The perfect book for a book discussion is one that's not too easy, not too hard, which will hold the interest of a diverse group of readers and will also inspire a lively discussion. For additional book club resources try the Canton Public Library's Book Club in a Bag kits.

The girl with the dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The particular sadness of lemon cake: a novel by Aimee Bender

Still Alice: a novel by Lisa Genova

Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet: a novel by Jamie Ford

Is your book group looking for a good read?

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

The other Boleyn girl by Philippa Gregory

The piano tuner by Daniel Mason

Plainsong by Kent Haruf

Out stealing horses by Per Petterson

Are you in the mood for a simple, sweet dog story? Then Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow is just for you. It takes place in the Soviet Union right after World War II and is based on the real situation of canines in Russia at this time. Two brothers are determined to save a beautiful German Shepherd from certain death, since anything 'German' should be destroyed. Service in the military, starvation, abandonment, illness, and injury had all but eliminated the entire dog population in the Soviet Union. Finally realizing the value of dogs the Soviet government decided to create a new breed of dog — a "superdog" — to be used for work and military purposes. What few dogs remained were being kidnapped and sold for large sums of money. Will Mikhail and Nikolai be able to hide Zasha, especially once they learn from their mother that Zasha is pregnant? Will their nosy neighbor, Katia, who suspects they have the dog, ruin everything? Will their father, who is still officially missing in action, ever return? Told from the perspective of a young teen, this tender dog adventure tale is sure to please.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

March by Geraldine Brooks

In what order should you read a series? Read everything written by Sue Grafton or Malcolm Gladwell and would like to try a similar author? Books & Authors, available in Canton Public Library's databases, allows you to search by title and/or author, subject, keyword, time period, geographic location, or character. Follow the series links for additional titles, or take advantage of the Expert Picks & Librarian's Favorites for recommendations based on some of your favorite titles or topics.

The weed that strings the hangman's bag : a Flavia de Luce mystery by Alan Bradley

The girl who kicked the hornet's nest by Stieg Larsson ; translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland

In the company of others by Jan Karon

The three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine

Spooner by Pete Dexter

The irresistible Henry House : a novel by Lisa Grunwald

Some of my favorite teen books from 2010 include fantasy, historical fiction, and a few plain old realistic fiction reads.

Ostrich boys by Keith Gray

Sisters red by Jackson Pearce

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

The cardturner: a novel about a king, a queen, and a joker by Louis Sachar

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

After ever after by Jordan Sonnenblick

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." -José Narosky.
Some of these mystery stories take place in a time of war, some in its aftermath. No one is unscathed…

Blood Alone by James R. Benn

Bitterroot by James Lee Burke

Thirteenth Night: a Medieval Mystery by Alan Gordon

The War Against Miss Winter by Kathryn Miller Haines

Faded Coat of Blue by Owen Parry

Lord of misrule: a novel by Jaimy Gordon

Just kids: from Brooklyn to the Chelsea Hotel : a life of art and friendship by Patti Smith

Lighthead by Terrance Hayes

Mockingbird: (mok'ing-bûrd) by Kathryn Erskine

You can watch the 2010 National Book Awards ceremony on the National Book Foundation's website.