Have you ever read the book How to eat fried worms? Because if you enjoyed the book, there is now a feature length film based on the book. It is the story about a new kid in school who gets dared by a bully to eat some worms, so see how he likes them! Have you ever read the Goosebump series by R.L. Stine? It was created into a t.v. program so if you want to watch some of these scary stories there are plenty available at the library. There is Goosebumps. Shocker on Shock Street. or My best friend is invisible. and several more. So come and check them out!

Zen Gardening by Sunniva Harte, is a wonderful book that explores the principles of a Zen garden. Zen gardens are created spaces that promote calm, tranquility, and beauty. Whether you decided a tiny space is right for you, or a larger outdoor garden is what you had in mind, a Zen garden will accomodate your needs perfectly. Zen gardens, whether large or small, incorporate a few simple elements which were adopted centuries ago by Buddhist Monks.

This book, with full color illustrations, takes the novice Zen gardener through the principles of Zen gardening. Sunniva Harte does a wonderful job illustrating complex principles of Zen gardening. She teaches us the motive for creating outdoor spaces along Zen principles, and reveals the meaning of the different elements.

Newbies will learn to create a harmonious and peaceful garden. If you have been thinking about creating a Zen garden, then this is your time to do it!! Make yourself a wonderful space that will nurture your spirit, relieve everyday stress, and promote quiet reflection.

The summer doldrums are upon us, but not if you are a consultant, a salesperson or own a business. Now is the time to plan for year-end goals.

Jay Conrad Levinson has written a series of books devoted to Guerrilla Marketing, a term he coined to describe strategies for marketing, advertising and getting more business.
He has compiled many great ideas, some you’ve thought of and lots you probably haven’t.
Have you explored and exploited using inexpensive new technologies to generate new business leads? Want some ideas on generating more referrals? Tried any new prospecting techniques?
The Ann Arbor District Library has several of his books including Guerrilla Marketing, Guerrilla Marketing For The New Millennium and Guerrilla Marketing Weapons.
Pick one up, make someone else mow the lawn, get in a hammock, have some lemonade, then plan your work and work your plan to meet and exceed your year-end goals.
You’ll be glad you did in December!

Annie Powers leads a normal life in Florida with her husband and child in the stellar psychological thriller Black Out. However, less than ten years earlier, Annie was Ophelia March, the teenage prisoner or partner in crime of serial killer Marlowe Geary. Annie has now reinvented herself with Geary's help, Annie can't remember all that happened during her teenage years with Marlowe, and she now is prone to panic attacks and blackouts.

Join The MSU Extension at The Hope Center for a weekly parenting session for single parents. Sessions are EVERY Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and are free. Come to six sessions and receive a certificate of completion. Registration is requested. Another idea: read Building Better Families: A Practical Guide by Matthew Kelly, or Debra Hafner's What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know, only two of the hundreds of parenting books in our collection.

Have you been to Top of the Park this year? If not, this week is a perfect opportunity to come on down and support the Ann Arbor Summer Festival!

This week's entertainment includes performances from The Dream Engine (Wednesday -Saturday this week only), enchanting aerialist performers that suspend themselves from a larger-than-life helium balloon, wonderful musical performances, and an ecclectic collaboration of movies at dusk for all to enjoy...and it's all for free!!!

You can view the entertainment schedule at the Festival Website.

Top of the Park is located at Ingalls Mall, directly in front of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies on Washington Street near the Burton Memorial Tower.

The Festival runs till July 6th, so come prepared to dance, sing along and have a good time!

You have been thinking about starting a garden, but you just haven't taken that first step yet....

Well don't wait any longer!!! The best way to start any new hobby is by jumping in with both feet!

This is the perfect time of the year to start a garden, and we have many books on gardening here in the library to get you on your way. If you are like I am, then you probably have a lot of questions that need to be answered before you take on a new gardening project.

Check out this wonderful book, The New York Times 1000 gardening questions & answers. This book will get you started by answering some of your basic questions regarding gardening.

Who cares if you don't know everything a master gardener knows! Your thumb has to be a little brown before it gets green.

I was truly shocked and heartbroken yesterday when I heard of the death of beloved journalist Tim Russert. Behind his award-winning career, Tim was a devoted family man and the best-selling author of two books which make for great father's day gifts. His memoir Big Russ and Me: father and son: lessons of life (2004) recounts his irish-catholic childhood in Buffalo, New York as the son of Big Russ. After the success of this book, Russert received some 60,000 letters and emails from people describing their own relationships with their fathers - excerpts from which comprise his second book Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons (2006). Although it has the potential to be sappy, this collection of stories is diverse enough to appeal to a wide range of readers. And, as a side note, in 1995, the National Father’s Day Committee named Tim Russert “Father of the Year,” Parents magazine honored him as “Dream Dad” in 1998, and in 2001 the National Fatherhood Initiative also recognized him as Father of the Year. Tim, we will miss you.

Are you ready for summer reading? We are! Register online or in person at any of our locations beginning Friday, June 13.

This year's theme is "Under Construction" and we have fun planned for all ages. Everyone is invited to come hear the exciting West African Sounds of Like Water Drum and Dance at the new Traverwood Branch, July 6, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Adults who really want to stick to the theme can learn about Creating A Green Home in a presentation; by Michael Klement of Architectural Resource, LLC; on green building strategies, July 30, 7:00-8:30 at the Malletts Creek Branch. Children are invited on July 19, 2:00-3:00, to the Pittsfield Branch, to make their own monster trucks by re-using common household items. Or participate in our summer contests! Teens, come get your game on high tech and no tech throughout the summer.

Whether you want to learn; play; hang out; or find new books, magazines, movies and music; you can do it at AADL this summer.

Recently I reread Heart of Darkness, a book that gets better every time. Joseph Conrad is able to masterfully portay human corruption through a story of an expedition into a mysterious continent as well as the soul itself. The next time you are perusing our shelves, consider rereading an old classic. You may enjoy it even more the second time. Visit a list of Pulitzer Prize Winners for possible Re-Read candidates.