New Book Releases

Thousands of restaurants have come and gone on Cape Cod over the past century. Some, however, made an indelible mark.

Author Christopher Setterlund details the history of the iconic establishments of the Cape, still fresh in the memories of patrons, complete with famous recipes. Bill and Thelma's was hugely popular with students from the 1950s to the 1970s, often packed with locals after sporting events and dances. Starbuck's Restaurant in Hyannis featured the Chief Justice Warren Burger Burger and the Larry Bird Burger on its menu and boasted of the soup du jour, ""We don't know what it is, but we have it every day."" Opinions differ on how the Reno Diner actually got its name, whether from a broken sign or a local appliance company. This fun collection is sure to arouse some fond memories of these old eateries, and perhaps a little hunger too.

Vermont became the nation's second dry state in 1853. But some locals refused to comply, and inept law enforcement led to ineffective consequences. What was intended to increase wholesomeness forced a newly carved detour toward crime and corruption. Early laws, such as the Liquor Law of 1853, targeted distilled spirits while conveniently protecting cider. As regulations tightened, morals loosened. Without legalized booze, smugglers imported liquor from Canada, and bootleggers ensured that domestic speakeasies kept the liquor flowing. Crime ran so rampant that Newport, Richford and Lyndonville residents relocated to escape rum-running gangs. Join author Adam Krakowski as he discloses the tumultuous side of Vermont's temperance movement.

In the city that invented the diner, so many amazing restaurants remain only in memories. The Silver Top had fresh coffee every twenty minutes, and the Ever Ready was hot dog heaven. Miss Dutton's Green Room and the Shepard Tea Room beckoned shoppers in their Sunday finest. At Childs, the griddle chef made butter cakes in the window for night owls, and Harry Houdini supped at midnight with H.P. Lovecraft at the Waldorf Lunch. Themed lounges like the Beachcomber and the Bacchante Room chased away the Prohibition blues. Downcity Diner offered a famous meatloaf, and Ming Garden's Ming Wings were a staple for regulars. Author David Norton Stone details the restaurants that still hold a place in the hearts of locals.

PEZ is an American classic and a staple of many childhood memories. Take an inside look, through words and vintage images of this iconic brand.

Yet it originated in Austria, where PEZ began in 1927 as compressed peppermint tablets marketed as an alternative to smoking. Upon arrival in the United States in 1952, PEZ quickly took a new direction, adding fruit flavors and three-dimensional character heads to top the dispensers. Now produced in Orange, Connecticut, the iconic PEZ brand is available in over eighty countries, selling more than sixty-five million dispensers annually and inspiring collectors and fans worldwide. Join the world's first and only official PEZ historian, Shawn Peterson, on a journey of sweet proportions for an inside look at the world's most cherished interactive candy.

Wine has been meticulously crafted in Connecticut ever since colonists discovered wild grapes growing on their land. At first glance the New England climate appears inhospitable for this fastidious fruit but a number of varieties thrive here, including pinot gris, chardonnay, cabernet franc, cayuga white and st. croix. These carefully cultivated grapes have produced wines of unique characteristics and surprising quality. Join local wine enthusiasts Eric D. Lehman and Amy Nawrocki as they explore the intricacies of the region's local blends, the vintners that craft them, and the people who taste them. With vineyards and wineries in every corner of the state you're likely to find one that suits your palate in your backyard

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but its brewing history packs a mighty punch. In the 1600s, Sergeant William Baulston opened up his public house in Providence, providing New Englanders with one of the first spots to imbibe homebrewed beer. Prohibition sank many operations, but Narragansett Brewery reemerged and continues to serve its signature lager. Today's growing number of craft brewers, including Foolproof and Grey Sail, are claiming Little Rhody for the beer renaissance. With a sudsy spirit of adventure and even some beer-infused recipes, the ladies behind TwoGirlsOneBeer.com present the rich, proud story of brewing in the Ocean State.

New England food and drinks writer Corin Hirsch explores the origins and taste of the favorite potations of early Americans and offers some modern-day recipes to revive them today.

Colonial New England was awash in ales, beers, wines, cider and spirits. Everyone from teenage farmworkers to our founding fathers imbibed heartily and often. Tipples at breakfast, lunch, teatime and dinner were the norm, and low-alcohol hard cider was sometimes even a part of children's lives. This burgeoning cocktail culture reflected the New World's abundance of raw materials: apples, sugar and molasses, wild berries and hops. This plentiful drinking sustained a slew of smoky taverns and inns--watering holes that became vital meeting places and the nexuses of unrest as the Revolution brewed.

Vermonters love all things local, so it is no surprise that the Green Mountain State has had a thriving craft beer scene for more than 20 years.

Early Vermont brewers faced a strong uphill struggle however, as a state-imposed alcohol prohibition began in 1852, and continued well after the ending of federal prohibition. Conditions remained unfavorable until Greg Noonan, founder of Vermont Pub & Brewery, championed brewing legislation that opened the door for all breweries and pubs in the 1980s. About the same time, the now beloved Catamount also began brewing, and Vermont's craft beer scene exploded. Years ahead of the rest of the country, local favorites like Hill Farmstead, Long Trail, and Rock Art Brewing have provided world-class beer to grateful patrons. From small upstarts to well-recognized national brands like Magic Hat and Harpoon, Vermont boasts more breweries per capita than any other state in the country. With brewer interviews and historic recipes included, discover the sudsy story of beer in Vermont.

New Hampshire loves its classic diners. Porcelain-enameled and stainless steel facades dot the highways and collective memories of the state. They are the unofficial town halls where news great and small is discussed over a steaming cup of coffee. New Hampshire has lost many diners over the last five decades, but there are still plenty of vintage or retro-inspired eateries that serve up homey meals and local stories. Visit Roger's Redliner in Portsmouth and dig into a plate of hash browns, or stop in at the Red Arrow in Manchester and reminisce over the loss of the local Rainbow Vet's Diner. Diner historian Larry Cultrera brings more than thirty-three years of research and his own flavor of storytelling to this classic slice of Granite State cuisine.

Since before Patriots like Paul Revere and Sam Adams fermented a revolution in smoky Beantown taverns, beer has been integral to the history of Boston. The city issued its first brewing license in 1630, and breweries like Haffenreffer Brewery and American Brewing Company quickly sprung up. This heady history took a turn for the worse when the American Temperance Movement championed prohibition, nearly wiping out all of the local breweries. In 1984, the amber liquid was revitalized as Jim Koch introduced Samuel Adams craft brews to the Hub and the nation. Shortly after, Harpoon Brewery emerged and became the largest brewery to make all its beers in New England. From the planning of the Boston Tea Party over a pint at Green Dragon Tavern to the renaissance of the burgeoning craft brewing scene, join author and "Beer Nut" Norman Miller as he savors the sudsy history of brewing in the Hub.