AUBURN — The week of Nov. 13, the Auburn Public Library welcomes three authors who will present their newest books and give people the chance to start holiday shopping early.

Author Lorraine Dutile Masure will be at the library to share some of her experiences growing up Franco-American at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. Intended for all, her memoir, “Growing Up Franco-American (with no black patent leather shoes),” is the intriguing story of courageous grandparent and parent immigrants who heartily embraced the United States, yet remained inherently true to many of their cherished Old World cultural traditions. Acting as a cultural tour guide, Masure tells stories of what it was really like growing up with a rich Franco heritage across multiple venues of home, family, church, school and other settings.

Author Laurie Chandler will be at the library at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, to talk about her nonfiction work titled “Upwards: The Story of the First Woman to Solo Thru-Paddle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.” In the summer of 2015, at the age of 53, Chandler became the first woman to solo thru-paddle the entire 740 miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. “Upwards” is her uplifting story of finding the inner strength and faith to achieve her dream, set amid the rich tapestry of the history, wildlife, landscapes and people of New England.

Chandler has presented to a wide variety of audiences, including civic organizations, libraries, churches, boating and outdoor clubs, and L.L. Bean. Her two-article series on the NFCT appeared in the winter 2016 and early spring 2017 issues of “The Paddler.”

The library welcomes author Kristin Krause at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, to share from her true survival account, “Last Voyage of the Hornet,” which tells the true story of Maine native Captain Josiah Mitchell, whose clipper ship burned in the Pacific in 1866. The crew were forced to flee in small boats. The Hornet’s crew traveled 4,300 miles in an open boat to reach Hawaii. Through it all, Captain Mitchell and two passengers kept daily diaries. When they reached Hawaii, a down-and-out young reporter named Samuel Clemens interviewed the crew. His story was telegraphed across the country giving him his first national byline as Mark Twain and launching his public speaking career.

The author has three years’ experience sailing tall ships. She has crewed on Maine windjammers, 12-meter racing yachts and historical replicas, including the HMS Rose, a square-rigged ship not unlike the Hornet.

Laurie Chandler

Lorraine Dutile Masure 

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