Publishers Weekly calls Gunnnerkrigg Court the British boarding school version of Lost. The award winning webcomic is now in printed form! Check it out for a little mystery; it's a mix of magical school adventures akin to Harry Potter mixed with something like the gloomy, gothic, quirkiness of the Adams Family. We've got the book, or visit the webcomic's home online.

One of my favorite mystery writers, Barbara Parker, died after a long illness recently. Most of her novels were in her "Suspicion" series about Miami lawyers Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana. If you haven't read Ms. Parker's books, you'll find a strong, independent, female character in Gail Connor, a Miami attorney. Anthony Quintana was a Cuban-American, born in Cuba, whose family escaped to America in the 50s. This played a large part in the Connor-Quintana mysteries. Ms. Parker's first novel, "Suspicion of Innocence" was nominated for an Edgar Award and became a made-for-TV movie, "Sisters and Other Strangers". Ms.

Kenneth Branagh brings Henning Mankell's detective, Kurt Wallander, to the screen this month.  PBS' Masterpiece Mystery! will telecast three films, SIDETRACKED, FIREWALL, and ONE STEP BEHIND, featuring the morose Wallander at 9:00 p.m.

Just today we are putting our first new Japanese books of 2009 on the shelf. Lots of great fiction titles, including: Famirī pōtoreito by Sakuraba Kazuki and Kinō no sekai by Riku Onda.

Did you know that today marks the founding anniversary of Jamestown, VA? Yep, on May 14, 1607 this first permanent English settlement in the U.S. was established. Why not commemorate the day with a great historical fiction book set in the Jamestown colony? We've got plenty to choose from!

why not try another mythological marvel! As Rick Riordan said in a recent interview, "Mythology is a natural draw for kids. It has magic, mystery, adventure - everything you could want." There are fictional stories based on Greek mythology, as well as books about the glorious gods and goddesses and traditional olympic myths. Riordan recommends a great Web site for mythology buffs: Theoi Greek Mythology

O.k., so yes, it does borrow some elements from Twilight, but that being said, Carrie Jones' Need is still a sizzling, page turner. If you're looking for a quick, guilty pleasure to fill the gap after Twilight, give this a try. Well developed characters; clever chapter titles (each one is a different phobia); dangerous pixie king looking for a queen; mysterious, handsome werewolf. You get the idea. Need I go on; you're already hooked, I can tell.

TheMystery Writers of America announced the  2009 Edgar Awards on Thursday, April 30.  C. J.

Guess what Bat-fans...our hero, Batman, first put fear in the hearts of the notorious criminals of Gotham City 70 years ago today! Holy time flies Batman! If you are in need of a bat-fix until another movie comes out, check out the awesome graphic novels, movies, nonfiction encyclopedias, and cartoons we have here at the library. Hold on to your hats fellow bat-o-philes, the ride has been a wild one so far...what could be up the sleeve of Gotham's sleekest knight? Can't wait for the next 70 years to find out!

Did you know that May 1st marks the beginning of the 30th Annual Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month? Celebrate by checking out a great read like Half and Half by Lensey Namioka. Or mark the occasion by attending the CPL's Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month program on Tuesday, May 5, from 6-8pm. We'll have different kinds of traditional Asian snacks for you to sample, a variety of dance performances to see, henna, and more!  

Originally published in 1979, Kindred is a story of a staggering depth and insight.

Yikes! It sure has been a windy day today! You know, with winds like these, it's the perfect day to fly a kite. Have you ever flown a kite before? You need lots of wide open space so you don't get your kite stuck in a tree. Trust me, I know! Don't have a kite, but still want to read some stories about them? Try some of the books in our Readers section. How about The Berenstain Bears and the Big Red Kite? Or, find out what happens when Curious George Flies a Kite.

Indiana author Michael Koryta last night won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the Mystery/Thriller category for his 2008 novel, ENVY THE NIGHT.

From the creator of YuYu Hakusho, Hunter x Hunter dishes up a helping of wildly creative tournament style battle with a side of treasure hunting adventure.&n

Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. This is a collection of short stories centered around Olive Kitteridge, a retired small town seventh grade math teacher. The stories show how she relates to changes in Crosby, Maine and to the drama in the lives of its residents. You can find other information on the prizes at the Pulitzer site.

Crime Through Time.  Have you tried these historical mystery series?

Thirteenth night : a medieval mystery by Alan Gordon

Cocaine blues : a Phryne Fisher mystery by Kerry Greenwood

A play of Isaac by Margaret Frazer

Sweet poison by David Roberts

In honor of Shakespeare's birthday, why not pick up a great read dealing with the theater?

Parents, looking for some fun titles to encourage your little one to start using the potty? Check out some of these humorous picture books, and good luck!

Everyone poops by Taro Gomi; translated by Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

Have you seen my potty? by Mij Kelly

The princess and the potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison; illustrated by Rick Brown

Hey kids, did you know that this Thursday (April 23) marks the anniversary of both William Shakespeare's birth and death? Celebrate "The Bard" with a fun mystery like Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach or check out the rest of the Children's Department's collection of Shakespeare-related materials.

Did you get a hoot out of Hoot? Then check out some of these other great 'green' reads!