“Oh, I can’t speak for the dead. And I won’t speak for the missing. I can only tell you what I think happened. Others – the dead and the missing – would probably have their own versions.”
It’s April, 2016; imagine Queen Elizabeth II as a surreptitious Miss Marple. S.J. Bennett’s novel, “The Windsor Knot,” has a definite Agatha C… Read more'The Windsor Knot' combines murder mystery with a look into royal life
In her 24th novel, “French Braid,” Anne Tyler waits until page 234 to describe a French braid unraveling. “That’s it.” a character declares, “… Read moreTyler's characters make 'French Braid' worth reading
We’re so happy to welcome Rhea back to our pages. She’s agreed to come out of retirement to write an occasional piece when inspiration strikes. Read moreMy big Kentucky Derby day blow-out
Most Popular
Newsletters
Latest News
Q: We have a 3 1/2-year-old and each night we have a routine that we go through with her – bath, pajamas, brush, choose two books and read them, sing a couple of songs, and pray before lights out. Bedtime typically falls between 7:30 and 8 p.m., each night and she sleeps soundly for about 11… MoreMom seeks solution for bedtime tantrums
Subtitles are often superfluous. Not so with Carl Bernstein’s new memoir, “Chasing History.” The small print subtitle is “A Kid In The Newsroom.” More'Chasing History' delves into the early career of Carl Bernstein
Q: Our 14-year-old daughter is a rising high school sophomore. We let her wear eyeliner this past year, but she is wearing entirely too much. She is well-adjusted (plays sports, good grades) but seems insecure to go out in public without her make-up. When we tell her she looks prettier witho… MoreChoose your battles with teen daughter
Q: Our eight-year-old, the oldest of three, is often rude to his siblings. I know some sibling conflict is normal, but this seems excessive. I hear him multiple times per day tell his younger brothers how annoying they are. In addition, he often yells at them to stop whatever they are doing … MoreDealing with sibling rivalry
More often than not as time passes icons of history become caricatures; Lincoln becomes the emancipator in the top hat, Napoleon is remembered as a dwarf-like conqueror with his hand inside his jacket. More contemporaneously, Winston Churchill evokes a bulldog-faced man holding an oversized … More'The Splendid and the Vile' reveals the human side of Winston Churchhill
Q: My husband and I have one child, age two. We’d like to have at least one more. What is the optimal spacing between children? MoreHow long to wait between children?
Q: I’m a single mother with a 13-year-old son. His father, whom he sees infrequently, has PTSD from battle experiences. My son has anger toward his father, but I can’t get him to talk about it. It comes out of him in the form of a lot of disrespect directed toward me. What should I do about this? MoreSon's disrespect needs action, not understanding
In her 24th novel, “French Braid,” Anne Tyler waits until page 234 to describe a French braid unraveling. “That’s it.” a character declares, “And then when she undid them, her hair would still be in ripples, little left-over squiggles, for hours and hours afterwards… MoreTyler's characters make 'French Braid' worth reading
We’re so happy to welcome Rhea back to our pages. She’s agreed to come out of retirement to write an occasional piece when inspiration strikes. MoreMy big Kentucky Derby day blow-out
“When I look in the mirror, I see that I have grown old, but he never will.” MoreLest they be forgotten
There have been many debates as to whether the 1985-86 Boston Celtics were the greatest team ever. What is not debatable is them being the most interesting team ever. MoreShaughnessy"s new book chronicles Celtic's 1985-86 season
Q: My best friend’s 6-year-old daughter is an only child and a spoiled brat. She screams at her parents when she doesn’t get her way, always wants to be first at everything and is extremely bossy with other children. For whatever strange reason, my children want to play with her. How can I d… MoreDon't discourage children's friendships
A couple of years ago while browsing in a Chepachet antique and whatnot shop, we stopped to admire a complete setting of elegant “Sunday best” china for eight. The pieces were arranged on a vintage dining room table as if ready for guests to take their places at a sumptuous feast. MoreThe cutting edge of nostalgia
Elias Najjar is the proprietor of Cold Brook Cafe, a coffee shop on Danielson Pike where it intersects Route 116 in the heart of North Scituate Village. He and his wife have run the busy bistro for almost six years. MoreFrom Lebanon to Scituate to find his niche
Shauna Lewis, 42, is the CEO of the Smithfield YMCA. MoreServing the community is at the heart of Shauna Lewis’ commitment
Improbably, the relatively small Providence Journal, not newspaper giants the New York Times or the Washington Post, had an out of proportion influence on America finally deciding to enter World War I. The fact that The Journal’s effort was spearheaded by a man who lived most of his adult li… More'The Imposter's War' delves into the life of former Journal editor Rathom
It makes sense that Jodi Picoult, a prolific writer with 27 novels published since 1992, has written the first COVID-19-centered fiction. Her once-a-year output allowed her to begin the newest work, “Wish You Were Here,” with a scene from March 13, 2020, and yet have the book debut by 2021. … MorePicoult works COVID into latest novel 'Wish You Were Here'
The contemporary parenting ideal consists of equal parts fixer, go-fer, and friend, which is why, when it is encountered in the flesh by someone of my ancient age, the new definition of a “good parent” seems so out of whack. Our parents were anything but the new ideal, as evidenced by one of… MoreChildren need parents who are authentic adults
Until 1967, all firefighting and rescue service in Smithfield was provided by volunteers from the organized departments in Greenville and Georgiaville and later, for a short time, one in the Wionkiege Valley. MoreBaptism by fire
Jonathan Franzen has written a theological soap opera. “Crossroads,” his latest novel, features the family of Associate Pastor Russ Hildebrandt who ministers at the First Reform Church in New Prospect, Ill. Set in the early 1970s, Vietnam and the counterculture collide with the conservative … MoreFranzen's 'Crossroads' is a religious soap opera
Is the following statement true or false? It is often the case that children like what is not good for them and do not like what is good for them. MoreBe your child's parent, not friend
Retired Lieutenant Gen. Reginald A. Centracchio, Rhode Island adjutant general emeritus, is a gregarious, familiar figure in his hometown of Scituate. MoreOne More Thing: Gen. Reggie Centracchio front and center
Tracy Kidder began his non-fiction “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” published in 2003, with this sentence, “Six years after the fact, Dr. Paul Edward Farmer reminded me, ‘We met because of a beheading of all things.’” MoreLearn about the life of Dr. Paul Farmer in 'Mountains Beyond Mountains'
Q: Our 11-month-old son has started crying at just about anything he doesn’t understand. In our playgroup, if another child or an adult so much as looks at him the “wrong” way, he melts down. Otherwise, he’s content and keeps himself occupied for fairly long periods of time. I worry that he’… MoreDon't overthink toddler's crying response
Imagine a fanatical, powerful right wing insurrectionist gaining access to 10,000 gallons of a new chemical weapon capable of killing millions? As if Americans don’t have enough to give them nightmares in 2022! MoreLocal author Land takes on political corruption and terrorism in his newest thriller
I’ve been surfing the web looking for ways to bring in some extra money. I Googled around, and it seems that opportunity abounds in becoming what’s known as an influencer. MoreUnder the influence
PROVIDENCE – David Wayne Britton was just returning from lunch when I caught up with him by phone in Detroit. He’s on the road in the musical version of “An Officer & A Gentleman,” playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center Feb. 18-20. MoreBritton draws on Navy experience in 'Officer' performance
Set yerself down and let me tell ya ‘bout Opie. MoreRon and Clint Howard's memoir defies child actor stereotype
Q: My 3-year-old is fearful of trying anything new, including things that other kids his age love to do such as swinging on a swing, sliding down a slide, and splashing in a pool. I feel like I should begin talking to him about what to do in case of a fire in our house and “stranger danger,”… MoreDanger talks should be age-appropriate
Kevin Fallon, 69, grew up in Smithfield. He lives in Scituate now, but at the core he is a citizen of the world. Music is his path through it. MoreFor Kevin Fallon, music is the path
John le Carré (ne: David Cromwell) occupies a lofty seat in the pantheon of espionage and mystery authors. More"Silverview" is the last novel by John le Carré
You would need to wake up pretty early in the morning to get moving faster than Sue Sgambato. The dedicated fitness proponent and teacher rises with her husband, Stephen, at 4 a.m. each morning, and they are out walking by 6. The rest of the day is just as busy. MoreSue Sgambato’s mission is to keep you moving
Q: I recently tried toilet training my 32-month-old, but after a few days of no success, I decided to stop. A friend tells me to hang in there, but my pediatrician says my son isn’t ready. She suggests I try again in a few months. Your thoughts? MoreKeys to successful potty training
Publishing a book about hope in 2021 with a raging pandemic, political chaos and a world-wide environmental crisis seems a daunting task. More"The Book of Hope" delves into the mind of Jane Goodall
I was once an orthodox believer in the power of time-out – the practice of having a child sit in a somewhat isolated chair for five minutes or so immediately after said child has misbehaved. I promoted time-out in this column, my books, and my public presentations. Used consistently, I said,… MoreChanging course on time-out
Dear friends, MoreThe end
Q: Whenever – and I most definitely mean every single time – I ask my six-year-old daughter to do something, she becomes very disrespectful. She stomps her foot, yells at me that I make her do “everything,” mutters disrespectful remarks under her breath (which I usually hear), and so on. If … MoreHow to deal with defiance
It may not come wrapped with a bow, but every week of the year this paper is a gift to the towns it serves. At this time when presents are much on the minds of many, it seems appropriate to think about that and be thankful. MoreA gift every week of the year
Brandi Carlile is skilled with a machete. The multiple Grammy Award singer and songwriter has cleared miles of trails at her homestead in Washington State. More'Broken Horses' is a look into the life of singer Brandi Carlile
It’s Christmastime! MoreGetting ready for Christmas
I can count on one hand – okay, maybe two – the number of parents who’ve told me that letting a child speak with a therapist has produced a positive outcome. One might dismiss a few such reports, but not hundreds of them, most of which reflect a similar theme: to wit, a tendency on the part … MoreChild therapy is not always in the best interest of the family
It isn’t that my Christmas spirit is lacking, although it may not be quite as strong is it once was, but this year there is simply no will to decorate as usual. I suppose you could chalk it up to old age, or maybe the ongoing pandemic that just won’t quit, but when I thought about hauling my… MoreMy little free library does Christmas
Last year was rough, what with the whole COVID thing turning everyone’s world on its collective ear. Life as we had known it was in disarray, and the new norm was anything but normal. MoreCelebrating Thanksgiving during the time of COVID
I don’t know whether or not any of you might have seen the news coverage a couple of weeks ago (Nov. 2 to be exact) about the crowd of several hundred QAnon supporters who had lined the street in downtown Dallas, Texas, some sitting in lawn chairs, just like for a real parade, waving small A… MoreWaiting for Elvis to appear on the bar
Tiger Woods at the peak of his skills was, understandably, cocky. He would annoy his PGA competitors when after winning a tournament he would tell reporters he only had his “C” game working. More'Harlem Shuffle' is Pulitzer Prize winner Whitehead's newest novel
First of all, let me say that self-image can be a tricky thing, especially when tainted by more than a tinge of self-delusion. MoreSelf image
T. C. Boyle’s 18th novel, “Talk to Me,” explores the competitive and often cruel world of primatology research. More'Talk to Me'
A 4-year-old – I’ll call him Popeye – had a habit of hitting other children in his preschool program. His teachers tried various approaches, including rewarding him with a treat on days when he didn’t hit. That backfired, as such silly approaches to discipline nearly always do. MoreToddler misbehavior should not be ignored
Historian Nathaniel Philbrick takes his readers on a bumpy ride in his newest work, “Travels With George.” Philbrick, with his wife, Melissa, and dog Dora, endeavored to retrace four separate journeys George Washington took between April 1789 and July 1791 and to use these trips to capture t… More'Travels with George' follows retraces the journeys of President Washington
Featured Businesses
