Michigan's own Elmore Leonard was awarded The National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters at the ceremony announcing the 2012 winners of the National Book Award.

The round house by Louise Erdrich

[Update: due to high demand an additional walk-in session has been added on Saturday, December 8th from 4:00-5:00 PM] 

Former First Lady of Michigan, Helen Wallbank Milliken died today. Wife of Michigan's longest-serving governor, William Milliken, Helen Milliken was a strong advocate of women's rights and environmental issues. In a 2006 interview by the Associated Press she said, "Nobody ever saw anybody burn a bra; they're too expensive, but the myth has survived. There have been excesses, but the goal has always remained the same: equal opportunity for women." Ms. Milliken is survived by her husband, William and son, William, Jr.

The Metro Detroit area lost a legend this morning with the passing of 91 year old Sonny Eliot (born Marvin Schlossberg). Sonny began his broadcast career an incredible 60 years ago with his weekly "At the Zoo" program. He went on to become a staple in our homes doing his nightly weather forecasts, which were sprinkled with much humor. We all remember phrases like "ha ho hum" weather meaning hazy, hot and humid.

The beginner's goodbye [large print] by Anne Tyler

Breakdown [large print] by Sara Paretsky

Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden cookbook: [large print] Hannah Swensen's recipes from the cookie jar by Joanne Fluke

At Bertram's hotel [large print]: a Miss Marple mystery by Agatha Christie

There are benefits you may be missing. The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, a National Council on Aging program, provides a checklist for programs and benefits available to Older Adults. BenefitsCheckUp quickly finds federal, state, and private benefit programs available to help you save money on health care, food assistance, prescriptions, utilities, and more.

Thanksgiving Day kicks off a month of celebrations. May we suggest a movie, tips from Martha Stewart on Thanksgiving prepartions, a history, music to sooth, and a story about family.

Planes, trains and automobiles [videodisc] by Paramount Pictures

Martha's classic Thanksgiving [videodisc] by [presented by] Marth Stewart Living Omnimedia

Mayflower: a story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrick

Read the book? See the movie. Throughout the month of November, Turner Classic Movies is featuring film adaptations of well-known novels. The films run 24 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. A variety of themes are featured including Southern Novels, Adventure, American Literature, Westerns, Science Fiction and more. Stories for Children and Young Adults will be shown all day on Thanksgiving Day.

The Alumni of the Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science are partnering up with the Hip Hop Knit Shop to collect donations of new books and toys for the patients at the Children's Hospital of Michigan.  A list of suggested donations can be found here.  Due to the health conditions of the donation recipients, we can only collect new items at this time.  Through December 12, our donation bin will be located next to the library's reception desk.    Help us bring joy this holiday season to the patients of the Children's Hospital of Michigan by making a donation today! 

Hey kids,  I wanted to tell you about my favorite new book I found. It seems appropriate since we're coming up on Thanksgiving.  It stars one of my favorite book characters...

Bear says thanks by Karma Wilson ; illustrations by Jane Chapman — An impromptu party in Bear's Den prompts him to be thankful for all his friends. This book inspired me to share what I am thankful for...YOU!  I'm so glad that you come and visit me at the library, and read my blog.  And for all my Librarian friends who keep me company and look out for good books for me to read.  And for LB who keeps me up to date on the outside world, and keeps me company when the library is closed.
What are you thankful for?  I'd love to hear it.
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Christmas spirit abounds as we gather on Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 PM to listen to the holiday sounds of the Detroit Handbell Ensemble.  Members share their musical talents by playing familiar holiday music on the amazing bells.  You will also learn a bit of history and how-to about bells.

Nominate your favorite Michigan Author so the Michigan Library Association can reward them! Any author who lives in Michigan or writes about Michigan can win, regardless of the genre they write, as long as they have published at least 3 titles. See the list of authors who have won over the years and access the nomination form here. This year's winner was Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of Once Upon a River and several other Michigan based books.

The Canton Chamber of Commerce is hosting Business Plans to Boost Your Business featuring John Lankford, Premier Development Solutions on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 8:00 AM.

Canton Chamber Office
45525 Hanford Rd, Canton MI

Free to Chamber members and first time guests. Register today by calling 734-453-4040

Two days have been set aside to honor the memory of those who have served America in the armed forces:

• Veterans Day — November 11th
• Memorial Day — last Monday in May

The books and videos below are a good way to learn about our nation's armed conflicts and honor the memory of those who served to protect our nation.

Women Veterans

America's first woman warrior: the courage of Deborah Sampson by Lucy Freeman and Alma Halbert Bond — The biography of the only woman soldier to fight in the Revolutionary War. [[b1122647|Former service women — WASPs, WACs, WAVEs, Marines, Army and Navy nurses, cooks, clerks, OSS intelligence officers, and others — offer firsthand accounts of their experiences overseas.

Several major films being released this fall and winter are based on novels you can find in the Library's collection. Get them while you can!

Les misérables by Victor Hugo — Starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe. Release date: December 25

On the road by Jack Kerouac — Starring Kristen Stewart, Sam Riley. Release date: December 21

Steven Spielberg's highly anticipated new film Lincoln opens on November 9. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis as our 16th president, and Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, it is inspired by Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 book Team of Rivals: the political genius of Abraham Lincoln. The film focuses on Lincoln's final few months in office, specifically his tireless efforts to get the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (abolishing slavery) passed.

Into board games like Settlers, Carcassonne, or Puerto Rico? Drop by Saturday, December 1  between Noon and 5:45 PM for our monthly Board Gaming League of Canton meeting. Play some of the hottest games and meet some new folks! Also, this month we're collecting for Toys for Tots. Drop off new toys December 1st or 2nd to help those in need.

For many, part of the fun of visiting new places is exploring the restaurants, markets and foods unique to that area. We have books to help you find these culinary delights.

Food lovers' guide to Boston: the best restaurants, markets & local culinary offerings by Patricia Harris & David Lyon

Food lovers' guide to Brooklyn: the best restaurants, markets & local culinary offerings by Sherri Eisenberg

'Tis the season of good will, families, shopping and scam artists!  Sergeant Pat Sullivan of the Canton Public Safety Department, will share ways to avoid identity theft, especially during this busy holiday shopping season.  He will also discuss how to "Take Charge" if it does happen to you.
Join us for this important evening on Thursday, December 6th at 7:00 PM.

Mark Dawidziak presents his one man show featuring selections from various Dickens works including The Story of Paul from "Dombey and Son", The Ghost of Christmas Present from "A Christmas Carol," the Period from "A Tale of Two Cities" and a delightfully macabre bedtime story, Captain Murder from "An Uncommercial Traveler."

Step back in time as we begin the holiday season on a very entertaining note on Thursday, December 13th at 7:00 PM.