May 30 to June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, read by Rebecca Gibel (AudioGO)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare, read by full cast (AudioGO)

June 6 to June 12, 2013
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, read by Katherine Kellgren (HarperAudio)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, read by Wanda McCaddon (Tantor Audio)

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This is the culminating stop on the historic Made in Michigan Writers Bus Tour.

Saturday, May 18, 2013
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Grand Rapids Public Museum – Meijer Theater and Lobby
272 Pearl St NW
Grand Rapids MI

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Teens, are you looking for a great event to kick off your summer? Wanna brag to your friends how you just showed up somewhere to dance? Need a fun way to earn community service hours? Look no further! The library will hold rehearsals in May and June for teens to participate in a community dance party event. Join Brandi Angelosanto from Artistic Grace for two nights of fun a week (at either location) to learn simple steps for our first flash mob. No dancing experience or skill required. Grab some friends and let’s make it a party!

Image from: http://www.gzstuff.com/group/i-love-dance

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Spring into volunteering! Are you interested in becoming an active volunteer? Come to the downtown Grand Rapids Public Library on Friday, May 17, anytime from 10:00 am until Noon to learn where to contribute your talents and interests to benefit others, your community, and yourself.

Senior Leadership Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Public Library are partnering on this open house volunteer fair which will bring together 25 different community organizations featuring information on available community resources and meaningful volunteer opportunities. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to register either online through GRCC Workforce Training by clicking on Older Learner Center or by phone at 616-234-3400.

Come and explore the possibilities!

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Just a quick reminder that the Main Library is closed on Sundays starting Sunday, May 27, 2013 (Memorial Day weekend) and continuing through Sunday, September 1, 2013 (Labor Day weekend).

On Sunday, September 8, 2013, the Main Library’s Sunday hours (1:00 to 5:00 pm) will start back up again along with the school year!

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In this program, Hodges will trace the evolution of the train station and the styles architects employed to both tame and exalt rail transportation.  Touching on news accounts, literature and film, Hodges will also consider the central role the depot once played as the nation’s principal crossroads – a much-used, much-loved public space that has no real analog in American life today.

The 2013 Michigan Notable Books program and tour are made possible thanks to generous support of the the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Humanities Council, Meijer, and the Michigan Center for the Book. Media sponsors are City Pulse, WKAR Public Broadcasting from East Lansing, Mittenlit.com, Gennara Photography, Kolt Communications, Inc., and Queue Advertising.

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I know I do. My 4 year-old Sam can’t get enough of construction trucks and takes every opportunity to discuss the type of trucks he sees, what those trucks do, and what kind of construction trucks he will drive when he grows up to be a “construction worker-chef-teacher-superhero.” Oh, and he plans on being “the boss of everyone.”

Good news for Sam and everyone who digs construction–the library has partnered with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and six area cities for our first Construction Truck Petting Zoo. On Saturday, June 1 from 10 am – 2 pm, kids (and grown-ups) will get to see all the different construction trucks up close and learn about what each one does.  There will be hands-on activities and snacks. You can even check out the new construction exhibit at the Children’s Museum.

The Construction Truck Petting Zoo is a great time to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at the library.  Each kid who accepts the challenge will get a jaunty construction hard hat plus a summer of fun and excitement. It is OK  if your child’s entire challenge record will be filled with books about trucks. Trust me, I asked.

None of this would be possible without the support of the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation and our friends at the Kent County Road Commission, and the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, and East Grand Rapids! Thanks for inspiring my son and all the kids that dig construction and reading. You guys rock!

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Pirate Alley by Stephen Coonts

A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

The Innocence Game by Michael Harvey

A Delicate Truth by John Le Carre

The Ophelia Cut by John Lescroart

A House Divided by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Silken Prey by John Sandford

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It’s a terrible thing to admit but I discriminate against books. I don’t want to read books from the bestseller list (with a very, very few exceptions). I don’t want to read romance or chick lit or urban fiction. I can live with all these self-imposed limits, except one: I especially don’t want to read classics.  Because classics aren’t good, just old.

I am embarrassed to admit that. I have a degree in English (focus on creative writing) but I’ve read almost no classic novels. The few classics I have read, I have not enjoyed at all. I’m looking at you, Robinson Crusoe. I’ve recently decided that perhaps my attitude on classics is skewed by the books I read for classes and not by the failure of all classic books to be fun to read. So, this summer I am going to try to read one classic each month. I’ve pick Pride and Prejudice for the month of May.

Do you have any suggestions for me?  Is there a classics must-read on your list? Or a classics avoid-at-all-costs?

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