I’ve always believed that books are a great way to bring people together. It’s great to share ideas, see the world through other people’s eyes and get a different perspective on life. This all is possible when you talk to someone about a meaningful book you’ve both read. One such book I’ve read is Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I love Thoreau’s total immersion in Nature, his wonder and deep philosophical musings on life. I recently brought up this title to a volunteer who had also read it and enjoyed it. Just talking about it magically brought both of us back to the world Thoreau created within the pages of that book. When you think about it, every book is its own tiny world in itself.
When I first learned about the Missing Book Club’s tradition of leaving books in public places, I felt this was a perfect example of how books can bring people together, at least in spirit. The Missing Book Club, based in Argentina, makes a practice of leaving books in public places four times a year at the start of every season. The next time this event occurs is on June 21st, and I’m excited to say that you might encounter some books left behind right here in Austin, thanks to the Austin Public Library and its used bookstore, Recycled Reads. These books are not from the library’s collection, but were donated to Recycled Reads and then purchased for this event with funds from generous donors. If you should find a book, it’s yours to read and then hopefully to pass on to another person. This act is not only to share the love of a good book with fellow Austinites, but to share the excitement of reading, especially as a part of our Summer Reading Program. To me this event feels special, as though we too are members of the Missing Book Club, together sharing in something bigger than ourselves.
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Never embroidered before? Never fear! Everyone can do a simple backstitch. Have some experience embroidering? Try something a little more advanced! We are in love with the book 
We will provide all supplies needed including a nice white muslin, heavy duty embroidery backing, fun patterned fabric to embellish, and lots and lots of colors of thread. We will also have hoops for you to borrow for the duration of the class.
Summer time in Austin, Texas cannot be defined by the temperature outside. If it were, then we wouldn't have a Fall or Spring. Instead, universities, teachers, parents, and especially students define it by the months-long reprieve from the daily obligations of school. Retailers and restauranteurs mark Summer as when the tourists come to town. For festival goers it is the time between SXSW and ACL. For myself, I like to honor its arrival by joining the Summer Reading Program at my neighborhood branch of the library. Because I continue to work full time during that period of the calendar I can't necessarily devote more time to reading. Therefore, I have adopted my own personal challenge. Each year I have a goal to use the summer months to try a genre I don't normally read. Last year it was graphic novels and the year prior was nonfiction. In doing so, I discovered that I rather enjoy graphic novels and that they include so much more than superheroes. I also learned that I mentally focus much better on nonfiction material when I listen to it rather than read it, especially when it's read by an enthusiastic and passionate author or actor. So far my favorite of these is Michael Pollan, most notably known for Omnivore’s Dilemma, and who has a new one out soon I look forward to trying. I haven't decided yet on this year's genre, but it will undoubtedly be a mind opening experience. The pretty great thing about APL is that no matter which subject matter or material type I choose, I will have tons of titles from which to pick. The other awesome thing about summer reading in Austin is being part of the 
