This year has seen several new films based or inspired on historical figures and events. Lincoln, Hitchcock, On the Road, Argo, and Hyde Park on Hudson are all either in theatres now — or soon will be. If you want to be an educated viewer try one of the titles below:

Team of rivals: the political genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Rise to greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's most perilous year by David Von Drehle

Armchair historians can't go wrong with this diverse list of recently published biographies and histories:

Thomas Jefferson: the art of power by Jon Meacham

The man who saved the union: Ulysses Grant in war and peace by H.W. Brands

The passage of power by Robert A. Caro

Please join us on Monday, January 21st as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King changed all of our lives during the 1960's civil rights movement. Share stories of his life with the following films:

• 12:00 Noon — Man of Peace in a Time of War
• 1:15 PM — King: Go Beyond the Dream to Discover the Man
• 3:00 PM — In Remembrance of Martin

Former First Lady of Michigan, Helen Wallbank Milliken died today. Wife of Michigan's longest-serving governor, William Milliken, Helen Milliken was a strong advocate of women's rights and environmental issues. In a 2006 interview by the Associated Press she said, "Nobody ever saw anybody burn a bra; they're too expensive, but the myth has survived. There have been excesses, but the goal has always remained the same: equal opportunity for women." Ms. Milliken is survived by her husband, William and son, William, Jr.

Thanksgiving Day kicks off a month of celebrations. May we suggest a movie, tips from Martha Stewart on Thanksgiving prepartions, a history, music to sooth, and a story about family.

Planes, trains and automobiles [videodisc] by Paramount Pictures

Martha's classic Thanksgiving [videodisc] by [presented by] Marth Stewart Living Omnimedia

Mayflower: a story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrick

Two days have been set aside to honor the memory of those who have served America in the armed forces:

• Veterans Day — November 11th
• Memorial Day — last Monday in May

The books and videos below are a good way to learn about our nation's armed conflicts and honor the memory of those who served to protect our nation.

Women Veterans

America's first woman warrior: the courage of Deborah Sampson by Lucy Freeman and Alma Halbert Bond — The biography of the only woman soldier to fight in the Revolutionary War. [[b1122647|Former service women — WASPs, WACs, WAVEs, Marines, Army and Navy nurses, cooks, clerks, OSS intelligence officers, and others — offer firsthand accounts of their experiences overseas.

Steven Spielberg's highly anticipated new film Lincoln opens on November 9. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis as our 16th president, and Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, it is inspired by Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 book Team of Rivals: the political genius of Abraham Lincoln. The film focuses on Lincoln's final few months in office, specifically his tireless efforts to get the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (abolishing slavery) passed.

Mark Dawidziak presents his one man show featuring selections from various Dickens works including The Story of Paul from "Dombey and Son", The Ghost of Christmas Present from "A Christmas Carol," the Period from "A Tale of Two Cities" and a delightfully macabre bedtime story, Captain Murder from "An Uncommercial Traveler."

Step back in time as we begin the holiday season on a very entertaining note on Thursday, December 13th at 7:00 PM.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most pivotal moments of the Cold War. For 13 days in October 1962, the United States and the former Soviet Union engaged in a political and military standoff over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles in Cuba — just 90 miles off the U.S. coast. President John F. Kennedy notified the country about the presence of the missiles in an historic television address on October 22, 1962. It was during this speech that he explained his decision to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. Because of this many, people believed the world was on the brink of nuclear war.

Portraits of Service is a moving, emotional book by local author Robert H. Miller.  It is also an award-winning record of the stories and faces of veterans of many different wars.  In 2012, it was awarded the Outstanding Book of the Year.  Miller is currently traveling the country and the world as his book is creating a stir worldwide.  Join us to celebrate our local veterans (some of whom are included in the book) on November 15 at 7:00 PM in the library's Community Room.  Bring your American pride and a hanky. 

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.

Post 9/11, and even prior, Sikhs have been the victims of multiple hate crimes, most recently a vicious shooting at a Sikh place of worship in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the cause of most of these crimes is a lack of understanding about the Sikh identity. Come learn about the history of Sikhs in America, about their identity and beliefs, and their large presence in and contribution to the metro Detroit community. Meet your neighbors on Thursday, October 25 at 7:00 PM.

CPL is pleased to host Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine. This fantastic travelling exhibit, curated by the History of Medicine Division of the National Library of Medicine, explores the world of Harry Potter and its roots in Renaissance magic, science, and medicine. In 1997, British author J.K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter and a literary phenomenon was born. Although a fantasy story, the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science and medicine. Come to CPL from October 22 to November 30 and read all about the potions, immortality, monsters and more written within the pages of the incredible, ground-breaking series.

Scholastic Publishing is celebrating Clifford the Big Red Dog's 50th Anniversary. The popular childrens book series written and illistrated by Norman Bridwell now has more 100 titles and over 126 million copies in print.

Clifford's best pals by Norman Bridwell

Clifford and the dinosaurs by Norman Bridwell

Join Kristy Robinett as she takes you on a journey of the strange and unusual and tells tales of centuries past, legendary stories, folklore and ghostly experiences. Kristy will also sell and sign her latest book, Michigan Haunted Legends and Lore on Tuesday, October 2 at 7:00 PM. This is a great way to kick off the spookiest month, here at CPL.

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

Please join us on Thursday, October 18 at 7:00 PM as we welcome The Detroit Institute of Art education presenter to hear about the upcoming exhibit, Fabergé: The Rise and Fall, The Collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit will run from Sunday, October 14 through Monday, January 21. It features such treasures as the Russian imperial jewel-encrusted parasol and four exquisite Imperial Easter eggs. One stunning example is the Imperial Tsesarevich Egg, made of lapis lazuli, diamonds, and gold and opens to reveal a miniature portrait of young Alexei, the heir of Tsar Nicholas II.

Two hundred years after Detroit surrendered to the British during the War of 1812, the city's riverfront will host a weeklong gala (Sept. 5- 10) which will include a replica tall ship, and four military ships. It was on August 16, 1812 that Gen. William Hull, commander of Fort Detroit, surrendered after being led to believe that the British forces across the river in Windsor were much larger than they actually were. After the war, he was court-martialed for his actions and sentenced to death, but was pardoned by President James Monroe because of Hull's service in the Revolutionary War.

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