You don’t have to go all the way to Thailand to experience its tasty cuisine, now available close by in Skowhegan, Augusta and Wiscasset at M Thai. Vicky Soikum has created a very tasty exotic food experience that will keep you coming back to try more items on her extensive menu. We chose the M Thai in Skowhegan at the recommendation of Jennifer Olson, executive director of the Skowhegan Main Street organization. Jen said the food “is very good.” And oh, she was so right!

Books about politics pick up the pace this summer in anticipation of the fall election. But there are also traditional page turners — and even a recent title or two that combine fiction with political intrigue.
Here are some of the recent and upcoming books for summer, alphabetized by author’s last name. Descriptions are based on publishers’ information, wire services and Publishers Weekly magazine.