is based on her own Foxy, whom she says bonded instantly with her 90-plus-year-old mother.

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“Sea Captains of Cape Cod: Each Town’s Contribution to Maritime History,” by Michael Pregot
“Sea Captains of Cape Cod: Each Town’s Contribution to Maritime History,” by Michael Pregot

“Sea Captains of Cape Cod: Each Town’s Contribution to Maritime History,” by Michael Pregot (2022, Local History Press)

Pregot, a retired educator now living on the Cape, was inspired to write his first book by being a member of the Captains Golf Course in Brewster and deciding to create the biographies of the 36 captains cited by name on each hole. With this book, Pregot wanted to provide “a glimpse into heroic maritime adventures, entrepreneurial brilliance, and an appreciation of the resolve needed by captains to thrive in a hostile seaside environment.” The result looks at maritime figures who include fishermen, military war heroes, deep-sea merchants, packet boat captains, whalers, ship architects, luxury passenger liner magnates, and even “mooncussers” prowling along the coastline for treasure. Pregot says he wanted to include the roles of Indigenous people, Black sea captains, and women aboard a ship, and also explore each town’s connection to its maritime history.

More choices: Spring reading: History, fantasy among 5 new books by Cape Cod authors

“Notes from a Pandemic: A Journal of the Plague Year," by Elizabeth Saito
“Notes from a Pandemic: A Journal of the Plague Year," by Elizabeth Saito

“Notes from a Pandemic: A Journal of the Plague Year," by Elizabeth Saito (2022, independently published)

Saito, a former reporter who lives in Falmouth, has created this memoir-style book from 36 short essays in which she documented the first year of the pandemic. Most began life as personal columns in the Falmouth Enterprise from March 2020 to March 2021 – with titles ranging from “Social Starvation” to “Let There Be Light” and essays that include “You’re Doing the Right Thing,” “On Zooming” and “Mind Your Mask” in between. But Saito says they have been significantly revised and/or expanded since then. After covering shipping and printing costs, all proceeds from the book, she says, are being donated to the Falmouth Service Center food pantry and she encourages a “pick your price” option on her website (https://saitopandemic.pubsitepro.com/product/notes-from-a-pandemic) for those donations.

Are you a Cape Cod author with a new book? Contact Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll at kdriscoll@capecodonline.com to be considered for future book columns.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod authors: New books on an airport, sea captains, a dog, COVID