Buy Books
On the Corner of Liberty and South Loring
Stories from 1947 to 1977
This memoir invites readers into a triple-decker home in Lowell, Massachusetts, where Fran Coughlin spent his childhood alongside his mother, four sisters, and brother. Through vivid vignettes—funny, touching, and sometimes bittersweet—he brings to life the everyday moments that defined his family’s world. From neighborhood adventures to the enduring presence of “Ma,” the stories weave together a portrait of family, resilience, and the unique character of Lowell in the mid-20th century.
Anchored in the corner of Liberty and South Loring Streets, the book is as much about place as it is about people. With warmth and humor, Coughlin shares a collection of family tales that highlight how small, seemingly ordinary events can become treasured memories. It is a heartfelt reminder that our families, homes, and neighborhoods leave lasting imprints that shape who we are,
Hardcover
From $31.29
Paperback
From $13.99
Tales from a refrigerator box
More Stories from Liberty and South Loring
In this follow-up collection, Coughlin offers more stories from his Lowell upbringing, blending humor, nostalgia, and keen observation. From childhood misadventures in a snowy backyard refrigerator box to encounters with eccentric neighbors, hockey moms, and streakers, these tales capture the joys and challenges of growing up in a bustling New England mill city. Everyday events—a dentist’s visit, a family road trip, even a lost corpse—are transformed into memorable episodes filled with humanity and heart.
At its core, Tales from a Refrigerator Box is about the value of family storytelling and the small moments that stitch together a life. Like snapshots pulled from an old family album, these anecdotes honor both the ordinary and the extraordinary, reminding us how much laughter and meaning can be found in daily life. It’s a book that celebrates resilience, memory, and the enduring magic of childhood wonder.
Hardcover
From $31.29
Paperback
From $13.99
A River Still Runs
A Memoir
Some places shape you.
Some places stay with you.
This is a story about both.
On the corner of Liberty Street and South Loring in Lowell, Massachusetts, life was measured in small moments: kids chasing wiffle balls down the street, climbing mountains of snow in the supermarket lot, laughter spilling from a crowded kitchen, and lessons that linger long after childhood.
Funny, poignant, and true, Fran Coughlin’s memoir captures the pleasures and challenges of growing up in a world that was far from perfect.