Since all of earth's residents seem to be getting some shaking lately, even Michiganians, an article listing some informative materials and recommendations seems appropriate. For general information on earthquakes in the United States, visit the US. Geological Survey website at earthquake.usgs.gov. If you want to see what preparations can be made, visit earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare.

    One of the great things about this year's Big Read selection, A wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin, is that there are three more books, equally enthralling, in the Earthsea series, plus Le Guin has written dozens of other wonderful books. If you have read this book with your children, there are numerous other authors in the children's section that both children and adults will enjoy.

Dick Francis was one of the first "grown-up" authors I remember reading as a teen.  His books on racing and various and sundry aspects of racing (air transport, bloodstock sales, steeplechases, etc.) always thrilled me and kept me glued to the book, until I reached the end.  His first novel, "Dead Cert" was published in 1962 and he published another one every after that.  When I saw a news flash on Sunday that he had died at the age of 89, I felt a sharp pang of so

We continue our discussion on Elizabeth Gaskell's "Return to Cranford" on March 8th, 2009 in the International Room in the Carnegie Building at 6:00 pm.   We will be watching the final half of the DVD of the Masterpiece Classics/BBC production.  Here's the review from the LA Times--

The February meeting of the Jane Austen Book Club will be held on February 8th at 6:00 pm at the Carnegie Bldg.  We will be continuing our examination of Elizabeth Gaskell's work by watching the DVD of "Return to Cranford," a further examination of the Cranford Chronicles.  A review on the Internet by Jace at Televisionary is a fair d