2013 is upon us, and you know what that means? A new year for soon-to-be-published teens books! I am in an ordering frenzy, trying to get all the most popular sequels and newly published books on order. If I miss something or if there's a book that you're looking for that we don't have, just ask! There is a "Suggest A New Item" feature in our catalogue where you can let us know. Be sure to use it... we love suggestions! :)

William Sydney Porter (a.k.a. O. Henry), the (in)famous writer who spent time in prison for embezzlement, wrote one of the most touching Christmas stories of all time. The Gift of the Magi is a beautiful story of young love and the sacrifices we make for those we love.

Read it to your family this holiday season.

Tomorrow marks a dual anniversary in the literary world. On December 15th 1815, Jane Austen's Emma is published, one day before the author's 40th birthday.

On the same day in 1904, Betty Smith, the author of A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (published in 1943) is born.

Celebrate the 197th birthday of Emma and enjoy what a scamp she still is today.

Here's a thought-provoking idea: why not tour the world's most polluted places and then write a book about it? That's exactly what Andrew Blackwell does in his engaging book Visit Sunny Chernobyl and Other Adventures In the World's Most Polluted Places. In addition to the Ukraine's nuclear 'dead zone' (that isn't dead at all but teeming with radioactive life), Blackwell visits the great Pacific garbage pile, Linfen, the dirtiest city in China and even our own Fort McMurrary. This is a terrific read.

Did you know that the library has a regularly meeting Dungeons and Dragons program for teens and young adults? Yep! That's right! Every Monday afternoon (except closed holiday days) gamers gather in the big multipurpose room. Whether you've played before or are new and curious, we welcome all skill levels! Check here for more info.