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Join us on Tuesday, June 8th from 11:00-12:30 in the OWLS boardroom. Bring your lunch!

Books R US is a group of InfoSoup librarians dedicated to providing excellent reader’s services in our libraries. At each meeting we recommend a wide variety of books and also discuss and share books within a defined genre. New participants are always welcome!

The genre for the June 8th meeting is Satire. If you are not sure what to read, check out this list of humorous and satirical books from BookBrowse.com.

Future meetings and genres:
August 10 - Biography
October 12 - True Crime

Browse Books R Us reviews on InfoSoup. All InfoSoup library staff are welcome to contribute reviews. Contact OWLS to learn how.

Bonus Link: Jamie at NFLS just posted on Nic Bits "10 Tips for Readers Advisory" from Becky Siegel Spratford's WAPL session. Joining Books R Us is a great way to tackle tip #5, "Read Widely!" 

The Wisconsin Center for the Book's Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak program, offers towns and cities the opportunity to celebrate and explore the literature of our state with writers and artists.  The Center for the Book will award up four grants of $300 each to qualifying nonprofit organizations, including libraries, wishing to bring a Wisconsin author or illustrator to their community to speak at a public event scheduled between September 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.  A Wisconsin author or illustrator is defined as one who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state.

Any Wisconsin nonprofit organization interested in books and reading is eligible to apply for one of the grants.  Collaboration among groups is encouraged.  Applications will be judged on the basis of community outreach and collaboration, thoroughness of planning, and rationale for the choice of speaker.  Application information can be found at http://wisconsincenterforthebook.wordpress.com/wais/ or by contacting Sarah McGowan, Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators program chair, at windsong@centurytel.net.  Completed applications are due July 1, 2010.

Please join us in the Nest at OWLS on Tuesday, February 9 at 11:00am for Books R Us. This month's genre is Romance. Not sure what to read? Check out these lists:

Bookletters Romance titles on InfoSoup
2009 Rita and Golden Heart Finalists
All About Romance
Booklist's Top 10 Romance Fiction 2009
Top 100 Romance Novels by The Romance Reader

I will be reviewing Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, and Lani Diane Rich.

We have three new booklists on the family page. The Hmong - Fiction for Children highlights children's items from the Appleton Public Library's wonderful Hmong Resource Center. Another booklist, The Vietnamese, includes a wide range of children's fiction and non-fiction books about the history, culture and people of Vietnam. Multicultural Books for Children presents a selection of picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction books that explore culture and identity from diverse perspectives. Thanks to the Appleton Public Library Children's Services staff for contributing these lists!

> contributed by Evan

At the end of January, the American Library Association announced their selection of  top books for children including the winners of the prestigious Caldecott and Newbery awards.

The 2009 Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to children's literature was awarded to The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman.

The 2009 Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children was awarded to The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes and written by Susan Marie Swanson.

Visit the InfoSoup Family Page to see a list of the 2009 Newbery and Caldecott honor books. For more great titles, don't miss Award Winners for Kids.

On the teen front, this year's winner for excellence in young adult literature is Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta. Please visit the InfoSoup Teen Reads page and  Teen Award Winners to find more award winning books for young adults.

> contributed by Evan

Stories Without Words is a new booklist on the Family Page on InfoSoup. This list highlights some of the very creative artists/illustrators that tell wonderful stories though wordless or almost wordless picture books. I took the liberty of adding two of our family favorites, Lights Out and Hogwash by the ever inventive Arthur Geisert. Thanks to Sue Abrahamson in Waupaca for sharing this list! If you have a list you would like to share please contact me.

> contributed by Evan

Every year, Bookfinder.com lists the 10 most sought-after out-of-print books in America. Here's that list, and some information about these items in InfoSoup.

1. Once a Runner: A Novel (1978) by John L. Parker, Jr.
   The cult classic distance running novel, coming back into print April 2009
   No copies in InfoSoup
2. Sex (1992) by Madonna
   The pop icon’s book of erotic photos, a perennial favorite
   No copies in InfoSoup
3. Promise Me Tomorrow (1984) by Nora Roberts
   An early novel that the bestselling romance novelist refuses to reprint, describing it as “mediocre”
   No copies in InfoSoup
4. Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record (1978) by Carl Sagan
   A document from the first great era of space exploration
   1 copy in InfoSoup (Appleton); currently available.  3 total checkouts, no checkouts in 2007 or 2008.
5. Carpentry for Beginners: How to use tools, basic joints, workshop practice, designs for things to make (1900) by Charles H. Hayward
   A century-old (!) title from a prolific Canadian carpentry author
   2 copies in InfoSoup (2 different editions. Tigerton and Oneida).  Both currently available.  1 total checkout, in 2008.
6. A Lion Called Christian (1972) by Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall
   A memoir about a pet lion, coming back into print April 2009; the video of the authors’ reunion with Christian was all over YouTube
   2 copies in InfoSoup (Appleton and Black Creek); both currently available.  6 total checkouts, 1 in 2008.
7. Comanche Heart (1991) by Catherine Anderson
   The second book in the series. The first, Comanche Moon was reissued and placed on the New York Times bestseller list. This will be coming back into print June of 2009.
   No copies in InfoSoup
8. Legally Sane (1972) by Jon K. Hahn with Harold C. McKenney
   An investigation of an international killing spree and the chilling accounts of a psychopathic murderer
   No copies in InfoSoup
9. Woodworker’s Essential Shop Aids and Jigs; Original Devices You Can Make (1992) by Robert Wearing
   An indispensable resource for DIY craftspeople
   2 copies in InfoSoup (Both in Waupaca); both currently available.  42 total checkouts, 1 in 2007 and 1 in 2008.
10. The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting (1989) by June Hemmons Hiatt
    Incredibly popular comprehensive knitting guide
    4 copies in InfoSoup (Algoma, Florence, Marinette, Wausaukee); all currently available.   42 total checkouts, 5 in 2007 and 4 in 2008.
    

Interesting, no?

> contributed by Gerri

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) recently released a new bibliography highlighting books for children and teens about the environment. It's called Eco-Reading, and you'll find books on the list in the following categories:

• In My World: Loving the Earth - Fiction
  
• In My World: Loving the Earth - Nonfiction
• What Happened Here? Environmental Challenges and Change - Fiction
• What Happened Here? Environmental Challenges and Change - Nonfiction
• Taking Action: Planet Pioneers - Fiction
• Taking Action: Planet Pioneers - Nonfiction

Each title includes an appropriate reader age next to it with a link to more information about each book. While you're at their site, be sure to subscribe to their weekly podcasts!

Thanks, CCBC!

> contributed by Beth

The New York Times has released their list of 100 Notable Books of 2008. The Book Review selected the list from books reviewed since December of 2007, when the last Notables list was published. There are definitely some titles I am going to add to my "want to read" list, so maybe you'll find something new, too. Might be something fun to share with patrons, too, no?

Be sure to check out the Related stories links to the left of the book list for The 10 Best Books of 2008, Notable Childrens Books of 2008, and more.

> contributed by Beth

New highlights on the Family Reads page on InfoSoup include Fall booklists, the October selections from the Read On Wisconsin book club, and a plug for the Meet the Illustrator offerings from Bookletters.  A new Meet the Illustrator feature is posted on the 26th of each month. These are clever graphical interviews with talented children's book Illustrators/Authors.  I find them a lot of fun and a great way to learn about new (and old) picture books.

> contributed by Evan