There was a man who loved a rat and other vile little poems by written by Gerda Rovetch ; illustrated by Lissa Rovetch — is full of colorful, short poems will make you laugh and declare how gross they are all at the same time! My favorites are the man who kept sardines in his pants, the man who baked bread with a snake, and the man who found a kidney. Which ones did you enjoy?

The knitting book by Frederica Patmore, Vikki Haffenden — This large book includes a wealth of information of value to beginning or experienced knitters. From tools, materials, and equipment to stitch patterns and techniques to actual projects for knitters of all skill levels, this book has it all. Bright, crisp photographs make it a treat to look at as well as being a useful resource.

Automobiles lost & found: extraordinary stories of long- lost cars rediscovered by Michael Ware

Benjamin Franklin's numbers: an unsung mathematical odyssey by Paul C. Pasles

Myths and mysteries of Michigan: true stories of the unsolved and unexplained by Sally Barber

The American Library Association has joined the National Institutes of Health promoting Go4Life. Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help individuals fit exercise and physical activity into their daily life.

Older & wiser workout [videodisc]: for active older adults by with Sue Grant; produced by FitFlix Productions

Lilias! yoga: your guide to enhancing body, mind, and spirit in midlife and beyond by Lilias Folas

The Paris wife [Large print]: a novel by Paula McLain

Doc [Large print] by Mary Doria Russell

Treason at Lisson Grove [Large print]: a Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novel by Anne Perry

Books can be deceiving [Large print] by Jenn McKinlay

Growing perennials in cold climates by Mike Heger, Debbie Lonnee, and John Whitman — There are certainly many areas with colder climates than we have here in Canton, but with our sometimes harsh winters and unpredictable seasonal changes, we definitely qualify. This book lays out details on the most popular perennials cold climate gardeners favor, and also provides basic information for growing perennial plants. It even gets into propagation techniques and troubleshooting problems with perennials.

The language of flowers: a novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Winterdance: the fine madness of running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen

My name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

1984: a novel by George Orwell ; with an afterword by Erich Fromm

What's the first book you will read this year? Have you made any reading resolutions for 2012? Last year I promised myself I would catch up on all my favorite authors, I think I read about 60% of my authors' list. This year I've promised myself to use all the reading diaries I've received over the past several years. I think this will be an easier resolution to keep.

Martha Stewart's handmade holiday crafts : 225 projects and year-round inspiration for everybody's favorite celebrations by from the editors of Martha Stewart Living — Every year is full of celebrations, and this book includes crafty projects you can make to help celebrate ten of the most commonly honored holidays. Many of these projects are also adaptable enough that you could use them for birthdays, anniversaries, and other get-togethers. Some are even possibilities for any time, like the embroidered cards and flowery notes.

Making artisan chocolates: flavor-infused chocolates, truffles, and confections by Andrew Garrison Shotts ; photography by Madeline Polss — Since December 29th is National Chocolate Day, do not let the chance to explore the art and world of chocolate escape you. In this book, you will get the chance to immerse yourself in the creation of chocolate that is to die for. Don't forget the artistic flair to make your new delights a one of a kind treat!

Designing with grasses by Neil Lucas — Like many gardeners, I tend to think of ornamental plants in terms of perennials and annuals, but I often neglect to remember the grasses. There are so many beautiful grasses that can really bring depth and flair to a garden, and this book highlights them. Not only do grasses bring beauty, they are often very healthy for the ecosystem and bring environmental benefits. This book has information on varieties of grasses, how to use them in your gardens, and how to keep them healthy.

Knitting in the details : charming designs to knit and embellish by Louisa Harding — There are a variety of techniques you can use to bring a little something extra to your knitting projects. This book covers embroidery, duplicate stitch, beading and a number of other such techniques. It's amazing what a difference a seemingly small effort can make.

Pruning & training by Christopher Brickell, David Joyce — There are so many plants that like to climb or have other growth habits that make it easy for gardeners to help them grow in a particular shape or pattern. This book covers a huge variety of those plants, as well as presenting background information on how different types of plants grow and the basics of both pruning and training. There's info here on how to prune and train established plants as well as how to get new plantings started to match your vision.

The death of North Korea's controversial leader, Kim Jong Il, was announced earlier this week by DRPK state television. Although North Korean legend claimed that Kim was born on Mount Paekdu — a cherished Korean site — Soviet records indicate that he was born in Siberia in 1941. His father Kim Il Sung was a guerilla fighter who became a communist leader in Korea in 1945 after the defeat of Japan in World War II. After the Korean peninsula was divided into two states — the North, administered by the Soviets — and the South by the United States, the stage was set for the beginning of the Korean War. After the North invaded the South in 1950, three years of bloodshed ensued, killing millions and leaving the peninsula permanently divided to this day. Kim Jong Il became the country's "Dear Leader" in 1994 upon the death of his father. Kim Jong Il was widely criticized throughout the world for devoting much of his country's resources on building up its nuclear arms arsenal, while at the same time his countrymen were suffering from a prolonged famine. His youngest son, Kim Jong Un, has been designated as his successor.

Rogue regime: Kim Jong Il and the looming threat of North Korea by Jasper Becker

Under the loving care of the fatherly leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty by Bradley K. Martin

Vaclav Havel, the longtime dissident who later became the leader of the Czech Republic passed away December 18 at the age of 75. Havel was better known as a poet and playwright when he led his nation through the bloodless Velvet Revolution in 1989 that toppled the decades long Soviet regime in Czechoslovakia. Havel later went on to serve as president of Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992. After the federation peacefully split into two states he served as president of the Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003. The other state became Slovakia. Among those expected to be at his Friday funeral are Bill Clinton, U.S.

Birds of a feather by Jane Yolen — Striking photographs are what caught my eye right away on Jane Yolen's new book. This book has 14 spirited poems about familiar, as well as less common birds in the Eastern U.S. Each poem is matched with a photograph of the bird with realistic colors and sharp details. Yolen has written over 300 books for children and won many medals for her work.

Into the unknown: how great explorers found their way by land, sea, and air by Stewart Ross — Brave explorers have vivid stories to tell and they range from sailing on the oceans to landing on the moon. This book takes a fascinating look at the adventures of many great explorers. Fresh storytelling and unfolding cutaways and cross sections keep the reader engaged.

Vintner's Wine and Mysteries Book Discussion Group will meet every other month (i.e. even-numbered months) in 2012. The first meeting at Vintner's Canton Winery will be on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 from 7:00-8:00 PM.

Registration is required and will begin on January 21, 2012. The February reading selection will be available for pickup at the Canton Public Library's Help Desk on January 21.

Can you believe it? The holidays are nearly upon us! Hanukkah starts this Wednesday, Dec. 21st and Christmas is right behind it on the 25th. Are you still looking for that perfect gift? Get crafty this holiday season with our selection of holiday craft books.

Every year CPL's Lunch and a Book Club picks our favorite reads of the year. These are our favorite reads for 2011. The picks are as eclectic as our group! Feel free to join us. We meet on the second Thursday of every month at noon in CPL's Community Room.

Fiction

Catching fire by Suzanne Collins

The forgotten garden: a novel by Kate Morton