Did you miss these recent Mysteries?

Blues in the night by Dick Lochte

The cold room by Robert Knightly

Never play another man's game by Mike Knowles

Murder in the 11th house: a Starlight Detective Agency mystery by Mitchell Scott Lewis

Tim Heller, avid chess player, hosts informal open play on the second and fourth Sundays of most months in the Community Room while providing instruction and pointers on improving your game. Beginners are welcome. The fourth Sunday of each month also includes a tournament by “Library Chess Clubs.” For tournament information and registration, please email clubchess@wowway.com

Two hundred years after Detroit surrendered to the British during the War of 1812, the city's riverfront will host a weeklong gala (Sept. 5- 10) which will include a replica tall ship, and four military ships. It was on August 16, 1812 that Gen. William Hull, commander of Fort Detroit, surrendered after being led to believe that the British forces across the river in Windsor were much larger than they actually were. After the war, he was court-martialed for his actions and sentenced to death, but was pardoned by President James Monroe because of Hull's service in the Revolutionary War.

Amity Blamity. Vol. one by Mike White — If you are looking for a normal adventure, this is not the graphic novel for you. However, if you want to read about a talking pig, Chester, his silent sidekick, Gretchen, and her unstable uncle, this is the book for you. Join them on their adventures to discover just who the mysterious white, fluffy, floaty beings are that have invaded their farm and how they are going to keep Uncle Downey from hurting himself as he tries to catch them.

The dragon turn by Shane Peacock

The false prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The alchemyst by Michael Scott

Wildwood by Colin Meloy; illustrations by Carson Ellis

Sacrilege: a thriller by S.J. Parris — On Monday, August 27 at 7:00 PM at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor. Dr. Darcy Lockman will talk about her challenging, yet fulfilling, journey to become a psychotherapist. She received her Ph.D at Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University. She is currently a practicing psychotherapist in New York where she lives with her family.

Wednesday, September 12, 6:30-8:45 PM join us for our monthly meeting of the Animanga Club! We've got all sorts of zaniness in store from a raffle to trivia to our always popular "mystery anime." What is it this month? Sorry, no hints. Drop by and let your inner otaku run free.

Into board games like Settlers, Carcassonne, or Puerto Rico? Drop by Saturday, September 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!

Merrill is best known for two popular children's books, The Pushcart War (1972) and The Toothpaste Millionaire (1972), but wrote more than 30 books and twelve movie scripts for animated adaptations of her work. A common theme in her stories is that of an underdog overcoming the constraints of the established social and economic order. Merrill grew up on a farm in upstate New York and preferred outdoor activities, such as building forts, sledding, collecting fossils, and climbing silos, to playing inside with manufactured toys and being watched by adults. She died of cancer at her home in Vermont on August 2, 2012.

The pushcart war by Jean Merrill ; with illustrations by Ronni Solbert

Thisissand.com is a fun website that turns your computer screen into a sand box. You're taken to what is initially a blank screen with a tiny gray box in the left hand corner. Hold down the mouse to see what happens. Then click on the little gray box for more directions. You can use this website to make incredible designs like the one on the right. Let your creative juices flow and have fun! Don't forget to check out the gallery to see others amazing artwork.

This event has been canceled.

On Saturday, September 22 from 2:00-3:30 PM, Sylvan Learning Center will present a Back To Basics Boot Camp. Make sure your child is "fit" for the challenge of a new school year. This program is designed for students aged 12 years old and up. Register today!

If you are a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels or enjoy the humor in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum stories you might like these...

Cinnamon roll murder [large print] by Joanne Fluke

The 2012 London Olympics by Nick Hunter — Last night, sadly, was the closing ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. It was such a spectacle to watch and I have to admit, I may be going through Olympic withdrawal. Are you? Have no fear! We have great books on London, Brazil (where Rio de Janeiro will be the host of the 2016 Summer Games), and the Olympics. Have fun reading and reliving all your favorite things about this year's Summer Games!

Canton is very proud of Olympic Gold Medal Winner Allison Schmitt, who won gold, silver and bronze medals in swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. If you would like to help celebrate this hometown champion there will be a celebration rally on Tuesday, August 14 at 6:00 PM at Heritage Park Amphitheater. Congratulations Allison!
[Allison Schmitt by Jdalasica is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman — The long awaited sequel to Unwind is almost here. Unwholly picks up where Unwind left off, introducing the reader to new characters and new questions about the practice of unwinding. If you haven't already read Unwind, now is a perfect time!

If you're wondering just what in the world is happening with our weather lately, the National Climatic Data Center at NOAA has the answer. According to their recently released report State of the Climate: National Overview for June 2012, the 12-month period from July 2011 to June 2012 was the warmest on record for the contiguous United States. (Their records go back to 1895.) The national average temperature was 3.2 degrees higher than the long-term average, with every single contiguous state except for Washington warmer than average temperatures. In addition, the period from Januray to June 2012 was the warmest first half of a year on record.

Look for these films based on popular books in your local theater in the coming months:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte — Starring Kaya Scodelario, James Howson. Release date: October 2012

Les misérables by Victor Hugo — Starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe. Release date: December 2012

Lay the favorite: a memoir of gambling by Beth Raymer — Starring Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Release date: October 2012