Cold Spell: The View from the End of the Peninsula

by Todd R. Nelson

A Must-Read for any Mainer . . . or anyone who dreams of becoming a Mainer. Giving up a life in Chicago, Todd R. Nelson moved with his family to the stark contrasts of Castine, Maine. What began as a leap of faith turned into a family epoch of wonderful activity, professional and personal development, an unlimited inspiration, hard work and struggle, friendship and enchantment. "What lucky fools,"Nelson writes in his introduction. Cold Spell is a collection of stories--warm, humorous, and at times cautionary--about living in Maine. Here are stories about the seasons, the critters, the neighbors, the land itself, and the community that Nelson calls home.

186 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2022

Reviews

[JoAnn Plante · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about Maine by a Maine author. It describes life in and around the town of Castine. It covers some interesting historical facts, how to "read" the trees to know the seasons, and how to experience Maine the way it was meant to be.
I loved the author's writing style. It was folksy without being cute and annoying. It contains typical Maine humor with so many facts and stories. The book is divided into four seasons and each section contains stories for that season.
No matter how many books I read about Maine, I still learn from other Mainer's experiences. Each chapter is about 2 - 3 pages long, so you can pick it up or put it down anytime and never lose the drift of the story.
This is a must-read for anyone wanting to know more about Maine life, the Castine area, and what to watch for during each season. Easy reading and very entertaining!

[Wally Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly delightful little book. It is composed of short (2-3 page) essays that appeared in a number of publications over the years. After a number of summers in Castine, Maine, Todd relocated his family as he worked as a teacher, school administrator, editor, and writer. The essays feature rural life on the coast of Maine, with rich history woven into present-day life. Seasonal change, fishing, sailing, community, education, and family are some of the prominent themes. Todd’s writing is special. He has a thoughtful, playful way with language. His writing is informative and inspirational with a great deal of wit, humor, and charm. The short essay format sets it up to be read and savored slowly… as I did.

[Pamela Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a true gift from a good friend.