Here's some great books for those who like fantasy with a little wonder and humor:

The false prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The chaos code by Justin Richards

The scorpions of Zahir by Christine Brodien-Jones

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Looking for some paranormal adventure mixed with a little romance? Try one of these books:

Daughter of smoke & bone by Laini Taylor

The Raven Boys [sound recording] by Maggie Stiefvater

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

The iron king by Julie Kagawa

Lovers of dogs and/or dog stories will be delighted to know that a deluge of delights awaits them this publishing season. Here is but a sampling of some recent dog tales. Take your pick of the litter!

A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean

The vanishing by Christopher Holt

The dogs of winter by Bobbie Pyron

If you enjoyed A Great and Terrible Beauty, try one of these:

Clockwork angel by Cassandra Clare

Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers

The diviners by Libba Bray

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

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.

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

The wondrous journals of Dr. Wendell Wiggins: describing the most curious, fascinating, sometimes-gruesome, and seemingly impossible creatures that roamed the world before us by Lesley M.M. Blume ; illustrated by David Foote. If you don't know what a paleozoologist is, then read this extremely informative and entertaining work by Dr. Wiggin. It reveals the secrets of the very ancient earth and long-extinct plant, animal, and humanoid species. Wiggins provides detailed sketches and descriptions of such bizarre creatures as: Thunder Vulcusts, "Land" Whales, Bunny Fluffs, Cloud-Dwelling Hummingbird People, and Hapless Vampire Glow Bats.

Looking for some great teen fantasy, try one of these books:

Daughter of smoke & bone by Laini Taylor

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson

Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers

Brave new world by Aldous Huxley

A canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The handmaid's tale by Margaret Atwood

If you love fantasy set in another time and universe, try these titles for a change of place.

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara West
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin

The traveling restaurant: Jasper's voyage in three parts: a novel for children by Barbara Else ; [illustrations, Sam Broad] is a savory story featuring twelve-year-old Jasper who must mature very quickly in order to meet the challenges of life suddenly thrust upon him. He is abandoned by his family, he thinks, and soon realizes his baby sister has been kidnapped by the ruthless Lady Gall and her soldiers. She holds the key to restoring the missing magic to Fontania and he must rescue her before they poison her and take control of the kingdom. He gets help from a most unexpected source - the Traveling Resaurant, a mysterious ship serving delicious, magically appearing food and the two owers who operate it.

The following series will soon be found only in the J Fiction Collection:

• Michigan Chillers — will be shelved as J Fiction Rand
• American Chillers — will be shelved as J Fiction Rand
• Hannah Montana — will be shelved as J Fiction Hannah

Thank you once again for your patience and understanding while these items are being processed to reflect these changes.

The Harry Potter books are now available in eBook format! You can check them out using your library card. Click the links below and then log in with your library card to see what's available or to place a hold.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows