Author Diane Taraz talks about her new book, Daughter of the Waves: The Victorian Life of Celia Laighton Thaxter.

In "Daughter of the Waves," we see all the people in Celia Thaxter's life, not just family and friends but servants and her neighbors, many of them recent immigrants. Their stories add a rich layer of history to the Isles of Shoals, where many echoes of the past still reverberate.

Celia's full story makes her success all the more compelling. She raised a special-needs child and struggled with conflict and illness. She was born near the ocean, grew up on a tiny island, and was happiest in the midst of the sea. She was truly a daughter of the waves.

DATE: Monday, November 3, 2025

TIME: 6:00–7:30 pm - Please note new 6:00 pm start time!

Please RSVP early to reserve to attend in person at the Portsmouth Public Library OR via Zoom.