We've had a lot of people blindly trying new books this week! Today will be the last day to check out a wrapped book, but everyone will have until May 31 to get the "Rate Your Date" forms turned in.

We checked on what you thought of your blind dates and so far -

11 were Amazing
14 were Total Disasters
18 were OK, and
29 were Better Than Expected!

So get those forms turned in by May 31 and you may be the winner of 12 wonderful noodle entrees from Noodles and Co., one each month for a year!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this program! We hope you enjoyed the new reading experiences as much as we enjoyed setting up these dates for you!

As the premiere of Downton Abbey's greatly anticipated third season has come and gone (if you’re new to the series, click here to place a hold on season 1), Downton-ites the world over have been yearning for further insight into the Edwardian era history and characters popularized by the PBS Masterpiece Classic/ITV drama. Whether you are seeking more information on the program itself or hoping to find a Downton-like storyline to tide you over until the next episode airs, we encourage you to view our list of Downton Abbey Recommendations. 

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The Oscar nominations were announced this week and five of the nine best picture nominees are based on books! So add these books to your reading list this winter and see how they compare to the adapted movie.

Argo by Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Team of Rivals (Lincoln) by Doris Kearns Goodwin

 Extreme weather - we are experiencing it as I write this. Connecticut's governor told his state's residents, "Get out, before you can't." New Jersey's governor said, "Don't be stupid. Get out." That's about as ominous as it gets.  Want information on what causes bad weather?   Check out these titles at ELPL:

Extreme Weather: a guide to surviving flash floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, snowstorms, tsunamis, and other natural disasters by Schneider 

Extreme Weather: understanding the science of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, heat waves, snow storms, global warming, and other atmospheric disturbances by Mogil

The Weather of the Future: heat waves, extreme storms, and other scenes from a climate-changed planet by Cullen.

Or check out The Perfect Storm by Junger, a report of an epic storm and the lives that were lost because they couldn't get out in time.

Detroit has been the subject of much discussion over the past few years.  It's a hot topic and not just here in Michigan.  On a recent trip to Los Angeles, people were still talking about Detroit becoming the "new Brooklyn" (read more here and here) and the Santa Monica Public Library had the book featured in this post prominently displayed for check out.  When I walked by 30 minutes later it was checked out.   

While opinions about Detroit vary wildly, one thing is for sure:  people sure like talking and writing about it.  Personally, I love Detroit. Being a huge fan of mid-century architecture, Detroit (Wayne State's campus is one of many places to explore) and the surrounding area (particularly Cranbrook) is amazing. 

If you are at all interested in Detroit, this book is worth checking out: Detroit: a biography by Scott Martelle. While not exactly a jolly read, it does give a good historical glimpse into what Detroit once was and what it can now become.  

Before reading this book, I found these interesting documentary videos about Detroit made by Johnny Knoxville.  It's a three part series that focuses on a variety of aspects of Detroit, including a lot of the positive changes being made.  

Since it's that time of year, I'll end this post by shouting (well, writing) Go Tigers!  

The Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books celebrates the best science writing that is "accessible, interesting and compelling accounts of the world around us or inside us". This year's finalists are:

The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker

The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene

The Information by James Gleick

Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer

My Beautiful Genome by Lone Frank

The Viral Storm by Nathan Wolfe

The winner will be announced November 26.

Check out some of the new craft books coming to ELPL this Fall!

Craft-a-day by Sarah Goldschadt

Fleece Hat Friends -- 25+ Easy-Sew Projects by Mary Rasch

Halloween With Matthew Mead by Matthew Mead

Home Sewn Home by Vaness Arbuthnott

Paper Jewelry by Denise Brown

Ruby Star Wrapping Creative Packaging To Reuse, Regive and Relove by Melody Miller

Scrapbooking For Home Decor -- How To Create Frames, Boxes And Other Beautiful Items...by Candace Windham

I have to admit, before picking up this book, I had never really read Lawson's Blog.  I read hundreds of blogs each week and have been trying (unsuccessfully) to limit the time spent on them.  Seriously, it can become an addiction if you let it.

That being said, the cover of the book intrigued me (see: taxidermied rat) and the reviews were good.  I was on vacation, just finished all three Fifty Shades books in one day and needed (wanted!) to read something completely different.  So, enter Lawson's book.  

Verdict:  hilarious and oddly touching.  The underlying theme is that those moments that humiliate us and make us seem "weird" and embarrassed are also the ones that make us who we are and that's a good thing.  While I really enjoyed this book it should probably be avoided if you have an aversion to swearing (because there is a LOT of it), gross out situations and mild oversharing.  

A lot of banned or challenged books are now considered classics that we read for the first time when we’re young.

For me, that book was Gone with the Wind. I read it for the first time on vacation with my grandparents, the summer before 8th grade. Gone with the Wind was my first 1000+ page epic and that week I could hardly put it down. The adventures and drama of Scarlett O’Hara’s life kept me turning the pages. I remember hiding under the covers with a flashlight reading well after everyone else was asleep, and my Grandpa calling me Scarlett whenever he talked to me.

When I’ve revisited this book, I not only enjoy the story again, but also the special memories of that summer.

So for you Banned Book Week might not be a time to read something new, but instead it might be a time to revisit a classic old friend.

Click here for a list of Classics that have been banned or challenged.

Let your eye enjoy the color and your ear the soothing sound.  Jazz, birds, and non-fiction books are featured this month in library displays.

Summer Solstice Jazz Festival fills the streets of downtown East Lansing on June 18-20, 2010.  Sounds sure to get your body and soul movin' will fill the air.  Get ready when you next visit the library and check out the display featuring jazz books and recordings.

Waking in the morning to the chitters, coos, and trills of all those birds pulls our hearts and minds into the promise of each new day.  Celebrate birds of all feathers by stopping by the birdwatching display the next time you stop in the library.  You can even catch a information-filled preview on the web at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the American Birding Association.

Summer is always the time to break out of your reading rut.  Take a look at our display of what can only be called "Fetching Non-Fiction."  Pick up a book that strikes your fancy -- and keep your horizons expanding!

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying..." 

June is National Rose Month.  Of course the library has lots of information on growing and appreciating all the beautiful varieties of roses for gardeners and aficionados.

But beyond the literal, the library has wonderful books to read and films to view to celebrate the power of the rose in life and literature.  Below are a few suggestions.  Share your own suggestions by clicking below on "add new comment."

In an effort to educate myself and read books other than fiction, I recently finished a book called China Road: A Journey Into the Future of a Rising Power, by NPR correspondent Rob Gifford. I have to admit that nonfiction books take me longer to read, but that can be a good thing - I really did learn something!

The votes are in! BookBrowse.com has announced the 2009 BookBrowse Favorite Awards.  Over 4,000 votes were submitted, and the winners are...

• Overall Winner: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Did you know that the Friends of the East Lansing Public Library have used books for sale every day? It's the best deal in town! Stop in the library and check out the Friendshop, where you'll find tons of used books at great prices. There's something for everyone - adult fiction, mysteries, history, gardening, music CDs, magazines, children's books, and much more. You'll pay a fraction of the price of brand new, and when you're done, you can donate them back to the library! And remember, all proceeds benefit the library.

Check out the Friends' web site for more information.