Happy Independents Day! (No, that's not a mistake - I'm thanking you for shopping at independent businesses, including The Learned Owl.) And Happy Independence Day, also. We'll be closed this Saturday, enjoying all the typical July 4th activities.

I've read several FABULOUS books recently. Sworn to Silence is a thriller set in Ohio Amish country - quite impossible to put down. The French Gardener is a delightful romantic novel - two stories woven into one - a perfect paperback for the deck, the beach, or the garden. The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden is another perfect summer read: Plenty of discussion potential for book groups, with a reading group guide inside. Finally, The Art of Racing in the Rain is finally in paperback. Every staff member who has read it has loved it... but I think you have to like dogs.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SIDEWALK SALE. July 16th-19th, many of the Merchants of Hudson will be lining the sidewalks with tables of bargains. See all the details at www.merchantsofhudson.com (and ours, of course, may also be found at www.learnedowl.com).

Ruby told us she was lonesome, so we've adopted a cat for her. (She had a cat that died last summer). She has green eyes, hence her name - Emmy - short for Emerald (keeping with the "gem" theme).

Enjoy your gardens, your friends and your families. Happy Summer! - Liz

Saturday, July 11, 10 AM-noon (Hudson Farmers' Market) - Russ Vernon, author of the West Point Market Cookbook, will be visiting. He's also bringing the executive chef of the West Point Market with him to do a cooking demonstration while he talks about the book.

Tuesday, July 21, 7 PM - Baseball legend Bob Feller will be at the Hudson Library to sign his new book, Bob Feller's Little Blue Book of Baseball Wisdom.

Saturday, July 25, 11 AM - Meet Terry Sykes-Bradshaw, author of The Awful Truth about Dead Men, a lighthearted murder mystery with a glowing review from the Akron Beacon Journal.

Thursday, July 30, 7 PM (Hudson Library) - Laura Taxel visits the Hudson Library with the new, 8th edition of Cleveland Ethnic Eats.

Some popular manga series for teens (Michael & Reid)

Graphic novels for younger kids (Katherine's kids)

A couple of non-manga not to be missed (Katherine)

Graphic novel adaptations of literary classics

The Indie Comics & Graphic Works Bestseller List