FROM THE STACKS

Berkshire authors, Berkshire books

The Berkshires have long inspired writers, who have set their novels here or found respite while putting pen to paper. Here are a few of the latest authors to have their work published and put on the shelf.

“An Alphabetical Romp Through the Flora of Berkshire Botanical Garden”

By Stewart Edelstein

Which flower has an internal clock that helps it follow the sun as it crosses the sky? How do pitcher plants trap and devour their prey? How does the milkweed plant help make monarch butterflies toxic to predators?

If you’d like to know the answers to those questions, or would just like to know about some of the flora growing at the Berkshire Botanical Garden — from agave to zinnia, there’s a book for that: “An Alphabetical Romp Through the Flora of the Berkshire Botanical Garden” by Stewart Edelstein.

“As It Turns Out: Thinking About Edie and Andy”

By Alice Sedgwick Wohl

Edie Sedgwick charmed America as she and artist Andy Warhol took over New York City’s social scene. She was an enigma that puzzled her older sister, Alice, not only when she was alive, but for decades after her death. The eldest of eight, Alice sensed there was something different about the golden-haired Edie, but couldn’t quite grasp what it was that made their parents indulge her every whim, and others give her exactly what she wanted.

It would take Alice until 2019 to begin to understand her sister. The clarity began with a series of imagined conversations with a deceased brother, evolving into a deep dive into personal and family history that shapes most of the book.

“Connecticut Destinations: An Explorer’s Guide to Waterfalls, Boulders, Vistas and Points of Interest For Connecticut”

By Jan and Christy Butler

Christy Butler is back with his fifth guidebook, this time filled with Connecticut destinations.

Joined once again by his wife, Jan, the Cheshire couple has compiled a definitive list of waterfalls, boulders, caves, vistas and other points of interest for readers who are interested in exploring the Constitution state.

Among the 144 destinations are the Hollister House Gardens in Washington, Conn.; the giant bronze frog sculptures of the Willimantic Bridge in Windham, Conn; Route 66’s iconic Eagle Rock (found in Hebron, Conn.); and a Revolutionary War hiding spot for loyalists to the crown, Tory Den, in Burlington, Conn. Each entry includes a photograph, description of the site and GPS coordinates, to help in finding those spots just off the beaten path.

“Don’t Run Out of Money in Retirement: How to Increase Income, Avoid Taxes, and Keep More of What Is Yours”

By Allen P. Harris

Will you have enough money to see you through retirement?

That’s probably the biggest concern of soon-to-be retirees, who are considering how they’ll replace their monthly income. For most, it’s a combination of the company 401K, Social Security benefits and other investments. In order to know if you’re ready to retire depends on several factors, including what you want to do with your retirement.

Allen P. Harris, founder, owner and chief investment officer of Berkshire Money Management, says in order to plan for retirement you need to start by defining your dreams. Once you know what you want to do, you’ll be able to determine if your current resources and investments are up to the challenge. In “Don’t Run Out of Money in Retirement,” Harris offers insight into how creative financial planning can make your retirement savings match your retirement goals.

“James Turrell and Nicholas Mosse: Lapsed Quaker Ware”

Edited by Jennifer Trainer Thompson and Linda Johnson

The companion catalog for the exhibition “Lapsed Quaker Ware” at Hancock Shaker Village and Mass MoCA is full of crisp photos of the black basalt ware — a collaboration between James Turrell and Irish ceramicist Nicholas Mosse — against the backdrop of the simple spaces and furniture of the Shakers. Also included are essays by Turrell, Mosse, ceramics historian Jonathan Rickard, HSV curator Linda Johnson and former HSV Director Jennifer Trainer Thompson. ■

— Compiled by Jennifer Huberdeau