Burbank READs....On Gratitude compiled by Todd Aaron Jensen

This year, as the City of Burbank celebrates our centennial anniversary, Burbank READs announces our selection of On gratitude : Sheryl Crow, Jeff Bridges, Alicia Keys, Daryl, Hall, Ray Bradbury, Anna Kendrick, B. B. King, Elmore Leonard, Deepak Chopra, and 42 more celebrities share what they're most thankful for [compiled] by Todd Aaron Jensen as our 2011 selection.

So Burbank, what are you grateful for?  Family, friends, your job, pizza, rainbows, the beach, good books to read, that there will be a NFL season or?  We hope that you will share what you are grateful for with us beginning with our kick-off event on September 21 [a talk with author Todd Aaron Jensen] to our big finale on October 29, The Party of 100 Thanks.

Check back frequently as there are many upcoming events to be revealed...oh and we, of course, hope that you are grateful for the Burbank Public Library!

Burbank READs 2010 will read......

Drumroll please....

The 2010 Burbank READs book chosen is:

Goodnight, Irene by Jan Burke

The bombing death of best friend and journalist O'Connor shocks Irene Kelly, herself an investigative reporter, into pursuing his last story--the as-yet-unsolved mutilation murder of a young woman back in 1955. Kelly collaborates with former flame Detective Frank Harriman in her desire to
identify the woman, but not without experiencing murder attempts, car chases, and a return of affection.

Your Burbank READs committee has plenty of mysterious events planned beginning with our kickoff event on August 27th through the grand finale on October 9th. We hope that you will join us in reading one of our favorite author's and join us at an event or two or three!

Flyers and handouts are available at all three libraries and also online and this site will be posting announcements for each and every event held as together Burbank READs Goodnight, Irene and solves the mystery of what happens when all of Burbank reads the same book! It would be criminal not to join in the fun.

Book announcement soon....!

Coming soon is the solution to the mystery of what book will Burbank read in 2010.

Today's mysterious clue for you...

I am reporting to you that this author has won awards and shares their last name with another award winning mystery writer.

A new clue for you.

The title of the book we've selected for Burbank READs is also the title of a well known song.

Book clue for you.

The author chosen has appeared multiple times at past Burbank Library author events.

What is new for 2010?

Fans of Burbank READs may have noticed that it wasn't held this spring. Well fear not faithful readers, for Burbank READs will be moving to the fall this year. The Burbank READs committee has been hard at work decided upon the 2010 book selection and related events. More will forthcoming...sorry to be so "mysterious" but all will be announced in due time.

Burbank's 2009 The BIG READ presents...

The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley in partnership withs the Burbank Public Library presents Burbank's 2009 The BIG READ title:

Nevermore: Prose and Poems by Edgar Allan Poe!

Come with us and explore the world and writings of Edgar Allan Poe with a variety of activities taking place across Burbank. Look for the brochure at your local library for full details and look right here for upcoming posts highlighting events taking place at the Burbank Central and Buena Vista Branch Libraries! For activities elsewhere in Burbank, click here.

You have to admit, Edgar Allan Poe and the month of October is a perfect match...this collection and many more books by Poe are found here.

The BIG READ is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.

Burbank READS goes Green!

You might have noticed something just a little bit different about our Burbank READS blog today. We've gone green!

In keeping with the City of Burbank's commitment to achieve urban sustainability and protect the world's ecosystem, the Burbank Public Library decided to make our "One Book, One City" program eco-friendly in 2009. We have selected the book, Living Like Ed by long-time environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. as our book for 2009. For over 38 years, Ed Begley, Jr. has been a pioneer in eco-consciousness -- always trying to "live simply so others may simply live." Now he has put together a guidebook for those of us looking to reduce our impact on the planet and live a better, greener life.

No matter what "green" level you aspire to, Ed's practical guide will offer suggestions for making changes in your life, from quick fixes to bigger commitments. The Burbank Public Library has multiple copies of Living Like Ed waiting for you to check out. Read the book, tell your friends about it, then join us for a month-long series of exciting events such as music, guest speakers, and films.

The big Kickoff of Burbank READS is set for 2 PM on Saturday, March 7, at the Buena Vista Branch Library. Meet Ed Begley, Jr. in person. He will discuss and sign his book at this event.

Be sure to save the afternoon of Saturday, April 4, for the finale of Burbank READS. A Sustainability Showcase will be held at the Buena Vista Branch Library to provide resources, information, and contacts for All-Things-Green!

After all, your library has been in the recycling business for years -- every time you check out a book and return it, the book is recycled to another borrower! So let's all GO GREEN together. Read Living Like Ed and participate in the activities planned. Watch for the brochure with all the events listed. And, of course, check back here for future postings.