Another year has arrived (how did that happen so fast?) and it seems only fitting that I pause in this column to point out the top book lists of 2006. I am pleased to offer many of these titles at the library. If you haven't had a chance to read these books, it might be a good resolution to check them out.

It wasn't possible in this space to provide every Top 2006 Book List so I narrowed it down to the following: The New York Times, Time Life Magazine, and just for contrast, Amazon.com. Though there are similarities on each list, I think you'll find the differences help provide stimulating reading.

New York Times

Fiction

1. Absurdistan

2. Collected Stories of Amy Hempel

3. The Emperor's Children

4. The Lay of the Land

5. Special Topics in Calamity Physics

Nonfiction

1. Falling Through the Earth

2. The Looming Tower

3. Mayflower

4. The Omnivore's Dilemma

5. The Places In Between

Time Magazine

Fiction and Nonfiction

1. Fun Home

2. The Looming Tower

3. The Road

4. Heat

5. Fiasco

6. The Lay of the Land

7. Absurdistan

8. Blood and Thunder

9. Black Swan Green

10. What is the What

Amazon

Fiction and Nonfiction

1. Suite Française

2. The Omnivore's Dilemma

3. The Thirteenth Tale

4. Sharp Objects

5. The Emperor's Children

6. The Looming Tower

7. The Place In Between

8. Heat

9. The Road

10. Cesar: Life of a Colossus

New books

Fiction

-- Stalemate --Iris Johansen

-- Ravenscar Dynasty -- Barbara Taylor Bradford

-- The Perfect Fake --Barbara Parker

-- Family -- Karen Kingsbury

Nonfiction

-- Just One More Thing -- Peter Falk

-- A Hand to Guide Me -- Denzel Washington

-- There's Nothing In This Book I Meant To Say -- Paula Poundstone

Library events

-- Preschool Story Time -- Each Tuesday, 10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3 to 7 years.

-- Pajama Story Time -- Each Monday, 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome, wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

-- Wee Ones Lap Time Story Times - For babies up to 24 months, each Wednesday 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

-- Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

-- When purchasing items from Amazon.com, use the link to Amazon that appears on the Marshall Public Library's Web site: www.marshallpubliclibrary.com. A portion of your purchase will go to support the library.

-- Consider joining Friends of the Marshall Libraries. Membership forms are available at the library.

-- Honor a mentor. Celebrate a friend. Commemorate an event. A gift to the Marshall Public Library is a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to friends and family. Your generosity will be a lasting source of joy and enrichment for the community. For additional information, please call (660) 886-3391 with any questions.

Check It Out appears Wednesday.