For many, part of the fun of visiting new places is exploring the restaurants, markets and foods unique to that area. We have books to help you find these culinary delights.

Food lovers' guide to Boston: the best restaurants, markets & local culinary offerings by Patricia Harris & David Lyon

Food lovers' guide to Brooklyn: the best restaurants, markets & local culinary offerings by Sherri Eisenberg

Promoters,musicians,songwriters,recording studios...all these people behind the scenes.

Hüsker Dü: the story of the noise-pop pioneers who launched modern rock by Andrew Earles

Here, there and everywhere: my life recording the music of the Beatles by Geoff Emerick and Howard Massey

Lonely avenue: the unlikely life and times of Doc Pomus by Alex Halberstadt

Did you know that November 3rd is National Sandwich Day? Legend has it that Englishman John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, created the first sandwich in 1762 by putting meat between two pieces of bread. Celebrate by enjoying your favorite sandwich or by trying something new from one of the many sandwich cookbooks at the library.

101 soups, salads & sandwiches [electronic resource]

Beautiful breads and fabulous fillings: the best sandwiches in America by Margaux Sky; photographs by Ron Manville

On Thursday, November 8 at noon we'll be discussing:

The language of flowers: a novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh — After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, Victoria Jones is unable to get close to anybody and her only connection to the world is through flowers. She uses the Victorian language of flowers (originally developed to convey romance) to communicate grief, mistrust, and solitude. Praised by Booklist as "enchanting, ennobling, and powerfully engaging", this debut novel creates a vivid portrait of a woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past. 

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

Does the thought of eating meat make you feel just awful? Join me in celebrating National Vegetarian Month, going on now in the month of October. We have a wonderful collection of Vegetarian cookbooks that are sure to get your mouth watering. Even if cooked cow does pass your lips sometimes, don't be afraid to try some new, great meatless recipes out. You may be pleasantly surprised.

125 gluten-free vegetarian recipes: quick and delicious mouthwatering dishes for the healthy cook by Carol Fenster

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.

Enjoy these great picture books filled with dinosaur tales:

Dinosaur thunder by Marion Dane Bauer ; [illustrated by] Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Dinosoaring by Deb Lund ; illustrated by Howard Fine

The Berenstain Bears dinosaur dig by Jan & Mike Berenstain

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."

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.

Just in case you're a Junie B. Jones fan, you should be aware of her seasonal titles appropriate for the upcoming holidays as well.

Junie B., first grader: boo!— and I mean it! by Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones, first grader: turkeys we have loved and eaten (and other thankful stuff) by Barbara Park

Junie B., first grader: jingle bells, Batman smells! (P.S. so does May.) by Barbara Park

Enjoy!

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?

It's back to school for millions of students this month. What's happening in our classrooms?

Creating innovators: the making of young people who will change the world by Tony Wagner

Lunch wars: how to start a school food revolution and win the battle for our children's health by Amy Kalafa

Boys and girls learn differently!: a guide for teachers and parents by Michael Gurian

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)