Book News for Early Autumn

Banned Books Week

The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library is celebrating Banned Books Week! All across the U.S., libraries, schools and book stores are reminding us to be thankful for our freedom to read. Here at the library, kids can be part of a Read-Athon upstairs in the Children’s Room. Adults can participate too, by filling out an entry with the latest book they’ve read (banned or not) for a chance to win a Freedom to Read tote bag or Banned Books Bracelet.  

Children’s librarians Gloria Adams and Kristin Casale produced a funny video of local educators reading banned books in zany or silly ways to honor the celebration. You can also test your knowledge of banned books with an informative quiz. Banned Books Week runs through Saturday, October 1. Read more about the country-wide celebration here, or check out videos of folks from all over reading aloud from their favorite banned books.

Bargains at the Book Sale

The Friends of the Library’s blow-out Book Sale runs most of this week. It starts off with some sneak peeks. Here’s when and how you can get yours:

Patrons' Night  - Tuesday, September 27 at 7 p.m.  A donation of $10 ($5 if you’re already a Friend of the Library) gets you first pick.

Friends of the Library Presale  - Wednesday morning (9/28) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. $5 gets you membership in the Friends of the Library (more about them here) and dibs on the sale before it officially opens.

After that, everything is fair game.  There are incredible amounts of books, along with DVDs, VHS tapes, video games, music and more.  The sale goes on through Saturday. Saturday is “Bag Day,” when a whole sack of books can be yours for three bucks.

Some hidden gems I’ve seen while poking around, pestering the book sale volunteers:

- A lovely, fully illustrated boxed set of the first two Narnia books by C.S. Lewis

- DVDs of Boy Meets Grill with Chef Bobby Flay

- The first season of Saturday Night Live on DVD

- Time Life sets (you know - those lavishly decorated ones)

- a gigantic Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World in very good condition

And in the 3-for-a-dollar kids’ books section:

- The Magic Treehouse Series

- Goosebumps

- The Boxcar Children

- Judy Moody

- assorted children’s biographies

So go wild – your money goes far at this book sale!

A Bestseller Visits the Library

Bestselling Author Cinda Williams Chima is coming to the library on Tuesday, October 4 for a reception and talk to celebrate the release of her new novel, The Gray Wolf Throne (watch a trailer here). Chima’s young adult high fantasy Seven Realms series began with The Demon King, followed by The Exiled Queen. Third in the series, The Gray Wolf Throne came out this fall. A fourth book is slated for 2012.

Chima is also known for the Heir Chronicles, a popular contemporary fantasy series which includes The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, and The Dragon Heir. Two more books are planned in this series. All Chima’s books are published by Hyperion and will be available for sale at the event. Please join us to meet Cinda Chima on October 4. To reserve your spot, stop by the Information Desk at the library, or call (330) 688-3295 ext. 4.

Enjoy this crisp fall weather with a good book!