Reading Underground

The NYTimes this morning had an interesting article on reading while traveling on the subway http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/nyregion/06reading.html?_r=1&hp
with a link to a blog called "The Subway Book Club" written by a lawyer from Brooklyn http://subwaybookclub.wordpress.com/
We love anything about reading anywhere. Don't forget to visit your local library for your subway/bus/train reading material. Can't read because you're the one driving? Check out books on CD or tape. Make the most of all your travel time!

Selecting that perfect college or university

General and Undergraduate Ranking sites
Tomorrow students in Fair Lawn head back to school. And if you are thinking ahead to finding that perfect college for your child or yourself, take a look at this collection of college ranking and evaluating sites assembled by the University Library of Ullinois at Urbana/Champaign. It offers a convenient one-stop-shop for college rankings, especially for very targeted populations and unique criteria.

100 Best Beach Books Ever

The folks at NPR have brought us more reading lists - this time audience picks of the best 100 beach books ever. Click on over and see if you find your favorites included.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106983620&sc=emaf

More Puzzles from Alice

Can you guess these book titles?

Of Mice & Men

Tom Sawyer

Highlight the area below each picture to see the answers

Summer Reads from NPR

Every once in a while I wander over to NPR for a little mental pick-me-up. Today at NPR.org I voted for my favorite 10 summer reads from the proposed list of 200 (we're voting to get it down to 100) and then I checked out their book suggestions. And I found out what Nancy Pearl has picked for her summer reads this year. Check it out and let us know which ones you've enjoyed. Happy summer reading (and any other time)!

Help Finding Low Cost Health Care

Do you, a library patron, or someone you know need help finding low cost health care or help paying for prescriptions? NeedyMeds.org offers lots of information on patient assistance and government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.) as well as other resouces to provide information and help with the financial burden of healthcare.

NeedyMeds is a 501(3)(c) non-profit with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or healthcare costs. The information at NeedyMeds is available anonymously and free of charge.

The Best Kid's Books Ever

I was guided to this column by BCCLS executive director Robert White who comments that "Children's reading is the heart of a good public library." And we agree as we embark on the 2009 summer reading program - "Be Creative @ Your Library." It officially begins today.

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF gave his favorites in the Times on July 4. Check them out http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinion/05kristof.html

His goal in offering this thought-provoking list of children's books is to strongly encourage parents to get their children reading. He comments "In educating myself this spring about education, I was aghast to learn that American children drop in I.Q. each summer vacation — because they aren’t in school or exercising their brains."

Reading his column and list and his blog http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/ and the comments on his blog http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/the-best-kids-books-ever/#comments brought back lots of memories for me. Maybe it's time to reread some of those books myself. What are your favorites? What would you add to the list? Comments are welcome here, too.