A Decade in Gloucester: Reflections on History and Home

This book was a finalist in the 2025 American Legacy Book Awards and the 2025 International Book Awards! When award-winning writer and poet Laura Plummer moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 2014, she didn't know that her Finnish ancestors had settled there in the late 1800s. Her debut chapbook explores, in heartfelt poetry and prose, the journey of uncovering her local roots in the city she calls home. See what prominent local figures are saying about it: "Laura Plummer has given us a literary seascape of a proud city that has captured her heart. Rich in vibrant detail and showing her versatility and strength of form, A Decade in Gloucester is an emotional journey from past to present." - Robert Whelan, Poet Laureate of Rockport, Massachusetts "A Decade in Gloucester will resonate with anyone descended from the waves of Europeans to the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries." - Greg Verga, Mayor of Gloucester "Laura Plummer has a remarkable talent. A Decade in Gloucester will inspire you with vivid scenes that reveal the author's profound appreciation for history, family, and the city she calls home." - Terry Weber Mangos, Gloucester 400+ Stories Project Editor "Laura's poetry and prose capture the joyful discovery of her Finnish lineage on Cape Ann. Her modern search for place echoes that of her forebears. A Decade in Gloucester's tone and unadorned language reflect the struggles and small victories of her family's immigrant experience." - Rob Ranta, Cape Ann Finns "When Laura Plummer moved to Gloucester, she fell in love with the city. The feeling has been mutual. A Decade in Gloucester powerfully chronicles that citizen-city bond. Enjoy her thoughtful, affectionate poems and reflections." - John J. Ronan, former Gloucester Poet Laureate and NEA Fellow "Anybody who has spent time in Gloucester will welcome A Decade in Gloucester to jog fond memories." - Wayne Soini, Gloucester Historian and Author