Banned Books Week 2012

This week, September 30th through October 6th, libraries and bookstores across the country will celebrate Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 as a response to the mass number of challenges to books in schools and libraries. Books are still challenged, banned, and removed from shelves today - here is a list of the most challenged titles from 2011. Check out this page with top ten lists from several years, and a list of banned and challenged classics.

During this week librarians take the time to, through book displays and information, remind people of the freedom to read what they want - and to allow others to do the same.

For more information, visit the American Library Association Banned Books Week site, or the Banned Books Week site. If you have any questions, contact us at (317) 852-3167 option 2 or askus@brownsburg.lib.in.us.

Happy Birthday Shel Silverstein!!

Shel Silverstein was born on this day, September 25th, in 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. I always loved reading his poems and books - A Light in the Attic and Runny Babbit being two of my favorites - and still do!! Bear in There, his poem all about a polar bear who likes to spend lots of time in the refrigerator, always makes me smile. :D

If you haven't read anything by Mr.Silverstein, or would love to revisit some old favorites, check out what we have below! Give us a call at (317) 852-3167 option 2, or e-mail us at askus@brownsburg.lib.in.us if you have any questions.

What is your favorite Silverstein piece? Comment below!

The Giving Tree

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Where the Sidewalk Ends

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A Light in the Attic

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Runny Babbit

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Every Thing On It

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Falling Up

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Pies for Fall

As soon as the temperatures drop and I start seeing apples at the local farmers' markets, I can't help but think of baking pies (and drinking cider...and eating caramel apples)! I am still working on that perfect crust, but these cookbooks all about making pies and other fruit desserts will surely help me master the art. If you would like to request these or any other titles, please contact us at (317) 852-3167 option 2, or askus@brownsburg.lib.in.us.

What are your favorite fall sweets? Comment below!

This petite book has recipes and instructions for simple crumb and no-fuss free-form crusts, which is a win in my book! Following that are recipes for both single and double-crust pies, along with recipes for tarts and turnovers. And the book features beautiful color photos-yum!

If you've ever wanted a recipe for something other than just your basic pie crust, then look no further! This cookbook features recipes for Cornmeal Pie Dough, Sour Cream Pie Dough, Vanilla Wafer Crust, Gingersnap Crust, and more! And have you ever wondered what sorts of pies are made in the Northeast, South, Midwest, and Western portions of the US? If you have, you'll love how recipes are broken down geographically.

If pies aren't your thing, then you might want to try this book, which includes an array of tasty fruit desserts. From Cobblers to Crumbles, Puddings to Cakes, Bars to Trifles, and lots lots more! Recipes are even separated by season, so you can find your perfect sweet anytime of year.

Did you know that September is Library Card Sign-up Month? During this time every year, libraries and librarians do their best to remind their communities of the power a library card holds, and of the many ways they can use it.

Staff members from our library will be in a couple different spots in town in the next week to promote library cards, so get ready!! Tonight (September 7th) at dusk, weather permitting, Brownsburg Parks and Recreation will be showing The Lorax out on the front lawn of Brownsburg Town Hall. You will see our table set up, where people can enter a drawing for a $10 gift card from Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, and also sign-up for a library card (that is not required to enter the drawing). The drawing will take place after the movie but you do not need to be present to win.

On Friday September 14th, our staff will be present at the Brownsburg High School football game against Avon. We’ll have a drawing for a Brownsburg Athletics sweatshirt (Large) and a $10 gift card from Orange Leaf—two separate winners. Winners will be announced at the end of the third quarter, but you do not need to be present to win. Once again people can sign-up for a library card at the table.

In the column to your right, you'll find a slidehow featuring 60 ways to use your library card. Enjoy, and as always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at (317) 852-3167 or askus@brownsburg.lib.in.us.

Next Good Reads...on Goodreads!

There are so many books that come out every month, I quickly get distracted with my current list of books to read...scratch some off, add more, forget about others. Believe it or not, I have actually gotten better about keeping things organized. My Goodreads account has really helped me do that. If you are not familiar with it, Goodreads is a social cataloging website that you can use to keep track of what you have read, what you are currently reading, and what you would like to read in the future. You can use it to group your books by genre, rate and review them, and to connect with others who have read similar books. It is sort of like Facebook for book lovers!!

Below are just a few of the books that are on my to-read list. What are you looking forward to reading next?? Comment below!

The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball (Request this item)

In this book, Kimball chronicles a year of her life on her (and her husband's) sustainable farm. I live in the city, but an urban farm is something I long to have (chickens and all!), and I'm betting this book will inspire me to create it.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin

The first in a trilogy, this book follows the adventures of a young wizard named Ged. Wizards, dragons, magicians...count me in! 

Dearie: The remarkable life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz (Request the book cd)

Julia Child is a huge inspiration to me. In fact, I just hung up a pegboard to display our pots, pans, and kitchen utensils, ala Julia Child (if you have never seen pictures of her kitchen, take a look!). I am very much looking forward to this audiobook-will make for a great car ride!.