The scorpions of Zahir by Christine Brodien-Jones is a riveting, fast-paced mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, mythology, mystery, family affairs, and travel. Feisty Zagora Pym sets off for Morocco with her astronomy-crazed brother and archaeologist father to connect with a long lost colleague (Pitblade Yegen) of her father and explore  ruins of the ancient city of Zahir. But Pitblade had been kidnapped, mammoth scorpions have invaded the city, and the rogue planet, Nar Azrak, is on a collision course with earth. With the help of members of the Azimuth tribe, thought to have been extinct, Zagora begins a daring quest to restore order and harmony to this desert land. Key to success of this mission is returning the Oryx Stone to the apex of a buried pyramid.

Have you ever wondered what living on a farm might be like? Get a glimpse into farm life past and present with these great picture books.

Cock-a-doodle-doo, creak, pop-pop, moo by Jim Aylesworth ; illustrated by Brad Sneed

It's milking time by Phyllis Alsdurf ; illustrations by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher

Meet the dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz

The weather is changing and soon we'll have to bundle up in our warmest clothes, so why not read a picture book all about getting dressed? Listed below are some fun choices.

Ella Sarah gets dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Under my hood I have a hat by Karla Kuskin ; illustrations by Fumi Kosaka

Jesse Bear, what will you wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom ; illustrations by Bruce Degen

The secrets of Shakespeare's grave by Deron R. Hicks ; illustrated by Mark Edward Geyer has action, humor, suspense, and family intrigue.  An unscrupulous, greedy relative theatens to take control of the family publishing business from Colophon and Case's father. Enter Julian, an eccentric cousin. He and Colophon join forces to solve a centuries' old mystery about a hidden family fortune that dates back to Shakespeare's time. She is even able to enlist the help of her obtuse older brother Case in a valiant attempt to save their father from financial ruin. Puzzles, hidden clues, creepy graves, slapstick chases, and diverse family dynamics keep readers riveted. A open ending ensures at least one more gripping epsisode in The Letterford Mysteries.

The time traveler's wife: a novel by Audrey Niffenegger

Plainsong by Kent Haruf

Peace like a river by Leif Enger

Montana 1948: a novel by Larry Watson

The 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to Chinese author, Mo Yan. As one of mainland China's best known authors, Mo Yan has created over 10 novels and 80 short stories in his 30-year career.

The days are getting shorter. Time to sit in front of the fire, reading a good book.

Mrs. Adams in winter: a journey in the last days of Napoleon by Michael O'Brien

Do not ask what good we do: inside the U.S.

Batman: the Dark Knight returns — the classic graphic novel by Frank Miller is being adapted into two animated movies. We’ve got the first one coming to the library soon. This is edgy, dark and beautiful stuff, for you batman fans out there. See IGN's video review where they name it as one of the best DC animated movies to date.

If you liked Into the Woods by Tana French try...

On Thursday, October 11 at noon we'll be discussing:

Turn of mind by Alice LaPlante — Dr. Jennifer White is the prime suspect in the murder of her life-long friend and neighbor, Amanda, but as she descends further into the later stages of dementia, it becomes unclear if her shattered memory is preventing her from remembering the truth or helping her hide it. Kirkus Reviews calls this book, "a haunting story masterfully told."

The hobbit, or, There and back again by J.R.R. Tolkien — J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit turns 75 years old on September 21.  September 22 is also Hobbit Day, honoring the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo (whose long awaited birthday celebration initiatied events in the Fellowship of the Ring).  With the first film  in a trilogy  based on The Hobbit releasing this December, it's a great time to check it out for a reread!

Scholastic Publishing is celebrating Clifford the Big Red Dog's 50th Anniversary. The popular childrens book series written and illistrated by Norman Bridwell now has more 100 titles and over 126 million copies in print.

Clifford's best pals by Norman Bridwell

Clifford and the dinosaurs by Norman Bridwell

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.

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann is like Harry Potter entering the Hunger Games, according to one Kirkus reviewer. Other reviews also rave about this new teen/tween Fantasy/Sci-Fi series. In the dystopic land of Quill, when you reach age 13, you are deemed Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Alex is too creative and is thereby judged Unwanted and sentenced to be cast into the Lake of Burning Death along with the other Unwanteds.  His identical brother, Aaron, is rated Wanted, turns his back on his brother, enters Wanted University, and rises quickly, becoming the protege of High Priest Justine. Meanwhile, Alex is pleasantly surprised when instead of suffering a painful death, he is welcomed into the magical realm of Artime by the kindly mage Mr. Today.

If your book group is looking for a reading challenge--each of these books has been challenged by a parent or a community.  This year marks the 30th Anniversary of American Libraries Association's Banned Books Week, September 30 - October 6, 2012.
 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ; preface and notes by Matthew J. Bruccoli

Have you missed these recent additions to some of your favorite series?

Last chance by Norah McClintock is the first book in the Robyn Hunter Mystery series. While working in an animal shelter for the summer, Robyn if forced to confront her fear of dogs as well as Nick, a boy from her past she had hoped never to see again. Nick is one of the juvenile offenders volunteering at the shelter.  He is accused of hitting a pedestrian while joyriding and pleads guilty.  Robyn senses something strange about his plea, begins snooping around, and once convinced of his innocence, sets out to prove it. Dog lovers and mystery fans will enjoy this book.  Danger, clever detective work, and current teen/tween issues will keep even reluctant readers coming back for other titles in this series.

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

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

Classical music speaks both to the mind and to the heart, giving us something to think about as well as to experience.

—William J. Clinton, President of the United States, 1993-2001

Celebrate opening night at one of the many concerts offered throughout the month of September.

• Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony
• Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Michigan Philharmonic
• Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra

The painting, featured above, is Attributes of Music by Anne Vallayer-Coster (1770)