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I'm a big fan of Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins mysteries (most famously, Devil in a Blue Dress) and so I was nervous picking up a novel that is not one his Noir detective stories. But Mosley can tell just about any story and keep you engaged and he succeeds with The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. Ptolemy Grey is 91, in the early stages of dementia and in need of settling some very important business. Enter seventeen year old Robyn, and young woman taken in by Ptolemy's extended family who enters into a helpful and challenging relationship with the old man. As always, Mosley's characters are incredibly interesting with all the flaws and beauties of real people. This is not a shoot 'em up edge-of-your-seat novel, but there is some shooting and you'll care enough for Ptolemy to remain on the edge of your seat till the last page. Another great one from a great African-American novelist.

In addition to the library's eBook collection, you can find more free eBooks from Internet Archive and Project Gutenberg.

Named for the character in the classic comic strip Krazy Kat by George Herriman, this award recognizes great independent comics and their creators. Winners will be announced in early September. The 2012 Nominees are as follows:

Outstanding Graphic Novel
Big Questions by Anders Nilsen
Harvey Pekar’s Cleveland by Harvey Pekar and Joseph Remnant
My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf
Troop 142 by Mike Dawson (not in library collection)
A Zoo In Winter by Jiro Taniguchi

Also check out the nominees in Outstanding Artist, Outstanding Story, Outstanding Series, Promising New Talent and more.

"The Women's National Book Association has announced
Ann Patchett as the winner of the 2012-2013 WNBA Award. The award is presented by WNBA to a living American woman who derives part or all of her income from books or the allied arts and has done meritorious work in the world of books beyond the duties or responsibilities of her profession or occupation. Patchett, in addition to authoring a number of bestselling books, opened Parnassus Books in Nashville in 2011." - Publishers Weekly. Read more about Ann Patchett and her award.

The winners will be announced in early November, but check out all the great World Fantasy Awards nominees to decide for yourself which is the best.

Best Novel:
Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman
11/22/63 by Stephen King
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Osama by Lavie Tidhar
Among Others by Jo Walton

Listen to a list of the best summer and fall books of 2012 on the Minnesota Public Radio website or join in on the blog.

The Minnesota State Fair is happening August 23 through September 3, 2012. Here are some books to help you enjoy the fair even more.

My Help from the OverDrive Digital Help page lets you customize info according to your device.