“Some people will say, ‘Why read a comic book? It stifles the imagination. If you read a novel you imagine what people are like. If you read a comic, it’s showing you.’ The only answer I can give is, ‘You can read a Shakespeare play, but does that mean you wouldn’t want to see it on the stage?’”

-Stan Lee

-Mason Cooley

We've officially had our first snowfall of the season here at Chautauqua.  For those of us who maybe weren't quite mentally prepared for that, let's judge some books by their sunny, floral covers!

Battle of the Books gets Chautauqua County fifth-graders excited about reading. A lively academic competition, Battle of the Books improves reading comprehension, builds vocabulary, and teaches teamwork and good sportsmanship.

For more information on participating in the Battle of the Books, click here.

But whether or not you're participating -- check out these great books that have been selected for the 2019 battle!  The list was compiled with 5th graders in mind, and most have a recommended reading age of 8-12 and grade level 3-7.

Chautauqua Institution is once again accepting entries for The Chautauqua Janus Prize, now in its second year and boasting a doubled prize amount of $5,000. The Institution’s newest literary prize celebrates an emerging writer’s single work of short fiction or nonfiction for daring formal and aesthetic innovations that upset and reorder readers’ imaginations. In addition to receiving the $5,000 award, the winner will give a lecture on the grounds during the 2019 summer season and appear in a forthcoming issue of the literary journal Chautauqua. The prize is funded by a generous donation from Chautauquans Barbara and Twig Branch.  The 2019 winner will be selected by guest judge Vi Khi Nao, who will also lead a prose workshop during the 2019 summer season with the Chautauqua Writers’ Center.

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Why not turn to a favorite book with recognizable characters for some inspiration?

Are you sharpening your pencils, getting out your computer charger, and stocking up on coffee for NaNoWriMo?

For a little inspiration (or for those of us not writing 50,000 words in a month who therefore have time to read), here are some published books that started as NaNoWriMo projects.

― Conrad J. Storad The Bat Book

It's Batweek 2018!  Learn how to be a bat hero.

― Colette

It was good to see some of the four-legged and two-legged participants of Chautauqua County Humane Society's 14th Annual Walk 4 Paws this past weekend!  We welcome you and your (leashed and well-behaved) furry friends to come and browse again.  Don't forget to stop at the news counter and ask for a Milk-Bone!

"...For every mad scientist who’s had a convenient thunderstorm just on the night his Great Work is finished and lying on the slab, there have been dozens who’ve sat around aimlessly under the peaceful stars while Igor clocks up the overtime.”

--Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens

Don't have anything to read to get into the Halloween spirit?  Now that's a scary thought!

― Neil deGrasse Tyson, Death By Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries

Awkwardly, October is both National Sausage Month and National Vegetarian Month.  Luckily, it also happens to be National Pizza Month -- so whether you prefer your pie to be meat-lovers or veggie supreme, you're in on the celebration!