FROM T H E S TACKS
Berkshire authors, Berkshire books T
he Berkshires is an inspirational place for writers. Nathaniel Hawthorne penned his gothic classic, “The House of the Seven Gables,” during the 18 months he lived in Lenox. A chance encounter on Monument Mountain sparked a friendship between Hawthorne and Herman Melville, who lived at Arrowhead in Pittsfield. There, following Hawthorne’s encouragement, Melville finished his novel, “Moby-Dick.” Sometimes, authors who live nearby base their books in the Berkshires, while others live here and write about faraway places. Gathered here is an offering of books by authors who are past or present Berkshire residents or who have written a book based in or about the Berkshires.
“Imagine A City” By Mark Vanhoenacker Commercial airline pilot and Pittsfield native Mark Vanhoenacker has spent nearly two decades crossing the skies and touching down in dozens of the storied cities. In his latest book, which weaves travelogue with memoir, Vanhoenacker celebrates the cities he has come to know and love through the lens of the hometown his heart has never quite left. (Knopf, July 2022)
16 Berkshire Landscapes I SUMMER 2022
“Collage Your Life” By Melanie Mowinski Like meditation or journaling, making a collage can be an avenue for self-reflection and artistic exploration. In “Collage Your Life,” artist and MCLA art professor Melanie Mowinski teaches a variety of core techniques and provides dozens of prompts to jumpstart the creative process and encourage crafters to explore the versatility of collage. (Storey Publishing, June 2022)
“Tales of Al” By Lynne Cox Stockbridge resident and acclaimed author Lynne Cox’s newest release centers around Al, an adorable but untrainable chocolate Newfoundland, who grows up to become a daring rescue dog and super athlete — part of Italy’s elite, highly specialized corps of water rescue dogs who swoop out of helicopters and save lives. (Knopf, May 2022)
