madame librarian's Blog

Book Club Choices: May 2011

Has your book group tried our Book Club in a Bag kits? Each kit has 8 books, a resource guide with book discussion questions, author information, and articles relating to the book. A complete list of kits is available at: Book Club in a Bag. To reserve a kit for your group, contact the Adult Reference Desk at (734) 397-0999.

An unfinished life [Large print kit] by Mark Spragg

Water for elephants: [kit] a novel by Sara Gruen

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May 13, 2011

Cookbooks for Kids

If your book group is like mine, food is a big part of every meeting. There are some wonderful cooks in my group, so when it's my turn to host I turn to these cookbooks. What's your favorite cookbook?

The cat who — cookbook by Julie Murphy & Sally Stempinski

Recipe for a book club: a monthly guide for hosting your own reading group: menus & recipes, featured authors, suggested readings, and topical questions by Mary O'Hare and Rose Storey

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May 05, 2011

Murder Will Out: The 2011 Agatha Awards Announced

A complete list of the Agatha Christie Awards 2011 winners and nominees is available at Malice Domestic.

Best Novel: Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
Best First Novel: The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
Best Non-fiction: Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks: 50 Years of Mysteries in the Making by John Curran
Best Short Story: “So Much in Common,” by Mary Jane Maffini, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine — Sept./Oct. 2010
Best Children’s/Young Adult: The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

May 05, 2011

Murder Will Out: A Conversation with Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris, author of the popular Sookie Stackhouse series AKA True Blood on HBO, will speak at the Michigan Theater on Monday, May 16 at 7:30PM. Ms. Harris will sign copies of her latest Sookie Stackhouse book Dead Reckoning. Tickets can be purchased at TicketWeb.com or by calling (866) 468-3401.

Ms. Harris is brought to you courtesy of Michigan Theater and Nicola's Books.

May 03, 2011

Murder Will Out: First Novels

New authors/debut mysteries to check out:

Dandy Gilver and the proper treatment of bloodstains by Catriona McPherson

Death on tour by Janice Hamrick

Back of beyond by C.J. Box

Missing persons: a Kate Conway mystery by Clare O'Donohue

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Apr 28, 2011

What Was, What Is...

Moonwalking with Einstein: the art and science of remembering everything by Joshua Foer

Jeannie out of the bottle by Barbara Eden with Wendy Leigh

All your base are belong to us: how 50 years of videogames conquered pop culture by Harold Goldberg

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Apr 26, 2011

May is Older Americans Month 2011

Since 1963, May has been declared Older Americans Month by the Agency on Aging. The theme of this year's celebration — Older Americans: Connecting the Community — pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives.

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Apr 26, 2011

A Conversation with Eugene Robinson

Journalist Eugene Robinson, former managing editor of the Washington Post, Pulitzer Prize winner and University of Michigan's first African-American co-editor of The Michigan Daily will speak on Friday, April 29 at Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library from 1:00-2:30PM. Robinson appears frequently on MSNBC as a political analyst, on shows such as Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Morning Joe, The Rachel Maddow Show and Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Eugene Robinson will receive an Honorary Degree from the University of Michigan at Saturday's graduation ceremony.

(Photo: University of Michigan Library)

Apr 23, 2011

How Do We Age?

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries will receive an invitation in May to be part of a special study looking at the impact of age-related changes on functional ability. The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) will be seeking some 9,000 people aged 65 and older to participate in this long-term study, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health. NHATS will examine how the daily lives of older adults change as they age. Participants will be randomly chosen from across the country.

Apr 20, 2011

Alzheimer's Diagnostic Guidelines Updated

For the first time in 27 years, clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease dementia have been revised, and research guidelines for earlier stages of the disease have been characterized to reflect a deeper understanding of the disorder. The National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Disease outline some new approaches for clinicians and provide scientists with more advanced guidelines for moving forward with research on diagnosis and treatments.
(Photo credit: PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images/elibrary)

Apr 20, 2011

Murder Will Out: International Thriller Writers Awards Nominations Announced

The International Thriller Writers (ITW) has announced the nominees for its 2011 Thriller Awards. Winners will be announced during ThrillerFest VI, to be held at New York City’s Grand Hyatt Hotel from July 6 to 9. For a complete list of the nominations go to ITW's website.

Best Hardcover Novel

The reversal: a novel by Michael Connelly

Edge: a novel by Jeffery Deaver

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Apr 14, 2011

Book Club Choices: April 2011

The perfect book for a book discussion is one that's not too easy, not too hard, which will hold the interest of a diverse group of readers and will also inspire a lively discussion.

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Apr 14, 2011

Social Security Suspends Annual Statements

Effective April 1, 2011 the Social Security Administration has suspended annual statements to all workers. At present, this mailing cost the government $70 million dollars. SSA estimates they will save $30 million this year and $60 million dollars next year when they resume mailing, but only to those 60 years and older. An online Social Security benefits estimator is available as well other retirement planning information.

Apr 13, 2011