Name:

Mary Bergman

Committee Role/Title:

Member of the Book Festival committee; literary and PR subcommittees

Favorite Genre of Books:

I like a lot of different kinds of books, mostly fiction with a great narrative voice or narrative nonfiction (and true crime!).

Favorite Book Quote:

The entirety of Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins

Favorite Nantucket Book:

Too many! But here are a few...

Innside Nantucket by Frank B. Gilbreth

The Off-Islanders by Nathaniel Benchley

Nantucket 1970 by Tom Farrell

These three provide a look into the Nantucket that my parents and grandparents remember, and I think that is why I feel so drawn to them.

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick remains one of the greatest narrative nonfiction books I have ever read.

Oh, and Moby-Dick. Really! It has such a reputation as being this impenetrable tome but once you hear it out loud you understand how funny and beautifully written it is.

Favorite Book as a Child: Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey

What is one of the most memorable Book Festival events for you over the last few years?

The so-called “war panel” in 2016 with Emma Sky, Matt Gallagher, J. Karl Weston & Sebastian Junger was one of the more moving and thoughtful discussions I have ever been witness to.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Nantucket Book Festival?

I come from a family of writers and readers, and I want to help other people find how transformative reading and writing can be.

Where do you like to read on Nantucket Island?

My favorite places for reading and writing are The Bean, the beach (Surfside or the north shore), and the slow boat.

What authors are you most excited to meet this year?

Kevin Young and Robert Pinsky. Poetry is like another language to me and I’m amazed by people who speak it fluently and effortlessly.

What book/s from the 2017 Reading List do you highly recommend?

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire by Kay Redfield Jamison

Blue Laws by Kevin Young