Splaine: Fun books by Seacoast authors to read on a summer day

These warm, well − hot days of summer won't last, and soon we'll look back wishing that we didn't waste them by hanging out in an air conditioned auditorium watching a movie. But none of us should be too hard on ourselves if we just want to relax for a while doing essentially nothing.

We can only take so many vacations or go to the beach or pool so often. The Red Sox is always an option but that darn Boston traffic, especially with a tunnel closed, isn't much fun. I can attest to that.

So, what to do?

Here I mention a few books from my bookshelf that locals will find entertaining, informative, and even personal because readers may know those in them.

"Legendary Locals of Portsmouth," written by Charles McMahon, 2013, Arcadia Publishing. McMahon was a journalist for the Portsmouth Herald, and he uses his unique viewpoint and inside knowledge of Portsmouth as he presents short stories of dozens of Portsmouth people and places, past and present. In his effort, he gives a wide overview of Portsmouth's history.

Read about Mayors Eileen Foley and Bob Lister, Assistant Mayors Paul McEachern and Evelyn Marconi, state Sens. Ruth Griffin and Martha Fuller Clark. That's just a sampling. Learn about Tom Bergeron, Ray Brighton, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, and the incredible Macy Morse. And J. Dennis Robinson, a great local writer of history whose books can fill four seasons on their own.

"Portsmouth Women, Madams & Matriarchs Who Shaped New Hampshire's Port City," edited by Laura Pope, with various authors, 2013, The History Press. In her compilation of stories written by several local authors, Pope reminds us that strong women made this city. She presents a fascinating story of Mayor Mary Carey Dondero, elected in the 1940s as the city's first woman mayor.

Other stories tell of Alta Roberts, the "Black Mystery of Portsmouth" who always wore black. She operated a brothel. Then there's tavern keeper Allice Shannon Hight and Rose Rizza Fiandaca, whose story paints a long lost picture of life in Portsmouth's old North End, where she lived for many years after immigrating from Sicily.

"Cover-Up, One Man's Pursuit of the Truth Amid the Government's Failure to End a Ponzi Scheme," by Mark Connolly, 2011, White Whale Press. Mark, who lived in New Castle, had been New Hampshire's director of securities regulation, but resigned to tell the behind-the-scenes coverup within state government of a Ponzi scheme that stole millions from investors. Readers will learn what to watch for, and while his story reads like a mystery novel it's a real-life warning of what can still happen.

"The Lost Boys of Sudan, An American Story of Refugee Experience," by Mark Bixler, 2005, The University of Georgia Press. This book is relevant for the times we live in by putting young faces into the dialogue of why America should be a welcoming nation for those who seek a life of safety and purpose. It also tells the story of one of Portsmouth's heroes, Michael O'Keefe.

A Portsmouth native, Mike graduated from local schools, then UNH, joined the Air Force, and served in the N.H. Legislature in the 1970s. He taught high school, then joined the U.S. Department of State. In 1997 he became a refugee assistant officer for the Horn of Africa, and traveled to Ethiopia, Kenya, Botswana, and Somalia to create refugee projects.

The book explores how Mike was credited with saving thousands of lives in Africa. It tells a timely story of immigration and how Mike was a driving force to help the U.S. welcome many of the "Lost Boys of the Sudan" when they were displaced by civil wars.

All these books and so many others about Portsmouth are locally available, or online. I'll be pleased to lend my copies, complete with personal notes. Footnote: Mike O'Keefe, Mark Connolly, and I were lifelong friends since the 1970s. Mike passed in 2017, Mark in 2018. They left too young, and would tell us to help one another every day as we appreciate the sunrises and sunsets that we are given.

Next time: Is high-speed Maglev rail in our future?

Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years, representative for 24 years, Police Commission and School Board member, Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years and city councilor for 18 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouthnh@gmail.com (this is a new email address).