Berkshire County Writers Recognized On The 2025 Mass Book Awards Longlists

Print Story | Email Story
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — The longlisted titles for the 25th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards, announced by the Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB), include recognition for authors from Berkshire County. 
 
The MCB, a nonprofit established in 2000, is dedicated to fostering a love of reading, celebrating the Commonwealth's literary heritage, ensuring open access to books and libraries, and promoting literacy and learning across Massachusetts.   
 
Among the recognized authors are:
 
Eden Robins of North Adams, longlisted in Fiction for "Remember You Will Die."
 
Elizabeth Kolbert of Williamstown, longlisted in Nonfiction for "H is for Hope."
 
Harriet Ziefert of Great Barrington, longlisted in the Picture Book / Early Reader category for "Is a Book a Box for Words?"
 
The longlisted books will be featured in the coming months, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House this October.
 
As the Commonwealth's affiliate of the Library of Congress, the Massachusetts Center for the Book supports various literary initiatives, including youth and family literacy programs like the Reading Challenge and Letters About Literature. The Center also represents Massachusetts at the National Book Festival, organizes the Massachusetts Book Awards and Mass Kids Lit Fest, and collaborates with community organizations on literary events statewide. The recognition of these Berkshire County authors underscores the vibrant literary landscape within the Commonwealth, which the MCB actively supports and promotes. 

Tags: books,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: Luxury on Pontoosuc Lake

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a private estate right on the lake? Then this might be the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 140 Hancock Road.

This house was built in 2015 and has eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It is 7,494 square feet on a little over an acre. 

The house sits on Pontoosuc Lake and includes private lake access and a heated pool with an expansive deck. 

The kitchen is equipped with Wolf and SubZero appliances and there is a full outdoor kitchen as well. The property has three additional separated living quarters, each with a kitchen and its own living room. 

The house also includes a big garage for multiple cars or more. Included in the garage is your very own elevator that leads to the in-law apartment.

It is on the market for $3,900,000.

We spoke with listing agent Katie Soules and Jeff Astore from William Raveis

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

What truly makes this property stand out is that you simply don't find this combination very often in the Berkshires. It's an extraordinary lakefront setting, incredible scale, and a lifestyle that's hard to replicate. You have the lake, the mountain views, the pool, the dock, amazing entertaining spaces, and the flexibility to accommodate family, friends, and guests. It feels less like simply owning a beautiful home and more like owning your own private Berkshire retreat.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

I'd tell them to stop thinking of it as just a house and imagine what life here could actually feel like. Mornings on the lake, afternoons on the water or by the pool, evenings entertaining friends and family with the mountains as your backdrop. This is a place where everyday life can feel like a vacation and where you can create the kind of memories that stay with you for years.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of the home?

The home has a really special feel, elegant and impressive, but at the same time warm, relaxed, and incredibly inviting. There's a natural connection to the lake and the outdoors throughout the home, so it never feels like luxury for the sake of luxury. It feels like a place designed to be lived in, enjoyed, and shared with family, friends, and plenty of unforgettable moments.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories