We're not just reading, we're watching DVDs, listening to audio books and music.

Hustle. The complete season one [videodisc]: the con is on

The school of essential ingredients [sound recording] by Erica Bauermeister

The blue room [sound recording] by Madeleine Peyroux

The autistic brain: thinking across the spectrum by Temple Grandin and Richard Panek

Fatherhood: and other stories by Thomas H. Cook

The burning edge by Rick Mofina

Mystery Writers of America presents vengeance by edited by Lee Child

The darkening field by William Ryan

Ghoul interrupted by Victoria Laurie

Chapter 1: The Assembly

“They have failed when we needed them the most,” The old man said in a loud voice. “We must get another group to fulfill this mission and save the universe. We must do this! Are you all with me? This mission must be done. We alone can't stop this, but the right group - only the bravest, smartest, strongest, and most skillful - can stop the sun from exploding.”

In a raspy voice a white clocked man said “yessss, this group mussst be able to get to Sssaturn and get the plassmetic ray ssstaff and sssave the universsse.”

“Do you allow this, high council,” asked a black cloaked man.

“We do,” said the high council at the same time.

“Then, commence operation!”

Location: High Head Quarters, also known as HHQ -

“Sir, we must talk,” said Commander Bob.

“Yes, Commander Bob,” Said Leader Kern.

“We have been approved about the operation. The high council agreed.”

“WHAT? Why would they?

I stared at my toes wiggling in the sand, feeling the wind tug at my loosely braided blond hair when I felt it. I felt a poke in my back. I turned around, having some ridiculous hope that it was a crewmember from the cruise ship. But why would it be? That cruise ship left me stranded here on Gale Island a week ago, taking my parents and everyone else with it. Sadly, it also took my twin brother Adam, too. Adam was the only person that could understand me, and I was the only person that could understand him. Of course, we both had good friends, but we were best friends because we were so much alike. He loved adventures as much as I did, and we always snuck off to get into trouble. I really wished he was there. But, of course no person was there. It was a bottle. It must have fallen from the sand dunes, I thought. I picked up the bottle and gave it a once over. I took a double take. There was a piece of paper coiled up inside!

As we moved on to the next trial, I found myself checking everywhere around me in anticipation. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, we came to a gigantic gold door encrusted in jewels. Cautiously I pushed on it, it swung open, and it was surprisingly light. Raising my sword I walked in and saw… a sea of teddy bears blocking the exit.

Seriously, I’m not kidding. It was a circular room probably about 20 paces across and it was split into two sections, one was where Jonah and I were standing and the other side was a pit filled with an assortment of stuffed Kittens, Puppies, and teddy bears. They were all smiling so wide it made me want to throw up because of the happiness. I turned around expecting to see Jonah’s face puffing up as he tried not to laugh, but instead I saw a face full of fear. I tried so hard not to laugh that I must have looked like I poked my head in a beehive and got a face full of hurt.

Check out the pieces submitted during the fall 2012 Tween Creative Writing Series.  Developed by a local Creative Writing Masters student, the kids were encouraged to stretch their writing skills and think outside the box.  Thanks to all of those that attended and took part.    

• STRANDED by Alaina S.
• Cosmetic Power by Surya B.
• The Bane of Telsamon by Nolan W.

This story is one of the winners of the Harry Potter Fan Fiction Contest. Congratulations!

Chapter 1. Tundra

The first feeble rays of sunlight were just starting to appear on the horizon. Papa raised himself slowly and stood in the center of what was left of our nest. He stretched his powerful wings and ruffled his majestic, white feathers. Settling himself back down into a seated position, we all drew in closer to the warmth of his body. The dreaded time was approaching, but it had not yet arrived. For a few precious moments, we all still had each other.

Curl up by the fire, sip some eggnog, and read a Christmas mystery novel. We have a variety of Christmas mysteries to help you ring in the holiday season.

Visions of sugar plums by Janet Evanovich — Christmas is right around the corner and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is on a mission to track down Sandy Claws, a toymaker in trouble with the law. There is also a strange and handsome man in her kitchen. Can he help her find Sandy Claws and a Christmas tree before Christmas? Fans of the humorous Stephanie Plum series will enjoy this special Christmas treat.

Hey, mystery lovers! Aunt Agatha's Bookstore, featuring new and used mysteries, detective and true crime, will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Wednesday, October 3 from 4:00-7:00 PM. Mystery lovers attending their open house will have an opportunity to meet well-known authors such as Steve Hamilton, Louise Penny, Sara Zettel, Deborah Morgan, Loren D. Estleman and more. Aunt Agatha's is in Ann Arbor at 213 S. Fourth Avenue. For more information call 734-769-1114.

Has your book group tried any short story collections? You could choose an author to concentrate on or assign a story to each member, or simply assign a collection and let your members report back to the group.

Among the missing by Dan Chaon

Don't tell anyone by Frederick Busch

Are you looking for something new? Short Story collections are the perfect way for Mystery fans to try new authors.

A study in Sherlock: stories inspired by the Holmes Canon edited by Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger

The best American mystery stories 2011 edited and with an introduction by Harlan Coben

Hook, line & sinister edited by T. Jefferson Parker

Great house [Large print] by Nicole Krauss

Full dark, no stars [Large print] by Stephen King

Twelve steps to a compassionate life [Large print] by By Karen Armstrong

The scent of jasmine [Large print] by Jude Deveraux

The staff at Canton Public Library is a diverse group and our reading picks reflect this…

Candyfreak: a journey through the chocolate underbelly of America by Steve Almond

Unaccustomed earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Nominations are being announced for the best Mystery/Suspense/Thrillers published in 2010. These are just the beginning...

Library Journal Best Books 2010: Genre Fiction

Mystery Writers of America-Edgars

Location	Author	Title
For Younger Readers:
J Picture Book BAB		Baby Bear's Treasury: 25 Stories for the Very, Very Young
J Picture Book DUB	Dobrin, A.	Love Your Neighbor: Stories of Values and Virtues
J Picture Book MAH	Mahy, M.	Tick Tock Tales: Stories to Read around the Clock
J Picture Book POT	Potter, Beatrix	A Treasury of Mouse Stories
J Picture Book ROC	Rockwell, Anne