Finding My Voice, by author and NPR host Diane Rehm, is the Everyone's Reading selection for 2009. Fans of her award-winning radio show are sure to enjoy her memoir, but others will also find it inspiring as she recounts numerous and often painful obstacles she's overcome in her personal and professional life.

What’s for dinner tonight?

If you like to collect various objects and then put them together to make something new, you might be a "found artist" in the making. Check out these books about found art and get started making your own handmade masterpiece.
Found Art Mosaics by Suzan Germond
Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects by Marthe Le Van

Beat the Reaper

Noboby Owens, or Bod, is a 'normal' boy fated to be raised in a graveyard by ghosts and a guardian who is neither dead nor alive. Magical, terrifying, and filled with gripping adventures, The Graveyard Book is another supernatural masterpiece by Neil Gaiman and was justly awarded the 2009 Newbery Medal. Coraline, another creepy  Gaiman concoction, was made into a 3D step-motion animated film and is now showing at theaters. Check it out!

The Faith of Barack Obama explores the religious background of Barack Obama, examines his relationship with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and discusses how his beliefs shape his personal and political life. Read this book for an insight into our new president's ideals.  

Did you love the Chronicles of Narnia movies, but aren't quite ready for the books? Not to worry! Pick up one of these new beginning reader books based on the original Narnia series. The Chronicles of Narnia: This Is Narnia and The Chronicles of Narnia: Lucy's Journey offer plenty of excitement and action perfect for younger readers. Check one out today and begin your own adventure into the magical world of Narnia!

Not scared enough by global recession, terrorism, peanut butter, or nuclear war? Death from the Skies by Philip Plait will give you many new reasons to fear, every time you look up.

Plait covers topics such as asteroid impacts, solar flares, nearby supernovae, gamma ray bursts, black holes, and aliens. He concludes with inevitable scenarios; how the Sun will die, and the cold quiet that will end the Universe.

Have you joined your neighbors in our Everyone’s Reading, community wide reading program sponsored by public libraries in Oakland and Wayne counties?  Similar to other One Book, One Community programs across the country, Everyone’s Reading promotes community dialogue through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book.

The warm weather we had earlier this week was like a quick taste of spring, and it inspired me to start planning in earnest for the vegetable garden I'll plant later this year. So far I'm thinking peppers, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, and corn, though I'm sure I'll find more goodies to add to the list. Did you know that you can check out seed catalogs at CPL?

Doesn't it seem as if partisan bickering dominates politics and government these days? Are we so caught up in red state/blue state, liberal vs. conservative that perhaps we have lost sight of what is really important?

It's not quite as cold outside, but it still isn't a tropical paradise. If you wish you could escape the snow and slush, but can't afford a plane ticket, look on our new bookmark for a romance set on beaches, islands, and other hot spots.

 

While Michigan does have a shorter warm season than many would like, paintball is an exhilarating sport to play during the early Spring and Summer months and then especially throughout the Fall. Get your equipment ready for play and check out some of our materials on paintball .

If you know of a paintball field location or Website that is worth noting, leave a response so that others will know about it.

Leaving a comment saying "I'd like to play sometime" will also hopefully connect people with other locals who have this interest.

Parents – are you mystified by MySpace? Unsure of all the hype surrounding social networking?

The 2009 Edgar Award nominees were recently announced by the Mystery Writers of America.  The awards will be given at the 63rd Gala Banquet on April 30 in New York.

I just returned from a vacation on the Pacific coast of California.  Here's a photo I took.  A book I used to plan my trip is Experience the California Coast and here is a map of the area from the library's collection.

Although ski resorts have been proven to have a negative impact on the environment, many resorts are making efforts to become more sustainable. Treehugger.com has come up with a list of the Top 7 Greenest Ski Destinations in the U.S. For those looking for warmer, or simply different eco-friendly destinations, check out the resources CPL has on ecotourism. Photo courtesy of AP Photo.

Looking for something inspirational to boost your marriage relationship? "Fireproof" is the definite date night movie that brings realism and enlightment to what a marriage is all about. Take it one step further and check out the book "Love Dare", the guide used in the movie to restore a broken marriage.

Marley, the lovable Labrador who inspired a best-selling book and a hit movie, now comes to us in a format for beginning readers.  Marley & Me: Meet Marley and Marley & Me: Marley to the Rescue follow the escapades of Marley, who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. If you love dogs, you'll definitely love reading about Marley's crazy adventures.