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)

21st century houses: 150 of the world's best by [editor] Robyn Beaver

The borrower: a novel by Rebecca Makkai

Carlisle versus Army: Jim Thorpe, Dwight Eisenhower, Pop Warner, and the forgotten story of football's greatest battle by Lars Anderson

Listen and read along with one of our J Book/CD Kits. You can find them near the music CDs in the Children's Department. Pick some up today for a car trip or for listening at home. Here's a list of some popular choices:

Chrysanthemum [kit] by Kevin Henkes

Amelia Bedelia [kit] by Peggy Parish

A fine, fine school [kit] by Sharon Creech

Is there a new baby in your house? Read some picture books about older siblings and how they adjust to all the changes that a new baby brings.

Sophie and the new baby by Laurence Anholt; illustrated by Catherine Anholt

Hi, new baby! by Robie H. Harris; illustrated by Michael Emberley

Brand-new baby blues by words by Kathi Appelt; illustrations by Kelly Murphy

Take a look at some great books for fifth graders:

The underneath by Kathi Appelt; illustrated by David Small

An unremarkable boy and a rather remarkable ghost by Louise Arnold

Dragon's breath by E.D. Baker

First graders, here are some great books just for you!

Young Cam Jansen and the missing cookie by David A. Adler; illustrated by Susanna Natti

Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

Inside, outside, upside down by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Mine's the best by Crosby Bonsall

On Thursday, September 13 at Noon we'll be discussing:

Once upon a river: a novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell — After the violent death of her father, in which she is complicit, Margo Crane takes to the Stark River in her boat, with only a few supplies and a biography of Annie Oakley, in search of her vanished mother. Her river odyssey through rural Michigan becomes a defining journey, one that leads her beyond self-preservation and to the decision of what price she is willing to pay for her choices. The New York Times called this book "an excellent American parable about the consequences of our favorite ideal, freedom."

Looking for some great Fourth Grade reads? Try some of these:

The strange case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

The one and only Ivan by Katherine Applegate; illustrations by Patricia Castelao

Tales of a fourth grade nothing by Judy Blume; illustrated by Roy Doty

J READER

Cork & Fuzz by Dori Chaconas; illustrated by Lisa McCue

Dodsworth in Rome by written and illustrated by Tim Egan

Mr.

Are you in Third Grade and looking for a great book to read? Check out these great books:

Please write in this book by Mary Amato; illustrated by Eric Brace

Brand-new school, brave new Ruby by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

Ivy and Bean by written by Annie Barrows; illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Gone Girl is the hottest thriller of the summer. If you read it, loved it, and want more like it, then try these.

Killing me softly: a novel of obsession by Nicci French

Black out: a novel by Lisa Unger

Sister: a novel by Rosamund Lupton

Parts by Tedd Arnold

Franklin goes to school by [written by] Paulette Bourgeois; [illustrated by] Brenda Clark

Snowmen at night by Caralyn Buehner; pictures by Mark Buehner

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Please join the Adult Contemporary Book Group on Monday, September 17th at 7:00 PM in the Purple Room to discuss:

Cutting for stone: a novel by Abraham Verghese — Twin brothers born from a secret love affair between an Indian nun and a British surgeon in Addis Ababa. Marion and Shiva Stone come of age in Ethiopia on the brink of revolution, where their love for the same woman drives them apart.

If you are a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels or enjoy the humor in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum stories you might like these...

Cinnamon roll murder [large print] by Joanne Fluke

Every year, at this time, kids are preparing to go back to school. Here is a list of some great stories to help everyone get ready for that fun first day!

It's my school by Sally Grindley; illustrations by Margaret Chamberlain

Mr. Ouchy's first day by B.G. Hennessy; illustrated by Paul Meisel

Miss Mingo and the first day of school by Jamie Harper

Unwholly by Neal Shusterman — The long awaited sequel to Unwind is almost here. Unwholly picks up where Unwind left off, introducing the reader to new characters and new questions about the practice of unwinding. If you haven't already read Unwind, now is a perfect time!

Don't let your book group miss these:

The tenderness of wolves: a novel by Stef Penney

A three dog life by Abigail Thomas

Moral disorder: stories by Margaret Atwood

The Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander

Look for these films based on popular books in your local theater in the coming months:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte — Starring Kaya Scodelario, James Howson. Release date: October 2012

Les misérables by Victor Hugo — Starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe. Release date: December 2012

Lay the favorite: a memoir of gambling by Beth Raymer — Starring Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Release date: October 2012

Mr. Churchill's secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal

Sidney Chambers and the shadow of death by James Runcie

Boston cream by Howard Shrier

The cat, the wife and the weapon: a cats in trouble mystery by Leann Sweeney