SEACOAST BOOKS

James “Jimmy” Shanley is a legend on the New Hampshire seacoast. Jim always has a joke or a story at the ready, often as not with a life lesson woven in, a tradition that continues to this day. (Click title to read more) 

AUTHOR EVENT:

The Portsmouth Public Library will host Jim Shanley, retired Realtor and local legend, on Tuesday June 30 at 5:30 PM. Shanley will tell stories from his memoir, A Plum Life, show photos of his life, and sign copies of the book. A Plum Life will be available for purchase, thanks to Riverrun Bookstore. All proceeds will benefit The Mayhew Program.

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A PLUM LIFE
By James A. Shanely
Peter E. Randall, PUblisher
2015

James “Jimmy” Shanley is a legend on the New Hampshire seacoast. Jim always has a joke or a story at the ready, often as not with a life lesson woven in, a tradition that continues to this day. Born in 1928, Jim grew up in old Portsmouth, running with the neighborhood gang, playing high school football, marrying and having five children, receiving a law degree and then launching a real estate business that grew into an empire. Shanley Real Estate Corporation had twelve branches open at its height.

Over the years Jim took pride in providing jobs, helping families find or sell their homes and also in giving back to his community. Jim credits his financial success to his childhood family foundation, core values of honesty and hard work, and especially to the strong women who raised him. He hopes to pass on what he learned to the next generation through the publication of A Plum Life. His memoir was dictated over the summer of 2014, and includes over seventy pictures. Like Jim himself, A Plum Life will intrigue you, challenge you and stay with you. 

Shanley operated twelve real estate offices throughout New Hampshire and Maine. Born in Portsmouth, he earned degrees in business and law from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Navy and survived metastatic melanoma cancer. He has traveled extensively over the world and continues to live “a plum life” with his wife, Marie, in New Castle.