Biographer Ron Powers was featured on the Diane Rehm show Thursday September 22, 2005, and presented what he calls an "interpretive portraiture" of American humorist, essayist and novelist Mark Twain. Powers makes the case that Twain became the representative figure of his times. Twain's work and life continues to fascinate us even in these modern times.

Fantasy and romance enter the list this week.

At #5 is High Druid of Shannara: Straken by Terry Brooks. In the final volume of this trilogy the hero Pen Ohmsford is on a quest for save his aunt from exile.

At #6 is Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell. For fans wishing there were new episodes of "Sex and the City", the show's creator treats us to this story of three women trying to juggle their personal and professional lives.

Ever wonder what it would be like to live with an owl? Written and illustrated by veteran animal rehabilitators, Adopted by an Owl: the True Story of Jackson the Owl by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen reveals the trials and joys of raising a great horned owl. Stolen from his nest and rejected by his owner, Jackson is driven to a farm and becomes an integral part of the family. It’s amazing to read of Jackson’s interactions with “Nick” (also the illustrator), his healing process, and his eventual decision to stay on the farm. What’s more, the story takes place in Michigan. A wonderful book to share for all ages. Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen.

Myla Goldberg, who gave us the "perfect" Bee Season returns with a historical novel set in South Boston during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic.
Irish working-class Lydia Kilkenny married the frail, well-to-do Henry Wickett who promptly quitted his medical studies to develop a health-giving elixir (the eponymous Remedy). Historical events such as America's entry into World War I and the Flu provide the catalysts that drive the plot but it is Goldberg’s skill as a novelist that stitches together the various pieces of a structurally complex novel, creating smooth, durable, barely-there seams that makes Wickett’s Remedy “sorrowful, humorous, tender (and) utterly satisfies” . ~ Starred Review , Library Journal.

The University of Michigan Press has just released Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll, by David A. Carson. This 320-page book examines music made in Detroit after World War II, focusing on the "Detroit Rock" sound of the mid 1960s through the early 1970s. Carson devotes plenty of text to the influence of nearby Ann Arbor, including local favorites Bob Seger and Iggy Pop, as well as Commander Cody, John Sinclair, Ted Nugent and Grand Funk Railroad.

Red is For Remembrance by Laurie Faria Stolarz is the latest in her wicked new series. Laurie's stories blend suspense, romance, and the art of keeping secrets - with spicey doses of teen witchcraft and magic. Be sure to start with Blue is for Nightmares, followed by White is for Magic and Silver is for Secrets. A perfect way to get into the witchy season ahead...

This week’s banned books blog (Week 1 and Week 2 here) deals with some of the most banned authors in America. These are authors where a very large number of their books have been banned, and as soon as a new one comes out, it faces increased scrutiny. J.K. Rowling has not quite made the list yet, but if she keeps writing, she will soon. Here are the authors:

Judy Blume: Blume has written a great deal of books for children, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Superfudge. In America, 13 of her books have been challenged or banned in over 100 schools and public libraries, for reasons including the fact that “bad is never punished. Good never comes to the fore. Evil is triumphant.”

Thomas Lynch, the American Book Award winning author of The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade has recently published a new work reflecting on his Irish-American ancestry and many visits to his ancestral home during the past three decades. Booking Passage: We Irish and Americans is a loving mixture of reminiscence, family history, travel writing, cultural and social commentary, and meditation on the complexities of ethnic heritage. A funeral director in Milford, Michigan, Lynch is also an acclaimed poet. He is scheduled to speak about and read from his new book at the Library’s 'Sunday Edition' program on Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library.

Blue Girl is a Thumbs Up honor title for 2005. This yearly award recognizes top-notch teen titles. Walking into a new high school can be daunting, but when Imogene meets up with the ghost of a boy who haunts the school, the story gets even more interesting. True love, bullies, fairies, and soul-eaters, all add to the storyline; written by a master of the fantasy genre, Charles de Lint.

We have good news for those picture book fans of the wild and wacky Pigeon. Mo Willems has written a new story due out this April called Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. Can you imagine how cranky a sleep deprived Pigeon will be? We will make sure to have copies at all locations so you can find out. Now we just have to get through the winter. While you are waiting, entertain yourself by visiting Mo's great website at mowillems.com.