Connie Willis, the prolific science fiction author, has won the prestigious Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award for 2011. The award is given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and celebrates lifetime achievement in science fiction or fantasy. The library owns many of her titles, including Blackout/All Clear, which won the Hugo Award for 2011.

If you are anxiously awaiting George R. R. Martin's next book, you may need some reading material in the mean time. Don't despair — there are plenty of great fantasy series available. Check out this list from io9 for some ideas.

Murder in the 11th house: a Starlight Detective Agency mystery by Mitchell Scott Lewis

All cry chaos: an Henri Poincaré mystery by Leonard Rosen

Ghouls, ghouls, ghouls by Victoria Laurie

Blood ties by Jane A.

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

The boy in the suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis; translated from the Danish by Lene Kaaberbol

Dreams of joy: a novel by Lisa See

Faith: a novel by Jennifer Haigh

The fatal touch: a Commissario Alec Blume novel by Conor Fitzgerald

Enjoy books like The 39 Clues? Looking for something else with adventure and mystery? Try some of these:

NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society by Michael Buckley

A world without heroes by Brandon Mull

The name of this book is secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Are you in the mood for a delicious story to savor this holiday season? One that is skillfully baked, flavorful, and not too heavy? Then sample Pie by Sarah Weeks and/or The Cheshire Cheese Cat — a Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright. These savory tales have a pinch of mystery and history, but family, friendship, and faith in oneself are the bread and butter of both books. Seasoned with laughter and garnished with a touch of magic make them tantalizing literary treats you won't want to miss. Feast upon Pie, and you will soon be drooling for a slice. If you are an intrepid baker, you can even attempt to create the culinary delights described because recipes are included with each chapter.

Anne Inez McCaffrey (1 April 1926-21 November 2011) award-winning author of the "Dragonriders of Pern" series, has died of a stroke at her Ireland home. She was 85 years old. Ms. McCaffrey, the first woman to receive a Hugo Award for fiction and the Nebula Award, was named 22nd Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of America in 2005 and inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006. She was the first science fiction writer to make the New York Times Bestsellers List.

Canton Seniors Book Discussion group will meet on Wednesday, January 25 from 2:00-3:00 PM in CPL Group Study Room A. This month we are reading:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón — Eleven year old Daniel’s quest through the secrets and shadows of postwar Barcelona for a mysterious author whose book has proved as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget. He discovers that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book this author has written.

Check at the Help Desk for an available copy of The Shadow of the Wind.

Reddit, a social sharing site that bills itself as "the front page of the internet," might be the last place you'd look for book suggestions. Then again, it might be the last place you'd look for random acts of pizza, daily learning, or help with "tip of my tongue" questions, but those are examples of vibrant niches (called subreddits) on the site. Some book-related subreddits include: r/books, r/bookclub, r/booksuggestions, and r/bookexchange. Check out the top 50 of reddit's favorite books, available here at CPL:

The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams

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

Dune by Frank Herbert

Slaughterhouse-five, or, The children's crusade: a duty- dance with death by Kurt Vonnegut

Well then, you might try enrolling in either Master Dreadthorn's School for Wayward Villains or Blatt School for the Insanely Gifted. Granted, you must be the child of a notorious evil entity, such as Dracula, The Big Bad Wolf, or a warlock and be lacking in evil to normally qualify for entry into the former school, but heck, you could always give it a shot. "Gifted" has a lot of definitions. The deciding factor for entry into the later school is that you have the ability to invent something the headmaster might want to steal from you, thereby increasing his fame, fortune, and power — but you don't know this of course. Trust me, if you do have the opportunity to attend one of these schools, you will gain a whole new perspective on education.

Villain School : good curses evil by Stephanie S. Sanders — Join Rune, Jez, and Wolf Junior as they try to succeed at a nearly impossible Plot in order to avoid being expelled for not being bad enough.

The School for the Insanely Gifted by Dan Elish — Wild rides, literally, are in store for you with Daphna, Harkin, and Cynthia as they embark on an international search for Daphna's missing mother and prepare for the school's upcoming "Insanity Cup" competition. Don't miss this action-packed adventure fantasy. If you liked The Mysterious Benedict Society, you will love this for sure.

Fast, fun, reads, both of these weird school books are sure to please!

Here are some great new books if you are a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and/or supernatural stories, especially those with a touch of romance.

The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson

Entwined by Heather Dixon

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Hunger Games [kit] by Suzanne Collins — Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen accidentally becomes a contender in the annual Hunger Games, a grave competition hosted by the Capitol where young boys and girls are pitted against one another in a televised fight to the death.

A murder of crows flew off to the forbidden Impassable Wilderness with the baby brother you were supposed to be watching? This is just the first difficult quandary that Prue is forced to deal with in Wildwood by Colin Meloy (lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists). Well, as you might guess, Prue does elect to sneak into the wilds, followed by a nosy classmate, Curtis. This intrepid duo soon learn they have entered a realm in the midst of violent upheaval. One part of the dark and magical wood is warring with at least one other section. A simple rescue mission explodes into mortal battles featuring incredible creatures and humans as various factions vie for power and control. Honeyed deceit, brutal honesty, and difficult choices force Prue and Curtis to mature quickly.

October 4, 4:00-5:30 PM
A talk with author Merrie Haskell Fuller

The princess curse by Merrie Haskell — Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling—and downright silly—curse. Ridiculous though the curse may be, whoever breaks it will win a handsome reward. Sharp-witted Reveka, an herbalist’s apprentice, has little use for princesses, with their snooty attitudes and impractical clothing. She does, however, have use for the reward money that could buy her a position as a master herbalist.

Are you in the mood for an awesome time-travel triology that promises to have a Twilight-ish romance flavor to it too? Then you'd better get started with book #1, Ruby Red by Kirstin Gier now. Gwen lives in London with her mother's rather eccentric family. For years all the attention has been focused on her cousin Charlotte who is supposed to be carrying the family time-travel gene and preparing her for life in the past. However, when Gwen turns 16, she is the one who suddenly starts disappearing into the past.

If you liked Harry Potter, then give these a try:

Stolen by Sarah Prineas; illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo

The hound of Rowan by Henry H. Neff

The lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones

If you liked books like the Warriors series, then try these:

The capture by Kathryn Lasky

Varjak Paw by S.F. Said; illustrated by Dave McKean

Redwall by Brian Jacques; illustrated by Gary Chalk

The Warlock, in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott is part of an awesome, intricate fantasy series. You will be shocked and amazed at what unfolds in this book. If you love multi-layered fantasies, and have not yet delved into the worlds, shadow-worlds, and complex characters created by Scott, you must! In this latest installment you will not believe how gullible Josh is. Has Dr. Dee altered his mind somehow? His sister Sophie has no clue whom she can trust anymore. Ancient civilizations and shadowlands, such as Atlantis, are on the brink of chaos and collapse, which would prevent our known world from ever coming into existance.

Have you enjoyed such books as Beautiful Creatures, Gone, and Graceling? If you like creative storylines, adventure, and just a dash of romance, then here's a list for you:

City of bones by Cassandra Clare

Need by Carrie Jones

A great and terrible beauty by Libba Bray

Poison study by Maria V. Snyder